Faith Week: From the Head of Ministry and Service 

Mr David Chilton | Grammar News | 26 July 2024

Well, the Paris Olympics is underway! In the Spirit of the Olympics, I have been inspired by a French gymnast named Charles Blondin. He was born in France in 1824 and developed amazing tightrope walking skills, eventually joining a circus. However, he later moved to America, where he became most famous for crossing the 340-meter-wide Niagara Gorge, 50 meters above the water. Even more impressive was that he did this blindfolded and then with a wheelbarrow. His best-known moment was after he had crossed with a wheelbarrow he turned to the crowd and said, “Who believes I can transport a person across in my wheelbarrow?” the crowd cheered excitedly, all saying they believed! He then turned to them and said “ok, who will volunteer to hop in?” The crowd went silent, no one wanted to put their life in his hands and their faith in his ability. The story has it that eventually, a lady came forward to volunteer and that this lady was, in fact, his mother! It’s a beautiful illustration of the difference between belief and faith. Faith requires action and trust. In fact, in the Bible, faith is described in Hebrews as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” A Christian faith is an assurance in and through Christ, confident in the hope that they are forgiven and will one day be part of the new creation, even though they cannot see Jesus or God face to face.

This term at St Luke’s we have launched a new initiative called ‘Faith Week’. In the Senior School we have had ex-students and local youth leaders coming into Christian studies classes and sharing what they put their faith in and why. Students have engaged in thought-provoking activities like building towers or bridges and thinking about what they believe they can put their faith in for their foundation or structure their life around. Lessons have concluded with robust and engaging Q&A sessions. Many students chose to meet to continue conversations and questions at lunch over food and games as they chatted more to the guests who had come in. We’re looking forward to doing similar for Junior School in their Christian Studies lessons later this term.

In Chapels for Faith Week, I shared the story of Charles Blondin and said that Christian faith is like getting in a wheelbarrow pushed by Jesus and choosing to ‘put our life in his hands’. We hope this week has enabled students to think about what they believe and what they put their faith in. A big thank you to all our guests who gave up their time to help with Faith Week.

Blessings,

Dave Chilton