please welcome Rev Bruce Charles as he takes the helm in a more routine manner in the year ahead as we wait for a new rector to be appointed.
BIO: An Anglican priest for nearly 40 years, serving as a curate in the parishes of Castlemaine, South East
Bendigo, and then Rector of Donald – Birchip in the Bendigo Diocese, Newborough, Wonthaggi and
Inverloch and finally in Moe in the Gippsland Diocese.
During 33 years of parish ministry, Bruce focused on spirituality and social justice.
Bruce resigned from the Parish of Moe in 2014 due to ill health. Bruce began taking Services from
time to time in the Parish of Morwell from 2016 to assist the Rector David Head. He was Locum for
12 weeks in 2019 when David was on long service leave and again from November 2020 to March
2021 after the retirement of Fr David and Archdeacon Sue Jacka becoming Rector. He also had a
Locum Ministry in the Cooperating Parish of Churchill from 2018 until becoming Locum n this Parish
of Drouin in August of this year. He had been taking two Services a month from late April.
Apart from locum work, Bruce is researching two books. One on Prayer & Meditation with a strong
emphasis on comparative religion (a short pamphlet version is available at website Prayer &
Meditation) and the other in epistemology `How do we know what we know’. He has a website:
https://www.aquest-for-truth.net. He and Marizel are also establishing a family therapy meditation
centre on their property.
Prior to Ordination, Bruce obtained an Arts Degree from Monash University, majoring in history,
with sub- majors in philosophy and legal theory. From 1971 Bruce pursued his own studies in eastern
and western philosophy, theology, prayer and meditation and music including music therapy. He
had various casual jobs during this time.
Bruce grew up in the Solomon Islands, and Hong Kong. He then went to boarding school at Scotch
College, Melbourne, whilst living in Nigeria and Zambia. His parents returned to Australia at the end
of his secondary schooling.
Bruce is married to Marizel. They are a blended family with 6 children.
PRAYER FOR A NEW RECTOR
Bountiful God, give to this Parish, a faithful pastor who will faithfully speak
your word and minister your sacraments; an encourager who will equip your people
for ministry and enable us to fulfill our calling. Give to those who will choose
wisdom, discernment and patience, and to us give warm and generous hearts for
Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen