Our Rector
Contact Pastor Beth at [email protected]
Associate Priest
The Rev. Mike McClain comes to us from his beginnings in the Southwest. He is a graduate of the University of Houston ( go Cougars!) and the Episcopal Seminary of the SW. He brings a wealth of experience including serving as Hospital Corpsman in Navy, serving Christ in churches in El Paso, Baytown, Austin, and Houston, Texas; Cave Creek, Arizona; and Klamath Falls and Beaverton, Oregon. He is also a EFM mentor and Church Growth and Stewardship Consultant.
Deacon
The Rev. Dcn. Clare Wykert is a self- described free spirit. Her life adventures have rendered well-rounded spiritual experiences which serve her well in her current call as a hospital chaplain and ordained transitional deacon. In what has been a ten-year process from discernment to present, she is deeply humbled by God’s workings in her life and God’s movement within Clare toward the priesthood. Nothing gives her more joy than to celebrate our sacraments together as the Body of Christ. Clare’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine, and most recently a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology. Clare is a widow and single mom of a beautiful 24-year-old daughter, Alyssa. They live with an elder cat named Moses Red who joined the family two years ago. Having been raised on a farm in Colorado, Clare grew up outdoors with nature and the earth. Reasonably, her hobbies include hiking, camping, taking road trips, and any spontaneous day adventure! She loves any conversation that moves into the mystery of God and the mystical nature of existence; and she has a deep appreciation for our Saints and Mystics particularly St Francis of Assisi and St Hildegard of Bingen. In fact, her bucket list includes travel to Germany to walk the Hildegard Way Pilgrimage Trail. Anyone want to go along?
Parish Administrator
Cindy Russell is a retired high school administrator, who now enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She also loves to travel, sew, and craft. She always said she would love to retire and become a church secretary. Now she is!
Contact Cindy at [email protected]
Accompanist
Pamela Petrotta gained most of her formal piano and vocal education at San Francisco State University and Dominican College in the Bay Area. She has taught piano and voice for 30+years, while also performing in dozens of light opera and musical theater productions, either as a music director or a performer. Since her childhood, she has participated in church choirs as a soloist or pianist. She worked full-time as a legal assistant to support her formal music education. She is retired, married to retired Episcopal Priest, The Rev. Dr. Tony Petrotta, and says she is, “Thrilled to accompany for services at St. James.”
Cantor
Sarah DeYoung is a professional singer and performer with a focus in classical voice and a background in musical theater, rock, and contemporary styles. Sarah recently graduated from Portland State University earning a Bachelors of Music in classical Vocal Performance and was president of PSU’s highest auditioned vocal ensemble, Chamber Choir, directed by Dr. Ethan Sperry. Her most recent notable performance was singing alongside China Forbes of Pink Martini with the Oregon Symphony in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall during China’s “Still 50” birthday concert. Outside of performing Sarah enjoys teaching voice to students of all ages and continuing her own practice so that she may share her love of music for years to come. Since her joining St. James in 2023, Sarah has been eternally grateful for such a wonderful community to work for, using music as a vessel for the congregation’s spiritual growth as well as her own. St. James continues to be a place where she knows that she, and others, will be welcomed with wise words, laughter, and love.