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United Methodist Missionary Katherine Parker itinerates in Iowa - date changes

United Methodist Missionary Katherine Parker itinerates in Iowa - date changes

August 11, 2023

United Methodist Missionary Katherine Parker will visit Iowa from September 6 to September 18. She wants to see as many churches as possible to tell you about her work in Nepal.

Parker, a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, has served in Nepal since 2013. Before Nepal, she served in Cambodia with the Methodist Mission’s Community Health & Agricultural Development program. Out of college, she became a mission intern for three years with the Asian Rural Institute in Japan and Practical Farmers in Iowa.

Parker works in community development with the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Advisor. Her work in Nepal is in five areas of community transformation: education, health, peacebuilding, good governance, and sustainable livelihoods. The ecumenical ministry of UMN has a vision of “fullness of life for all in a transformed Nepali society.” United Methodists have been part of UMN since it was founded in 1954.

Parker will fly in and out of Iowa at the Des Moines International Airport on September 6 and September 18. She is eager to schedule visits during her two weeks in Iowa. She is available for morning, noon, afternoon, or evening gatherings of any size, including the following types of presentations.

  1. Informal fellowship and conversation (coffee, one-on-one, or small group)
  2. Full mission update presentation (40 minutes plus Q&A)
  3. Short mission presentation (20 minutes plus Q&A)
  4. Cooking Nepali food (potato salad or momos)
  5. Sewing washable menstrual pads (dignity kits) and discussion about the status and role of women in Nepal.

For more information about Parker, visit:

  1. Her YouTube channel with a greeting to churches in Iowa. 
  2. Her blog has videos, stories, and information on where she will visit.
  3. Her Global Ministries page with her complete bio and Advanced Giving link.

Parker would appreciate borrowing a vehicle from someone in the Des Moines area to drive herself throughout Iowa during her visit. She has insurance and a driver’s license to use while stateside. She also would enjoy finding a few overnight hosts to provide accommodations during her Iowa visit.

To schedule a visit, email Sue Hattel at [email protected] or leave a message for a return call at 563-599-4497.

Dates/Scheduling as of August 11, 2023
  • Wed September 6 - Evening flight into Des Moines
  • TH September 7 - Grace UMC Des Moines a.m.; Available afternoon, evening
  • F September 8 - Harcourt UMC/Dayton UMC; Available a.m., noon
  • Sat.  September 9 - Available a.m., noon, afternoon, and evening 
  • S September 10 - Storm Lake UMC a.m. (Camp Clear Lake District) Available: afternoon; evening
  • M September 11 - Estherville UMC – a.m. United Women in Faith, Camp Clear Lake District (CCL) Available afternoon, evening
  • T September 12 - CCL District or NE IA –  Available a.m., noon afternoon, evening
  • W September 13 - Lake Mills, Asbury UMC  5:30 p.m. (Camp Clear Lake District)                                     Available: a.m., noon
  • TH September 14 - Sheffield,  West Fork UMC 5:00 p.m. (Camp Clear Lake District)                                 Available: a.m., noon 
  • F September 15 - Available a.m., noon. 5:00 pm Montour, IA Retreat Center
  • Sat. September 16 - Montour, IA Wesley Foundation Student Retreat – All day
  • S September 17 - Ames, Collegiate UMC (Riverview Park District)
  • M  September 18 - Available a.m.; Fly to the state of Washington