About the presenter

The Rev. Dr. Alisha Wimbush

The Rev. Dr. Alisha Wimbush is the ICJS program director for religious leaders. She has a B.A. in Social Work from Messiah College and is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, where she earned both her M.Div. and a Th.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling. Most recently Alisha served as an Associate Chaplain at a continuing care retirement community in Pennsylvania. She has more than 15 years of experience working and providing leadership in nonprofit and congregational settings. She is passionate about building bridges across diverse communities and finding creative ways to foster relationships.

Schedule

9:30–11:00 AM | Session 1:  We will focus on confronting New Testament passages central to Jesus’ death and suffering that have been leveraged throughout Christian history to fuel antisemitism and anti-Judaism. We will consider the questions:  How have these texts influenced Christians’ thinking about Jewish people and Judaism? Is there a way to read these texts that is historically and exegetically grounded and also does not further prejudice against Jews and Judaism?

11:00 AM–Noon | Session 2: We will explore how New Testament texts have shaped our Lenten liturgical practices and rituals, and practical ways we can present this central narrative of the Christian faith in a way that raises awareness in our congregations and combats growing religious bias and bigotry.

Noon–12:30 PM | Lunch

12:30–2:30 PM | Session 3:  Participants will have the opportunity to utilize the ICJS library to do research and prepare their Lent/Easter sermons and lessons. Participants will be invited to  share their Lenten and Easter sermons, curriculum, and programs to receive feedback from other clergy.