Karen Parker

by Greg Williamson
Photo by Greg Williamson
January 2, 2008

I met Karen Parker on a warm December afternoon with the sound of wind chimes drifting through the open door of New Vibrations, her Fondren book and gift store "for the evolving spirit." She was unpacking necklaces when I arrived. "They have stone gems inside the vials, and each little stone represents an emotional benefit, like allowing you to de-stress or feeling like your energy is protected," Parker explained.

The store is a reflection of Parker's interest in other cultures. "Joseph Campbell, Margaret Mead—these were my heroes," Parker says. "I always was fascinated with anything that was of … a different belief system, a different spirituality." Parker believes this multi-cultural approach is important for Jackson. "We are no longer the small, isolated town we used to be. Even a block away at the University (Medical Center) we have thousands of people from all over the world," Parker says. "We have to see ourselves as an international community."

Parker, 50, was born "about a block from here at the University Medical Center" and raised in Jackson. She has lived in Honduras, Oklahoma and Nashville, but says, "I always come back to Jackson." Parker has spent much of her professional life in Jackson, working 20 years in hospitals including UMC and St. Dominic's before moving to Greenville to be director of hospital education at King's Daughters Hospital.

Although she has always loved bookstores, the idea to open a spiritual bookstore occurred during a period of introspection. "I was married for nine years, and my husband died. When he died, I re-evaluated my life and decided that I did not want to work in the corporate world any longer," Parker says.

"I wanted to do something that really spoke to my spirit."

As Parker and I spoke, several people came in, and she greeted most of them by name. The store feels relaxed and welcoming, with a back room for reading, meditation, conversation or a simple cup of tea.

Parker said few people question her approach to spirituality. "I have been outright challenged very, very little," she says. "I think it is because I try to make this store open to everyone. I will not get into an argument with anyone. Everyone is entitled to believe whatever they like to believe."

Once, however, when anti-abortion protesters gathered in Jackson from around the country, a few came into the store to speak with her. "They came and told me that they would pray for me," she says. "I thanked them very politely and told them I would pray for them as well, and asked them if they wanted some tea."

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