A shepherd and her flock, Pastor Nicole’ Ferry and husband Ray meet with friends recently for a final goodbye before beginning her new ministry in Monument, Colo. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
Pastor Nicole’ Ferry holds her children’s moment for a final time on Nov. 3 at Bethlehem Lutheran Evangelical Church. She begins her new ministry as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church on Dec. 1 in Monument, Colo. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
By BERNADETTE LAURETZEN
Los Alamos
When our town loses a great person because they relocate, it is an incredibly sad day. However, when you realize the profound blessing and immense joy that person is about to be for another community, you can’t help but smile. Soon, one phenomenal person, Pastor Nicole’ Raddu Ferry heads from our neck of the woods to the greener or is it browner pastures of Monument, Colo.
Pastor Nicole’ will go to spread the love at Trinity Lutheran. One motto for their church is, “Touched by the hand of God, to touch the lives of others.” Well, they certainly picked the right person for the job.
The time she spent touching the lives of many here came to a formal close on Nov. 3. Her Bethlehem Lutheran family sent her and husband Ray off on their new adventure after serving 12 years (this time) in Los Alamos. Her community of faith gathered to hear Gods word, receive Holy Communion, and feel the love and support of community. She warned the congregation that there may be tears as they shared the love in their hearts. According to Pastor Nicole’, the tears did roll as she tells the story.
“I was blessed with a lovely reception filled with good food, gifts, and kind words that I will carry to Colorado,” she said.
Pastor Nicole’ has a heart of gold with a mega-watt smile and personality to go with it. She stands in awe of Bethlehem’s commitment to doing the work of God outside the walls of Bethlehem. She is proud to hear the stories throughout the community and their connection to Bethlehem Lutheran. As the resources of the BELC community are shared with others, it fills her heart and brings her joy.
She will miss the breathtaking views and landscape. Her soul is fed by the trails that allow people to hike. She considers it yet another way that her community and her people get to enjoy God’s creation.
“One of my favorite ministries is Biblical Burritos on Wednesday mornings. This ministry allows our high school students to gather, to eat delicious burritos, thank you Hot Rocks, and to read scripture and to pray before the school day,” she said. “Everyone is welcome, teachers and students alike, and this coming together for good is needed in our world right now.”
She will miss the work of programs like JJAB, Self Help, LA Cares and more.
Her work years ago as a counselor at Los Alamos Middle School allowed her to be a blessing to the youth of Los Alamos. Then time at the high school furthered relationships in a variety of ways. It was a wonderful way for teenagers to start the day and fuel their brains. The simplicity and ease of her presence in any school building left many floating from time well spent.
Pastor Nicole’ is exactly the person you would want to offer guidance to look ahead to the future. So, it should not surprise anyone that she considers it one of the most beautiful honors to preside over weddings as a pastor. She keeps pictures of each wedding and has pondered, “Who am I to walk with folks in some of the most beautiful, challenges, new beginning ways in their lives? I am humbled and grateful.”
As a candidate for the role of Bishop in the Rocky Mountain Synod, she gained new contacts, serving in different churches through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. When she came upon the ministries of Trinity Lutheran Church, our Cinderella found a new shoe.
“It seemed to fit the gifts God has given me,” Pastor Nicole’ said.
She has some good men in her life … first there’s God and his son Jesus, but there is a third man, too. That man is husband Ray Ferry, an important cog, dependable, and well-greased and instrumental in the Nicole’ machine.
“I am very blessed to have a spouse that completely supports that work that I am called to do,” Pastor Nicole’ said. “Ray is very involved at Bethlehem, and he was very engaged in Los Alamos. He so enjoyed the Leadership Los Alamos program and coached, cheered, attended all the things our family was involved in. I could not have done this work without Ray’s support.”
Finally, her heart walking outside of her body is daughter Blaire and son Noah, who she calls “amazing humans”.
Thank you Pastor Nicole’ for all you have done for our community … we will miss you!
Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
