What is HebrewDawn About & Why the Name?
HebrewDawn is my place to share the thoughts on my heart that I’m not sharing on The91Rewind. Here you’ll find more about faith, motherhood, and my attempts to live my best life. The name comes from a language I love deeply, and the reminder that each day is a new opportunity. I hope you’ll find words here that encourage and inspire you to live each day to your best.
Crystal Varner Parker
I was born, raised, and still live in Richmond, Virginia. I did my undergraduate work at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I studied French and Religious Studies. After college, I went on to graduate school at Union Presbyterian Seminary, where I earned my Master’s of Divinity. I focused much of my coursework at Union on the Hebrew Bible, and continue to delve deeply into Biblical studies.
While in seminary I met and then married the most wonderful guy, Zach. He is my best friend, my partner, the love of my life and he helps me be a better me. We have a beautiful daughter, VHP. She is a fiercely independent, determined, and an incredibly smart little girl that keeps us both on our toes. In the beginning months of 2017 we welcomed our second little girl CEP. She’s our laid back kid, who brings joy to us all. With two girls in our house, you can rest assured, our lives are filled with lots of pink, purple, feelings and sass.
In addition to keeping things running here on HebrewDawn, I co-founded The91Rewind with my best friend Erica (who has written many posts here on HebrewDawn). On The91Rewind we write about self-care, how we can pause, rewind, and try again, and our local communities. In addition to writing on these two blogs, I’m a contributor for Richmond Mom. By day (nights, weekends, always) I serve as a Minister of Word and Sacrament (aka Pastor) in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). My calling as a pastor keeps me busy, but my other passion is advocating and supporting education. You’ll frequently find me volunteering in my daughters’ school, attending committee meetings (co-chaired the HCPS Elementary Redistricting Committee from 2019-2020 and the Equity & Diversity Advisory Committee from 2021-2022), and supporting educators where I am able.
Thank you for reading and let’s connect via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/or Pinterest.
HebrewDawn 