January Renewal Session

January Renewal Session

Belief at Iliff: A Student Panel

Wednesday, January 21 from noon to 1:30 pm MT via Zoom

For our January Renewal Session, four of our current students will share about their beliefs and views of the world, the story of how they got to Iliff, and their plans for after graduation. Join us to go inside the Iliff classroom with these students and hear what they have discovered about their own beliefs during their time here.

Panelists:

Lex Dunbar, (he/they) MDiv ’25, Joint PhD Student

Lex Dunbar (He/They), a proud Norf-Philly native and recent transplant to Denver, CO, is a Black Non-Binary Transman, educator, activist, and community leader. His unwavering commitment to justice and change is a source of inspiration, as Lex draws on personal narrative and diverse theoretical frameworks, including Womanism, Black liberation theology, Transhumanist Deism, Afro-Futurism, and more. Currently a Ph.D. student in the Joint Doctoral Program in the Study of Religion at the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology, Lex recently earned their second Master’s degree and became a certified Death and Grief Doula. A dynamic workshop facilitator and indecent preacher, Lex has also taught as an adjunct professor, developed educational programs, and contributed to numerous conferences and panels on issues of race, justice, and religious liberation. With a passion for community service, Lex amplifies marginalized voices, advocates for liberation, and fosters a more just world.

Josh Perez, (he/him) MTS ’25, Joint PhD Student

Josh Perez is a creative and academic based in Denver, CO, where he explores the intersection of storytelling, lived religion, and the human experience. With a multidisciplinary approach that spans filmmaking, audio, writing, and photography, Josh focuses on the spaces where artistry and daily life meet. Currently serving as the Creative Lead for the Institute of Religion, Culture, & Politics at the Iliff School of Theology, Josh holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Theological Studies from Iliff. His recent thesis, “Laundry and Taxes: Cinema as Portals from Domination Into Worlds of Liberation,” highlights his research into film reception and the ways cinema orients us in the world. He is currently in his second year in the Joint Doctoral Program at the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology. Beyond his academic work, Josh collaborates on Sweet & Condensed, a multimedia project and newsletter created by people who love people, movies, and the magic that emerges when they intersect.

Caralyn Ware, (she/her) Current MDiv Student

Cara Ware is in her final year of the M.Div program at Iliff & has served as the 2024-2025 & 2025-2026 Student Senate co-chair. She is a candidate for ordination as an elder and the leadership development representative for the Mountain Sky United Methodist Conference, and currently appointed as licensed local pastor at Brentwood UMC in Denver. While at Iliff, Cara’s work has focused on practical & pastoral theology, presenting at multiple international conferences on topics such as moral injury and postcolonial theory. Beyond studying at Iliff, Cara has a background in neuroscience and works as a clinical research analyst for the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.

Liz Wolfert, (she/her) Current MDiv Student

Liz Wolfert (she/her) is a third year MDiv student, a postulant for the priesthood in the Episcopal Church, and a long-time interfaith practitioner. She brings a wide variety of professional and vocational experiences to her community and person-to-person work. She is currently part of community building around Iliff student life; community gardening; Circle of Trust; international, interfaith, and intercultural solidarity; mental health and recovery; and more.