2025 SFSAZ Conference – February 6 & 7
Pilgrimage: seeing the sacred as we walk with Jesus
Since ancient times individuals have followed their hearts on the spiritual practice of pilgrimage. They have traveled together and alone on sacred journeys near and far from their homes, for long periods of time or just a day. Some might even refer to their life as a journey of pilgrimage. Whatever the definition, we believe that there is something sacred to be discovered and transformation to embody on whatever journey you are traveling.
As we consider our life in Christ as pilgrimage, Matt and Julie will be sharing around themes that give us context and encouragement for this life. Matt will look at resting in our identity as well as living out of our baptism into Christ. Julie will look at pilgrimage in the early church, people and places.
Join us for a time of encountering the sacred as we walk with Jesus.
Matt and Julie Canlis will be our plenary speakers with breakout sessions by SFSAZ staff and friends.
February 6 – 6:00p-9p
February 7 – 8:30a-4p
2025 Camino de Phoenix // February 8, 2024
The Camino de Phoenix was create with a passion for sharing a pilgrimage route in the heart of the City of Phoenix for those who are seeking to see the sacred in their local context. We often think we have to take a trip to another location but sometimes everything we need to see is right in front of us… if we will slow down and look. Click the button for more information and to register.
Conference Speakers
Julie and Matt Canlis
Julie and Matt Canlis live in Wenatchee, WA where Matt is a pastor and Julie is an author. They went to seminary together, and then continued their adventure in Scotland where Matt became a village pastor and Julie became a theologian and their four children taught them everything they didn’t know. When they left Scotland to return to America, Matt released a film “Godspeed” on how the people of their tiny community in Scotland taught them about Jesus and being known. Julie wrote a microbook called “A Theology of the Ordinary” and Matt wrote a 40 day pilgrimage “Backyard Pilgrim.” Together, they teach and lead new forms of creatively engaging the Bible.
Micah Bentley – Worship
Micah has a passion for curating and leading in spaces to experience God’s goodness and love through all expressions of worship and art. As a practicing singer/songwriter he has spent years experiencing God’s presence in the sacred and the secular through my relationship and work with the music and arts. As a spiritual director he loves to journey alongside others in their growing relationships with Jesus. My greatest passion is my family which includes my wife Ashley and my 2 kids Brighten and Elliotte.
Workshops
Embodied Prayer with Renee Clark
Description of Workshop
Bio coming soon
The Jesus Prayer with John DelHousaye
Description of Workshop
Bio coming soon
Camino Experiences with LuAnn Roberson
Description of Workshop
Bio coming soon
Art En Via – Art on the Way with Sheli Sloterbeek
Come explore and process the conference sessions through paint, paper and pencil in community with others on the journey with you. There will be basic supplies available or feel free to bring your own into this shared space. There will be prompts if you’re not sure where to begin. No experience necessary, just joy to explore where you find yourself in that moment on the journey.
Sheli is honored to be a companion of others as they discover God in their everyday life through the ministry of spiritual direction, either one-on-one, in a group, or making space through workshops and retreats. She enjoys art and poetry as a spiritual practice and inviting others into that space. Living slowly, practicing presence with the Beloved and noticing the movement of God in all of life is her desire to live and holds open up the invitation to you. You can find more about her at www.aslowjourney.com.
Reclaiming the Sacredness of Friendship with Emma Tautolo
Reframing singleness and Redefining friendship through reexamining how the Kingdom of God comes.
Emma Tautolo is a southern California native who has lived in Arizona for 12 years. She was a Division 1 college athlete that spent 17 years on staff with a parachurch ministry leading and equipping students and staff in college sports ministry and cultural competency. She works for the Surge network: a movement of local churches putting Jesus on display by equipping, reconciling and activating God’s people in Arizona. She is a shepherd, teacher and team leader with a deep love for the local church. Emma has her master’s degree in Missional Theology and loves the ocean, Pit bulls and 90’s-00’s r&b.
Psalms of Ascent with Ted Wueste
The Psalms of Ascent are songs that the people of God would sing/pray as they journeyed to Jerusalem for various feasts and celebrations. Comprised of 15 psalms (Psalm 120-134), each offer a way to pray and engage with God on the journey … giving permission to grieve, celebrate, yearn, and hope with God.
Often, as we journey through this life, we are just waiting for the destination or wishing our journey looked different. The Psalms of Ascent model and invite a way to be present along the way.
In this workshop, we will provide an overview of these prayers, give space for praying, and create our own prayers of ascent. And more …
Ted serves as the Founder/Director of the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona. For the last 30 years, he has served in various ministry capacities with 20 of those years serving in pastoral ministry. Ted designed and taught in a Spiritual Formation program at Phoenix Seminary for seven years, and now enjoys a ministry of spiritual direction, retreat leading, and teaching. He has written several books on the spiritual journey as well as devotionals and study guides that many have found helpful. You can reach Ted at [email protected] and learn more about his spiritual formation ministry at www.desertdirection.com.
Schedule
Thursday, February 6, 2025
6:00p – Registration
6:30 – Welcome and Introduction
6:45 – Worship and Prayer
7:15 – Plenary Session
8:30 – Prayer/Reflection/Dismiss
Friday, February 7, 2025
9-12 plenary sessions/personal reflection
12 – lunch
1:30-4:00 break out sessions/plenary session
Location
Valley View Bible Church
4222 E Lincoln Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Registration
Super Early Registration August to September 16, 2024 – $125*
Early Registration – September 17, 2024 to October 30, 2024
Regular Registration – November 1, 2024 – January 15, 2025
*no membership discounts
Group rates available for groups of five or more. Contact us at [email protected] for more information.