About the Con-Ed Institute: With the backdrop of the beauty and inspiration of Lake Tahoe 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.
Spring Dates: October 19-24
Event Theme: Preparing for Proclamation: Worship planning through the lenses of Preaching, Liturgy, Ritual, Arts, and Music
Description: With the backdrop of the beauty and inspiration of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Mountains, participants will walk away with concrete and crafted plans for worship and proclamation. Focused on solo pastoral leadership and small staff congregations, the time will be grounded in experimentation, exploration, and collaboration. It will include exposure to various methods of proclaiming the word, small group and individual coaching, time to soak in the beauty of the surroundings, and multiple focused planning sessions.
Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow is a 3rd Generation Filipino/Chinese American and an active speaker, writer, and coachsultant on topics of faith, leadership, activism, culture, race, and technology. Author of six books, most recently, Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith. Bruce writes and podcasts through his Substack newsletter, The Amalgamation and is the Church Relations and Development Officer at Zephyr Point Conference Center.
Bruce has been an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) since 1995 and has pastored seven congregations throughout California. In 2008, he was elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, the youngest and first Asian American to hold the denomination’s highest elected office. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, is a Senior Consultant and Coach with Convergence, and is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach.
Bruce and his wife, Robin, have three adult children, two senior pups, too many houseplants, and a thriving empty-nester life in San Jose, CA.
He is present on most social platforms, but he is most active on BlueSky via @breyeschow.com
Find out more at www.reyes-chow.com.
Rev. Shawna Bowman (they/their/theirs) is an artist, organizer and pastor. They are the first called and installed pastor of Friendship Presbyterian Church and have been doing ministry with the creative and justice-seeking folks there since 2011. In 2019 Friendship launched a not for profit called Friendship Community Place to create a community hub + kitchen and Shawna serves as the Executive Director. Shawna is a 2009 grad from McCormick Theological Seminary where they have served as Affiliate Faculty, they are currently serving as the Moderator of Chicago Presbytery and are a member of the Board of Directors at The Night Ministry in Chicago and at SOUL (southsiders organizing for unity and liberation).
Shawna loves to collaborate at the intersections of worship, art-making, justice movements and joy. As an artist, Shawna works primarily in paint and oils making large scale work including murals. They also create interactive art installations and others will occasionally paint with words for the sake of liturgy and prayer. Shawna makes their home with their wife Jennie and their family on Chicago’s northwest side. When Shawna is not preaching, teaching or making art they get their hands dirty in the garden and the kitchen. You can follow shawna @shawnabowman on facebook, instagram, and bluesky.
Luba Kravchenko first came to Seventh Avenue Church in 2002, when she moved to San Francisco for her undergraduate studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She joined the staff of SAPC the following spring as the Taize musician. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Conservatory, Luba became the SAPC organist, and in 2007 she took over as the Director of Liturgical Music.
In addition to her work at SAPC, Luba is an active music teacher in San Francisco. She teaches piano through her private studio, is on the Pre-College piano faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, has taught music theory and ear training at Ruth Asawa School of the Arts High School, and worked as a musical theater vocal coach and accompanist through San Francisco Arts Education Project. Luba is also involved in a variety of organizations which promote improving the standards of music education: she is a member of the College of Examiners for the Royal Conservatory of Music and serves on the State Executive Board of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers.
The Tahoe Center offers private hotel-style guest rooms on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Bed configurations vary, but most rooms are furnished with two Queens. Each room has a private bathroom. You can choose to have a room to yourself (occupancy), or register to have a roommate (double-occupancy). The Tahoe Center is ADA accessible.
Hubbard Lodge is a dormitory featuring communal bathrooms. Most guest rooms contain two twin beds. You can choose to have a room to yourself (occupancy), or register to have a roommate (double-occupancy). Hubbard Lodge is not ADA accessible.
Live close to Zephyr Point or have another local place to stay? Register as a commuter! Commuters still are included in all event activities (including meals), but are not provided housing.
Do you have a friend or family member who wants to join you for a week of relaxation in Tahoe, but does not plan to attend the conference? Register as a non-participant! Non-participants must register for double-occupancy housing and attend in conjunction with a registered participant. Non-participants are included in meals but not permitted to attend program activities. (Note: All our facilities include wifi access, making Zephyr Point a great place for some remote work)
| Room Style | Room/Board | Program Fee | 2025 Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dorm Style, Double Occupancy | $125 | $575 | $700 |
| Dorm Style, Single Occupancy | $250 | $575 | $825 |
| Hotel Style, Double Occupancy | $300 | $575 | $875 |
| Hotel Style, Single Occupancy | $600 | $575 | $1,175 |
| Commuter (includes meals & program, no housing) | $0 | $575 | $575 |
| Non-Participant (Partner/Spouse) – Dorm-Style Double Occupancy | $125 | $250 (Meals only) | $375 |
| Non-Participant (Partner/Spouse) – Hotel-Style Double Occupancy | $300 | $250 (Meals only) | $550 |
Morning Proclamation: Ritual (10-15 minutes)
Morning Laboratories (Faculty sharing)
Morning “Shut up and Plan” Session (50 minutes)
Lunch
Afternoon Coaching
Afternoon free time
Dinner
Evening Collaborations (Group Interaction with Faculty)
Evening “Shut up and Plan” (100 minutes, two 45s)
Evening Proclamation: Ritual (10-15 minutes)
Evening Fellowship
*THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE PRIOR TO THE 2025 EVENT.*
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.
