Continuing education institute

Q: Weather and What to Bring

Weather: Zephyr Point is located at 6,225ft elevation on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Spring weather is often unpredictable with rain and snow conditions possible. Average temperatures tend to have highs in the 50’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 covered in snow or ice.Miscellaneous Items to Add to your Packing List:A refillable water bottleFlashlightNotebook/PenSun protection (Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc.)Closed toe shoes for exploring the propertyBeach clothing and equipment (if you plan to enjoy the waterfront)A portable fan (if high temps are forecasted)

Spring 2025 event

Mark your Calendars: Spring 2025 Registration Opens January 14th

Dates: May 18-23, 2025

Course Faculty: Tamisha Tyler and John Williams
Theme: Locating your Story

Format: 2 Courses Available – Take one or both according your interests and energy

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: May 18-23

Event Theme: Locating Your Story

This spring you are invited to take one or two courses during the week, curated to help you uncover and discover your social location and live a better story.

Course One: Understanding and Addressing Internalized Racism – John Williams

Participants will delve deeply into the layers of internalized racism, unpacking its roots, manifestations, and the nuanced ways it affects self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and broader community dynamics. Through guided discussions, reflective exercises, and actionable strategies, participants will be equipped to recognize, confront, and dismantle the internalized biases and narratives that perpetuate cycles of oppression and beliefs of superiority. This training aims to empower participants to foster resilience, reclaim identity, and promote healing within themselves and their communities.

Course Two: Writing and Telling Your Cultural Story – Tamisha Tyler

In this class, we will explore, share, and celebrate our unique cultural stories: the particular blend of influences that have shaped us into the people we are today. Through guided writing exercises, meditation, and class discussion, we will explore the broad theme of “culture” and how our unique experiences have influenced our understanding of ourselves, our faith journeys, and our sense of belonging.

Tamisha Tyler

Theologian. Artist. Lover of People.

Tamisha A Tyler, PhD, MDiv (she/her) currently serves as Visiting Professor of Theology and Culture, and Theopoetics at Bethany Theological Seminary. A dynamic speaker and facilitator, she hosts workshops and discussion around diversity, community and art. She also works with several arts organizations and projects including Level Ground and Grunewald Guild, and teaches in the areas of Theopoetics, science fiction, theology, and womanist thought. When not working, she enjoys good food and good friends, karaoke, and travel.

Theologian.

Tamisha began her theological journey long before seminary. Growing up one of six in a single parent household, Tamisha would often engage in meaningful conversations with her mother, and contributes a lot of her theological questions to those experiences. As a young undergraduate student, Tamisha had a quest for knowledge, specifically around African American Culture and Literature. As she spent years serving in the church and working on her studies, she would eventually find the space to bring these two aspects of her life into conversation. Graduating with a B.A. in Black Studies and an MDiv in Worship, Theology, and the Arts, these two degrees served as foundational in her PhD journey. Tamisha’s dissertation focused on the religious themes in the work of literary genius Octavia Butler. An up and coming leader in Theology and Arts, Tamisha holds fellowships from the Cultura Institute, and is currently a PostDoc Fellow with the Louisville Institute.

Artist.

“I’ve been writing all my life, writing is my first language.” Since elementary school, writing became an creative outlet for Tamisha. An avid reader, she would find herself lost in story. It wasn’t long before she was working to create them herself, settling on poetry as her form of expression. Tamisha’s poetry is filled with story; offering depticitions from her own life, or created to be used as metaphor. Often seen as clear, deep, and piercing to the core, her poems have been shared widely and published in CIVA and FULLER Magazines. In addition to poetry, Tamisha is also a worship leader and liturgist, with over a decade of experience in church and arts organizations. From 2016-2017 she lead the Subversive Liturgy Project as Head Liturgist, a year long project engaging liturgy as protest. She has also been a principle artist for Listen: Los Angeles, a multimedia show centering black artists and their reflections on a Post-2016 America. Known for her quick wit and charm, Tamisha has been interviewed for several podcasts, and co-hosted podcast “Why We’re Friends’“ alongside Alexander Richard.

Lover of People.

When asked why she always adds “lover of people” to her resume and bio, Tamisha responds in saying, “I want others to know that no matter what I do, loving people will always be at the center of it. Most folk can just respond by saying ‘duh!’ but I use it as a way to remind myself of who I’m doing this work for. I’m doing it for people. For my parents and siblings and family, for young women of color navigating spaces that weren’t built for them, and for those who want to make the world beautiful and just. That’s who I’m doing this for.” In doing this work, Tamisha partners with several organizations engaged in the arts and justice. Some of those organizations include Level Ground, an arts organization that seeks to inspire empathy through art, and New Story Festival held in Austin, TX. Tamisha also serves as faculty at Grunewald Guild, teaching writing and poetry courses. Her most popular course is entitled, “Writing and Telling your Cultural Story.”

John Williams

John Williams serves as the Executive Director at The Center for Restorative Justice, championing racial equity and justice through transformative education and leadership for over thirty years. His teaching method emphasizes critical inquiry and interactive engagement.

His consultancy with churches, universities, and non-profits across the nation has been pivotal in steering these organizations toward becoming more equitable and inclusive through workshops and immersive learning experiences that promote reflective dialogue and growth.

John’s academic background, with a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and a JD from USC Law School, complements his 23 years in legal practice, focused on litigation, mediation and conflict resolution. He also worked as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University and Life Pacific College with courses on Race, Reconciliation, and Justice.

He co-hosts the podcast “Disruptive Peacemakers,” delving into the dismantling of racism in the Christian Church through authentic peacemaking.

John’s diverse roles reflect his unwavering commitment to forging paths toward racial justice and mobilizing collective action for systemic change.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!

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.

Includes meals: Sunday dinner through Friday breakfast
Non-refundable $100 deposit due with registration
Registration and Balance due 14 days before event start date

Frequently asked questions:

Arrival Information

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.

Cancellation Policy

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 and What to Bring

Weather: Zephyr Point is located at 6,225ft elevation on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Spring weather is often unpredictable with rain and snow conditions possible. Average temperatures tend to have highs in the 50’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 covered in snow or ice.

Miscellaneous Items to Add to your Packing List:

A refillable water bottle
Flashlight
Notebook/Pen
Sun protection (Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc.)
Closed toe shoes for exploring the property
Beach clothing and equipment (if you plan to enjoy the waterfront)
A portable fan (if high temps are forecasted)

Lodging Information

Guests of the conference will be staying in the Tahoe Center. Linens, towels, and shampoo/soap dispensers are provided in each room. Please note that all our facilities are non-smoking.

Traveling to/from Zephyr Point

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.