After just three years, Beloved in the Desert Episcopal Service Corps has become a beautiful and robust ministry of Saint Philip’s. This summer it will begin another chapter with a new Program Director.

Fr Ben Garren, the Episcopal Chaplain at the University of Arizona, will join the clergy at Saint Philip’s in a part-time capacity as the Program Director of Beloved in the Desert.

The incoming class participants will begin their year as Beloved corps members formally on Friday, July 22. Fr Ben will be their primary contact and leader during their time of prayer, service, and intentional community.

Fr Ben brings an immense wealth of experience and passion to this work, and his gifts with formation, administration, fund-raising, professional networking, and care for young adults make him an outstanding choice to shepherd Beloved in the Desert into its next chapter. The Advisory Board will collaborate with Ben to continue the strategic and day-to-day work of this ministry.

Mtr Taylor will work closely with Fr Ben as the summer unfolds so he can become familiar with all aspects of the Program Director’s responsibilities. Fr Ben will lead the day-to-day pastoral care of the community, formation, and program management. Mtr Taylor will serve as a support and staff liaison, and continue to attend Beloved Board meetings every quarter.

Fr Ben’s appointment will not only deepen Saint Philip’s commitment to the faith formation of students at the University of Arizona, but it will also provide the parish with another way to reach the next generations here in Tucson.

As Fr Robert noted, “I am delighted to see this historic relationship between the campus ministry and Saint Philip’s strengthened. Fr Ben has demonstrated his commitment to the formation and care of our Beloved members in recent years and I’m thankful for his continued desire to support their growth in faith and service.”

“The development of Beloved in the Desert, NightSong: A Compline Experience, and more bring us new opportunities for continuing to develop our vision as a community that is intentional, intergenerational, and grounded in our shared life in Christ.”

When asked about her tenure as Program Director, Mtr Taylor reflected that, “It has been such a gift to work with each of our supporters who have been generous in their prayer, time, talent, and financial resources in our communal support of this important ministry with young adults and our non-profit neighbors. Thank you for the many ways that you have made, and will continue to make, Beloved in the Desert flourish. Please keep Ben, and the incoming corps members—Jeremy, David, Hannah, and Marcus—in prayer.”

Fr Robert is grateful for Mtr Taylor’s hard work, vision, and dedication in getting Beloved in the Desert launched. He is glad that this transition will enable her to bring those same gifts to her work forming and connecting people across generations at Saint Philip’s.

For her part, Mtr Taylor looks forward to integrating her work with Children, Youth, and Family Ministry with the manifold efforts of Outreach and the opportunities for service with Beloved corps members—true intergenerational ministry at work.

If you would like to welcome Fr Ben personally, his email address is ecmtucson@gmail.com.

New Program Director