Upcoming Conferences
Upcoming conferences and conventions are listed below. Click an image, title, or button to get any additional details available on the website. If you are a conference organizer and wish to submit more information to the website, please use the contact form to reach the District Secretary.
Conference Agenda
Conference Host Letter
All Conference Files & Resources
Additional information will be accessible here when it becomes available.
Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis
The theme of our upcoming conference is, "God's Gift of Resiliency." Dr. Brandon Hayes, a psychologist with Christian Family Solutions, will be our keynote speaker, along with a number of our brothers presenting a sermon study and Bible study. The worship service will be a celebration of the Festival of the Conversion of St. Paul that is commemorated on January 25, 2026.
Click here for the Conference Agenda.
Click here for Conference Resources.
A block of 20 rooms at Sunset Station has been set aside. Rooms have two queen beds. The cutoff date for reservations is December 30. After that, it will be based on availability and the discounted rate may no longer be honored.
Cost per room is $69 / night plus tax. Total cost should be around $80 / night. The rate is for single or double occupancy. There is a additional $15 charge for 3 or more occupants. If anyone wishes to stay Tuesday night as well, you can ask when you make your reservations. If there's availability, the discounted rate can still apply.
Click here to reserve your room via the Sunset Station website. Guests may also call the hotel reservation line at 888-786-7389, using the code SCIGVEL. All room reservations must be made before the cutoff date of Tuesday, December 30, 2025 to receive the discounted group rate. Any unused rooms in the group block will be released back into the general hotel inventory after the cutoff date.
Dues are $20 per active pastor. These funds help cover the costs associated with the conference, such as special speakers. You can send the dues payment electronically to treasurer, Matthew Natsis, via PayPal (username: @MatthewNatsis) or Venmo (@Matthew-Natsis). Please put in the notes "AZ/CA Conference Dues". You can also send a check for $20 with a note in the memo that it is for AZ-CA Conference Dues. Email Matt for mailing address. Thank you!
Those needing to excuse for the conference, please contact the conference secretary Andrew Schroeder by email schroeds64@gmail.com or text at (951) 285-3349.
Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Noah Willitz - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program Coordinator
The Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in La Mesa, CA on October 21-22, 2025.
Shepherd of the Hills
9191 Fletcher Parkway
La Mesa, California 91942
The Opening Service will be on Tuesday, October 21 at 9am at Shepherd of the Hills.
Click here for the Conference Agenda.
A block of rooms is reserved at the Hampton Inn at 5434 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, California. The dates are set for October 20-22. The group rate is $158.00 per night, for either a single king bed or two queens. You can reserve your room by using this online booking link:
AZ-CA District Pastors' Conference – Online Booking Link
Please make your reservations by Saturday, September 20, 2025, to receive the group rate. Reservations may also be made by calling 1-800-HILTONS and referring to our group name - WELS Pastors Conference - or code - 90E.
Click here for Conference Files and Resources.
Missionary Retreat Host
Foundation Lutheran Church
1911 Pueblo Vista Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89128
Hotel
Red Rock Resort & Casino
11011 W Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89135
Brothers,
Hopefully you have already saved the date for our 2025 AZ/CA Missionary Gathering in Las Vegas, NV! It's August 25-26.
Please register soon as we are limiting participants to 50 guys.
Registration Link with all pertinent information
If you'd like to check out the tentative agenda first, you can do that!
Tentative Participant Agenda
All hotel information is on the registration link. Rooms need to be booked by July 23 to receive the discounted rate. I've listed the hotel booking link in the registration link. Here it is in case you want to go to it directly.
Hotel Booking Link
Don't hesitate to email or text/call me.
phil@cwlk.church
602-320-9820
See you in Vegas!
-Phil Bischoff
Joel Petermann - Chairman
Ben Zak - Secretary
The California South Delegate Conference will be held at California Lutheran High School on Saturday, June 21 beginning at 9:00 am with refreshments available at 8:30 am.
California Lutheran High School
31970 Wildomar Trail
Wildomar, CA 92595
You are encouraged to attend in person, but if distance prevents you from attending in person, please contact Conference Chairman Joel Petermann (revjpete@gmail.com) to participate via Google Meet.
Click here for the Conference Letter & Agenda.
Click here for the 2025 WELS Book of Reports and Memorials (BORAM).
Additional resources can be found here.
Please register for the conference or send excuses to revjpete@gmail.com. Registration/excuse deadline is Friday, June 20, 2025.
Mark Jacobson - Chairman
Lincoln Albrecht - Secretary
The Black Canyon Delegate Conference will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 7 beginning at 9:00 am.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
714 W Southern Ave
Tempe, AZ 85282
Click here for the Conference Agenda.
Click here for the 2025 WELS Book of Reports and Memorials (BORAM).
Additional resources can be found here.
This is an opportunity for brothers in the AZ-CA District of WELS (and others who want to attend) to grow together through classes offered by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. In the odd years (e.g. 2025, 2027, 2029, etc. when Synod Convention is held) the Seminary offers satellite “Summer Quarter” events throughout our Synod. We thank Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, for hosting our satellite event. Questions about this Summer Quarter can be directed to Pastor Andy Mueller (email).
Click HERE to access the Agenda. Classes begin on Monday, June 2, at 1:00pm and end on Wednesday, June 4, at 2:05pm. We have scheduled study time, worship, time for pastors to handle ministry responsibilities if necessary, and fellowship time in the evenings. Brothers are encouraged to join us from beginning to end!
Registration for the Seminary’s satellite courses can be found HERE. The courses offered are designed to give pastors various options for study and blessings: practical ministry tools, communication in the parish, and studying the Psalms.
Pastors will make their own travel and lodging reservations. Note from host pastor: The Hyatt Place Las Vegas at Silverton Village is the best option in our area. It’s 10 minutes from Beautiful Savior and provides free parking, buffet breakfast, and great accommodations. The total cost per night with all taxes and fees is $179.67 (single occupancy – 1 king) or $190.97 (double occupancy – 2 queens). The rooms need to be booked by May 12. Click HERE to book or call (877) 504-1805 and mention our group: “WLS Summer Quarter.”
The Seminary has provided an excellent overview of Satellite events for 2025. Click HERE to read it. Pastors are welcome to take a course for credit (including assignments and readings outside of class) or you may audit the course (sit in for the material but without the work outside of class). Each course will only cost $200 if taken for credit and $100 if taken for audit, payable to Seminary. All retired pastors are welcome to audit any course free of charge.
There is no need to excuse yourself from this gathering, as this is a voluntary offering for pastoral growth. We pray many pastors can take advantage of this time together. If you have any input to share (as this is the first time we’ve offered anything like this apart from another regular conference), feel free to contact the host, Pastor Andy Mueller (email).
All Conference Files & Resources
Dear Brothers in Christ,
Welcome and Worship: Hope Lutheran Church in Prescott and Chino Valley is looking forward to hosting the Arizona Pastor’s Conference on May 6th-7th, 2025. We’ll be gathering at our campus in Prescott at 231 W Smoke Tree Lane. The conference will begin with a communion service at 10:30 am on Tuesday. All papers and presentations will take place in the fellowship hall.
Lodging: We have a block of rooms reserved at the historic Hassayampa Inn in downtown Prescott. Rates for Tuesday night are $139 + 15.74 tax for a single or double room, $169 + 19.14 tax for a suite. Identify yourself as part of the Hope Lutheran Church – Pastor Conference group and you’ll get the reserved rate. Reservations must be made by April 7th.
Call Hassayampa Inn’s Reservation Department at 800-322-1927 or 928-778-9434 then press #1.
Calls should be made between these hours (Mountain Time)
Monday – Friday: 8 am to 5 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
The Inn parking lot is across the street on Marina Drive, just north of the RWB restaurant. The Inn does not offer complementary breakfast. When you’re all historic and fancy and such, I guess you can get away with that.
Food and Fellowship: Refreshments will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday morning starting at 9:00am. Lunch on Tuesday (catered from Colt BBQ in downtown Prescott) and Wednesday (bag lunches) will be provided in the fellowship hall. Dinner on Tuesday will be on your own. We do have an outdoor balcony reserved at the Raven Cafe from 6:00pm-9:00pm. We’ll use the balcony as a “homebase,” so you can eat there or at the dozens of restaurants within walking distance before returning to the Raven for fellowship.
Addresses:
Hope Lutheran Church
231 W Smoke Tree Lane
Prescott, AZ 86301
Hassayampa Inn
122 East Gurley Street
Prescott, AZ 86301
Raven Cafe
142 N Cortez St
Prescott, AZ 86301
In Christ,
Pastor Silas Dose
Hope Lutheran Church
612-900-0438
pastorsilas@hopeevlutheran.com
Pastor Tim Henning
Hope Lutheran Church
928-515-9920
pastortim@hopeevlutheran.com
Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis
This is the annual gathering of the pastors of the WELS California Conference (California, Hawaii, and Nevada).
Click here to access the Conference Agenda.
Conference resources (reports, presentations, etc) can be accessed here.
Note from host pastor, Paul Schulz: The Ayres Hotel is a higher price than I would like, but in my opinion it is the best option in our area. The total cost per night with all taxes and fees is $186.23. There are twenty rooms reserved for our conference. The rooms need to be booked by January 3. Click here to book or call (619) 870-8400.
Dues are $20 per active pastor. These funds help cover the costs associated with the conference, such as special speakers. You can send the dues payment electronically to treasurer, Matthew Natsis, via PayPal (username: @MatthewNatsis) or Venmo (@Matthew-Natsis). Please put in the notes "AZ/CA Conference Dues". You can also send a check for $20 to the address below, with a note in the memo, that it is for AZ-CA Conference Dues. Email Matt for mailing address. Thank you!
Those needing to excuse for the conference, please contact the conference secretary Andrew Schroeder by email schroeds64@gmail.com or text at (951) 285-3349.
Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program Coordinator
The Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Tempe, AZ on October 22-23, 2024.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church
715 W Southern Ave
Tempe, AZ 85282
The Opening Service will be on Tuesday, October 22 at 8:30 a.m..
Click here for the Conference Agenda and other conference information.
A group rate ($134 / night) has been secured at:
Drury Inn and Suites
1780 W Ranch Rd.
Tempe, Arizona
Click here for more information, including booking link.
Click here to access all Conference Files and Resources.
The 35th Biennial Convention of the Arizona-California District of the WELS will be held June 10-12, 2024, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. All pastors and male teachers and staff ministers are to be in attendance, along with one lay delegate from each congregation. Those who are unable to attend may excuse to the district secretary, Pastor Steven Gabb (steve@hopelosangeles.com).
The purpose of the convention is to be a voice of the district. Each district reacts and responds to the information communicated in the Report to the Twelve Districts (RttTD). The actions that are taken at the district convention are relayed to the synod, to be addressed at the synod convention the following year. When combined with the voices of the other eleven districts, a consensus of the synod is achieved. As such, much of the platform for the succeeding synod convention has been formulated and discussed on the grass roots level at the district conventions.
Memorials (requests for action or resolution by the district convention) may be submitted to the district secretary up until May 7, 2024. Memorials will be assigned to a floor committee for consideration and possible resolution to the convention. Use this template to format your memorial prior to submission.
The Opening Service will be held on the morning of Monday, June 10 at 10:00am at Grace Lutheran Church, Glendale, AZ. Following the Opening Service, the convention will begin at 1:00pm at the Embassy Suites.
The deadline for registration was May 7, 2024.
Click here for the Convention Flow Chart (i.e. agenda).
Click here for the Committee Assignments List (updated 05.16.2024).
Click here for the 2024 AZ-CA District Convention Delegate Folder.
Click here for nominations. Elections results will be posted when they are available.
Click here to fill out the Convention Survey.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort
5001 N. Scottsdale Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
(The deadline for reserving a room at the group rate is May 7, 2024.)
All Conference Files & Resources
Dear Brothers in Christ,
We are looking forward to hosting you for the AZ Pastor’s Conference here at Pilgrim Lutheran on May 7-8, 2024. Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School is located at 3257 East University Drive, Mesa, AZ. Phone number for the church office is 480-830-1723. Pastor Rich Kogler, Pilgrim Associate Pastor, can be reached on his cell at 480-388-1094.
Here is some general information that will help you plan your days while attending the conference:
Opening Worship: The opening service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7th, in the Pilgrim worship center.
Conference Sessions: The conference meeting and all presentations will take place in the fellowship hall. Pilgrim Guest WIFI will be available for your use during the conference. The password will be shared at the conference.
Meals:
Breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday: A continental breakfast will be provided by Pilgrim in the fellowship hall from 9:00-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Snacks & Refreshments: Various snacks and drinks will be provided and available for you in the fellowship hall throughout the conference.
Lunch and Dinner: You will be on your own for your lunches and dinner. A listing of local restaurants will be available for you at the conference.
Hotel Accommodations: Arrangements have been made with Holiday Inn Express to reserve a block of rooms until April 5, 2024. You may book a single room (king bed) or a double (2 queen beds) for one night for $139 + tax (11.57%)= $155.08. There is an extra charge of $10 for each additional guest. The Holiday Inn Express is located 15 minutes (5.7 miles) southeast of Pilgrim at 5285 East Baseline Road in Gilbert.
To book a room at the Holiday Inn Express: Use the QR code provided (see Pastors Conference Host Letter) or call the hotel at 480-218-8000 and book under “Pilgrim Church”, Group Code: PGC.
God grant you all safe travels to and from the conference. See you soon!
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Rich Kogler, Associate Pastor
Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School
pastork@pilgrimmesa.com
Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis
This is the annual gathering of the pastors of the WELS California Conference (California, Hawaii, and Nevada).
Click here to access the Conference Agenda.
Click here to access all reports and presentations for the 2024 California Pastors’ Conference.
Airports: SFO is about 14 miles from the host congregation. SJC is about 27 miles from the host congregation.
No lodging arrangements have been made for the group.
Those needing to excuse for the conference, please contact the conference secretary Andrew Schroeder by email schroeds64@gmail.com or text at (951) 285-3349.
Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program
Our Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Citrus Heights, CA (Sacramento area), October 16-18, 2023.
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
7869 Kingswood Drive
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
The Opening Service will be Monday, October 16 @ 6:30pm at St. Mark’s
Click here for the Conference Agenda.
Click here to access all Conference Files and Resources.
TBD
Dear Brothers of the Arizona Conference,
Shepherd Lutheran Church is pleased to be hosting the 2023 meeting of our conference on May 2-3. We look forward to welcoming you to the great state of New Mexico. Our campus had a major renovation in 2014 and we look forward to hosting worship and our meetings in the sanctuary. Refreshments will be made available in our fellowship hall which is connected to the worship building.
The address is:
Shepherd Lutheran Church
3900 Wyoming Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
Lodging
We have a number of rooms reserved at the Drury Inn Albuquerque North. The phone number for the hotel is (505) 341-3394. The group code for online booking is 10057169, or you can use this link to directly book the room: https://www.druryhotels.com/bookandstay/newreservation/?groupno=10057169
Standard Room with 2 Queen Beds: $153 per night plus tax
The group rate is available Sunday night-Tuesday night. If you would like to come a day early, there will be an informal golf outing at 1:00 PM (weather permitting) on Monday and a gathering at my house for snacks and drinks in the evening.
Meals
On Tuesday, both lunch and dinner will be on our own. There are a good number of options near the church for lunch. And for dinner there are many chain restaurants near the hotel, but the city has many great local (and affordable) options.
With the assumption that Wednesday will move quickly, the church will provide an easy lunch to help people on their way.
A complimentary breakfast is available at the Drury Inn each day and their “kickback” starts at 5:30PM.
Fellowship Opportunities
Since our congregation does not get the opportunity to host many conferences, the members are desiring to help offset costs for two different events.
On Tuesday May 2, our minor league baseball team plays at 5:35 PM. If attending a MiLB game interests you, the tickets will be half-price for all who would like to attend (roughly $6-10). Please text or email me that you’d be interested in this. We would need at least 10 people to get the discounted price.
Another fellowship opportunity will be offered to all who would be interested in taking the tram to the top of the Sandia Mountains. The tram takes about 15 minutes to get to the top and there is a restaurant at the peak. The tickets would be 100% covered by the congregation. But beware that the restaurant charges a little more than you’d think for everything. For more information about this unique ABQ experience, see this link: https://sandiapeak.com/. There is no minimum number required for this opportunity. If interested, please let me know through text or email.
Lastly, if you don’t want to be confined to a baseball game or top of a mountain, the fellowship opportunity would be to meet in Old Town (about a 12-minute drive from the hotel) to hang out at the various bars and microbrews and enjoy the downtown area. The Old Town PDF in the resources folder shows the many different options available.
If there are any other questions let me know. We would forward to seeing you in Albuquerque soon. Blessings on your Lenten and Easter preparations!
In Christ,
Josh Rathje
pastorslcabq@gmail.com
505-417-3534
Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis
This is the annual meeting of the pastors of the WELS California Conference (California, Hawaii, and Nevada). It will include studies on and resources for a number of New Testament books.
The Conference Agenda is available in the Conference Resources file.
Reports and presentations for the 2023 California Pastors’ Conference are available here.
Lodging information will be posted here when it becomes available.
Those needing to excuse for the conference, please contact the conference secretary Andrew Schroeder by email schroeds64@gmail.com or text at (951) 285-3349.
Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program
Our Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Tucson, AZ.
Grace Lutheran Church
830 N 1st Ave
Tucson, AZ 85719
The Opening Service will be held on Monday, October 17 at 10:30am.
Click here for the Conference Agenda.
Click here to access all Conference Files and Resources.
Marriott Tucson University Park
880 E 2nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85719
Dear Brothers of the Arizona Conference,
Grace Lutheran Church is pleased to be hosting the 2022 meeting of our conference on May 3-4. We look forward to welcoming you to our Sahuarita location.
Grace-Sahuarita’s church and Child Learning Center were built in 2020. We will have our meetings and worship in the sanctuary, and refreshments will generally be available in the entryway during our sessions and breaks. Lunch on both Tuesday and Wednesday will be served from the CLC gymnasium, which is located right next door. The address is:
Grace Lutheran Church - Sahuarita
75 W Sahuarita Rd
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Be careful that Google Maps does not take you to 75 W Sahuarita Rd in Corona De Tucson. That has been confusing for some and will get you twelve miles from where you want to be. Here’s our Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/gy9XERH7H9rQK5cg8 (link works only from your smartphone).
We have a number of rooms reserved at the Canoa Ranch Golf Resort. If you would like more info about the resort, you can find it at www.CanoaRanchGolfResort.com. The phone number for the resort is 520-382-0450. There are a number of room options available to you at a reduced rate under “AZ Pastors’ Conference.” Options include:
Standard Room with 1 or 2 Queen Beds: $135.20 per night plus tax
Standard Room with 1 King Bed: $143.20 per night plus tax
1 Bedroom King Suite: $183.20 per night plus tax
2 Bedroom Suite: $267.20 per night plus tax
The 2 Bedroom Suite includes one bedroom with a King and the other bedroom is either a King or 2 Queens. 3 guys could share a 2 Bedroom (2 Queen) Suite, each having their own bed, and have the very large suite to use (kitchen/living room/patio). We plan to have space at the resort on Tuesday evening for supper and fellowship. Included with all room choices is a breakfast buffet with cooked-to-order omelets. A number of rooms are also available at the same rate for Monday night if that is helpful.
Nate Kassulke
Grace Pastor, Conference Vice-Chairman
RevNPK@GraceLutheranSAZ.org
520-260-4453
Ryan Heiman
Grace Pastor, Sahuarita Site
RevRAH@GraceLutheranSAZ.org
520-999-0254
Reports and presentations for the 2020 California Pastors’ Conference can be found here.
This is the annual meeting of the pastors of the WELS California Conference (California, Hawaii, and Nevada). The main presenter at the conference will be Prof. Paul Wendland from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. His topic is “The Transgender Movement and Gender Confusion.”
The worship service will be based on the readings for the Second Sunday of Easter (April 24, 2022). By having this be our worship theme, you will have worship service resources from the conference service, and the sermon will be based on the one of the readings from this Sunday. These might provide some useful resources for the April 24 service at your church, a Sunday that follows the high festival of Easter.
If you need to AV equipment for a report, please contact Pastor Noah Bater at popastornb@gmail.com.
Click here for lodging information
Those needing to excuse for the conference, please contact the conference secretary Andrew Schroeder by email schroeds64@gmail.com or text at (951) 285-3349.
Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program
(This conference has already taken place. Click here for all conference resources.)
Our Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held jointly held at two congregations in Las Vegas, NV:
Beautiful Savior Lutheran
10265 Bermuda Road
Las Vegas, NV 89183
Water of Life Lutheran
5430 S. Grand Canyon Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89148
*Local congregation COVID-19 protocols are in place.
This year our presenters will be from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and the format will be a “summer quarter style.” The following courses will for this study conference will be offered:
Biblical Geography (Prof. John Brug; Location: Beautiful Savior)
Eastern Orthodoxy (Prof. John Brenner; Location: Beautiful Savior)
Elijah: The Chariots and the Horsemen of Israel (Prof. Brad Wordell; Location: Water of Life)
Red Sea Crossing and Wilderness Wandering: Exodus 14-18 (Prof. Kenneth Cherney; Location: Water of Life)
Each attendee will attend one course. To register for your preferred course, click here. When everyone is registered with the Seminary, we will be able to determine which courses will be offered at which church. Stay tuned for that detail.
For the Conference Agenda, click here.
Suggested:
South Point Casino Hotel
9777 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89183
866-791-7626
The hotel is 15 minutes from Water of Life and 5 minutes from Beautiful Savior.
Dear Brothers of the Arizona Conference,
Greetings in the name of Jesus! Rock of Ages is honored to host the 2021 May Pastors’ Conference. Please review the information below regarding the instructions for reserving lodging, meals, and fellowship for the conference.
LOCATION:
Rock of Ages Lutheran Church
204 W. Airport Rd.
Payson, AZ
Opening worship and business will be in the sanctuary. Refreshments & meals will be served in the fellowship hall.
LODGING: A block of rooms has been reserved at:
Best Western Inn Payson
301 S Beeline Hwy
Payson, AZ 85541
Phone: (928) 474-9800
Block is held under “Rock of Ages” until April 4th.
It is in walking distance of evening fellowship options (see below). Fifteen double queen & ten single king rooms at a small discount rate of $96. If needed, additional lodging is available just south of town at the Mazatzal Hotel and Casino. (No block reserved).
Rock of Ages will be serving: Refreshments and coffee during the conference and breaks. TUESDAY refreshments & coffee (9:00am), lunch, and dinner. WEDNESDAY full hot breakfast (7:30am) and lunch with the option of packing a bag lunch if we conclude the conference business early. There will be limited Wi-Fi. Internet is occasionally unreliable in Payson. Attendees may consider giving an additional offering during the opening service in lieu of an offering for meals and refreshments.
FELLOWSHIP: There will be no official fellowship arrangements for Tuesday evening. The brothers may consider several locations within walking distance of Best Western, such as Buffalo Bar and Grill (across the parking lot), the Backwoods Bar & Grill ( half mile, 10 minute walk) or Macky’s Grill (15 minute walk).
We are planning on a mostly paperless conference. If desired, please print and bring individual copies or download individual electronic copies. If you are presenting, please let me know your printing and/or AV needs. You are welcome to send me any digital copies to share. Conference papers and handouts can be downloaded from rockofages-payson.com/az-conference. A few tables will be set up in the back of the sanctuary with power access for laptops.
Please contact me with your hosting questions about conference.
God’s richest blessings are yours through our risen Lord,
Tom Barthel
pastorbarthel@gmail.com
928-612-8463
Paul T Schulz (Risen Savior, Chula Vista, CA) - Chairman
Bart Brauer (Emmanuel, Tempe, AZ) - Vice Chairman
David Waterstradt (Hope, Penryn, CA) - Secretary-Treasurer
(vacant) - Program
Our Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Glendale, Arizona.
For those who did not attending in person due to COVID-19 concerns and precautions, the conference was Live Streamed. The recordings can be found here: Tuesday | Wednesday
There is no reserved hotel room block or other suggested lodging for this conference.
Essay: Luther’s Rubicon (by Pastor Matt Natsis, Good Shepherd, Livermore, CA)
Essay: “BREAKING FREE”: MARTIN LUTHER’S 1520 BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY OF THE CHURCH (by Pastor Benjamin Schaefer, Mt Calvary, Redding, CA)
Essay: On the Freedom of a Christian (by Pastor Jeff Gunn, CrossWalk, Laveen, AZ)
Reports and presentations from the 2020 California Pastors’ Conference can be found here.
The presentations will cover various topics:
“What Cannot Change; What Can Change; What Must Change,” a presentation in three parts by Pastor Wayne Uhlhorn (Beautiful Saviour, Carlsbad, CA). Wayne Uhlhorn is presenting what he presented at the Nebraska District Missionaries' Conference.
“Bible Study: In the Footsteps of Paul” by Pastor Mark Schewe (St. Peter, Clovis, CA). Mark Schewe’s Bible study is one that will have video, pictures, and be available as a full course for those who would like to make use of it in their own congregation.
“The Declaration of Independence in the Light of Romans 13: What is the Christian Response?” by Pastor Andrew Schroeder (California Lutheran High School, Wildomar, CA). Andrew Schroeder’s topic is timely with how much the US government is regularly in the news.
The worship service will be the Transfiguration of Our Lord, which will be two weeks after the conference. By having this be our worship theme, you will have worship service resources from the conference service, and the sermon will be based on the Jesus’ Transfiguration. These might provide some resources for the February 23 service at your church.
If you need to AV equipment for a report or presentation, please contact Mark Schewe pastorschewe@gmail.com
The accommodations are going to be on your own, with no block of rooms set aside at a particular hotel. Host pastor Mark Schewe looked online for good hotel choices that are not that far from church. There are some recommendations in the attached file . If someone finds a deal that others may be interested in, feel free to share it with other brothers. Mark used Trivago.com to find the hotels. The top 3 hotels are about 10 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the church.
Those needing to excuse for the conference, please contact the conference secretary Andrew Schroeder by email schroeds64@gmail.com or text at (810) 941-8051.
Shepherd of the Hills is honored to host the 2020 January Pastors’ Conference. Please review the information below regarding the location of conference, lodging, meals and fellowship for the conference.
Shepherd of the Hills
8799 N. Northern Ave
Tucson, AZ 85704
*Opening worship will be in the sanctuary
*Business will be conducted in the fellowship hall
Shepherd of the Hills (SOTH) will provide:
Refreshments and snacks during the conference and breaks.
A light breakfast on Tuesday (9:30am) and Wednesday (8:00am).
Lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday with the option of packing a bag lunch on Wednesday if we finish all conference business early.
BBQ rib dinner at SOTH on Tuesday evening (5:30pm).
SOTH will provide meals, snacks and refreshments for all attendees. (Gifts from our members, grants from Thrivent and funding from ACSTO will help cover the cost). Attendees may consider giving an additional offering during the opening service in lieu of an offering for meals and refreshments. There will be no official fellowship event on Tuesday evening. The brothers may consider The Gringo Grill and Cantina located next door to La Posada.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the following:
La Posada Lodge and Casitas
5900 N. Oracle Road
Tucson, AZ 85704
Please use the following link to make reservations:
AZ Pastor Conference
If asked how you heard of La Posada, please say, “Through conference host.” This will help the hotel avoid additional booking costs.
You can also call La Posada directly at (520) 887-4800 and reference ‘AZ Pastor Conference’
Please reserve by January 1, 2020 to receive the conference rate of $95.00.
If you are presenting, please contact the host pastor about your printing and/or AV needs
Jason Schmidt
jschmidt@lutheranchurchtucson.com
(916) 834-0085
Paul Schulz - President
Bart Brauer - Vice President
David Waterstradt - Secretary
Paul Meitner - Program
Our Arizona-California District Pastors’ Conference will be held jointly held at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (Las Vegas, NV) and Green Valley Lutheran Church (Henderson, NV). This year our presenters will be from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and the format will be a “summer quarter style.” The following courses will for this study conference will be offered:
Challenges Faced by Post-Reformation Lutheran Church (Prof. Joel Otto, held at Green Valley)
Congregational Strategic Planning (Pastor Jon Hein, held at Beautiful Savior)
OT Readings: The Plague Narratives in Exodus 5-11 (Prof. Kenneth Cherney, held at Green Valley)
For more information about the conference, click here.
To register for your preferred course, click here.
For the Conference Agenda, click here.
Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino
2300 Paseo Verde Parkway
Henderson, NV 89052
(866) 782-9487
https://book.passkey.com/e/49912542
Reservation cut-off date: Monday, September 23, 2019
Block: “Arizona-California District Pastors Conference“
Click here for more lodging details and information
