Clergy, Staff & Vestry

Clergy

Sara Fischer

  • Rector

    Our Rector, the Rev. Sara Fischer, was raised on the east coast and baptized as a young adult at Emanuel Church in Boston. She has lived in Portland since 1986 and served as a lay person at St. Stephen’s and then at Grace Memorial before going to General Seminary in 2000, where she earned her M.Div. in 2003. Over the decades her ministries in the wider community have included anti-racism work, baptismal formation, and advocating for the poor and outcast in the public square. In particular, while not an artist herself, she believes that opportunities for creativity are a basic human need and works to bring the arts to those with limited access to creativity. She is a huge fan of the Book of Common Prayer and is nurtured, energized, and renewed by what she calls “good, clean liturgy.”

    Ordained in 2003 at Grace Memorial, Portland, Mother Sara brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as rector at Saints Peter and Paul, Portland; St. Paul, Seattle; Saint David of Wales, Portland, and St. John the Evangelist, Milwaukie. Since April 2024, she has been leading Hope and Bread City Mission, a street church in East Portland dedicated to serving our unhoused neighbors.

    Sara is the author of a memoir, Open: Adventures in Radical Hospitality, which reflects on Rahab’s Sisters, a ministry she helped to found in 2003, as well as her own development as a priest. She is working on a second book, about street chaplaincy, and occasionally blogs at sarafischer.substack.com

    In her spare time, Sara loves to knit, read, run, hike, and swing kettlebells. Her husband, Mark, is a semi-retired professor of computer engineering at Portland State who, luckily for Sara, loves to cook. The two love to travel around Oregon and overseas. Their adult son, Nathan, lives and works in Northwest Portland.

Staff

Tim Lane

  • Communications and Admin

    Tim is an author, freelance writer, father, and husband. His work has appeared in The Los Angeles Review, Emerald City, X-R-A-Y, and Monkey Bicycle among others. His first novel, Rules for Becoming a Legend, is published by Viking Press. His second, The Neighbors We Want, is out now from Crooked Lane.

Vestry

  • Altar Guild

    I was attracted to St. Aidan’s because of the warm friendliness of the congregation and being welcomed into the life of the parish. We welcome everyone at St. Aidan’s without regard to race, language, age, gender, sexual orientation or identity, physical or mental abilities, or economic level - no exceptions! At St. Aidan’s we take seriously our baptismal vow to respect the dignity of every human being.

Jim Reid

  • My family has been Episcopalian since Diane and I were married sixty years ago.   When we moved to Oregon a few years ago and began looking for a new church home.  St. Aidan's was close to our new home and to our hearts.  

    "Come to me all whose work is hard, whose load is heavy; and I will give you relief.  Bend your necks to my yoke, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble-hearted; and your souls will find relief.  For my yoke is good to bear, my load is light."  Matt. 11:28-30

Jennifer Langley

  • My Dad and my Mom came to St Aidan’s in 1964/1965. It quickly became our church home. Through all these it has continued to be the church I am proud to be part of. Saint Aidan’s is a place where no matter who you are or where you come from you will be loved and accepted. We are one big family from all walks of life. We welcome all. 

  • Music Director

    Susan attended Pepperdine University as a Vocal Performance and String Bass Performance double major. She continued her education at Fresno State University, receiving an MA in Vocal Performance cum laude. She then attained her degree in Education from National University.

    During her time in the Los Angeles area, Susan worked as the Musical Director of a successful dinner theater for 6 years and enjoyed creating many theatrical roles there as well. She once portrayed Lily Munster in a traveling road show! Susan studied and performed operatic roles throughout California, and in Austria.

    She began her public teaching career in 1992 and was blessed to teach middle school and high school choir and music courses for 30 years in both California and in Oregon. She retired from teaching at Mountain View High School in Bend, Oregon in 2021 and moved to Portland to be near her family.

    As well as teaching, Susan has enjoyed being the music director for Episcopal, Catholic, Baptist, and Presbyterian congregations leading her to this position at St. Aidan’s. Along with her lifelong love of music, Susan enjoys creating a variety of visual art and design in her studio. She currently resides with two very handsome gentlemen – Standard Poodles – who envelop her daily with their warmth, support, and charm.

  • Sr. Warden

    Families and children are what drew me to St. Aidan's during the 1970's when my children were of school age. I wanted Sunday school activities for them. St. Aidan's is a warm and friendly parish with beautiful grounds.  The outdoors is my passion.

  • Communications

    What first drew me to St. Aidan’s was simply the people.  Such a welcoming and warm group of parishioners.  After our first visit I knew I had found my church home and was here to stay.

    The world should know that St. Aidan’s welcomes everyone.  And when I say everyone I mean everyone.  There is no other way to say it other than simply “St. Aidan’s truly welcomes all”.  I think it is one of our greatest attributes.

Alison Saichek

  • I was initially attracted to St. Aidan’s because of the beauty of the campus, and the respectful and traditional worship services. I want everyone to know that we have a fantastic music program!

Mike Vidito

  • My sister Carolyn and her new husband started going to St . Aidan’s back in the late 60’s. They asked if I would like to go with them and I agreed to try it.  I was welcomed by Fr. Jim and many others and I knew right then I wanted to become a part of this community. I’d like the world (or the Wilkes East/Rockwood community) to know that the “Church in the Woods ” is here for you. Jesus has commanded us to “Feed my Sheep.”  Please come and break bread with us.

  • Children’s Ministries Developer

    Mackenzie grew up in Tucson, Arizona before attending the University of Oregon. She has worked with kids for over 10 years as a preschool teacher, camp leader, and nanny, and is currently finishing her Master of Social Work so that she can become a child therapist. Outside of work, she loves camping, hiking, and spending time with her dog. She aims to create a welcoming space at St. Aidan’s where children can grow and play.

Pam Finley

  • Clerk

    We loved the rector who was here when we came, the inspiring music from the organist and choir, and the beauty and dignity of the worship service. The congregation is very friendly and welcoming and focused on helping those in need.  It is not a large congregation, but it seems there is always someone who has the knowledge, skills, and willingness to do whatever needs to be done.  And, we have great coffee hours.

  • Junior Warden

    I came to St. Aidan’s when my mother was attending . I liked the people and the worship services.

    I would like the world to know that we truly care about those we come in contact with, and want to share with them what we have here.

  • What drew me to St Aidan's was first the immediate welcome even before I had moved to Portland and services were still on Zoom.  That welcome continued when I was physically here.  Also I was drawn by the emphasis on the Celtic side of our heritage and our labyrinth.

    I think the world should know that St Aidan's is made up of people who are active in their faith and in their parish. Visitors and those searching for a church home are welcomed and included. And let's not forget that we have really tasty things to eat at "coffee hour."