The Zephyr Experience 2010

Registration is available for all 2010 Programs

Looking for a weeklong escape to a quiet setting to reconnect with God? The Zephyr Experience conference provides you and your family with that time to grow in faith and community. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada on a half-mile of Lake Tahoe shoreline, Zephyr Point is one of the most beautiful retreat centers in the world.

The Zephyr Experience conference supports theological learning, spiritual growth, and deepening Christianity in our everyday lives through classes in: Bible, Ethics – Church & Society, and Spirituality. Interactive and fun programs are provided for children and youth of all ages.

Join us for a stimulating and enriching experience surrounded by the unparalleled splendor of Lake Tahoe and the Sierras.

Dinner outdoors
Takarabe Class

First Period Courses (8:45 – 10:15 am)
Herman Waetjen Class

Second Period Courses (10:30am – Noon)

Courses for Children and Youth
Girls with Bird

We welcome children and youth ages 4 – 17 to morning programs while adults are in their classes. The ages specified for each program are approximate, and can be adjusted.


No Passports Required, No Embassies for Protection: A Study of Acts – Herman Waetjen

Herman Waetjen

The Acts of the Apostles continues the journey Jesus inaugurated in the Gospel of Luke. His journey, culminating in his death and resurrection constituted a New Exodus into the Promised Land of freedom, justice, love, healing and restoration. Commissioned by the risen Christ before his ascension, his disciples embark on a journey beyond Palestine, a journey into an alienated and hostile world, dominated by the imperious Roman empire. Simon Peter summons his fellow Jews to enter into God’s New Exodus.

Paul of Tarsus, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, iconoclastically invokes the unclean Gentiles to enter God’s new Exodus by undertaking a journey that will take him ten thousand miles on foot and by sea. As he moves from Antioch of Pisidia into the regions of Phrygia and Galatia, crossing the Hellespont to Philippi and Corinth, he will be beaten, and he will be shipwrecked. No passports are required for this journey, but there are also no embassies for protection. Paul’s journey will end in the capital city of Rome, where he, by proclaiming God’s New Exodus, will leave the reader of the Acts of the Apostles to ponder whether the Good News of God’s New Exodus will ever transform a power-oriented and money-ordered world.

The Rev. Dr. Herman C. Waetjen is the Robert S. Dollar Emeritus Professor of New Testament at San Francisco Theological Seminary. After teaching at the Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union for 34 years, he retired in 1996, but from time to time he is invited to return to teach occasional courses. He is the author of four books: one on Matthew’s Gospel, one on Mark’s Gospel, one on the Lord’s Prayer; and one on the Fourth Gospel: The Gospel of the Beloved Disciple: A Work in Two Editions. He is awaiting the publication of a new book: The Letter to the Romans: Salvation as Justice and the Deconstruction of Law. He is married to Mary S. Waetjen who taught at Madrone High School in San Rafael for 19 years and is now retired.


Experiencing God through Centering Prayer – Hei Takarabe

Hei Takarabe

In this class we will experience Contemplative Prayer as the pure gift of God. Thomas Keating and his fellow monks developed Centering Prayer from a contemplative reading of the scripture, Lectio Divina. Keating says, “It is the opening of mind and heart – our whole being – to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions.” Centering Prayer is a method of contemplative prayer designed to facilitate the development of Contemplative Prayer by preparing our faculties to receive this gift.

We will have a daily Centering Prayer for two periods (20 mi each) and a meditative walk in between. We will also have daily contemplative listening and sharing with the reading from Beatitude from Aramaic translation.

Hei Takarabe is an honorable retired Presbyterian minister and the former pastor of El Estero Presbyterian Church in Monterey, California. His D. Min. is in Story Theology; he has a long involvement in recording oral histories of Japanese Christians. Dr. Takarabe has conducted many workshops and classes on prayer and meditation.


Luther and Ignatius: Spirituality and Ethics – Lisa Fullam

Lisa Fullam

Martin Luther and Ignatius of Loyola, contemporaries in the early 16th century, were men with a powerful hunger for God. In this session, we’ll explore their lives, the broader contexts in which they lived and worked, and the principal features of their spiritualities. Luther’s faith reshaped all of Christendom, while Ignatius’ ignites the heart and the imagination to seek God in all things. Ultimately though, spirituality is like ice cream- -it’s better to enjoy than merely to theorize about. Accordingly, participants will be invited to sample prayer informed by these two Christian visionaries. A radical revolution in moral decision-making is underway. Ethical issues have traditionally been approached by making decisions about particular acts: we should not tell lies, we should not steal, etc. Many ethicists are now saying that moral deliberation should start by considering character or virtues first, and only then can we address particular actions. In the language of Christian ethics, we are not called just to perform good acts, but to become holy people, disciples of Jesus.

Lisa Fullam, ThD, is assistant professor of moral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley where she teaches classes including Virtue Ethics, Sexual Ethics, and Fundamental Moral Theology. She is a 2001 graduate of Harvard Divinity School, and her dissertation was entitled “The Virtue of Humility: A Reconstruction Based in Thomas Aquinas.” Lisa has taught classes related to ethics and moral decision-making at three previous Zephyr Experiences.


Being Saved: The Relation Between Grace, Faith, and Healing a Broken World in Galatians and James – Greg Love

Greg Love

“We are saved by grace through faith alone,” said the Reformers, a sentiment echoed by Paul in Galatians, where he said that Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness” (3:6). And yet “What good is it,” writes the author of James in the very same New Testament, “if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you?” (2:14). This course is about what it means to live as a Christian, and the respective roles of divine grace, human faith, and human acts to heal the world for participation in that new life. While Galatians and James seem diametrically opposed, we will find there is a way they come together. Jesus’ own acts of gracious hospitality, faith and social resistance in Luke (esp. Chs. 4 and 6-7) will put flesh on the ideas on grace, faith and social action found in Galatians and James. For, in a surprising way, Jesus’ faith becomes our source of promise (Gal. 3:22).

Gregory Anderson Love,Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Prior to teaching seminarians, Dr. Love taught college students at St. Olaf College. Also a Presbyterian pastor, Dr. Love brings together the best of contemporary Christian theology with the issues of Christians in the pews. He is married to Julie, a Presbyterian pastor who is currently serving as Associate Pastor for Family Ministries at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael. They have a six-year old daughter, Claire. Dr. Love’s most recent book, Love, Violence, and the Cross: How the Nonviolent God Saves Us Through the Cross of Christ, looks at different understandings of God’s salvation in Christ.


Writing the Sacred – Ray McGinnis

Ray McGinnis

Blending a splendid range of selected Psalms together with poems from across the ages, in this workshop you’ll be shown how to give expression to your faith and walk with God by writing your own new Psalms. Ray brings with him new writing exercises for both those new or returning to explore this workshop theme. Everyone is original, unique and has something important to express. Come and join in a circle where each voice is respected and honored using writing as a
healing balm and a path to your own sacred center. No previous writing experience is necessary.

Ray McGinnis is author of Writing the Sacred. He is a popular workshop presenter and teaches poetry, journal writing, prayer writing and new Psalm writing workshops across North America. He is a member of Canadian Memorial United Church and lives in Vancouver, Canada. His website is www.writetotheheart.com


Population, Prosperity and Global Warming – Patrick Magee

Patrick Magee

Ever increasing world population combined with the Christian imperative to raise the world-wide poor to a decent standard of living is severely impacting food, water and energy resources. The use of fossil fuels for transportation and electrical energy generation results in ever more significant climatic changes. We will explore the interconnected challenges of population growth, poverty and global warming, with emphasis on the impact of fossil fuels, possible energy alternatives, and the role of conservation.

Patrick Magee holds a PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. He took early retirement in 1995 after a 26 year career as engineering manager on advanced projects for General Electric’s Nuclear Energy Division. Dr. Magee has frequently taught classes related to the interface between modern science, philosophy and religion. Classes at Zephyr have included “The New Physics, Cosmology, and Religion,” “Evolution and God’s Creation,” and “Science, Technology and Ethics.” Dr. Magee is an Elder at Stone Presbyterian Church, San Jose, and, for the past six years, a member of the Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center Commission.


Courses for Children and Youth

We welcome children and youth ages 4 – 19 to the morning program during first and second periods while adults are in their classes. The children and youth classes are divided by age appropriate groupings, The groupings may be modified slightly based on the age distribution of children registered. Parents are responsible for their children on breaks. Childcare can be arranged for children under 4.

Connections: God’s Creations – Children (Ages 4 to 9)

We will learn to connect with each other and with God’s wonder-filled creation through art, stories, music, cooking and games. We will explore through nature walks, perhaps with new eyes and ears, the beauty that surrounds us at Zephyr Point. We will look at how we can be peacemakers and stewards of God’s creation wherever we are.

The leaders are Janice and Mel Goertz members of Stone Presbyterian Church in San Jose. Janice and Mel work as a team and will also work individually with the younger and older age groups. Janice is a retired kindergarte teacher. Mel is a retired high school teacher and administrator.

Around the World in a Week – Middle School (Ages 10 – 13)

In our time together we will look at and explore faith traditions from around the world. Special attention will be paid to Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian traditions. We will read sacred texts, discuss dogma and theology, learn about spiritual practices and seek to gain an introductory understanding of comparative religions. AND, we will also laugh a lot, eat good and junk food, try a few crafts, tie-dye a shirt, and continue to experience the blessings of one-another at Zephyr Point.

Tom Nolen is a Hospice and Palliative Care Chaplain for Kaiser Permanente, in Portland, OR. Tom’s wife, Lisa, serves at the Cancer Institute at the Oregon Health and Sciences University. They have two fabulous daughters, Nina, who is now a freshperson at University of Oregon, and Hannah who is in the 8th grade.

Spirituality, Sexuality, Media, Respect Self – High School (Ages 14 – 17)

The Senior High group will be an open forum stimulated by different modes of cultural media. Axe Body Spay Ads, “Frontline,” “South Park,” Requiem for a Dream and “The Simpsons” will be a few of the media carefully examined for their cultural relevance. We will attempt to develop a conscious personal understanding of media’s formative role in the shaping of self. The end goal is to create a healthy community of support and bring up some provocative questions to develop a better sense of self awareness and understanding.

Ellen Bailey is a senior at UC Berkeley where she will be receiving degrees in English and Biology, aspiring to attend law school upon graduation. She grew up in Willow Glen. She looks forward to passing the same sense of respect for self and others instilled in her by the Youth Group at Stone Church to the Zephyr Senior High Youth.

Accommodations and Fees

The following include housing, meals and conference attendance. No rooms are available for single occupancy..

Tahoe Center

Tahoe Center lodging has 43 comfortable motel-style rooms. All rooms have queen size beds and private baths. Handicap accessible rooms are available. All rooms are on a first-come, first-serve basis by postmark.

Tahoe Center

Per Person Rcvd by 6/1 after 6/1
Adults $485 $500
Youth (10-17) $210 $220
Children (3-9)
(2 and under free)		 $150 $160

Cabins

Rustic cabins directly across or down the road from Tahoe Center. Cabin 32 sleeps 6 and cabin 33 sleeps 9. Cabins A and B each sleep 3.

Per Person Rcvd by 6/1 after 6/1
Adults $310 $325
Youth (10 – 17) $170 $180
Children (3 – 9)
2 and under free		 $130 $140

Commuter Fees

Per Person Received by 6/1 after 6/1
Adults $230 $240
Youth (10-17) $150 $160
Children (3-9)
2 and under free		 $115 $125

Includes conference fee and meals

A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Please inquire if you have need.

Donations to the Scholarship Fund are invited.

Daily Schedule

Lunch in Tallac Center

Daily Schedule Monday – Thursday
7:30 Morning Movement and Morning Light
7:45 Breakfast
8:45 – 10:15 First period classes
10:15 Break
10:30 – 12:00 Second period classes
12:15 Lunch
1:00 – 6:00 Free time
6:00 Dinner
7:15 – 8:15 Worship

Morning Movement: Hei Takarabe will lead tai chi to welcome the morning along the shorelines.

Morning Light: Frank Hamilton will lead old favorite hymns which we will learn about before singing.

Afternoon Free Time: The afternoons are free to explore, swim at the lake or hang out at the beach, bike or hike in the splendor of the surrounding Tahoe area. Organized Crafts and Activities will be available and One-Hour Class Overviews will be presented by our leaders.

Worship: Mon & Wed evening, worship will be led by one of our adult class leaders. Tuesday evening will be a Hymn Sing. Music will be provided by Andy and Christine Johnston, formerly Music Directors at Christ Church, Terra Linda, now retired. Children and youth are included in all worship services.

Talent Show: Thursday night is our annual variety show. All ages are invited to participate with short songs, skits or special talents.

Communion: Friday before lunch, there will be a communion service to complete our week’s experience.

Zephyr Experience T-Shirts $12 Each – New This Year!

New T-Shirts

Buy 3 or more for $10 Each

Sizes: X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large

Please add your Shirt Order in your Deposit Check.

Programs