Meet The Team!
Pastor
Bell Choir Director
Reverend Dr.
David Weekley
Rev. Dr. David and Deborah Weekley recently returned to Portland following nine years in Boston and Hull, Massachusetts. David and Deborah had moved there for David to complete a Doctor in Ministry degree at Boston University School of Theology. During this time, Deborah also returned to school to complete requirements to have her Oregon Massage Therapist License recognized in Massachusetts. While completing his doctoral thesis, David accepted a part-time appointment in the New England Annual Conference and served St. Nicholas United Methodist Church in Hull, Massachusetts for seven years. They enjoyed their time with the St. Nicholas congregation, living at the coast and exploring Boston and New England.
Now back it the great Northwest and Portland, David and Deborah look forward to connecting with family and old friends and making lots of new connections! Deborah is a bead artist and holds her Oregon Massage Therapy license, which she plans to reactivate once they are settled. David is excited to join you as pastor of Rose City Park United Methodist Church. Both David and Deborah look forward to joining this community dedicated to following Jesus and anticipate many good seasons of ministry at Rose City Park.
Director of Music
Organist
John Green
John has been the director of music since June 2016 and the organist of Rose City Park United Methodist Church since 2002.
He was the organist for the Southern California-Arizona Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church for several years, and for the Nebraska Annual Conference of the UMC for eight years. John has held music positions in several large churches in the USA.
John was active in organ sales and manufacturing for more than four decades. He held many positions for Rodgers Organ Company, including national sales manager, international sales manager, and Western U.S. sales manager. He retired from Rodgers in December 2010.
John and his wife, Kathy, currently live southeast of Portland with their border collies, Ringo and Sadie. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.
Praise Band Director
Pianist
Dan Pettis
Dan has been the praise band director of Rose City Unity Methodist Church since 2003. He began his musical career at the church at age 16 as a pianist for the folk choir. By age 17, Dan was hired as a director of three choirs for the Troutdale Presbyterian Church while still maintaining the piano chair for the early service at Rose City Park.
After two years at Mt. Hood Community College, Dan struck out on the road with various show bands and relocated temporarily to Las Vegas. He spent most of the 1970s and 80s performing in nightclubs and traveling for USO shows. Dan eventually resettled in Portland where he produced and arranged many local commercials and band demos while continuing his education.
Dan has been a music instructor at Portland Community College since 1989.
Jennifer O'Leary
Jennifer has been part of the church’s music program her whole life, singing in the choir, directing the youth choir, leading the youth program, and playing in the bell choir.
While attending Portland State University, she sang with the PSU Chamber Choir, traveling to the Czech Republic and Spain. She has been the “Jen” in the jazz quartet “Jen and Tonic,” and has sung with the David York Ensemble and pianist Michael Allen Harrison. She currently sings with the women’s quartet “The Sirens” and sings with musical partner Tim Uecker as "The Tide".
Jennifer has a daughter, Cecilia, and they love spending time together exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Building Manager
Elsa Johnson
Elsa Johnson is a Chicago native who loves living in the Pacific Northwest. She loves the endless options of outdoor activities, yummy food and interesting people that Portland has to offer. And she loves to enjoy those things with friends and her husband and two young kids.
With a background in working for several non-profit community organizations, she has a passion to help people meaningfully connect as they work towards their common goals and mission. At the end of the day, the lights need to be on to do all that work, so she is also passionate about our building functioning at its best. Connect with Elsa for any facility matters, scheduling, calendar or building partners and building sharing matters.
Bookkeeper
Andre Cordes
Andre grew up in Pretoria, South Africa and lived in Portland for five years. Having worked as a bookkeeper and accounting coordinator since 2003, he loves the attention to detail needed to keep the “books in balance.” He enjoys the outdoors and is an avid bird watcher.