Dear Friends in Christ,

It is with great joy that I share news about a new partnership between St. Andrew’s and Saint Philip’s in the Hills. Beginning June 1, Alex Swain will serve in the dual role of part-time Vicar at St. Andrew’s and part-time Curate at Saint Philip’s in the Hills.

This partnership is the culmination of comprehensive and thoughtful conversations between representative of both churches. I am confident this arrangement will serve both parishes and, hopefully, lead to more sharing and cooperation going forward.

At St. Andrew’s, Alex will lead worship three Sundays a month, as well as Evening Prayer on Wednesdays. He will also oversee all programming and pastoral care needs. Alex will be supported in his work by The Rev’d Mary White, affiliated clergy. Alex and his husband (also Alex!) will live in the vicarage at St Andrew’s.

At Saint Philip’s, Alex will work under my guidance and Mtr Taylor’s to support and develop programming, as well as offer pastoral care support within the Children, Youth, and Family ministries.

These responsibilities are in response to the clear need for them articulated to both the Vestry and Finance Committees by the CYFM Commission.

Alex will be on campus Tuesdays and Wednesdays and participate in liturgies on the second Sunday of every month.

Alex first came to Tucson in 2019 as a member of the first cohort of the Beloved in the Desert group under the Episcopal Service Corps. During that year he participated in worship at Saint Philip’s, and worked as a volunteer at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.

The following year, Alex chose to remain in Tucson, worked full-time at the Food Bank, and began the discernment process. That led to his selection as an ordinand for the Diocese of Arizona.

Alex was ordained as a deacon earlier this year and will graduate from Virginia Theological Seminary next month. He will be ordained a priest in a few months’ time.

Please join me in welcoming Alex when he joins our staff in June.

Yours in Christ,

—Fr Robert