[Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration] The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration announced this morning that Rebecca Cotton joined its staff as youth minister.

Rebecca Cotton

Cotton will craft, lead and oversee a total ministry program for the Church’s youth in middle and high school, as well as serving students beyond its own congregation. “We are blessed to have such a talented young woman join our team,” stated the Rev. Brooks Keith, rector of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. “In her first few weeks, Rebecca has already taken the program to a higher level.”

Cotton was born and raised in Edwards and is a life-long member of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. She served as a veteran sacristan, acolyte trainer, lay eucharistic minister and Sunday School teacher at Transfiguration before her graduation from Battle Mountain High School with highest honors in 2013.  She chose Transfiguration as her career semester internship site, learning valuable lessons in professional ministry before graduating high school.

A recent graduate with honors from the College of Literature, Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan, Cotton earned a Bachelor of Science degree in ecology and evolutionary biology with a minor in mathematics. She completed an independent research project focused on global warming to earn her honors designation. Cotton also served on a small group leadership team in her college congregation throughout her college career. She is the first scientist to serve on the church’s staff.

“I’m very thankful to have this opportunity to serve our community’s youth, both within Transfiguration and throughout the Vail Valley,” said Cotton. “Our youth program will include small groups, fun activities, mission trips, volunteer opportunities and mentorship for our youth as they move through middle and high school into adulthood. I am excited and honored to build and direct this ministry, and to have the privilege of working with the youth in this valley.”

“We are excited to re-build a premier congregational youth ministry featuring personal pastoral care, substantive spiritual formation, fun gatherings, mission and outreach activities, and transformational Christian worship for our young people,” said Keith. “Rebecca’s leadership will help us fulfill our shared mission, to know Jesus Christ and make Him known, with our youth.”