Our Pastor

About Me

Pastor Kathy Sides

Pastor Kathy Sides is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. The daughter of George and Maxine Burns, she grew up on a farm in the Center Chapel neighborhood, attending Center Chapel from birth until after graduating from Simpson College. After college Kathy worked as a social worker for the Iowa Department of Human Services in Des Moines for almost 10 years before beginning seminary at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. After receiving her Master of Divinity degree, she began serving United Methodist congregations in the Iowa Annual Conference, serving Jefferson/Grand Junction, Redfield/Dexter, Knoxville First, Stuart/Menlo/Jefferson Center, Fort Des Moines, and Rock Rapids. Kathy retired in 2020 and returned to Indianola in 2022.

Kathy is married to Earl, who is also a life-long Methodist. He grew up in La Porte City, Iowa, and graduated from Luther College and Drake University. Earl continues to work remotely as a customer service representative for the homeschool curriculum company he began working for while Kathy was serving the Rock Rapids UMC. Kathy and Earl are the parents of 4 children: adult children Ben, Sam, and Emily; and Maggie, who will be a senior at Indianola High School. 

Kathy is looking forward to serving the church that was such an important part of her life and faith development while growing up, and being in ministry alongside those who call Center Chapel UMC their church home.