‘God has richly blessed me’: Zion Lutheran Church’s Pastor Ross Ulrich retiring today
Twenty-one years ago today, Ross Ulrich was installed as senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church.
Today, he’s retiring.
“I planned to serve Zion, Monroe, as long as the Lord determined,” Ulrich said. “After 40 years in the ministry, it is time to retire. I am ready. I am confident Zion is in good hands with lay leadership, staff and Pastor Greg Sitzman.”
Sitzman, who has been Zion’s associate pastor since Feb. 27, 2022, will be installed as senior pastor at 9 a.m. July 2 by Circuit Pastor Brian Keller of St. Stephen Church of Adrian. Zion also will hold a meeting July 2 to call for a new associate pastor.
“Pastor Sitzman is very gifted. He is theologically discerning, musically talented and a people-person who is compassionate and loving,” Ulrich said.
A native of Wisconsin, Ulrich was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1969. After graduating from high school in 1973, he began studying for pastoral ministry at Northwestern in Wisconsin.
Two years into the program, he left to pursue a medical career.
“The Lord led me back to Northwestern, where, in 1979, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree,” Ulrich said.
Four years later he received a Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin. Ulrich was then a vicar at St. John’s in Markesan, Wisconsin, before leaving his native state.
He pastored several types of congregations during his 40-year ministry.
“I have served a mission congregation, a smaller rural church, a larger metropolitan congregation with a school and Zion, Monroe,” Ulrich said.
Before coming to Zion, he was pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, Florida, Hope Lutheran Church in St. Charles, Michigan, and Zion Lutheran Church in Denver.
In his more than two decades at Zion, Ulrich said he most enjoyed helping and guiding others.
“My greatest experience would be the 21 year-span of endeavoring to faithfully serve Zion as a parish pastor. My greatest experiences would be helping those in need with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, guiding, comforting and leading them through the Scriptures,” he said.
He also enjoyed preaching and teaching people from Zion and those outside the congregation.
“I will miss the people, our members, our lay leaders and our staff. I will miss my brothers in the preaching ministry, my brothers in faith and calling,” Ulrich said. “God has richly blessed me. Without my wife, Cindy, my ministry would not have been possible.”
The Ulrichs have two daughters. The pastor's retirement plans include spending time with family and traveling.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Zion Lutheran Church’s Pastor Ross Ulrich retiring today
