Our People & Programs
Sarah Parker, MDiv
Pastor
Sarah grew up in Tennessee and Kentucky, but claims Middlesboro, Kentucky, where her parents still live, as her hometown. She is proud to come from generations of ministers, including both her parents and grandparents.
Sarah has a Bachelor of Economics degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky. After graduating from Georgetown, Sarah felt called to explore church ministry. She found a wonderful church in Morehead, Kentucky that affirmed her call to church ministry and supported her as a young minister. Her call eventually led her to Wake Forest University School of Divinity to pursue a Masters Degree in Divinity.
After moving to Boone in 2019 to join her partner, Liam, Sarah discovered the community of High Country UCC. In April of 2019, she formally joined the staff at High Country UCC as Minister to Young Adults and began working with college students at App State. In January of 2025, Sarah was called as the Pastor of High Country UCC.
Sarah is passionate about deepening community and creating space where all people feel welcome, especially those who have historically been marginalized by the church. When she’s not working, you can find her outside with her partner and three dogs. She’s always up for a cup of coffee and deep conversation.
Elizabeth Buchanan
Music Coordinator & Pianist
Elizabeth has always loved music, even before she began playing the piano at the age of 9. She is never happier than when she’s at the keyboard or jamming with friends on her back porch (she’s trying hard to learn fiddle but is not ready to play that in church!).
A member of High Country UCC since its inception, Elizabeth started as a curious visitor and soon began volunteering to play hymns during worship. Currently, in addition to serving as Pianist, she coordinates our multi-faceted Worship Ensemble, comprised of flute, oboe, guitar, dobro, mandolin and bass players. She considers herself blessed to work with so many talented musicians, and especially to play the beautiful baby grand that replaced our old upright piano!
When she’s not working her day job as an ESL teacher, Elizabeth enjoys reading, dancing, riding her bike, eating good Mexican food, and cuddling her cats, Topaz and Jasper. And, she is always looking for otra persona simpática with whom to practice her Spanish!
About Our Leadership Team
We are a congregation of the people, so we rely on a Church Council to help govern our church. These folks dedicate time, energy, and talents to making sure our church is supporting our community as much as possible.