The Rev. Ronald Zoesch

Associate Priest

The Rev. Ronald Zoesch

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I grew up in Fresno where I met my wife, Robin and we both graduated in 1967 from Fresno State College with degrees in Journalism. In my last semester after encouragement from my campus pastor I decided to go to seminary. Robin and I moved to Berkeley and I begin studies  at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary among a very ecumenical setting that included Church Divinity School of the Pacific where I attended many joint classes. I graduated in 1971 with a Masters of Divinity. 

My first call was as Associate Pastor of St .Paul's Lutheran where I begin work to reach a more diverse community. 
In late 1973 I was called to Holy Trinity Lutheran, Inglewood near LA International. During my 5 year tenure the congregation made a significant racial from majority White membership to majority African American. 

In 1978 I was called to First English Lutheran in Sacramento, a congregation that was racially balanced. During my 12 1/2 year tenure I served as President of the neighborhood Mental Health Board and the Redevelopment Board. 
In 1991 I was called to Our Savior's Lutheran in Fresno, that had just merged 3 congregations together. I started work there to develop community organizing. 

In 1996 I was called to the Northeastern Ohio Synod, ELCA as Assistant to the Bishop/Synod Missioner. My call was to assist congregations to reach out in new ways to their communities. Later With the synod I was called by the ELCA as Director for Evangelical Mission to serve Northeastern Ohio (Cleveland,Youngstown etc). During my time there I attended Case Western University/Mandel Center of Business and received a certificate in Non-profit Management.

In September 2013 I retired and Robin and I moved back to Sacramento, living in Elk Grove. We discovered St. Mary's one Sunday when we were too late to attend a Lutheran church and found St Mary's in the phone book ,came and were warmly welcomed. We also like the diversity and the relaxed sanctuary setting. 

I became an Associate in 2014 after meeting with Bishop Beisner and getting the ok from my Sierra Pacific Synod Lutheran bishop. 

Robin and I are also members of St Luke's Lutheran on Center Parkway where Robin serves on the evangelism committee.
I occasionally preach and preside at St. Mary's and am working as a consultant with small Lutheran churches to encourage their working together. I also have a dream that the Lutherans and Episcopalians could jointly develop a new mission in the southwest part of Elk Grove.