Congregational Development conference and mission in Saint John
by Ana Watts
A crisis in the church … overcoming obstacles … God’s vision for us … the Rev. Chuck Owens of South Carolina (seen with his wife Becky in the photo on the left) will lead the leaders of our diocese toward greater understanding of the hurdles of congregational development at St. Mary and St. Bartholomew’s Church in Saint John on Oct. 29 and 30. A parish mission follows the leadership portion of the conference Oct. 30 – Nov. 1. Its worship, praise and fellowship are also built on the teaching of this renowned speaker. Full details are in the brochure.
The leadership sessions begin Friday morning at 9:30 and conclude Saturday afternoon with a prayer & praise service at 4:30. Mr. Owens moves into mission mode on Saturday evening (Oct. 30) with a welcome praise and prayer time beginning at 6:30 followed by an opening mission service at 7. The day comes to an end with a reception in the church hall at 8:30.
On Sunday morning another welcome praise and prayer time at 9:30 is followed by a parish celebration service of Holy Eucharist with Archbishop Claude Miller officiating and Mr. Owens preaching. This special service is followed by a free celebration dinner in the church hall.
Monday is for women, beginning with a women’s praise and prayer session at 11:30, followed by a luncheon at noon in the hall. Again there is no charge for this meal and everyone is welcome.
At 1:30 p.m. there is a women-only session on leading the family. Coffee, refreshments, more praise & prayer time, a concluding mission service and a reception in the hall round out the day. Advance registration is required for the mission — call the church office at 696-1347 or e-mail angels2@nbnet.nb.ca. A detailed brochure is available on the diocesan web site http://anglican.nb.ca.
Mr. Owens (Charles E. Owens III) is rector of the Church of the Cross, Bluffton, South Carolina. According to the conference brochure and his church’s website, “he is a grass-roots believer who knows first-hand the struggles and challenges of everyday life. He is a real world disciple having spent over 25 years as an educator, counselor, and independent school headmaster prior to entering full-time ministry.
“Relentless in his faith, Mr. Owens is a gifted scriptural teacher and preacher of the Gospel and challenges members of his parish to grow their personal relationships with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Under his leadership, the Church of the Cross has experienced phenomenal growth and has now embraced a vision for a two-campus ministry committed to reaching the un-churched in southern Beaufort and Jasper Counties.”
Mr. Owens was ordained as a deacon in January 1994 and a priest in June of the same year. He has served The Church of the Cross in Bluffton since August of 1996. He and his wife Becky gave been married 37 years, have two grown children and five grandchildren.
