Staff and Leadership
Rev. Rachel Fisher
Pastor Rachel has served at Aldersgate since 2002. She balances her ministry at Aldersgate with caring for her four children. Her husband, Sam, joins her as a co-worker and partner in both of these high callings. Pastor Rachel serves in a number of New England UMC leadership groups including as Co-Chair of the New England Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Rolling Ridge Conference and Retreat Center in North Andover, MA, and also serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Spiritual Life and Psychotherapy in Hanover, MA.
Rev. Sarah Laflamme, Worship Leader
Pastor Sarah is a commissioned Deacon in the New England Annual Conference. Over the years, Pastor Sarah has been involved in music in a variety of ways including performing and directing, all because of her love of music and worshiping God through music. In addition to her work leading the music ministry at Aldersgate, Sarah works as a licensed therapist in the Greater Lowell area.
Sepehr Davalloukoungar, Accompanist
Sepehr is a pianist, opera coach and aspiring conductor, currently pursuing an opera coaching degree at the New England Conservatory of Music. He holds a Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Tehran. He has taught piano, harmony, and solfege at various music schools and institutions throughout his studies, teaching a diverse group of students from very different age groups and levels. Most recently, he has served as a teaching assistant at
the New England Conservatory, teaching non-major piano lessons to students.
Rebecca Weston, Nursery Care
Rebecca is the smiling face that greets the little ones every Sunday morning in Aldersgate’s lovely children’s space. She has spent seven years in classrooms for ages six weeks to five years and has been a lead toddler teacher for three of them. She is EEC Teacher and Montessori certified and has a passion for the learning and development of both students and teachers. In her spare time, Miss Becca enjoys time with animals, singing, and music.
Ministry Area Leaders
Lay Leaders – De Keimach, Bonnie Spicer
Administrative Board Chairs – Beth Connors
Trustees Chairs – Adam Palmer
Finance Chair – Michael Rogers
Staff Parish Relations Committee Chairs – De Keimach, Holly Vietzke
Trustees Chairs – Adam Palmer
Finance Chair – Michael Rogers
Staff Parish Relations Committee Chairs – De Keimach, Holly Vietzke
Missions Chair – Sam Fisher
Worship Chair – De Keimach
Youth Group and Christian Ed – Elaine Tanner
Breakfast Administator – Shirley Duggan
Youth Group and Christian Ed – Elaine Tanner
Breakfast Administator – Shirley Duggan
Statement of Inclusion:
“We, the faith community at Aldersgate United Methodist Church of North Reading, MA, affirm that every person is made in the image of God. We welcome all people to be full members of our community without condition, but only with a desire to deepen their relationship with their Creator as revealed in Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit. We are grieved that the teaching of the church generally, and of the United Methodist Church particularly, has helped to foster and perpetuate a climate that does harm to our brothers and sisters who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, inquiring, asexual and all others. We commit to doing our part, in prayer and in action, to work for the day when all people are loved, completely and graciously, as God loves us.”
Aldersgate is proud to be a part of the Welcoming Faiths Network, coalition of LGBTQ welcoming congregations of faith promoting equality and inclusivity within our greater communities.