Here's some of the faces you'll see around the Bellevue First United Methodist Church community. If you have any questions, or would like to speak with a staff member or leader, please call the church office or send us an email!
Staff & Leaders
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Lead Pastor
Rev. Richard Fuss joined our church in the summer of 2022 after serving congregations in Georgia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Rich has a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA and a degree in Anthropology. A former collegiate soccer player, Rich likes to coach youth soccer and will happily accept any invitation to watch a game at any time. He has a fondness for coffee mugs, minor league baseball hats and always roots for the underdog. He was a zookeeper before becoming a pastor and loves all things furred, feathered and scaled. Rich has devoted his career to helping churches and individuals discover a sense of joy and passion and stubbornly believes that our best days are ahead of us.
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Director of music ministries
Introducing Alfonso Alborta, a humble servant of music whose heartfelt dedication has graced the sanctuaries of countless churches with the beauty of melody and harmony. With a Bachelor's in Music from California State University Northridge, he has been honored by the Ruth Bjorkman Memorial Scholarship and the Charles Fierro Piano Scholarship among other academic awards.
In their quiet but steadfast way, Alfonso has been a guiding light for aspiring musicians, gently guiding over a hundred students on their journey through the world of piano. His commitment to nurturing talent extends beyond the classroom to their role as a founding member of the Bacchus Duo, where he offered his gifts to uplift congregations through music.
As a faithful steward of their musical talents, Mr. Alborta has served as a church pianist and accompanist for several congregations, including Mary Immaculate School Pocoima, Corner Stone Bible Church, and United Lutheran Church. Their willingness to serve, often behind the scenes, has been a blessing to all who have had the privilege of hearing their music.
In addition to their contributions at the piano, Alfonso has humbly explored the art of conducting under the guidance of esteemed mentors and has been honored with recognition such as finalist status in the “Trinity Presents Collegiate Performance Showcase” in 2015.
In the midst of his musical journey, he remains grounded in their faith and grateful for the opportunities to share the gift of music with others. With a heart full of joy and a spirit of service, Alfonso continues to offer his talents to the glory of God and the edification of the church community.
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Lauren was raised in Tijuana, Mexico until the age of 10. She has also lived in California, Nevada, and in 2017 she moved to Seattle with her husband. She has an A.A. in Digital Marketing and Business Administration. She is passionate about the fine arts and has a graphic design certification. Lauren is a community organizer; through grassroots campaigning, she and a team of lobbyist accomplished a minimum wage increase in Berkeley, California. Lauren loves spending time outdoors with her family, cooking authentic Mexican dishes, volunteering, reading, or going to live music events.
