At the Zephyr Point Justice Conference, church leaders are invited to come together along the shores of Lake Tahoe as we work together to actively seek justice in our communities, in our church, and in our world. Indigenous cultures tell us that we must consider the impacts of our decisions on the next seven generations. We confess that because of our lack of forethought our world carries great scars: colonialism, racism, Covid-19, wealth inequality, systemic poverty and hunger, floods and droughts, fires and mudslides. During this time together as people of faith, we will come together to learn about the injustices that face our world, as well as discover spiritually-grounded and tangible tools to equip us for engagement in our own local communities.
It is our hope for churches to send their pastor and key leaders to begin these important conversations of faith and action. Individuals who serve on church committees dedicated to the work of justice, compassion, mission, and outreach are perfect candidates to join us for the Justice Conference.
If your heart is with justice, come and be inspired to fan the flames of the work that you can envision in your churches, communities, and across the country. As Desmond Tutu once said, “If an elephant is standing on the tail of a mouse, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Now is not a time for neutrality or moderation, but leaning into what we know is right. Come and be inspired. Come and let’s create change.
Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She also speaks on these topics to diverse audiences who are interested in truth-telling and healing.
As an inter-spiritual advocate, Kaitlin participates in conversations on topics such as colonialism in faith communities, and she has spoken at many conferences on the importance of inter-faith relationships.
Besides her books, Kaitlin has written online for Sojourners, Religion News Service, Apartment Therapy, On Being, SELF Magazine, and more. Her work has been featured on CBS and in USA Today. She also writes at The Liminality Journal. Kaitlin lives in Philadelphia with her family.
Vance Blackfox, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, is the founder and director of Other+Wise, a multi-site cultural education and cultural immersion program for youth from across the country. Vance previously served as the Director of Communications at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, as the Director of Communications for Native Americans in Philanthropy, and has held executive director positions at the Haskell Foundation, which supports Haskell Indian Nations University, and the Oaks Indian Mission. Vance has served as the Guest Curator of the Indian Museum at the University of Texas at San Antonio Institute of Texan Cultures, and presently serves as the Indigenous Theologian for the Faith-Based Initiative for the City of San Antonio, where he currently resides.
An alumnus of Texas Lutheran University and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Vance has served the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in multiple capacities, from taking a post as National President of the Lutheran Youth Organization as a teenager, to later working as a diversity and cultural education professional for the Women of the ELCA, Augsburg Fortress Publishers, California Lutheran University, ELCA Youth Gathering, and LSTC’s Youth in Mission. In addition to serving numerous ELCA and ecumenical teams and committees throughout the years, he is at present the Indigenous Theologian and Coordinating Team Member for the ELCA’s Theological Round Table, as well as creator and producer of the Vine Deloria Jr. Theological Symposium hosted at LSTC.
| Room Style | Housing Cost | Program Fees + Meals | 2024 Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel Style, Double Occupancy | $125 | $160 | $285* |
| Hotel Style, Single Occupancy | $250 | $160 | $410* |
| Non-Participant (Partner/Spouse) - Double Occupancy Room Required | $125 | $85 | $210 |
| Commuter (includes meals) | $0 | $160 | $160 |
To Register click on the “Register Now” 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.
