2025 dates to be announced soon!
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
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.
Spouse Track
Zephyr Point will not be offering the Spouse Track for Summer 2024. However, spouses and partners of participants are welcomed to take advantage of “non-participant” registration in order to enjoy all the Tahoe Basin has to offer!
Event Check-in will begin on Sunday at 3pm and the event will conclude by Friday at 11am.
South Tahoe Airporter shuttle Information: If you are flying into the Reno airport and need shuttle service, 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 will offer one shuttle from Zephyr Point to the Reno International Airport at the conclusion of the conference ($10). The shuttle will depart at 11:15 am on Friday 7/19, and it is recommended that those planning to use this service book flights no earlier than 12:45pm. To sign up for this service, please select this option at registration, once we get closer to the event (we will add this to the registration page two months prior to the event). You can call the Program Office to add transportation to your pre-existing reservation.
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.
Rev. Donald P. Hammond is a Intentional Transitional Minister currently serving as the Interim 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. Born in the Summer of Love and growing up in the Haight-Ashbury and in a couple of hippie communes 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. Although probably the most impractical of hobbies (due to the vagabond existence of interim ministry) Don collects vintage vinyl records and first edition science fiction and fantasy books. Don and his partner, Hans, live in San Francisco.
Kevin Buchanan has been ordained since 1980 and began as a consultant for youth ministry for the Presbytery of South Florida and served two congregations as youth minister. From there, he served as a solo pastor and later an associate pastor in Missouri, a solo pastor in Oregon, and California. When he married Astrid in 2002, he served in transitional ministry for congregations in San Leandro, San Rafael, Windsor, Turlock, and San Anselmo, California. He served as a solo pastor in Marshfield, Wisconsin. After his service at Marshfield, Kevin served in transitional positions at Central Presbyterian Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, Woodland Presbyterian Church in Woodland, California, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Yuba City, California, and Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He began a transitional ministry at Community Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg, California in mid-April.
Rev. Mitch Coggin is the Transitional Pastor at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Victoria, British Columbia (Vancouver Island, Canada). He holds dual membership as a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in Canada and The Presbyterian Church (USA) and has served congregations in Georgia, Indiana and Tennessee. Mitch is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and teaches that coaching is a valuable asset in guiding congregations through the transitional process. In addition to coaching congregations, Mitch coaches mid-council leaders in the Presbyterian Leader Formation program of the PC(USA). Mitch is a passionate woodworker, creating fountain pens on a lathe from the beautiful wood found in the pacific northwest. Mitch and Linda have been married 45 years and love the magnificent ocean living in beautiful Victoria.
The Reverend Renée Rico confesses to be both excited and challenged by the opportunities of ministry in these times in the church. She considers herself an “accidental intentional interim” minister for the past 25 years, serving in churches across the West as interim solo, head of staff and associate pastor positions in both the Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church. Renee has served on leadership teams for the Art of Transitional Ministry events in Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina and Texas. She currently serves as Transitional Pastor for First Presbyterian Church in San Leandro, CA. Outside of church, Renée has many interests, including a love of Mexican food, knitting (she teaches and designs her own line of patterns) and fiber spinning.
Rev. Heidi Bolt is currently the Transitional Pastor at Saint Mark Lutheran Church in Salem, 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 currently serves on the A Corporation Board of Directors for the PC(USA) as well as the Funding Model Development Task Force of the General Assembly. Heidi is married to another Presbyterian pastor, Greg Bolt, and they have two middle-schoolers at home so life is basically always in transition!
The links below are the repertoire for the large choir (Summer Sing Chorus) that any particpant is invited to join. You will receive original copies when you arrive at Zephyr Point that do NOT have the watermark on them.
https://zephyrpoint.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermarkBoykin-John-316.pdf
https://zephyrpoint.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermarkMiller-Show-Us-How-To-Love.pdf
https://zephyrpoint.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermarkParker-Hark-I-Hear-The-Harps-Eternal.pdf
https://zephyrpoint.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermarkTrenney-For-Everyone-Born.pdf
https://zephyrpoint.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/watermarkTrenney-The-Churchs-One-Foundation.pdf
| Room Style | Housing Cost | Program Fees + Meals | Total Cost 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double Occupancy Room (Hotel-Style) | $295 | $680 | $975 |
| Single Occupancy Room (Hotel-Style) | $590 | $680 | $1,270 |
| Non-participant (Spouse/Partner) | $295 | $175 | $470 |
| Non-participant (Child - NO CAMP) | $0 | $100 | $100 |
| Child with Camp Registration | $0 | $395 | $395 |
| Commuter (Meals only, no housing) | $0 | $680 | $680 |
Program costs do not include the cost of books/texts for required reading. Participants will need to purchase the required reading texts which you will be informed of upon registration.
Registration and Balance due 30 days before event start date. 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
