Prior to that, she served as Associate in Ministry / Program Director for Luther Memorial’s Youth and Family Ministries.  Pr. Karen has also worked as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at Hamot’s inpatient adolescent drug and alcohol program, and as an Activities Director at Twinbrook Nursing Home.

Dave (Parsh) passed away in 2025 and is missed every day. He was her chief support and best friend (even though he was a serial punster). Together they raised two grown sons – Michael and Gregory. Michael - who along with his wife, Katie, is raising our two wonderful grandchildren – Ben and Sam.  Mike currently serves as Pastor for Good Hope and Zion Lutheran Churches in Oil City. Their younger son, Greg, is working as a nurse at Presby Hospital in Pittsburgh, where he specializes in heart and lung transplant patients.

Pastor Karen believes God is shepherding each of us at Abiding Hope and surrounding community on a journey that is certain to offer learning experiences and opportunities to serve God. We trust our time together be blessed with his presence as we seek to do his will.