Everding Lecture | “Impediments to Peace in a Wounded Land” with Dr. Randy Woodley

Join Iliff School of Theology for the Winter 2025 Everding Lectureship featuring Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley, Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture Emeritus at George Fox University/Portland Seminary and the former Director of Intercultural and Indigenous studies.

Event Details

• Monday, February 10, 2025
• 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM MDT
• Iliff School of Theology Shattuck Hall

Speaker Biography

Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley has a deep passion for creativity and Indigenous spirituality, justice, and earth empowerment. His diverse background and experiences have uniquely equipped him to bring about positive change in his communities for over three decades. He is, an award-winning author and a tribally recognized Cherokee descendant (United Keetoowah Band), who weaves Indigenous wisdom, ecological sustainability, and spirituality into positive change. He is respected by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities worldwide and has been featured in The New York Times, Politifact, Time Magazine, and The Huffington Post.

Dr. Woodley is Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture Emeritus at George Fox University/Portland Seminary and the former Director of Intercultural and Indigenous studies. He is the author of a dozen books and over 30 chapters. His book, Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth (2022) is critically acclaimed, and Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview (2022) was voted a Top Ten Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy. He served for four years on the Oregon Dept. of Education, Native American/Alaska Native Advisory Board.

Randy and his wife and co-sustainer Edith (Eastern Shoshone),  have four children and six grandchildren. Together, Randy and Edith have founded and co-sustain Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds, a non-profit teaching Farm that seeks to foster equity and justice between Indigenous peoples, the land and the wider society www.eloheh.org  Through their organization, the Woodleys have tirelessly worked to educate and raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by Indigenous communities and others. Their approach is deeply rooted in their expansive experience and creativity, using teaching, activism, storytelling, art, and music to bridge cultural gaps and foster understanding.

The Woodley’s have co-authored a book Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Well-Being. They received the Ecumenist of the Year Award for 2021 by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, (an inter-faith agency), the first time given to a couple. The Woodley’s also served on the Greater Portland Oregon Native American Climate Advisory Board together.

Randy and Edith’s commitment to activism, teaching, and creativity extends beyond their work. They actively engage in various creative pursuits, such as music, dance, and storytelling, which serve as powerful tools to convey their messages of hope, justice, and healing. Their creativity not only allows them to express their own experiences and perspectives but also to inspire and empower others to embrace their own creative potential as a means of transformation. They are also Indigenous cultural consultants at www.Sho-Kee.com

Books:

• Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Wellbeing, by Edith and Randy Woodley
• Mission and the Cultural Other: A Closer Look
• Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview: A Decolonial Approach to Christian Doctrine
• Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth
• Decolonizing Evangelicalism: An 11:59PM Conversation
• The Harmony Tree: A Story of Healing and Community
• The Harmony Tree 2: Spared by Fire
• The Harmony Tree Prequel: Different is Good
• Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision
• Living in Color: Embracing God’s Passion for Ethnic Diversity
• When Going to Church is Sin
• Mixed Blood-Not Mixed Up