All pastors, priests and rectors have a history outside of the churches they serve, but not many can claim a stint as a collegiate synchronized swimmer.
Not only did St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church rector Lou Parsons participate in collegiate synchronized swimming, she lettered in the sport.
All pastors, priests and rectors have a history outside of the churches they serve, but not many can claim a stint as a collegiate synchronized swimmer.“When I went to Sewanee for the first time, I was in the fourth class of women accepted at the university,” she said. “Some of the staff and faculty were still struggling with the change, including the swim team coach, who wouldn’t allow women on the swim team, so we formed our own synchronized swimming team.”
For Parsons, her collegiate synchronized swimming was more than just a way to stay in shape. Being on the team actually helped shape her view of God, she said.
“Synchronized swimming is a different beast because it’s done in a different medium,” said Parsons. “In synchronized swimming you are always surrounded by the support of the water, and that’s kind of how I feel about God as I sometimes do things that take me upside down, backwards and blindly.”