The Wardens and Vestry of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Kansas City, are happy to announce the appointment of The Reverend Charles Everson as Priest-in-Charge effective March 3, 2019.
Fr. Charles initially came to St. Mary’s in August 2017 as Assistant to the Rector. When the Rector accepted another priestly call the following January, he began to unofficially act as the clergy leader of the parish.
“During the past year, our faith has been tested and our country more divided than ever,” said Senior Warden Sharon Hunter-Putsch. She continued, “Fr. Charles has brought his youthful energy, optimism, and intellect to guide St. Mary’s further into the 21st century by navigating the church through our ever-changing world. Through Fr. Charles’ personal efforts to create and open and welcoming spirit within the church community, our attendance has grown each week. He truly has been and is now officially our Priest-in-Charge!”
In addition to serving St. Mary’s as a priest, Fr. Charles works as a vice president at a regional community bank. His passions lie in contemplative Benedictine spirituality, adult formation, music and liturgy, and personal evangelism. He is particularly passionate about the mission of the Good Samaritan Project, an AIDS Service Organization in Kansas City where he serves as president of the Board of Directors. Fr. Charles also serves on the Provincial Council of the Society of Catholic Priests of North America as Communications Director.
“At St. Mary’s, we don’t shy away from the ancient musical and liturgical traditions we’ve inherited, and find that many young people in today’s world long for an experience of the Divine that is mysterious and otherworldly,” Fr. Charles said. “Beautiful music, liturgy and architecture may seem to be incompatible with ministry to the poor, but in our tradition, they go hand in hand. At St. Mary’s, we provide groceries to those in need and host a choral music concert on the same day. This is who we are.”
He continued, “It is thrilling to see the growth and vitality at St. Mary’s, both in numbers of souls and in depth of faith. The people who walk through our doors encounter the love and peace of the living God in the midst of a diverse and loving community. They’re inviting their friends, and then those friends are inviting their friends. It is an exciting time to be here!”
Fr. Charles is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies, and earned a Masters of Business Administration at Baker University. He graduated from the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in Topeka, Kansas, with a Certificate in Presbyteral Studies in 2016. Fr. Charles and his husband Jay live in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 1307 Holmes Rd in the heart of downtown Kansas City. www.stmaryskcmo.org
Fr. Charles initially came to St. Mary’s in August 2017 as Assistant to the Rector. When the Rector accepted another priestly call the following January, he began to unofficially act as the clergy leader of the parish.
“During the past year, our faith has been tested and our country more divided than ever,” said Senior Warden Sharon Hunter-Putsch. She continued, “Fr. Charles has brought his youthful energy, optimism, and intellect to guide St. Mary’s further into the 21st century by navigating the church through our ever-changing world. Through Fr. Charles’ personal efforts to create and open and welcoming spirit within the church community, our attendance has grown each week. He truly has been and is now officially our Priest-in-Charge!”
In addition to serving St. Mary’s as a priest, Fr. Charles works as a vice president at a regional community bank. His passions lie in contemplative Benedictine spirituality, adult formation, music and liturgy, and personal evangelism. He is particularly passionate about the mission of the Good Samaritan Project, an AIDS Service Organization in Kansas City where he serves as president of the Board of Directors. Fr. Charles also serves on the Provincial Council of the Society of Catholic Priests of North America as Communications Director.
“At St. Mary’s, we don’t shy away from the ancient musical and liturgical traditions we’ve inherited, and find that many young people in today’s world long for an experience of the Divine that is mysterious and otherworldly,” Fr. Charles said. “Beautiful music, liturgy and architecture may seem to be incompatible with ministry to the poor, but in our tradition, they go hand in hand. At St. Mary’s, we provide groceries to those in need and host a choral music concert on the same day. This is who we are.”
He continued, “It is thrilling to see the growth and vitality at St. Mary’s, both in numbers of souls and in depth of faith. The people who walk through our doors encounter the love and peace of the living God in the midst of a diverse and loving community. They’re inviting their friends, and then those friends are inviting their friends. It is an exciting time to be here!”
Fr. Charles is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies, and earned a Masters of Business Administration at Baker University. He graduated from the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry in Topeka, Kansas, with a Certificate in Presbyteral Studies in 2016. Fr. Charles and his husband Jay live in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Kansas City.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 1307 Holmes Rd in the heart of downtown Kansas City. www.stmaryskcmo.org
We celebrated a Solemn Te Deum on May 10, 2019, in thanksgiving for the appointment of The Rev'd Charles Everson as Priest-in-Charge.