Deacon Ro Fesser
Raised in Illinois on a generational farm started by my German great-grandfather, I enjoy rural connection, small town values, and community being joined together. I have been Lutheran all my life, but didn't get on board with ministry until these last third of life years. The Lord did a lot of my molding and shaping through worldly vocations in education, restaurant management, rules and regulations, and a full career with the Il Department of Corrections and becoming an IL Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.
After an early retirement, my full attention turned to ministry where I attended Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago and the ministry of Word and Service. Roommates in Chicago really persuaded me to check out all the Lutherans here in Colorado, where I have made my home every since 2006. My first ministry site was serving as part-time overnight on-call chaplain at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins. From a trip to San Francisco getting on the BART train, someone called out, "Ro, I want to talk to you about Brush!" Shortly after that, I found my way to Brush and accepted a part-time chaplain call at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in 2011. In June, 2023 I retired from health care, well sorta! I still do some weekly PRN on-call, emergencies and administrative duties while Eben Ezer finds their next chaplain.
In August, 2023 I accepted a part-time call at Bethlehem Lutheran as Acting Pastor. We are partners in this ministry that Jesus Christ brought into this world to love and serve all people, to share God's Word, and to be the community of believers. When I started in September, all of us here at Bethlehem were on the go preparing for the Installation Service, the Annual 65th Election Night Chili/Soup Supper, Food Drive for Community Cupboard, Giving Tree, Advent Discovery with Brush Methodist Church and Rankin Presbyterian. During Advent Discovery we shared Sunday worship at each congregation's home church and did Soup & Study for Tuesday lunches. In this new year 2024 we focus on Prairie Parish, a 5 Lutheran congregation gathering in 50 mile radius the first Saturday of the month and our new Compassionate Hearts outreach ministry serving families, individuals and community. In worship we celebrate communion every Sunday, Kids' Talk, and sharing of peace. And after worship there is always a cup of coffee and some delicious morsel for every one to find delight in.
Please join us on Sundays, whether in person or on Facebook. Join our quilters on Thurs/Fri mornings, or join our once a month study of 4 Gospels the third Saturday morning, or come join me during office hours! We'd love to have you~ Deacon Ro
After an early retirement, my full attention turned to ministry where I attended Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago and the ministry of Word and Service. Roommates in Chicago really persuaded me to check out all the Lutherans here in Colorado, where I have made my home every since 2006. My first ministry site was serving as part-time overnight on-call chaplain at Poudre Valley Hospital in Ft. Collins. From a trip to San Francisco getting on the BART train, someone called out, "Ro, I want to talk to you about Brush!" Shortly after that, I found my way to Brush and accepted a part-time chaplain call at Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in 2011. In June, 2023 I retired from health care, well sorta! I still do some weekly PRN on-call, emergencies and administrative duties while Eben Ezer finds their next chaplain.
In August, 2023 I accepted a part-time call at Bethlehem Lutheran as Acting Pastor. We are partners in this ministry that Jesus Christ brought into this world to love and serve all people, to share God's Word, and to be the community of believers. When I started in September, all of us here at Bethlehem were on the go preparing for the Installation Service, the Annual 65th Election Night Chili/Soup Supper, Food Drive for Community Cupboard, Giving Tree, Advent Discovery with Brush Methodist Church and Rankin Presbyterian. During Advent Discovery we shared Sunday worship at each congregation's home church and did Soup & Study for Tuesday lunches. In this new year 2024 we focus on Prairie Parish, a 5 Lutheran congregation gathering in 50 mile radius the first Saturday of the month and our new Compassionate Hearts outreach ministry serving families, individuals and community. In worship we celebrate communion every Sunday, Kids' Talk, and sharing of peace. And after worship there is always a cup of coffee and some delicious morsel for every one to find delight in.
Please join us on Sundays, whether in person or on Facebook. Join our quilters on Thurs/Fri mornings, or join our once a month study of 4 Gospels the third Saturday morning, or come join me during office hours! We'd love to have you~ Deacon Ro