INCUMBENT

The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Bridges is the incumbent of St. Aidan’s in the Beach. Born and raised in Florida, she served Episcopal churches in Texas and Alabama prior to moving to Canada. She attended the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas, where she graduated with her MDiv. Prior to attending seminary, she was associate professor of Communication and Media Studies at Stetson University in Florida. She also holds degrees in English from Stetson (BA) and Clemson (MA), and in communication from Texas A&M (PhD in rhetoric and public discourse).

HONORARY ASSISTANT

VOCATIONAL DEACON

At the annual vestry meeting of 2017, St. Aidan's parish voted to support a deacon and voted to have Michael fill that role. He sees the vote as a commission to fulfill the values of the parish, particularly when it comes to supporting those on the economic and social margins of society, something he has done for years prior to his ordination. Michael has a Master's in Theological Studies from Wycliffe College, and another Master's in Ministry and Spirituality from Regis College. Bishop Kevin Robertson ordained him on May 6th, 2017, in a joyful ceremony. Michael is married with four children, five grandchildren and a granddog.

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR

Mary joined the team at St. Aidan's in the Beach in June of 2023 in the role of parish administrator. She grew up in southwestern Ontario and has lived in the Beach since 1993. She has worked in bookkeeping and administration since 2005, and has worked in church administration since 2015. Mary has a Master's Degree in Philosophy from University of Toronto.

COORDINATOR, CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES

Elizabeth Achimah is the Children's and Youth Minister. She has significant experience working with children, youth and families and has a heart for connecting with the neighbourhood. She most recently served as Missioner and Pastoral Associate at St. Monica's Anglican Church, where she ran children's programs at the farmer's market, Messy Church and a Book Club as well as leading worship and preaching. Elizabeth has an Honours Bachelor in Bioethics (University of Toronto) and is working on a Masters of Divinity (Wycliffe College, University of Toronto). When not working, she can be found hanging out with her kittens, Winter and Noelle.

COORDINATOR, MUSIC MINISTRIES

Michael arrived at St. Aidan's in March 2022 after having been Director of Community Engagement at St. Basil's Catholic Parish at the University of St. Michael's College (U of T), where he previously held the role of Assistant Organist from 2016-2017. Prior to this, he was Interim Director of Music at St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto, and Organ Scholar at St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, Ontario. He is the 2014 recipient of the Paul Westermeyer Award in Hymn and Service Playing.

Michael is also the Chair of the Toronto chapter of the Royal School of Church Music Canada, and has served on the nationwide Executive Board of the same institution since 2012 where he works to further the work of music in the Church. He recently completed his Master of Sacred Music at The University of Toronto.