Our community has stepped up to the challenges of 2020. Like never before, we have learned to depend on one another to lift each other up.

We are blessed by the generosity that so many of our alumni/ae throughout the world have shown. Through funding scholarships, mentoring a student, or sharing your pride for Iliff, you make an impact.

The Renewal Conference is Iliff’s annual community gathering to share our work, hear timely messages from a variety of experts, and spend time in fellowship. Each year, we focus on a unique theme that is timely and relevant to our society. In light of the challenges we are all facing, the theme for this year is “Justice.” We will partner with faculty, staff, alumni, students, and community members to share how justice powers their work in the world.

For 2021, we are moving the conference to a monthly online event series.

Jenny LaJoye '20, Folk/pop singer-songwriter, violinist, and vocal loop artist

Dr. Julie Todd '12, John Wesley Iliff Senior Adjunct Lecturer in Justice and Peace Studies

Moderated by Caran Ware Joseph '12, Iliff Chief Operating Officer

Save the following dates for upcoming Renewal online events:

Dr. Miguel De La Torre, Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies, is publishing a new book, "The Colonial Compromise: The Threat of the Gospel to the Indigenous Worldview Hardcover."

The book explores the different types of compromises Indian people were forced to make and must continue to do so in order to be included in the colonizer’s religion and culture.

The Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, was the featured guest on a Wabash Center podcast series, Dialogue on Teaching.

During the the episode, "Episode 87 - Audacious Project!: Boyung Lee," Lee discusses Iliff's commitment to diversity and cultural humility, what it takes to ready schools for diversity, and how to shift to an anti-racist culture.

The Rev. Dr. Andrew S. Dunning '94, pastor at University Park United Methodist Church in Denver, shared with us on video why he values and supports Iliff with philanthropic gifts.

If you haven’t done so already, you are invited to give to Iliff and support the student and campus initiatives that are most meaningful to you. With your help, we can reduce the financial burden many of our students feel and invest to advance Iliff’s innovative programs. We can gather and strengthen these leaders to serve in meaningful contexts.

The world needs Iliff and Iliff graduates. Even a small gift can make a profound difference.

The Rev. Mitchell Payne Boone (MDiv '12), Senior Pastor at White Rock United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, was recently recognized with the Harry Denman Award for Evangelism after the church’s professions of faith increased 250% in one year.

Boone was appointed to his current church in 2012 as an Associate Pastor and then became the Senior Pastor a few years later, inheriting a church that was on the edge of closing. Under his leadership, the church has become a daily hub of activity, which includes a children’s day school program, dance studio, art studio, a leased commercial kitchen, and a co-working space for neighborhood businesses.

After eight years of investment, White Rock UMC has begun reaping the harvest of authentic and loving grace-filled relationships. Boone values "the people God created." This faithful spirit has spread into the neighborhood, where hungry souls now trust the church. He collaborates with the laity in his congregation and invites their ideas and brings them new ideas for their consideration. Church worship attendance, membership and professions of faith have been on a steady increase. Young families, singles and empty nesters have come together to worship on Sunday mornings. The sanctuary feels "alive again and the people of the church have a belief that faith and the grace of God are known through their witness in the community."

Rev. Boone also oversees the ministry of a neighborhood church in the Owenwood Community by collaborating and building a vision with a new minister, Rev. Josh Esparza. As they continue their community development work, they hope to see a new expression of church built once again on authentic relationship.

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.

The Rev. Dr. Henry Blount, Jr. (DMin '81), elder in the Louisiana Conference of the The United Methodist Church, died on October 27, 2020.

The Rev. Lonnie Johnston (MTh '58), elder in Mountain Sky Conference of The United Methodist Church, died on November 24, 2020.

Erica Wright, current Iliff Master of Social Justice and Ethics student, shared with us on video about her inspiration to join Iliff.

While the nation’s leading infectious disease experts are cautiously optimistic that an effective vaccine for the COVID-19 virus will likely be available soon, we need to remain vigilant in preventing its spread.

Our goal is to give priority to the health and well-being of our community. Recognizing the current increase in risk, the Pandemic Planning Committee in consultation with the Senior Leadership team have decided that all classes for the coming spring quarter be conducted 100 percent online and that the 2021 commencement be held virtually.

We are grateful that a vaccine is likely to be available to the general public sometime this spring. But the timing of its accessibility and the public’s acceptance of it remains unclear. These variables do not provide a sufficient window of time for us to implement a safe return to campus by Spring Term.

Thank you for your generous and agile spirits as we continue to be Iliff during these challenging times.

Iliff offers a curated set of pandemic resources for those serving in leadership, whether in a church or a non-profit. Visit the Pandemic Toolbox at resource.iliff.edu.

Know someone who is interested in earning a degree at Iliff?

We will be hosting a virtual open house on Saturday, January 16. All are welcome to join.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with our President, The Rev. Dr. Thomas Wolfe, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, The Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee, and members of our faculty and student success teams. The free virtual open house will include a faculty Q&A, sample classes, and breakout sessions with members of our Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Professional Formation, and Spiritual Formation teams.

Register for the open house today.

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.