Conference Officers

Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis

Conference Description

This is the annual gathering of the pastors of the WELS California Conference (California, Hawaii, and Nevada).

Conference Agenda

Click here to access the Conference Agenda.

Conference Resources

Conference resources (reports, presentations, etc) can be accessed here.

Lodging And Travel

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.

Conference Dues

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!

Excuses

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.

Conference Officers

Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program Coordinator

Location and Agenda

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.

Hotel 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.

Files and Resources

Click here to access all Conference Files and Resources.

Convention Description

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.

Opening Service

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.

Delegates

The deadline for registration was May 7, 2024.

Convention Agenda

Click here for the Convention Flow Chart (i.e. agenda).

Committee Assignments

Click here for the Committee Assignments List (updated 05.16.2024).

Convention Files & Resources

Click here for the 2024 AZ-CA District Convention Delegate Folder.

Elections

Click here for nominations. Elections results will be posted when they are available.

Elections Website

Convention Survey

Click here to fill out the Convention Survey.

Lodging Information

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.)

Conference Agenda

Conference Host Letter

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

Conference Officers

Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis

Conference Description

This is the annual gathering of the pastors of the WELS California Conference (California, Hawaii, and Nevada).

Conference Agenda

Click here to access the Conference Agenda.

Conference Resources

Click here to access all reports and presentations for the 2024 California Pastors’ Conference.

Lodging And Travel

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.

Excuses

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.

Conference Officers

Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program

Location and Agenda

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.

Files and Resources

Click here to access all Conference Files and Resources.

Lodging

TBD

Conference Files & Resources

 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 

Conference Officers

Chairman - Pastor Michael Schroeder
Vice Chairman - Pastor Eric Hansen
Secretary - Pastor Andrew Schroeder
Treasurer - Pastor Matthew Natsis

Conference Description

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.

Conference Agenda

The Conference Agenda is available in the Conference Resources file.

Conference Resources

Reports and presentations for the 2023 California Pastors’ Conference are available here.

Lodging And Travel

Lodging information will be posted here when it becomes available.

Excuses

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.

Conference Officers

Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program

Location and Agenda

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.

Files and Resources

Click here to access all Conference Files and Resources.

Lodging

Marriott Tucson University Park
880 E 2nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85719

Conference Files & Resources

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 

Conference Officers

Paul Schulz - Chairman
Brian Doebler - Vice Chairman
Ben Schaefer - Secretary/Treasurer
Dan Solofra - Program

Conference Description

(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.

Lodging

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.

Files and Resources

Conference Agenda

AZ-CA District Mission Board Report

WELS Board for Home Missions Presentation

Conference Resources

Reports and presentations from the 2020 California Pastors’ Conference can be found here.

Conference Description

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

Conference Agenda

Lodging And Travel

 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.

Regarding Hotels Link

Excuses

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.

Conference Description

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

Agenda

Host Pastor Letter

Meals and Refreshments

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.

Lodging

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.

Presenters

If you are presenting, please contact the host pastor about your printing and/or AV needs

Jason Schmidt
jschmidt@lutheranchurchtucson.com
(916) 834-0085

Conference Officers

Paul Schulz - President
Bart Brauer - Vice President
David Waterstradt - Secretary
Paul Meitner - Program

Conference Description

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.

Lodging and Travel

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

Files and Resources

AZ-CA District Mission Board Report