Season 2: The Gifts of Advent
In the second season of The World is About Turn podcast presented by the Metro D.C. Synod, Bishop Leila Ortiz sits down with representatives from the Gifts of Hope beneficiary organizations to reflect on the gifts the season of Advent can bring to our lives and our missions in the world.
Gifts of Hope is the alternative-gift giving program of the Metro D.C. Synod which has been supporting God's work through local organizations since 1992!
The first of six episode series will drop on Saturday, December 2 as we prepare our hearts and the world for the coming of the Savior!
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The Gifts of Advent Episodes
Episode 1
The Gift of Patience
Waiting is hard. We eagerly anticipate the desires of our hearts and want them to come soon. We wait for the first day of school or the first snowfall. We wait to see a loved one or to hear a doctor’s news. Just as the farmer waits for crops or the fig tree waits for summer, we are reminded to be patient until the coming of the Lord.
Guests:
Shae has lived and served in the Washington DC area for most of her adult life. She has been an athlete and a singer her entire life and continues to enjoy these activities. She loves animals and also is a major donor for a small non-profit that places animals in their forever homes. She is proudly part of the LGBTQI community and was a public speaker and advocate for marriage equality. She currently has an increased passion for advocacy around marginalized communities, racism, homophobia and transphobia. Shae has a Master’s degree in Psychology and is a Doctoral candidate in Psychology at Capella University. Her passion for continued learning is related to her passion for helping others. Shae has worked for non-profits and universities in various roles including as an Executive Director, Director of Health and Wellness and as a consultant for business incubators.
Alyssa is a graduate student studying Public Policy and Nonprofit Leadership at the University of Maryland. She is a student and staff member with the 
The Rev. Dr. R. Guy Erwin was appointed president of 
Michael is a senior Computer Engineering student at the University of Maryland with a minor in Global Engineering Leadership. He spent his first two years at a local community college working as a student orientation leader. He was very involved with service and leadership throughout middle and high school in the Lutheran Youth Organization and Scouts BSA. He now participates in on-campus activities and organizations including a professional engineering fraternity and campus ministry.
Karin moved to Washington, DC in 2021 to participate in a year of service through Lutheran Volunteer Corps. She was placed at Luther Place Memorial Church, primarily offering support to the senior pastor, Rev. Karen Brau, and participating in various ministries of the church. After her service year was complete, she stayed on as the coordinator of the Steinbruck Center, which is a service-learning hostel connected to Luther Place. Karin enjoys welcoming groups from across the country to the center and offers programming opportunities related to the intersections of faith, social justice work, and advocacy in DC.
Episode 2
The Gifts of Speech & Silence
Encountering the angel of the Lord, Zechariah was struck speechless. His imposed silence became a time to reflect on the wonders of God. Like Zechariah, we are called at times to be silent and listen, at other times to shout with joy.
In their ministries with refugees, asylum seekers and low-income elderly, our partners share why it is incredibly necessary to listen to those we advocate for FIRST before we lift up our voices for justice and peace on their behalf.
Guests:
Christy Zeitz has created a lasting impact on many organizations during her 29-year career serving in leadership roles in management, fundraising, marketing, and program development. Zeitz has raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations, associations, and political campaigns. She has worked tirelessly to build strong relationships with corporate, foundation and individual donors and illustrate the lasting impact every donation has. For many years, Zeitz has helped nonprofits understand the power of strategic partnerships and how to leverage these relationships to garner resources beyond just the dollars.
Episode 3
The Gift of Hope
Hope is not passive, it is active. Hope is also not an individual act but a communal call.
In the prison system which can seem so incredibly hopeless, the Community of St. Dysmas works to share the gifts of hope and forgiveness for all of God's beloved people. Rev. Beck shares actual responses from the congregation about what they believe hope is and can be.
Langley Park, Maryland has become a safe haven for migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala and other countries of Central America. Several organizations are sharing resources to serve this community through many meals, ESL classes, and worship to offer a new home of faith and hope.
Guests:
The Rev. Connie A. Miller serves as Senior Pastor at Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, MD. A native of the Washington, DC area, she has served the Church in Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, serving roles of congregation pastor, campus minister, and Assistant to the Bishop. Pastor Miller has been at Saint Luke 24 years. The congregation includes a multi-faceted ministry, including a Christian Day School, a Conference and Retreat Center, Hallowood, and an outreach to the Latino community, 
Episode 4
The Gift of Family
The Gospel of Matthew begins with a family tree from Abraham to Jesus. Between the recitation of names, we also hear the story of God at work in our world from generation to generation. The Advent and Christmas seasons highlight the significance of family and chosen family who support us through it all.
These organizations are building healthy families by providing accessible housing, outdoor programs & family retreats, as well as emergency shelters for those experiencing domestic violence. Through education and funding, families can truly thrive as they loved on and provided a safe space to live out their call.
Guests:
Chuck Moler is a retired U.S. Army Officer with leadership experience in a variety of command and staff assignments from troop unit level to Headquarters, Department of the Army. Following 30 years of active military service, he worked for 15 years in the Defense Industry leading numerous multifunctional and disciplinary teams. He is an active member of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Woodbridge, Virginia where he’s served as a Sunday Church School teacher, member of the Senior Choir, member of the Church Council, Church Council President, and Church Trustee. He joined the 
Episode 5
The Gift of Time
Bishop Ortiz leads us in devotion based on the scripture of 1 Kings Chapter 19-Elijah Flees. For you, this year, and even the last 5 years, may have been filled with grief, loss, trauma, and frustration so the temptation to figuratively lay under the broom tree and simply give up was great! We have all understood this temptation firsthand. Yet we also understand the Lord’s imperative, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” Time apart in prayer is like bread and water in desert land. You are invited to be nourished by coming to the One who holds our days and tomorrows in their hands.
Episode 6 - Jan. 6
The Gift of Light
Bishop Leila shares the scripture of the three magi who come to visit the new born Jesus as we celebrate Epiphany. Also known as "Three Kings' Day", epiphany is a special time of celebrations, music and fellowship for the people of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Bishop Ortiz shares her love for this special day and what it means to come together because of our differences, not in spite of them.
Synod Podcast for Those Who are in need of Inspiration
God has called this synod and Church together in mission. And since the adoption of the synod's missions statement in 2019, much has changed. It is now that the Holy Spirit invites us into hard conversations and truths for theological and soul liberation for all.
This podcast is for the curious and for those seeking honest conversations about life and ministry.
It is also for those who are fully aware that we are living in a time that demands our attention and our intentionality.
It is for those who wish to be co-conspirators with the Holy Spirit!
Bishop Leila Ortiz shares how this podcast can be a resource for those
looking to meet the demands of the Gospel.
Season 1: Living Our Mission
Episode 7 with Natalie Cain and Brother Ken Taylor
Beloved Creation
In the final episode of the series focusing on the Metro D.C. Synod mission statement, dive into the symbiotic relationship between caring for creation and caring for humanity. Natalie Cain, Director of Gifts of Hope, and Brother Ken Taylor, Pastor of Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church, join Bishop Leila Ortiz to discuss the responsibility we have as followers of Jesus to care for all of creation and what that looks like in our daily lives.
Explore how we are called to care for the earth and that while our individual actions may seem too insignificant to have an impact, if we join together, even over something small like water bottles, the collective actions of our faith community can make a difference.
Episode 6 with Pastor Betty Landis, Deacon Dave Larrabee & Deacon Debra Haynes
To be Love
Deacons Deb Haynes and Dave Larrabee are called to serve at The Lamb Center, a day shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Pastor Betty Landis is passionately involved with the Poor People’s Campaign and serves at Saint Stephen Lutheran Church.
In Episode 6, hear how these leaders have engaged with others as if they are not a stranger; offering true welcome and love for people who have been marginalized and regularly outcast by society. Despite what the world tells us, we need Jesus’ love to be bold and boundless in our work to live out the Gospel each and every day.
Episode 5 with Pastor Ben Hogue & Jennifer Slagle Peck
Bold and Boundless in Your Own Way
Episode 4 with Pastor Carmelo Santos & Deacon Julie Stecker
To Cultivate Brokenness into the Fullness of Life
When you hear the word “cultivate” you may think of a farmer or planting seeds and watching them grow. But not everyone believes they have a green thumb, in a garden or spiritually!
Rev. Dr. Carmelo Santos and Deacon Julie Stecker share with Bishop Leila Ortiz the ways they have found the Holy Spirit cultivates incredible things with and through us even in the midst of “poor” growing conditions and the brokenness within our communities. They also share what needs to die, what we need to let go of, so that God can grow more fruit for the sake of the entire garden to flourish.
Episode 3 with Pastor Julie Bringman, Katie Evans & Carrie Pritts
To be (or not to be) Called
Pastor Julie Bringman, Katie Evans, and Carrie Pritts join Bishop Leila to delve into how they have felt God stirring and moving in their lives, and formalized their listening during a six-month period of discernment.
As they felt the nudge of the Spirit, each of these women took the leap to of faith to participate in a discernment cohort offered by the Metro D.C. Synod. Not all discernment leads to enrolling in a seminary or a rostered call, yet the Spirit is still at work.
Our world can be quite loud and distracting. How and where do you find space to "turn it off" and to intentionally listen for God's call?
Episode 2 with Pastor Kevin Vandiver
Inspired by the Holy Spirit who Disrupts Everything
Pastor Kevin Vandiver, Senior Pastor of Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington D.C., discusses with Bishop Leila Ortiz what it means to be "Inspired by the Holy Spirit".
Not just what it means to be inspired in ministry, but as human beings in our daily lives. To be inspired not only as a pastor but as a spouse, parent, and person in a hurting world who has experienced their own trauma and hurt.
Who is the Holy Spirit to you?
Episode 1 with Metro D.C. Synod Staff
Living Our Mission and Purpose
Bishop Leila Ortiz talks with Pastor Lamar Bailey and Pastor Sarah Garrett Krey, who serve as Assistants to the Bishop in the Metro D.C. Synod, about being "Inspired", what it means to serve on Synod Staff, and the overall Metro D.C. Synod mission statement which was adopted in 2019 before the world turned.