FORT SMITH — Brittney Owens, who leads a Bible study group for 11th- and 12th-grade girls at Christ the King Church’s TARE (Teenage Religious Education) program, is a witness to the biblical principle of stewardship in her personal life.
Like the good and faithful servant in the parable of the talents in Matthew Chapter 25, she has invested her time and talent to coordinate a college scholarship benefit art auction after Sunday Masses Feb. 23.
The 27- year-old mother of two — Gracie, 2, and Brad, 6 months — knows how expensive college can be.
“My husband Brad and I were blessed to receive financial help through college, but even so, I worked three jobs during my college years. I waited tables, worked an on-campus job and had an unpaid internship. We hope the auction will allow us to provide at least one $500 college scholarship, which can be used for books and other expenses,” she said.
Owens earned a bachelor’s degree in art from the Memphis College of Art, and since graduation has taught art at Girls Inc. and done commissioned artwork, marketing her skills through her website and word of mouth. The artwork to be sold at the auction is currently on display in the parish lobby.
Most of the paintings are small enough to be affordable and feature a variety of styles, including children’s nursery paintings, abstract art and rural scenes.
“We tried to get something for everyone,” Owens said.
Her husband, Brad, a pricing analyst for Arkansas Best Freight, and her mother, Linda Williams, helped her determine what people would like.
Owens’ mother has been very influential in her faith development as well.
“My mom is in charge of putting together the Arkansas Charismatic Conference website,” she said. “I became involved with the charismatic movement as a teenager. When Brad joined the Church four years ago, we both started teaching TARE.”
Owens was surprised when her Bible study group asked to study the book of Revelation but discovered that the girls showed “not only a strong grasp for the Bible’s most complex book, but an amazing awareness for the importance of Christ in their lives as they enter adulthood.”
She and her husband will award as many $500 scholarships as the auction can finance based on an essay contest open to all seniors who are active participants in TARE. The 500-word essays, due March 1, should relate Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation, St. John’s criticism of the seven churches, to today’s society or their individual lives. The essays, with names removed, will be judged by members of the Charismatic Conference.
Youth director Jennifer Briselden said she appreciates Owens’ work with TARE.
“The students have studied Revelation line by line, discussing the symbolism and relating it to their lives,” she said. “Because Brittney has made it so relevant to teens, they have opened up and gotten into some deep conversations.
“The students are really excited about this scholarship opportunity because Christ the King offers two scholarships to University of Arkansas Fort Smith, but most of our students go to other colleges. They appreciate her giving them an opportunity to get help from the Church.”
If all 18 auction paintings receive minimum starting bids, the auction will raise $500.
“Anything else will be a bonus,” she said.
And while painting and coordinating the auction with a newborn and toddler in tow has been a challenge, she added, “It is encouraging to know that such strong, spiritual teens will be carrying our Catholic faith into the world.”
