Cherie Parker

Minister for Congregational Care

Cherie Parker became the Minister for Congregational Care at Christ Church UM in July, 2007. Her responsibilities include
overseeing Christ church’s Stephen Ministry, connecting with persons who have been absent from worship and the life of the church, pastoral care and hospital visitation, working with lay persons connected with the Card Ministry, Phone Care Team, Meals ministry, Special Needs Ministry, etc. In addition, her regular responsibilities include supervision of the Program and Age-level staff persons, teaching small groups and Sunday School, leading worship and preaching occasionally.

The daughter of a United Methodist minister, Cherie grew up in South Georgia, living most of her early years in Macon. After graduating from Mercer University in 1975, she moved to Nashville, TN, where she received her Masters of Divinity at Vanderbilt Divinity School in 1979. In 1977, she was ordained a Deacon and became a Probationary member of the South Georgia Conference. Choosing to stay in Nashville upon graduation, she joined the Tennessee Conference in 1981and was ordained an Elder in Full Connection in 1982.

She met Jack Keller while at Divinity School where he was working on a PhD in Religious Ethics. They married in 1980 and have two children, Juliana and Josh.
Prior to moving to Louisville, Cherie’s pastoral appointments were in and around Nashville. They included being the Associate Pastor of Calvary UMC, the pastor of two two-point charges, the Associate Pastor and then the Senior Pastor of Bellevue UMC.

In 2001, Cherie and her family moved to Louisville because of a work opportunity for her husband, Jack. At that time Cherie began serving Watkins UMC. After serving there for three years, she took a year and a half off to spend time with her family. In March, 2006, she joined the staff of Christ Church United Methodist as the part-time Associate Pastor for Caring Ministries.

When not working at Christ Church, Cherie enjoys reading, bird watching, walking, and watching movies.
Cherie is generally available Monday through Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. You may reach her at cherie@ccum.net. or at 893-2201 ext. 265.