Assistant to Deputy for Program Appointed
Diocesan Press Service. March 5, 1969 [75-1]
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The Rev. John F. Stevens, associate director of the General Convention Special Program, will assume new duties as Assistant to the Rt. Rev. Stephen Bayne, Deputy for Program of the Executive Council.
In announcing the transfer of the Rev. Mr. Stevens, Bishop Bayne acknowledged the central part he had played in the G.C.S.P. and the loss which would be felt in that section.
"On the other hand," he said, "the Staff Program Group represents the corporate life and work of all of us, and needs and deserves the strongest hands and the wisest help we can give it. I have heard -- and I very gladly believe it -- that his G. C.S. P. colleagues are glad that his intimate knowledge of their hopes and work will go with him in the service of us all."
In his new position, which he will begin March 1, the Rev. Mr. Stevens will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the program work of the Staff Program Group. He will also, at least through March, continue to take responsibility for his present duties with the G.C. S.P. He succeeds the Rev. Thomas Gibbs who has accepted a missionary assignment in the Virgin Islands.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, the Rev. Mr. Stevens is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He did graduate work in advanced calculus and electronics at Johns Hopkins University and received a B.D. degree from Virginia Seminary in 1948.
From 1948-49 he was associate rector of St. Matthews Church, Wheeling, W. Va., and from 1949-56 rector of St. Patrick's Church, Washington, D.C. In 1956 he moved to Houston, Tex., and became rector of St. Timothy's Church. He held that position until 1964 when he became director of the Department of Christian Social Relations of the Diocese of Texas.
In 1967, he joined the staff of the Executive Council's Home Department. While in the Navy he served aboard the USS West Virginia and the USS Alabama and was instructor in electrical engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy.
During his ministry, the Rev. Mr. Stevens has been actively involved in the Group Life Lab movement and in community affairs.
He married the former Ruth Elizabeth Brown on January 19, 1945. They are the parents of three children.