A new role

Dear friends,

I have big news. After 8.5 years of full-time ministry with you at Saint Philip’s I will be transitioning to very part-time support of newcomer ministries. In this season of growth for my family, I received an offer to serve in a new full-time position in a remote capacity that we have discerned is the next right thing.

I want to share a few things in this transition in the middle of several church transitions:

1) Thank you! I am leaving a great position for a great position. I have loved serving at Saint Philip’s, and love is not an overstatement.

I feel confident about the work and prayer we’ve shared, and about the leadership in place to continue our welcome of families, our growth in depth of relationship across the generations, and the ongoing efforts for health and congregational vitality.

The flexibility for my family and the opportunity to grow and serve in a new way without having to relocate are something Charlie and I have hoped and prayed for as our family has grown.

2) The Vestry, CYFM Commission, and my fellow church staff have been so supportive of my ministry over the years, our shared ministry in many forms, and toward this next step. Working with them and Fr Richard, we are figuring out what next steps look like for staff support.

A search for a new priest to assume my position has begun. I am grateful for this staff and the volunteer leadership teams’ vision to continue this good work in a new chapter. 

3) I am deeply grateful that Saint Philip’s continues as a teaching parish for clergy, staff, and members. It has been a place of tremendous growth for me, and as proud as I am of what we’ve shared together, there’s always a little more one hopes one could do with people one loved working with.

You let your clergy be imperfect while respecting and supporting their unique ministry. Thank you for being learners together in seeking the Gospel in day to day life together. Being committed to this growth is something I will take with me in my future ministry.

4) What’s next? I am very much looking forward to serving as a connector between the good work of Forward Movement’s Discipleship Initiatives and churches and dioceses.

Serving on a team committed to the wider church’s thriving in mission in the world through personal and church-wide learning and relationships is an exciting next step in ministry. I look forward to the opportunities to grow, serve, build resources and relationships, and to travel occasionally to visit churches and dioceses living out the Gospel in unique and faithful ways.

5) My family will remain in Tucson, and particularly during this Interim period, I look forward to remaining supportive of Saint Philip’s through part-time work. My family and I look forward to worshipping with you in this new season of our family life.

After a break this spring, you will see us doing the stuff of life here as parishioners. Getting to worship with my young children is something I have yearned for, and I look forward to joining the dance of West Transept-Columbarium break-Nursery-Formation, which inspires me so much.

I am deeply grateful to get to stay in community with you, for our children to participate in Formation offerings here, and for the chance to be helpful in a narrow and specific way in this season. I will be working on contract to link newcomers to existing ministries, make adjustments to our newcomer process, and, through this effort, hope to support membership, participation, and stewardship.

I look forward to highlighting and supporting the good work you are doing in this specific way. Over time, it may make sense for me to participate in our College of Clergy, the gathering of retired and non-stipendiary Priests and Deacons who are members of Saint Philip’s, and who are called upon from time to time to support liturgy, preaching, and pastoral care.

There’s always more to say—and not enough Bell and Tower articles to name the love lived out in the name of Christ that I have gotten to see behind the scenes.

Thank you for trusting me with your stories and for honoring God with your many gifts offered in love.

Thank you for opening your hearts, homes, and personal generosity to the shared projects of the past 8.5 years.

Thank you for celebrating the seasons of my ministry here—some of you were at my Ordination to the Priesthood now long ago.

It is a rare and special gift to serve in a place long enough to live out a few seasons of one’s ministry and the church’s. (What a funny treat to hear “is your title really going to be Mother?” in the same call where I’ve heard with a gaggle of youth, “Are they all yours?” What a strange and wonderful time in life—and a gift to share it together.)

Thank you for celebrating the seasons of my personal life, as well. Our children’s bookshelf is made up mostly of gifts of well-loved books from you over the years, and their quilt collections are unmatched; thank you for knowing and loving your clergy’s families.

I am grateful to God for each shared laugh, each transcendent moment in worship, each goosebump response to our shared humanity, each meeting, training module, or formation retreat building up discipleship here, and for the seriousness with which you take the power of the Spirit in our midst to grow and change us.

I look forward to what’s next, and give thanks to God and to you for what has been.

My last day will be Sunday, February 1, 2026. After the 10:00am service, there will be a goodbye reception; more details will follow.

12:30pm-2:00pm, this Sunday, January 18, Formation Leaders are invited to a mid-year Formation Leader retreat. We will have lunch, check in, and reflect about the year, share details about the spring, and give thanks for you and all your work this fall!

During Parents’ Formation and the Formation Leader Retreat, the CYFM Commission volunteers and I will be happy to answer any questions or concerns.

In Christ and with gratitude,

—Mtr Taylor