53 Weeks of Abundant Gratitude  
       Late Summer 2015
We are expressing 53 Weeks of Abundant Gratitude this year. Yes, we know there are actually 52.177 weeks in a year, but we are Iliffians. This means that we are overflowing with feelings of gratitude. So why not make it 53 weeks? 





Gratitude is ENOUGH to change the world. Not much else is needed because it is an advanced way of living into the love,
peace, and hope ideals of the gospel.

Eric Strader, MDIV '10
Pastor, Christ Church United Methodist, Denver 
 



GIVE    

As part of our expressions of gratitude, we will be focusing on one segment of the Iliff community each month. In September, we are appreciating our students.



There are four ways you can show our students that you are thankful for them.
EVENTS    
 
All-School BBQ to 
Welcome New Students 
September 11, noon
Student Commons 

The Iliff community is invited to say hello to our incoming class on September 11 when new students gather for orientation. Join us in welcoming them with our All-School BBQ next Friday, September 11. The event is free. The BBQ will be catered by Relish (and will include vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options). During lunch, in the lobby, our student organizations will host the Student Group Expo. See you there!


Opening Convocation, September 16, 11 a.m.  
The Dean's Office invites you to Opening Convocation in Iliff Chapel. Opening Convocation is a time to celebrate the start of a new academic year in community with each other. President Wolfe will be giving the Address, "A Spirit of Abundance."

There will be a community meal immediately following in Shattuck Hall. The cost is $5. Please share dietary restrictions with Betsy Lay, [email protected].


World Peace Day, September 21 - "Who will you make peace with?"

This is the theme for Peace One Day (peaceoneday.org). It is a powerful call to action for individuals to encourage peacemaking at every stage of society, including the home, school, workplace, and community.

We invite you to share stories on Twitter (#PeaceDay), Facebook and Instagram about who you are going to make peace with.  Post a picture of you and your colleagues or congregants on Iliff's Instagram page
#iliffSchoolofTheology on or before World Peace Day September 21 in order to bring awareness to Peace Day.

 
Workshop Sponsored by Iliff's Legacy Society, Oct. 7, 4-6 p.m., Shattuck Hall  
What legacy do you want to leave for your loved ones? Do you know the unique challenges faced by clergy in preparing their own finances and counseling their congregants in end of life issues? Join us in this evening workshop which includes CPAs, attorneys, clergy, and non-profit professionals to answer your questions about legacy planning.


Extraordinary Welcome: Sept. 8-9, Shattuck Hall
Extraordinary Welcome: Embracing Children and Families with Special Needs in Communities of Faith is a conference hosted by Iliff and co-sponsored by Developmental Pediatrics and JFK Partners at the University of Colorado and Children's Hospital Colorado. Conference will include plenary sessions and workshops and will increase the awareness of clergy and lay leaders from a variety of faith communities of the importance of enthusiastically welcoming and including children/youth with developmental disabilities and their families in faith communities. Cost: $47. Registration required
 
       
INTERVIEW    

A new alumni Instagram #iliff4Justice and a blog site iliff4Justice are being launched so that we can share the stories and ministries of our alumni with each other.   
 
Rev. Kristi Hornick, (MASM '10)
A Bridge Between the Church and the World in 
Prison Ministry

"Iliff gave me a voice and a backbone to be able to stand in a community (whether I am in a community of like-mindedness or in diversity) and say, 'You don't have to feel the same way I do and I'll still respect you. But you're not going to brow beat me into believing what you already believed because I'm already in a different place. God opened my mind. Don't think I haven't studied the scriptures. Don't think I haven't thought about this stuff. God gave me spiritual enlightenment to have epiphanies to be in a different place than I was before.'"
 
What's your best advice?
 
"Religion shouldn't close your mind. It should open your heart."

A Need for Prison Ministry

"After men and women complete their prison sentences, they often find a second prison in the 
transition back into the world," says Rev. Kristi Hornick. She has teamed with a former inmate to make the transition easier.

See more of Rev. Hornick's story.

 
 
Alumni/ae: Share your news with Iliff and we will post it to Student/Alumni News on iliff.edu and link articles to social media. Send your news to:  [email protected] 


 Iliff School of Theology    2323 East Iliff Avenue    Denver, CO 80210     www.iliff.edu

Like us on Facebook    Follow us on Twitter    View our profile on LinkedIn    View our photos on flickr   Visit our blog
View on Instagram