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Rev. Carol Elizabeth Parrish-Harra, Ph.D. (born January 21, 1935) author and New Age leader founded the Sparrow Hawk Spiritual Community, the Light of Christ Community Church, and the Sancta Sophia Seminary in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She published over fourteen New Age books. Parrish-Harra obtained a Ph.D. from Santa Sophia Seminary.

Early life
Parrish-Harra was born Nettleton, Arkansas in 1935. At the age of 16, she married and had ten children with her husband, Bill. In 1958, during child birth, due to an allergic reaction to sodium pentothal, she had a near death experience that totally changed her life. No longer content at home, she began her spiritual quest. She took work outside the home, and eventually worked into an executive position. Her career life expanded and her personal awakening continued. In 1967, she divorced.

Career
In 1969, Parrish-Harra began studies at a Spiritualist church in St. Petersburg, Florida. After two years, she became an ordained minister in the Christian Metaphysical Church and served as the church's associate minister. She studied with Ann Manser, Vera Stanley Alder , and Rev. Torkum Saraydarian. Learning about Eastern thought expanded her knowledge of the similarities and differences of Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Her studies encompassed a wide range of subjects in the field of self-realization and she traveled the world as a seeker and student of the ageless wisdom teachings. In the 1970s, she was devoted to ministry and lectured throughout the United Stated on human potential movement. She married Charles Harra, who joined her in her work. In 1976 she founded and was the director of the Villa Serena Spiritual Community in Sarasota, Florida. Led by spiritual guidance, in 1981, Parrish-Harra created an intentional spiritual community in the foothills of the Ozarks in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. She established the Sparrow Hawk Spiritual Community, Light of Christ Community Church, and Sancta Sophia Seminary. Located on 300 acres, this New Age community named Sparrow Hawk Village, began with five families from Florida. The community served as a prototype for other intentional communities and as a training ground for ministers and teachers. Through the Light of Christ Community Church, Parrish-Harra ministered to the spiritual well-being of the village residents.

She has been a highly sought lecturer and workshop leader in the U.S. and internationally. She traveled to India, Brazil, Canada, Peru, Tibet, China, Israel, Russia, Yugoslavia, and Turkey both as lecturer and teacher. These travels included over twenty international student trips. In 1995, she was a major presenter at the Solar Initiation Ceremonies in Mexico as a guest of Hunbatz Men, wisdom keeper of the Maya. In Turkey she addressed the 2000 U niversal Project Symposium of the Mevlana Supreme Foundation. Parrish-Harra is recognized as a Sophia scholar. She wrote the introduction to The Most Holy Trinosophia: And the New Revelation of the Divine Feminine by Robert Powell.

Until 2009, she served as President of Light of Christ Community Church. Until her retirement in 2010, she also served as Academic Dean of Sancta Sophia Seminary. The seminary offered various certifications including master's and doctoral degrees. Until the seminary's closure in October 2012, Sancta Sophia was dedicated to the mystical path of wisdom and renewed spirituality. Courses included study of Kabbalah, Esoteric Christianity, and Agni Yoga. For over thirty years, she served as a Pastor and Ordaining Official for LCCC and as Academic Dean for the seminary. The seminary contributed to the growth and support of women in the ministry and served as a source of enrichment of religion, spiritual awareness, and ecumenical relationships. After her retirement, she continued to teach, write, and conduct seminars throughout the United States. For 40 years she was a Member and Contributor of the International Council of Community Churches. Many of her students became teachers and ministers. Parrish-Harra is known as a “teacher of teachers".

Since 2011, Parrish-Harra served as a Bishop with Ascension Alliance for Spiritual Renewal Ministry, an independent Catholic Jurisdiction located in Vaughn, Washington. She lectured on the national and international circuits concerning interfaith church efforts, world religions and personal spirituality. She served through The Chapel of Love-Wisdom, providing counseling, meditation and spiritual enrichment. Drawing on her years of experience and training, Parrish-Harra continued her ministry through tele-classes.

Personal life
In her spare time she enjoys Sparrow Hawk Mountain, writing and her cherished pets. In 2020, Carol moved from Sparrow Hawk Village to live a more private life.

Awards
Rev. Bernie Finch, lifetime Trustee of Ascension Alliance for Spiritual Renewal Ministry

2017 VIP Member for 2017 by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide Edition for outstanding contributions and achievements for over 45 years in the field of religious ministry.

2005 recipient of the Russian Nebolsin Medal for “outstanding service in the field of education for the common good of humanity.”

1996, 1997 and 1998 A three book series The Adventure in Meditation, won the Athena Award for Mentoring Excellence three years running.

1997 Earl Award for Religious Futurist.

1997-98 World Network of Religious Futurists Citation Recipient for “exceptional achievement in the field of religious futures activities.”

Works
Parrish-Harra has written 16 books.


 * Cosmic Mysteries: The Elusive Path within Christianity (2019) ( ISBN 978-1-4809-8290-1
 * The Remember to Remember : The Mayan Mysteries (2017) ( ISBN 978-1-946801-52-4 )
 * The Making of a Mystic in the Twenty-First Century (2014) ( ISBN 1577332849 )
 * The Emancipated Person (by Brenda R. Cutrell and Carol E. Parrish-Harra) (2011) ( ISBN 1419693085 )
 * Sophia Sutras: Introducing Mother Wisdom (2006) ( ISBN 0-945027-25-7
 * The New Dictionary of Spiritual Thought (2002) (ISBM 0-945027-22-2)
 * Calling Humanity: Information for the New Times (Jose Trigueirinho (Author), Carol E. Parrish-Harra (Introduction)) (2002) ( ISBN 8586910376 )
 * Adventure in Meditation: Spirituality for the 21st Century: Vol. III (1997) ( ISBN 0-945027-13-3 )
 * Adventure in Meditation: Spirituality for the 21st Century: Vol II (1996) ( ISBN 0-945027-14-1 )
 * Adventure in Meditation: Spirituality for the 21st Century - Vol. I (1995) ( ISBN 0-945027-15-X )
 * Reflections (Carol Parrish-Harra and Maggie Webb-Adams)(1999) (ISBM 0-945027-16-8)
 * The Book of Rituals: Personal and Planetary Transformation (1990) ( ISBN 0-945027-10-9 )
 * The New Age Handbook on Death and Dying (1989) ( ISBN 0-9616605-4-6 )
 * The Aquarian Rosary - The Art of Mantra Yoga (1988) ( ISBN 0-945027-01-X )
 * Messengers of Hope: The Walk-In Phenomenon (1982) ( ISBN 0-945027-19-2 )
 * Love is a Promise, a Discipline, and a Lifestyle (ebook)
 * Esoteric Secrets of Love, Passion and Sex (ebook)