“The antidote to despair is awe”: An afternoon with Christian Wiman

The poet Christian Wiman shares reflections from his recent book, Zero at the Bone: Fifty Entries Against Despair. Through an experimental blend of poetry, memoir, criticism, and theology, Wiman’s book ruminates on the seductive appeal of despair — and the ways faith and hope can diminish its power. For Wiman, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer nearly two decades ago, the most potent antidote to despair is awe.   

Wiman joins Summerlee Staten, Trinity’s executive director of Faith Formation and Education, to discuss how even in the most turbulent, challenging times, we can cultivate a capacity for wonder. Spend an afternoon at Trinity Commons with “one of the most distinguished Christian writers of his generation” (The New Yorker ) — get your book signed, enjoy a light lunch, and engage in table conversations about Wiman’s work.   

Christian Wiman is the acclaimed author of more than a dozen books of poetry and prose, including his memoir My Bright Abyss: Meditation of a Modern Believer. He has won multiple national awards for his work and has been called “the best devotional poet writing in English” (Poetry). Wiman teaches religion and literature at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and Yale Divinity School, where he is the Clement-Muehl Professor of the Arts. From 2003–2013, he was editor of Poetry magazine. He lectures widely in the United States and Europe, and his work appears regularly in Harper’s and The New Yorker. 

12:30pm: Doors open
12:45–1:15pm: Book signing
1:30–2:30pm: Program
2:40–3:30pm: Optional small group discussions for in-person attendees
A light lunch will be served.

Please note: Registration for this free event is highly recommended since seating is limited and ticket holders will be prioritized (although not guaranteed entry if the venue reaches capacity).

Host or Publisher Trinity Church Wall Street