9735 E. Colfax Avenue

Aurora, CO 80010

This event has a capacity of 40 registrants. Register today!

Associate Professor of the History of Christianity at Iliff School of Theology

Co-founder and owner of Lady Justice Brewing, Aurora, CO

Follow the link below to register for this session!

Candace Woods (MDiv '19) has launched an entrepreneurial ministry called Woods + the Wild, a consulting firm focused on journeying with individuals, couples, communities, and institutions through the wild terrain of gender + sexuality justice and inclusion, comprehensive sexuality education, and bodily + relational wholeness. Candace is available as a consultant, guest preacher, ritual officiant, and educator. More information can be found at www.woodsandthewild.com.

Follow Candace on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about her and the Woods + the Wild!

Alumni/ae, students, and community members are invited to participate in these unique immersive experiences, led by Iliff faculty.

Professor Miguel De La Torre will lead the immersion trip to Guatemala from November 26 through December 7, 2022. This trip will provide the opportunity to study the intersection of environment & immigration, along with indigenous spirituality.

For more information, please contact Dr. De La Torre at [email protected]

Professors Pam Eisenbaum and Mark George will lead the immersion trip to Israel/Palestine November 29 – December 9, 2022.

This trip offers the chance to see the Old City of Jerusalem, the Dead Sea and Masada, the Galilee, Bethlehem, Yad Vashem and so much more. Hear from a range of groups in Israel/Palestine, experience a Shabbat meal, and spend a night with a Palestinian family. An optional extension trip to Jordan immediately follows the Israel/Palestine trip.

For more information, please contact Dr. Pam Eisenbaum ([email protected]) or Dr. Mark George ([email protected]).

We invite you to support Iliff students through travel scholarship by clicking this link to make a donation.

Wills Long was a longtime friend and former trustee of the Iliff School of Theology as well as a beloved member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church prior to his passing in 2017. His wife, Pat, continues to be an active member of the Iliff community.

During his last few years of life, Wills was an active member of the Forum Committee at St. Barnabas and frequently expressed a desire to connect St. Barnabas and Iliff. To honor his memory, St. Barnabas created the Wills Long Lectureship, an opportunity for the church to invite professors to share their knowledge at The Forum a few times a year.

The first sessions took place on Sunday, April 24th, and Sunday, May 1st, with Iliff's Dr. Pam Eisenbaum, Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Origins.

Rev. Anthony Inman (MDiv '19), pastor of First Methodist in Vernon TX, has founded Mission Kitchen, a free meal program for the City of Vernon, feeding 200 people each week. He also has begun a ministry to the inmates if the Wilbarger County Jail, visiting weekly, providing spiritual care for the inmates and jail staff.

John "J.P." Richardson (MDiv '10) successfully defended his dissertation this semester and has graduated with a PhD in School Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

J. Todd Smiedendorf (MDiv '93) earned a postgraduate Certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies and has recently co-facilitated a retreat in The Netherlands for Christian clergy. The retreat included prayer with legalized psychedelic truffles, supported by the nonprofit Ligare. He is currently the Bridge Associate Minister at Plymouth Congregational UCC and co-founder of The Sanctuary for Sacred Union.

If there is something going on in your world that you would like us to share with your colleagues, you are welcome to submit your news.

Rev. Rita Basham passed on April 6th, 2022. Rev. Basham completed her Masters of Arts in Religion at Iliff in 1988 and was ordained in the United Methodist Church. She served as the Youth Minister at Park Hill United Methodist Church for 12 years. She then became a Youth Program Coordinator and Associate Pastor at Brentwood United Methodist Church for 13 years. She is survived by her husband John, three sons and seven grandchildren. Read the full obituary here.

Rev. Charles Thompson passed on May 6th, 2022. Rev. Thompson came to Iliff after working as a journalist and DJ. He completed his MDiv in 1982 and went on to serve United Methodist Churches in Arkansas and Colorado during his 42 years in ministry. Read the full obituary here.

A memorial service for the Rev. Dr. Dana Wilbanks will take place at 2:00 pm, Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Montview Presbyterian Church (1980 Dahlia St, Denver, CO 80220). The service will also be streamed live from this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrRKPappK3o

To visit PIFN, click here.

Connect with us using this online form if you have news you would like us to share in future issues of this alumni/ae newsletter.