Bishop Leila Ortiz’s Farewell Message
Praying Forward: With God’s Help and In Jesus’ Name…
The time has come. My term as your bishop has ended. This calling has been both soul-crushing and life-saving, a sacred trust that has opened my heart to unconditional and unapologetic love for the church: the body of Christ. The soul-crushing moments came when systems failed those we were called to serve, when evil seemed overwhelming, when the church’s own brokenness caused harm. The life-saving moments came when I witnessed your faithfulness in impossible circumstances, when grace broke through despair, when the Spirit moved among us with power that could not be contained. Both experiences have deepened my conviction that the church exists for such a time as this.
You have been my companions in remembering that the church exists not for its own comfort but to resist, not for self-preservation but for faithful risk-taking, not to control but to surrender to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Thank you for the honor of walking and serving with you in this time and place. Sincerely, thank you.
New Beginnings…
As we enter this season of transition, we face both endings and new beginnings. Our church is preparing to welcome Bishop Yehiel Curry as our Presiding Bishop, and this synod will soon be blessed by the leadership of your new bishop, Rev. Phil Hirsch. These are leaders who understand that our world is now too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love. They come equipped not only with pastoral hearts but with the spiritual courage necessary to lead the church in times that demand both comfort for the afflicted and prophetic challenge to systems of injustice.
I call you to the kind of intentional, organized prayer that we have learned to practice together. This is not a request for polite well-wishes but a summons to spiritual warfare on behalf of those we have elected and are now called to lead.
For Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry: Pray that God will grant wisdom for the soul-crushing moments and grace for the life-saving ones. Pray for honest and faithful support that sustains and for protection against the powers that seek to divide and distract the church from its mission. And pray for bold vision that can see beyond our current limitations to God’s preferred future for this church.
For Rev. Phil Hirsch, new synod bishop: Pray that he will receive the spirit of discernment necessary to shepherd this synod with both tenderness and strength. Pray that you will offer him honor, respect, and support—even greater than what you have shown me. Pray that together you will continue the work of spiritual resistance that our times demand.
Remember them in your intercessory prayers each Sunday and in your devotional life throughout the week. We may never know what they will face on any given day, but one thing is certain: they will lead best with a church that extends abundant grace and boldly prays with and for their lives and ministry.
Until We Meet Again…
As I transition from this sacred office, I am blessed to share that I have accepted a call to serve as Pastoral Theologian in Residence at Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Manhattan. This new chapter will allow me to continue the theological work that has shaped our ministry together, exploring how the church can faithfully respond to the powers and principalities of our age. Should your travels ever bring you to New York, I hope you will stop by and say hello.
My term as your bishop concludes, but we remain bound together by the Spirit who calls us to fight the good fight of faith. Support your new leaders as they guide you forward. Continue the work of spiritual warfare that our times demand. Watch for signs of God’s reign breaking through, and be ready to recognize hope when it appears in unexpected places and through unexpected people.
My Prayer for you…
God of all comfort and courage, you have been faithful to this synod and to your church. As we prepare for new leadership, I pray for these your people who have opened my heart to love I never thought possible.
Bless Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry as he prepares to lead our church. Grant him the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Esther, and the persistent hope of the prophets. Surround him with advisors who will speak truth and supporters who will sustain him in the battles ahead.
Bless Rev. Phil Hirsch as he prepares to shepherd this synod. Give him eyes to see the beauty already present here and vision for the season ahead. Help the synod receive him with grace and relentless hope.
Continue to raise up leaders who love and cultivate a bold and boundless love for Jesus and all God’s beloved creation; who will not shy away from naming what is evil and proclaiming what is holy. Keep them grounded in prayer and action, rooted in Scripture and responsive to their neighbors’ deepest needs.
When the world’s evil seems overwhelming, remind them of their baptismal power. When systems of injustice appear immovable, help them remember that your reign is both present reality and promised future.
Make them a people who continue to set aside days and hours for intentional prayer, who never cease to claim the power that is theirs in you, Christ Jesus; a people who know that no weapon forged against them, or the world you so love, can or will prosper… with God’s help and in Jesus’ name. Amen.
En Cristo,
Rev. Leila M. Ortiz
The Synod has a KudoBoard for Rev. Leila open until August 31 if you would like to add memories, pictures, prayers, or gifts. Please also enjoy a photo album celebrating her ministry and a blooper reel celebrating her humanity and humor.