BITD: Year 2 ending

Salutations!

It is with great joy, and sadness, that the second year of Beloved in the Desert Episcopal Service Corps comes to a close. I say joy because of the wonderful service and presence they brought to our community. And I say sadness in watching as they depart from this community that they have rooted in, and become cornerstones in, this past year.

This year, three folks from around the country – Sam, Madison, and Luke – joined the program in July of 2020 amidst the trials and tribulations of a pandemic to root in intentional community and grow in faith through service, study, and prayer right here in Tucson. Sam, Madison, and Luke dedicated a year to live a pseudo-monastic rhythm of deep prayer and service, making very little money, and giving generously of their time and gifts. Each individual served at a non-profit for 32 hours a week – Luke at Interfaith Community Services, Madison at Habitat for Humanity, and Sam at Saint Philip’s and the Episcopal Campus Ministry – and they contributed an estimated nearly 4,000 hours of service to organizations throughout Tucson.

Their resolve, tenacity, and great gifts are to be celebrated! Please keep them in prayer as they journey on to their next steps! Sam will be staying in Tucson and is now working at the U of A, and pursuing formal discernment to the priesthood through the Episcopal Campus Ministry. Luke is now working at Interfaith Community Services full-time and pursuing formal discernment to the priesthood through Saint Philip’s. Madison will return home to North Carolina to work full-time as a program director for her old church, which is immensely exciting!

For their time with us, let us give great thanks to God through our Lord Jesus! Hold them in prayer and joy as we do! 😊

With great gratitude for the Beloved Cohort of 2020-2021,

Alex Swain with Mother Taylor Devine

From left to right: Alex Swain, Sam, Madison, Mtr Taylor Devine with baby Hannah, and Luke Pearson.