Cheryl Parham
Chair of the Board of Deacons
Cheryl Parham, Chair of the Board of Deacons
Cheryl and her husband, Irving Williamson, joined RSBC in June, 2018. As transplants from Harlem and the Riverside Church in the City of New York, they were delighted to find a progressive, inclusive and affirming church in their Southwest DC neighborhood.
Cheryl was an attorney in New York City for forty years and retired from her last position as Associate General Counsel at New York Presbyterian Hospital in December, 2018. She was active in a number of community and service organizations. At Riverside Church, she served as the President of the Board of Trustees, and as Chair of the 75th Anniversary Committee, the Adult Education Committee, and the Administrative Board of the Riverside Weekday School. She also served on the Ordination Committee and the committee that wrote the Statement of Openness, Inclusion and Affirmation of Gay/Lesbian Persons which was adopted in June, 1985.
Cheryl was ordained as a Deacon at Riverside Baptist Church in D.C. in 2021.
“Being a Deacon at Riverside Baptist has given me a precious opportunity to exercise servant leadership among people I care for deeply. We practice radical hospitality here and our outreach to our community is heartfelt and reflects our love of neighbor. This is a good place. We draw the circle of God’s love wide. You are invited to walk your spiritual journey with us. Blessings!”