The Rev. Parker is originally from Atlanta, Georgia where her extended family still resides. As a daughter of a career Air Force father she actually spent many early years growing up in Izmir, Turkey and Athens, Greece and this cemented her view that God’s world is a diverse and wonderful place. She is an outdoor enthusiast, loves travel, reading, and animals.  In her former career she was an Exercise Physiologist who worked in multiple settings from clinical, corporate, Special Olympics to having her own business for many years before answering the call to priesthood.  She is an avid horsewoman with her own lovely Quarter Horse mare, Nikki. She balances the demands of her vocation by being a student of all the amazing things horses are and can do.   

Our Rector studied at Virginia Theological Seminary and as a deacon served at St. George’s Church in Washington, DC.  In 2003 she was ordained as a priest and served as a vicar at Church of the Good Shepherd in Swainsboro, GA.  Later she answered calls from The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, Palm Springs, CA as an Associate Rector in 2005 and from St. Stephen’s Church in Seattle, WA as Rector in 2010.

Stephanie’s journey now brings her to Sparta, NC as Christ Church’s Rector.