Staff and Leadership

Rev. Cynthia J. O’Brien became our pastor on Christmas Eve, 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California (choral conducting and journalism) and Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.).  She has served churches in Los Angeles, San Diego, and in the Portland area, first as a music director and praise band leader, as Christian Education director, then 27 years as an ordained minister.  She is currently also the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Woodburn, and considers it a “double blessing” to start Sunday mornings with Aurora’s service at 9:15, then drive to Woodburn for the 11:00 service there.  She is a nationally recognized leader in the grassroots organization Better Angels (local chapter Better Angels PDX), teaching people how to talk across the political divide. Her husband, the Rev. Michael O’Brien, is a high school teacher who specializes in advanced mathematics. They have two adult daughters, Rachel and Laurel.  She can be reached at pastor@aurorapres.church.

Roger Wilhite, music director, is an international artist whose piano virtuosity has taken him from Las Vegas to Switzerland. He coordinates and leads a large cohort of musicians at the church including singers and folks who play upright bass, trumpet, clarinet, trombone, percussion, guitar and other instruments. He regularly gives concerts on piano and accordion with his wife, Nancy. In his spare time he rides horses with his family

Our Office Administrator, Caroline Queer moved from Lanagan, Missouri to Canby, to be closer to her son and his wife, Jason and Lisa.  Her background includes 31.5 years at the Walmart Home Office in Arkansas.  Caroline was an active member of the Noel United Methodist Church.  She is a graduate of Bluffton University in Ohio with a BA in Family and Consumer Sciences.  She enjoys singing, RV camping, exploring the PNW, spending time with Jason and Lisa, and hanging out with her pets.

The church office can be reached at office@aurorapres.church.

Colby Gianelle, Pianist