In April 2006, Willow Grove welcomed our fifth installed pastor, the Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney.  She along with her family, The Rev. Jeffrey Cochran-Carney, and sons Jackson and Joshua, have become active members of the Willow Grove church family and Scotch Plains-Fanwood community.

Pastor Cynthia grew up in Southern California in Santa Ana.  She was active in her home church, singing in choirs, leading youth group events and serving on church boards.  After graduating from the University of Oregon with an honors degree in English, she felt called to pursue the ordained ministry.  Her first year of seminary was at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she also served as a student chaplain in the oncology unit of a local hospital.  Then she transferred to San Francisco Theological Seminary where she earned her Masters of Divinity.

She has served churches in Bloomington, Indiana, Wausau, Wisconsin, Elk Grove, California, and Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.  She and her husband Jeffrey have helped start two new churches in California and Pennsylvania.  Jeffrey currently serves as Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Berkeley Heights, NJ.  Westminster and Willow Grove congregations plan combined events for fellowship and service.

Pastor Cynthia is a dynamic preacher who has had some of her sermons published. Her interests include music of all varieties, visual arts and drama. She enjoys listening to young people's questions and is one of the leaders of Willow Grove’s youth group.  Hands-on service projects that make a difference are central to her ministry.  Planning and leading women’s retreats and family retreats are a great joy for her.  Cynthia is a passionate teacher who helps people  thinking about scripture, its place in history and its place in today's world.

Cynthia’s regular reading includes novels and short stories. While living in the Poconos, she rediscovered her love for horseback riding. She enjoys walking, jogging, skiing and playing tennis.  Going to plays and concerts are her favorite outings.