Join us for a transformative week of continuing education at Zephyr Point, where communal learning meets the power of diverse voices and lived experiences. Surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Lake Tahoe, this week stirs embers of inspiration and possibility, enlivening participants with renewed purpose and practical tools to carry forward. Each week is curated with a unique theme and purpose, inviting leaders, educators, pastors, and the curious to come together for collaborative discussions and engaging activities.
This fall our Continuing Education Institute is in collaboration with NEXT CHURCH.
NEXT Church is a nonprofit network and community of Christian leaders rooted in the mainline Protestant tradition that seeks to support and shape the unfolding future of the Church. It brings together pastors, educators, church members, and other church leaders to cultivate relationships, develop courageous and effective leadership, and accompany congregations in curating justice, wholeness, and transformation in their communities. Through gatherings, coaching, and collaborative learning, NEXT Church emphasizes personal and communal growth as the foundation for systemic change, believing that transformed individuals and healthy communities can embody God’s work for the common good in a changing cultural and church landscape.
2026 Dates: October 25-30
ich (CT), and throughout New Jersey. She is an ACC credentialed coaching through the International Coach Federation and a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), an assessment measuring cross-cultural, intercultural competency. When she’s not doing “church-y things,” Larissa enjoys time with her family, making/eating delicious foods, and exploring new spaces and places.
As a bestselling author, speaker, preacher, and executive coach, Shani McIlwain (she/her) doesn’t just talk about change—she embodies it. Whether she’s leading tough conversations on race and equity, guiding faith communities toward liberation, or sharing her own unfiltered journey, she brings light, laughter, and a deep commitment to justice. A Ruling Elder at Faith Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, and former Moderator of the National Capital Presbytery, she challenges outdated norms and helps individuals and institutions dismantle oppressive systems—one conversation at a time. Shani is an International Coach Federation trained coach and has almost completed her 
Associate Coach Certification (ACC). She is also a certified mentor for Dialog for Peaceful Change. When she’s not writing, speaking, or coaching, you’ll find her embracing life with the same energy she brings to the stage: sharing love, light, and life, amplifying voices, attending every social engagement because she’s an enneagram 7, eating good pizza, posting on social media, or loving and learning from her four humans who call her mom.
| Room Style | Room/Board | Program Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Style, Double Occupancy | $340 | $650 | $990 |
| Hotel Style, Single Occupancy | $640 | $650 | $1,290 |
| Commuter (includes meals & program, no housing) | $0 | $750 | $750 |
| Non-Participant (Partner/Spouse) – Hotel-Style Double Occupancy | $340 | $250 (Meals only) | $590 |
*THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
Sunday
4:00 PM – Check-in
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM – Welcome
Monday
8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Optional Recreation Activities/Free Time
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Welcome Session
3:30 PM – Group Coaching
5:00 PM – Opening Worship
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Community Building
Tuesday
8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Morning Prayer
9:30 AM – Session #1 – Beginning with the Why
11:00 AM – Group Coaching
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Session #2 – Moving Toward Impact
3:00 PM – Free Time/ Individual Coaching
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Community Building
Wednesday
8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Session #3 – Collective Action and Mutual Accountability
11:00 AM – Group Coaching
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Session #4 – The Power of Story
3:00 PM – Free Time/ Individual Coaching
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Evening Worship
Thursday
8:00 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – Session #5 – Pushing Against the Status Quo
11:00 AM – Group Coaching
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Session #6 – Putting it All Together
3:00 PM – Free Time/ Individual Coaching
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Community Celebration
Friday
8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Closing Worship
Check-in begins promptly at 4pm on the first day of your scheduled event. We are not able to accommodate early check-ins as there is much to prepare prior to the event.
If you are planning to arrive after 6pm, please refer to your welcome letter (distributed by email 30 days prior to arrival) for more information on how to acquire your keys.
All deposits are non-refundable after payment is made. Cancellations one month before the start date of the program are eligible for a refund or transfer of entire registration fee minus deposit to a different program within the year. Cancellations within one month before the start date of the program are eligible for a 50% refund or transfer of entire registration fee minus deposit to a different program within the year. Cancellation within two weeks of the start date of the program will receive no refund. Registrations paid will be eligible to transfer to a different program within that year.
Zephyr Point can accommodate any combination of Vegetarian, Vegan, Non-dairy, and Non-gluten* diets. We are not able to make special accommodations for food allergies, but invite you to ask food service staff for meal ingredients! Zephyr Point has an excellent salad bar available for all lunches and dinners as an alternative to the regularly scheduled meal.
* Zephyr Point does not have a celiac certified kitchen.
Zephyr Point is located in Zephyr Cove, NV just 3 miles away from the California/Nevada state line.
Arriving by Flight: Zephyr Point encourages participants who are flying to the conference to arrive at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), a 55-minuted drive to Zephyr Point. For those looking for transfer from Reno to the South Lake Taho area, we recommend scheduling a shuttle with the South Tahoe Airporter. This service will take you from the Reno/Tahoe International Airport into Stateline, NV (a quick 5 minute Uber/Lyft away from Zephyr Point). We recommend booking your arrival trip from RNO to the Golden Nugget, and your return from Bally’s to RNO. Zephyr Point does not offer shuttles to/from the Airporter stop.
Arriving by Car: The entry to the Zephyr Point property is located on US-50.
If you are traveling east on Highway 50 through South Lake Tahoe, we recommend passing Zephyr Point and turning around in Zephyr Cove to avoid making an unprotected left turn into the property.
If you are traveling west on Highway 50, pay close attention for the entry to Zephyr Point after passing through the street light located at the Zephyr Cove Resort. You will see our wooden entry sign approaching on your right.
Weather: Zephyr Point is located at 6,225ft elevation on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Fall weather is often unpredictable with rain and snow conditions possible. Average temperatures tend to have highs in the 60’s and lows in the 30’s. Please check the weather in advance of arrival and be prepared to wear layers. We also recommend that you pack a good pair of durable shoes as outdoor areas could be wet.
Miscellaneous Items to Add to your Packing List:
Zephyr Point has high-speed internet access available in all indoor spaces across the property, including hotel-style rooms, lodges, cabins, Cabin 28 coffee shop, and meeting spaces.
To Register click on the “Registration Portal” button at the top of the page. Be sure to make a note of all dietary needs, mobility issues, and roommate requests during the registration process.
