Hello! I'm Pastor Ruth Hetland and I joined the staff of First Lutheran Church in September of 2002. Before coming here I served as pastor of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Newstead in Western New York. I am originally from Henning, Minnesota and have been married for seven years to Chad M. Peterson. Our family consists of three cats, three dogs, and our two young sons, Owen and Jesse. I enjoy time with our family, writing, hiking, running, and reading - some of my favorite authors are Anne Lamott, Bill Bryson, and Frederick Buechner. In my spare time I'm working on my Doctor of Ministry degree in preaching through Iliff School of Theology in Denver and for the past couple years I've written bulletin devotions for Augsburg Fortress' on-line worship resource: Sundays and seasons.com.

As a pastor here at First Lutheran, I am involved with most areas of ministry including worship leadership, hospital/nursing home visits and homebound communion visitation. I oversee the Confirmation Program (8th and 9th grades) that meets on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish House. I also regularly lead Bible studies and assist in teaching the Sunday Adult Forum.

Our congregation also has a ministry to young adult singles (early twenties to late thirties). If you would like to know more about our young adult singles groups, please contact me or Jenny Brockman, Director of Youth Ministry.

I enjoy helping couples with their pre-marriage counseling and wedding planning. Give me a call if I can help you with your own marriage preparation! I also regularly offer marriage enrichment courses for married couples.

I warmly invite you to come and worship with us!

Blessings,

Pastor Ruth