Seeds Planted and Growing Still
The very first Misa en Español at Saint Peter’s was celebrated on Sunday, June 16, 1996, at 10:00 A.M. in The Erol Beker Chapel of the Good Shepherd (Louise Nevelson, 1977). Eight people were in attendance under the visionary leadership of The Rev. Hector E. Ribone, then serving as Pastor to the International Community. In the words of Pastor Ribone’s first annual report to the congregation, “we planted a seed that with the help of God will continue to grow.”
That small gathering was never only a liturgy, however. The seeds of this ministry also included walking beside people through immigration proceedings, sacramental acts for the wider community — particularly those connected to the United Nations, where Pastor Ribone was a department chief — and parish formation activities like Bible studies, retreats and service projects.
As these ministries took root and matured, their growth became visible not only in participation, but in lasting partnerships and shared leadership. No doubt in reflecting on key moments along the way, many will think of the 2012 covenant agreement between the Metropolitan New York Synod, Iglesia de Sion (with The Rev. Fabián Arias as its pastor) and Saint Peter’s (with The Rev. Amandus J. Derr as its pastor and The Rev. Jared R. Stahler as its associate pastor) which led to the merger of Sion and Saint Peter’s in 2020. But even this seed has an earlier iteration: Pastor Arias’ own arrival in the United States, his formation within Saint Peter’s International Ministry, his mentorship by Pastor Ribone and his ordination at Saint Peter’s in 2004 — signs that this ministry was already preparing for the future.
This long arc of ministry — shaped by welcome, formation and continuity of leadership — finds still more growth today. In June 2025, Saint Peter’s called The Rev. Leila M. Ortiz, the first pastor with no prior relationship to either predecessor congregation, as Pastoral Theologian in Residence. The former bishop of the Metropolitan D.C. Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and present member of The Lutheran World Federation Council, Bishop Ortiz’ ministry enriches Saint Peter’s mission and ministry. Beginning January 2026, she launches a bilingual Mass for Peace followed by a bilingual study group on Wednesday evenings reflecting on the cultures, histories and human stories that are within diverse and multicultural communities such as Saint Peter’s.
Looking back across these decades, what began as a seed has taken root, grown branches and created a path that everyone at Saint Peter’s now walks together. One word has been central to the life of Saint Peter’s expanding ministry over the course of these 30 years: accompaniment.
Accompaniment is not about having all the answers or fixing everything quickly. It's about walking together.
– The Rev. Leila M. Ortiz
A Theology of Accompaniment
Reflecting on where this way of walking together finds its deepest roots, Bishop Ortiz says, “The ancient story of the Road to Emmaus reveals a theology of accompaniment, a way of being present with others that mirrors how God is present with us. Accompaniment is not about having all the answers or fixing everything quickly. It’s about walking together, listening deeply and trusting that Christ is present in the journey itself.”
Where the journey will lead next, no one knows. Whatever the road, there are sure to be many seeds along the way. With the help of God, they too, will continue to grow.
More history & the entirety of Bishop Ortiz’ A Theology of Accompaniment in English & Spanish, can be found here.