Interim Pastor Karen Parsh

Pastor Karen Parsh became Abiding Hope’s interim pastor on May 30th 2021. She recently retired as pastor from Salem / St. Paul’s Lutheran Parish in Knox / Emlenton. 

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.

Her husband of 44 years, Dave, is her chief support and best friend (even though he is a serial punster). They have two grown sons – Michael, who along with his wife, Katie, is raising our two wonderful grandchildren – Ben and Sam.  Mike currently serves as Associate 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.

Abiding Hope's Church Council

Lois Kuhns

Pat Wenzel-Financial Secretary

Pastor Karen Parsh

Judi Pacileo

Dave Cunning

Lon Jenkins