Rector:  The Rev. Dr. Kenneth (Ken) T. Parks, ObJN

Addressed as:  Fr. Ken, Fr. Parks, Ken

Family:
Wife, Brenda, (married 42 years)
Children: Jason (deceased),  Ashley
Grandchildren: Leonardo (4) Julius (3)

Education:
B.A. Henderson State University (Psychology and Speech and Theatre)
M. A. University of Arkansas (Speech and Theatre)
Ph.D. University of Mississippi (Theatre and Higher Education)
M. Div.  School of Theology, University of the South,
Ordaination:  Diaconate March 3, 1988
Priesthood December 10, 1988

Work History:
Associate Professor of Drama:  Arkansas State University (Scenic and Lighting Designer, Costume Designer, Technical Director of the Theatre and Director)
Assistant to the Rector:  St. Luke’s, Hot Springs and Youth Director of the Diocese of Arkansas
Rector, St. Bartholomew’s, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Rector, St. Bartholomew’s, Corpus Christi, Texas
Rector, St. Theodore’s, Bella Vista.

Other:
• An oblate of the Order of Julian of Norwich since 1985
• Author of Advent meditations:  The Way of the Cradle
• Master Gardner, Nueces County, Texas
• Rotarian
• Board Member Legacy Village/Green Houses

Recreation:
I fish.  Any type of fishing using any type of equipment!
I read and enjoy many different forms of literature especially poetry.
I love the outdoors and seek almost any means to be outside.
I enjoy gardening.

Narrative:

I am an Arkansan AND a life long Episcopalian. (Only one third of those who are Episcopalians are life long Episcopalians)

My parents were well known throughout Arkansas as educators of the deaf.  My father was the Superintendent and my mother was one of the Principals at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock.  We lived on campus and often ate with the mostly resident students in the dinning hall.  My playmates were both hearing and deaf.

When I was ten years old the public schools were integrated which caused a national upheaval.  One of my life changing events was listening to a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King at a rally on the steps of the Capital.  What he said I could see in what my parents believed and not in the prejudicial words of many of my friends.

My life took many turns during the next years and after I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, I attended Henderson State University where I not only graduated with a bachelor’s degree, I met and married my wife and spiritual helpmate, Brenda.  We went from Henderson state to the University of Arkansas where we both received M.A.s in Speech and Theatre.

We moved to Jonesboro, Arkansas where I taught at Arkansas State University and Brenda taught in the public schools.  We attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and for thirteen years enjoyed being a part of Northeast Arkansas including owning our first home and adopting two beautiful children, Jason and Ashley.

In 1984 we moved to Sewanee, Tennessee where I attended for three years the School of Theology and Brenda taught “down the mountain in Jasper, Tennessee”.

We returned to Arkansas and I became the Assistant to the Rector at St. Luke’s, Hot Spring’s and a year later as the part time Assistant and part time Youth Director of the Diocese of Arkansas.

A year later we moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas where I was called to the Rector of St. Bartholomew’s.  We loved our time in Fort Smith and our first adventures in Northwest Arkansas.

Eight years later I was called to another St. Bartholomew’s in Corpus Christi, Texas.  It too has it’s surprises and joys and I learned a lot in my role as a pastor.

Then on May 21, 2005 I celebrated my first services with the people who are St. Theodore’s. We have passed the “honeymoon stage,” and are well in my pastorate.  It has been a lot of fun and a lot of challenges in many ways because we are such a unique congregation in a growing area of the country.  We have been with two grandchildren and love having them nearby.  I look forward to each and everyday knowing that there are new surprises and new challenges day by day and hour by hour.

What you may not know about me:

I once taught classes at Arkansas State University in Mime and Clowning and have performed as a mime.  I also created a “clown Holy Eucharist,”  that was a part of the worship at several national and provincial youth gatherings in addition to worship at Camp Mitchell youth camps and events.

I have been on the staff or as a director of youth camps and more recently the Robert R. Browns Camps for those physically, mentally, and emotionally handicapped adults, as has Brenda.

Oblate:  I have been a lay and later ordained oblate of the Episcopal Order:  Julian of Norwich.  This is a contemplative order that is formed around the teachings of Julian of Norwich.  We use the Benedictine Rule of Life as we joyfully seek to serve all of God’s creation.