We live in unprecedented times. Change is happening all around us – whether it is in our churches, communities or the wider world. The question is not “will change come?” but instead, “How will we respond to the changes that confront us?”
The Art of Transitional Ministry is a two-part education opportunity to provide models, methods and similarly-minded colleagues to hone skills as leaders through transitions. Whether you are an installed pastor, interim or transitional leader, or serve other institutions in transition, our in-person educational event in a stunning location will provide you with time and space to discern your path as a transitional leader for this time.
The Art of Transitional Ministry Program consists of two 30-hour long courses.
Week I – 30 hours
The basic education course is designed for:
Week 1 focuses on consciously leading congregations through changes in context, identity, and leadership. Pre-conference reading is required so participants are advised to register at least four weeks in advance.
Week II – 30 hours
For pastors and leaders serving in congregations and faith communities in the midst of transitions in leadership, culture, context, and ministry. Participants will use their current ministry context to reflect on the leader’s role and tasks in times of transition. Completion of Week I within the past five years and current service in a transitional or interim ministry position (widely defined) is required for participation in this course. This course will provide an opportunity for going deeper into the work introduced in week I and beginning to understand our role as leaders in contexts of change and transition. Registration is limited and there are several homework assignments to prepare for Week II, so early registration is advised.
Rev. Donald P. Hammond is an Intentional Transitional Minister currently serving as the Designated Co-pastor for the English Worshipping Community in the Presbyterian Church in Chinatown. The Session meetings in his current church are conducted in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. Don’s prior experiences include serving as interim solo and head of staff pastorates in the the Presbyteries of Boston, Long Island and now San Francisco. Don’s first call in the PC(USA) was to validated ministry at San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his work as a transitional church leader, Don has also served on Committees of Ministry in three presbyteries, including serving as the co-moderator of SF Presbytery. Currently Don serves the Synod of the Pacific on the Mission Personnel Committee. Born in the Summer of Love and growing up among the hippies on the West Coast, Don has a high-tolerance for odd communities and unexpected events and circumstances: gifts which serve him (and his parishes) well in times of transition. Prior to his ordination, Don did missionary work in East Africa, and worked as a communications specialist in the fields of banking and journalism. Don and his partner Hans live in San Francisco and enjoy the symphony, opera and exploring the California coast.
Rev. Heidi Bolt is currently the NW Ministry Relations Officer for the Presbyterian Foundation. Most recently, she was the Interim Pastor and Head of Staff at First Presbyterian Church, in Portland, Oregon. She has served churches in Oregon, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota in designated, supply, interim, associate and co-pastor positions within the PC(USA), ELCA and UCC denominations. Heidi also worked on the staff of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area as the COM Coordinator. She is trained as a spiritual director and has served as a hospice chaplain. Heidi is married to another Presbyterian pastor, Greg Bolt, and they have two high-schoolers at home so life is basically always in transition!
The Rev. Justin Warner is the Covenant Supply Pastor and Head of Staff at the Presbyterian Church at Bound Brook, New Jersey. He is originally from Marietta, Ohio, and holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Masters of Art in Christian Education & Formation (M.A.) from Princeton Theological Seminary. Justin also has a B.A. in Cognitive Behavioral Neuroscience from The College of Wooster. He is passionate about pastoral care and thrives in creative revitalization during transition seasons. In their free time, Justin and his spouse, Melany, enjoy concerts, Broadway shows, world travel, and various global cuisines.
The Reverend Laura Mariko Cheifetz serves as the Transitional Executive Presbyter at the Presbytery of San Francisco. A biracial Asian American queer ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), she has served previously in racial and gender justice advocacy, religious publishing, reproductive justice, and theological education in the Midwest, East, and Southeast. She thought to herself, “yes, it seems like a solid career plan to work in such steady, reliable, and unchanging sectors as the church, higher education, publishing, and abortion rights.” Born in San Francisco, raised in eastern Oregon and western Washington, she is a double “pastors’ kid.” Laura serves on the advisory team for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and the board of PANAAWTM (Pacific Asian North American Asian Women in Theology & Ministry). She lives with her partner and their rescue dog in the San Francisco East Bay. In her free time, she enjoys attending games of Oakland’s baseball team (Pioneer League Champs of 2025!), going to live concerts, wine tasting, and hanging out with her goddaughter and other assorted kiddos.
| Room Style | Housing Cost | Program Fees + Meals | Total Cost 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Occupancy Room (Hotel-Style) | $325 | $750 | $1,075 |
| Single Occupancy Room (Hotel-Style) | $650 | $750 | $1,400 |
| Commuter (Meals only, no housing) | $0 | $750 | $750 |
| Non-participant (Spouse/Partner) | $325 | $275 | $600 |
| Child/Youth (Camp Registration Grade 1-8) | $0 | $450 | $450 |
| Child/Youth Registration (No Camp) | $0 | $200 | $200 |
*THIS SCHEDULE IS FOR REFERENCE ONLY AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO THE 2026 EVENT.*
Sunday
4PM-6PM Check In
6PM Dinner
7PM Welcome & Worship
8PM Evening Reception
Monday & Tuesday
8AM Breakfast
8:30AM Morning Worship
9AM Morning Sessions
Noon Lunch
1:15PM- Afternoon Sessions
6PM- Dinner
7:15PM- Evening Sessions
8:15PM- Closing Reflection
Wednesday
8AM Breakfast
8:30AM Morning Worship
9AM Morning Sessions
Noon Lunch
Free Afternoon/Dinner on your own
Thursday
8AM Breakfast
8:30AM Morning Worship
9AM Morning Sessions
Noon Lunch
1:15PM- Afternoon Sessions
6PM- Dinner
7:15PM- Evening Sessions
8:15PM- Closing Reflection
Friday
8AM Breakfast/pack up/exit rooms
9AM Morning Sessions
10:15AM Closing Worship
11:15AM Depart ZP
Your whole family is invited to Zephyr Point! We have options available for the whole family to enjoy all the Tahoe Basin has to offer.
Incoming 1st-6th graders are invited to Camp Zephyr (1st-6th grade), an on-site day camp program run by the Zephyr Point Summer Staff. Camp Zephyr runs M-F 7:45AM-4:15PM. To register for Camp Zephyr, please sign up your child(ren) as a “Child with Camp Registration” in the Art of Transitional Ministry registration page. Child with camp registration includes meals and lodging with parents for the week.
Children ages 12-17 are invited to register for our Summer Basecamp program. Summer Basecamp is a 5-night residential camp for Middle and High School students. To register your child for Basecamp, you will need to complete a separate registration and register your child for Summer Basecamp 1. For more information about Basecamp, click here.
Want to bring your children but don’t want to register for camp? Children ages 3-17 can register as a Non-participant child to receive on-site meals and lodging with their parents. Keep in mind that children must be supervised by an adult at all times while at Zephyr Point.
Contact the Program Team at programs@zephyrpoint.org or (775) 588-6759 ext. 113 with further questions.
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.
Zephyr Point will offer one shuttle from Zephyr Point to the Reno International Airport at the conclusion of the conference ($25). The shuttle will depart at 11:15 am on Friday 7/17, and it is recommended that those planning to use this service book flights no earlier than 1:30pm. To sign up for this service, please select this option at registration.
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.
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.
Weather: Zephyr Point is located at 6,225ft elevation on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Summer temperatures can be quite variable with warm days in the 60s-80s, dropping as low as the 30s at night. There is always a chance of rain. Packing plenty of varied layers will help you remain comfortable during your stay.
Miscellaneous Items to Add to your Packing List:
Guests of the conference will be staying in the Tallac Center. Most rooms are furnished with 2 Queen Beds (some include 3 queens). Linens, towels, and shampoo/soap dispensers are provided in each room. Please note that no Zephyr Point facilities are air conditioned. A box fan is available in your room, but guests are invited to bring an additional fan if high temps are forecasted.
All Zephyr Point lodging facilities are non-smoking.
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 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.
Adults enrolled in Zephyr Point Programs with a child at camp are asked to plan lunch for their child. There are mini refrigerators available on request to store groceries. We ask for adults with a child at camp to bring with them a lunch box or bag that can be kept with other camper lunches each day. For questions, contact our Programs office at programs@zephyrpoint.org or call our Zephyr Point and use ext. 113
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.
