Meet Our Parish Team
The Rev. Dr. Lia Shimada
The Rev. Dr. Lia Shimada joined St. Alban’s in 2025. A geographer, theologian, and mediation specialist, Lia is passionate about building community through dialogue, understanding, and shared purpose.
After two decades in the United Kingdom, Lia returned home to the Pacific Northwest. She was called to the priesthood while worshiping at St. James’s Piccadilly in central London and completed her theological training through St. Augustine’s College in the Church of England.
As a mediator, Lia has accompanied communities as they navigate conflict, transition, and change. Her formative work included time in Northern Ireland, where she engaged with civic peacebuilding efforts during a historic period of reconciliation.
Her publications include Mapping Faith: Theologies of Migration and Community (Jessica Kingsley, 2020) and Ashes to Ashes: Beliefs, Trends and Practices in Dying, Death and the Afterlife (Theos, 2023).
Lia shares a home with Jonathan, the local Methodist pastor, and their two young children. As a family, they enjoy exploring tidepools and eating noodles together.
Mary Silva
Mary was born and raised in Tillamook, and St. Alban’s has been part of her life from the very beginning. Baptized here as an infant, she celebrated first communion, confirmation, and many milestones within the life of this parish. The big red church has always been home.
Growing up at St. Alban’s, Mary enjoyed summer camps, diocesan youth events, and the friendships formed through parish life.
She joined the staff in January 2024 and serves as a central point of contact for church activities. Mary helps coordinate the many moving parts of parish life, offering reminders, encouragement, and steady support so things run smoothly.
She warmly invites everyone to stop by St. Alban’s. Whether in person or by phone, Mary believes your ideas, questions, hopes, and dreams are meant to be shared and heard.
