Spiritual Life at Queens

Religious and spiritual life at queens

Our Presbyterian History and Pluralist Statement

We affirm Queens’ ties, established at our founding in 1857, with the Presbyterian Church (USA). This tradition has embedded core values such as service, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to the common good in Queens' institutional culture.

Thus the Queens community promotes the civic good by fostering knowledge and nurturing relationships among people of different religious and philosophical world views. This pluralistic approach lies at the heart of the transformative educational experience Queens provides.

Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Presbyterian Church is anchored in the Reformed tradition, which is marked by historical, theological, and institutional commitments to education for the common good and the dignity of all people. Thus, our pluralistic approach is because of our heritage, not in spite of it.

Queens Community

Our community is student-centered, diverse, and inclusive of all people. Thus, our faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners nurture the student journey through transformative encounters across all kinds of difference—including religious and philosophical world views.

Five Pillars that the Belk Chapel Focuses on:

Civic Good

The Queens education equips students—in the classroom, on campus, and beyond—to care for the world to which we belong. Our motto, "Not to be served, but to serve," connects this goal to Christian tradition while promoting service that extends to all people.

Fostering Knowledge

As an academic institution, we value both appreciative inquiry and critical appraisal as we explore core teachings (book knowledge) as well as the diverse human expression of those world views (personal and socio-political knowledge).

Nurturing Relationships

At Queens, we affirm the deeply relational nature of learning, which extends beyond academic instruction. Campus organizations such as Belk Chapel, the Stan Greenspon Center, and DICE (Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement), help build bridges of understanding and cooperation across different world views.

Religious and Philosophical World Views

Members of the Queens community understand "ultimate concerns" in diverse ways. Many find life's meaning through religious world views, while others do not. Our life together, both at Queens and in the wider world, depends on our ability to probe and reflect on our common humanity, in light of shared and disparate views.

Pluralistic Approach

Religious pluralism goes beyond mere tolerance to promote conversation and collaboration across difference. By understanding others on their own terms, we appreciate both our common values and our distinctive convictions. Pluralism enables us to value one another, to work together, and to disagree well.

Clubs and Organizations

There are several opportunities for students to contact to religious and spiritual life clubs and organizations including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hillel, Interfaith Leadership Council, Muslim Student Association, and Reformed University Fellowship.

To get connected or to learn about other opportunities, please email belkchapel@queens.edu.

Scholarships Through Belk Chapel

Davis Fellows

The Robert and Pamela Davies Fellowship offers a signature Belk Chapel experience for students who are committed to exploring religious and spiritual life at Queens and beyond.

Our Davies fellows learn in both academic and co-curricular settings, serve as campus leaders, engage in community outreach, and reflect together on faith-based or philosophical values that shape their lives.

Spiritual Life Staff

Rev. Joey Haynes
University Chaplain and Director, Davies Center for Faith and Outreach
haynesj@queens.edu

Noah Goldman
Coordinator of Jewish Life
goldmann@queens.edu

Aisha Obeid
Coordinator of Muslim Life
obeida@queens.edu

Rabbi Judy Schindler
Campus Rabbi and Director, Stan Greenspon Center
schindlerj@queens.edu

Dr. Alexa Royden
Faculty Advisor for Non-religious Students
roydena@queens.edu

Seedy Njie
Belk Chapel Graduate Assistant
njies@queens.edu

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