Worship Associates: Susan Hazlett, Lisa Jones, Johann Montozzi-Wood
Theme: Joy
In our time of deep uncertainty and attacks against the values of justice, compassion, and transformation that we hold central as a Living Tradition, our Universalist heritage can inspire us to renew our efforts towards the creation of a Beloved Community for our mutual thriving.
Dr. Elías Ortega is the President and Professor of Religion, Ethics, and Leadership at Meadville Lombard Theological School (MLTS) in Chicago, a position he has held since 2019. An Afro-Latino scholar, Dr. Ortega is an interdisciplinary educator, social justice activist, and Unitarian Universalist lay leader. He earned his MDiv and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary and holds a BA in Communication Arts & Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion from Calvin College.
Before joining MLTS, Dr. Ortega served as Associate Professor of Social Theory and Religious Ethics at Drew University Theological School, where he contributed to initiatives in digital humanities, led civic engagement projects, and worked with the Title IX Committee to strengthen advocacy on behalf of students, faculty, and staff. His teaching and research focus on religious ethics, cultural sociology, Africana studies, and Latinx cultural studies.
A committed advocate for justice-making and civic engagement, Dr. Ortega has played key roles in
Unitarian Universalist initiatives, including serving on the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change, co-chairing the UU Legislative Ministry of New Jersey’s Dismantling Racism Group, IL Poor People’s Campaign Coordinating Committee Member, and the Bridge Interfaith Alliance Steering Committee of DuPage. He co-founded the Drew Freedom School Initiative to train community organizers in non-violent resistance and has supported numerous advocacy organizations addressing mental health, juvenile justice, and immigrant rights.
Dr. Ortega’s leadership at Meadville Lombard reflects his vision for theological education that integrates intellectual rigor with spiritual practices to prepare leaders for a complex, multicultural world.
