Reverend John A. Butler, III
Spiritual Director
Ingenious, genuine, energetic, intelligent, truthful, witty, deeply loving, and spellbinding speaker sum up a few of John's qualities. His lifetime purpose is to engender love, harmony, joy, and spiritual expansion.

John's spiritual journey is featured in Chapter 35 of Po Bronson's book, "What Should I Do With My Life?," so you know he is not an ordinary man, but one of great courage and determination -- a spiritual warrior.

Prior to arriving in Corvallis, John served as Interim Minister at the Unity Church of Bandon, Oregon, while their regular minister was on sabbatical. He is one of a few nationally-certified Unity Peacekeepers. As a practicing attorney, he has done pro bono mediations for groups, including the County Legal Aide Society, Project Sentinel (landlord-tenant mediations), the Better Business Bureau, and the AIDS Legal Project.

For over 15 years, John was a litigation attorney, who also gave guest Sunday sermons and presented workshops on such issues as gender reconciliation. As he spiritually matured, he began focusing on mediation and alternative conflict resolution. He developed an expertise in high-conflict divorce cases, and in assisting churches and other nonprofit organizations in conflict resolution. You can learn more about John's former mediation practice, Harmony with Integrity.

John has two college age children. His daughter is majoring in Theater Arts, and his son's focus is Fine Art. Among John's varied interests are reading, skiing, and gardening. He formerly volunteered as a whitewater guide for Friends of the River.

John's vision for church is an inclusive and interactive place to empower all toward the expression of their highest purpose.


Debbie O'Rourke,
Assistant to the Minister
Debbie O'Rourke, our administrative assistant, brings a wide range of interests, talents and skills to the church community.

Debbie has long been on a spiritual path and first attended Unity in Lower Lake, California, where she served on the Unity Church Board of Trustees and assisted with the financial accounting. She trained with the local hospice group as a bereavement counselor. She was active in a local qi gung practice group in California, and was involved in other groups that support personal and spiritual growth.

Before moving to Corvallis, Debbie was the chief fiscal officer for the Lake County Department of Social Services Department in California, where she supervised and managed the accounting, data support and information divisions of the agency.

She first worked at Unity of Corvallis as a part time bookkeeper, and now is employed part time as bookkeeper and administrative assistant. She coordinates the Sunday service volunteer team, helps organize events and activities and supports the ministry with her great people skills, spiritual maturity and organizational acumen.

Says Debbie, "I love being at Unity. Working part time gives me a chance to have the time for my yoga and meditation practices, gives me time to exercise without getting up at 5:50 AM, like I used to, and still have a life. Plus working at Unity allows me to work with great people on fun and interesting projects. I can hardly wait to see how this next year unfolds for me, and our church community. It is a very interesting and exciting time."

Board of Directors

Lori McGhee, President

Lori McGhee has been studying and applying New Thought principles to her life for more than 15 years. She volunteered to serve on the board of directors not long after she joined the congregation three years ago, serving first as secretary and now as president. She is dedicated to living authentically in the world through applying Unity's teachings, and her involvement with this spiritual community has tremendously enriched her life. Lori owns and operates an aerial photography business in the Corvallis/Albany area. She and her husband Doug have been married for more than five years.

Rick Gross,board member

Rick's goals: "To support the mission of this community as it continues to evolve, deepen and extend itself as a spiritual family. Providing support to each individual in their journey. Being open to the wisdom of all in my own. Being on the board offers me the opportunity to serve the entire community with my unique energy, point-of-view and passion. Please feel free to contact me anytime with your cares, concerns or questions."

Yvonne Morse, board member

Yvonne Morse has a professional background in health care administration, consulting, and financial management. She has attended Unity of Corvallis for over 3 years. Relatively new to formal New Thought, she recognized immediately the consistency of her own spiritual beliefs with the truths exemplified by Unity Church of Corvallis. Yvonne has found this spiritual community to be transformative in her life. Her spirit thrives in this open-hearted, authentic community of Truth Seekers, under the guidance of our Spiritual Director, John Butler, a nationally recognized and proficient peacemaker. She joined the Board of Directors in January, 2008, and serves as Treasurer. She also accompanies the Unity Singers and serves on the Stewardship & Finance Team, and is grateful for such opportunities to give back to the community that nourishes her spirit. Yvonne believes that peace on earth requires an uplifting of spiritual consciousness that is readily fostered by the New Thought Truths, such as those embraced by Unity of Corvallis. Through these Truths, we are being the change we want to see in the world.

Directors may be reached through the church office.