A note from Mtr Taylor
by Mtr Taylor, Associate for Intergenerational Ministries
It’s with great joy that we welcome Br Alex Swain to the Saint Philip’s community as a half-time Curate for Intergenerational Ministries.
These past two months, Br Alex’s contributions to the Youth Mission Trip, summer clean-up, and planning for the new program year have been invaluable. With his support, Saint Philip’s will be able to offer new service and social opportunities for all youth, including programs specifically for junior and senior high students.
Please save the date for his Priestly Ordination alongside Samantha Christopher (both Beloved in the Desert alumni) at 11:00am on August 23, 2025, here at Saint Philip’s. A reception will follow the service.
I will be on maternity leave from approximately August 25 to November 30. I am incredibly grateful for the team of leaders who will support the CYFM community during this time.
If you have specific questions or needs related to CYFM while I’m away, please contact:
Kate Appel—Nursery coordination, information about Atrium 1 and 2, CYFM Registration, long range planning and communication
Br Alex Swain—For information about Junior and Senior Youth, youth service information
Upon my return, I look forward to continuing the good work we have gotten to do together as a CYFM Formation team in coordination with the whole staff of Saint Philip’s. It has been a busy summer!
Families have participated in new offerings this summer:
*a Diocesan Youth Mission Trip spearheaded by Saint Philip’s volunteers,
*Saint Philip’s first Vacation Bible School (VBS) in about eight years,
*and many families returned to Chapel Rock’s summer camps, ranging from Ankle-Biters Camp (ABC camp for parents and rising Kindergarteners) to Senior Youth camps.
This past weekend our Formation Leaders and active youth volunteers gathered to pray, plan, schedule, and prep for the Sunday Formation Hour that will resume on Sunday, September 7 and continue through May. The groups have planned curriculum and activities to support your young one’s faith and relationships.
This year’s cohorts are:
Nursery
Atrium 1—Ages 3-6
Atrium 2—Grades 1-3
StoryMakers—Grades 4-5
Junior Youth—Grades 6-8
Senior Youth—Grades 9-12
I’m so grateful to get to work with all of these skilled volunteers, and for everyone’s efforts to cultivate this environment of encounter and support God in Christ and the body of Christ in community!
If you haven’t had a chance to register your children for formation this fall, please follow this link to update any medical release info, etc. which we must ask for each year.
If you have a child in one of these cohorts, please plan to join us following the 10:00am service on Sunday, August 24 for the Fall Orientation. You’ll have the opportunity to meet your child’s Formation Leaders, Cohort, to visit their classroom or Atrium, to reconnect with old friends, and to learn about age-specific additional offerings, Sacraments, and opportunities for service and fellowship.
On Sunday, September 7, the formation year will begin with each of these cohorts and Parents’ Formation gathering from 11:30am-12:30pm. Formation will continue through the program year (with a few breaks around holidays).
One of the first additional offerings available this fall is Rhythm&Rhyme. Please click here to register your infants, toddlers, or preschoolers for this free offering, and invite a friend! You can get to know the facilitator, Chelsea Shepherd, at the Nursery Playdate scheduled as a part of the CYFM Fall Orientation on August 24.
Knowing that many families are preparing for back-to-school this week, please keep children and their educators in your prayers!
In Christ,
—Mtr Taylor
