Mere Christians
A C.S. Lewis Conference
Gladly sponsored by The C.S. Lewis Foundation and The C. S.Lewis Institute
April 16-17, 2027
NEW LOCATION:
Church of the Redeemer
222 S. Palm Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
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About the Event
2027: Till We Have Faces
- Nationally-known keynote speakers
- Concurrent Children’s Track for reading-aged kids
- Meals included, with an English Tea and a Narnian Banquet
- Academic Breakouts (BanderTrack)
- Bookstore including rare Lewis editions
- Pricing, registration, and scholarship info here.
Featured Speakers
- The Rev.d Dr. Andrew Lazo
- Dr. Christin Ditchfield Lazo
- Dr. K. Alan Snyder
- BanderTrack (Academic Track) Co-Directors: Michael Oppizzi and Annie Nardone
- Additional Presenters, along with Worship Leaders / Musicians will be announced soon!
Check out our Facebook Event Page!
Schedule
Tentative Event Agenda
Friday, April 16th
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Registration
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Early Arrival Session: C.S. Lewis 101
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Friday Pasta Supper
6:15 pm – 7:30 pm – Plenary Session I
Saturday, April 17th
8:15 am – 8:45 am – Morning Prayer
9:00 am – 9:55 am – Plenary Session II
10:00 am – 11:15 am – Breakout 1
11:15 am – 11:30 am – Break
11:30 am – 12:15 pm – Plenary Session III
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm – Breakout 2
2:15 pm – 2:30 pm – Break
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm – Panel Discussion / Q&A
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Afternoon English Cream Tea
4:00 pm – 5:15 pm – Breakout 3
5:20 pm – 6:00 pm – Concert
6:00 pm – 7:15 pm – Narnian Banquet
Call for Papers
The Mere Christians C. S. Lewis Conference gladly presents a Call For Papers for the upcoming gathering in Sarasota, FL. The main conference’s orienting theme, “Till We Have Faces,” will guide us into the heart of Lewis’s life and work.
This year in the BanderTrack, the academic portion of our conference, our goal is to illuminate the conference’s central theme, workshopping a variety of projects on their way to publication. Details coming soon!
Abstracts will undergo a double-blind process to determine acceptance status. Anonymous abstracts of 250-500 words, including a statement that you have not used AI in the creation of your abstract will be accepted by a deadline TBD in March of 2026.
Complete information and instructions will be available for download in the days to come.
LODGING
Hotels and Air Travel
There are a lot of great hotels throughout the Sarasota-Bradenton area, at a variety of price points. Some are just minutes from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) — which is only ten minutes from the Church of the Redeemer. Downtown Sarasota has some wonderful options, though the area can vary quite a bit from block to block — it’s worth reading recent reviews and checking the specific street location before booking to make sure you land somewhere you’ll feel comfortable.
If you’re willing to drive a little, other airports worth checking for fares include Tampa (TPA, just over an hour away), Fort Myers/Southwest Florida (RSW, about 90 minutes), and Orlando (MCO, roughly two and a half hours).
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I attend?
Click here to register to attend!
How do I sign up to present or lead a session?
Have something to say about C. S. Lewis? Submit a 300-word proposal to Rev’d Andrew.
Where is the conference?
Church of the Redeemer, 222 S. Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL
When is the conference?
Friday, April 16th, beginning at 2 pm and Saturday, April 17th, ending at 7 pm.
Are meals included?
YES! Friday Dinner, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Tea, Saturday Narnian Banquet (Saturday Breakfast on your own).
Is there a Children’s Track?
YES — reading age children ages 7 – 12. There are children’s tickets available as an option through our Eventbrite registration.
Are Scholarships available?
Yes! Contact Rev’d Andrew if you know someone who wants to come but needs some help.
What if I arrive early? Will there be anything for me to do?
YES! Interactive Early-Arrival Sessions: C. S. Lewis 101: Life & C. S. Lewis 101: Works. Not a Lewis expert? You’ll fit right in. Come and get your questions answered! Contact Rev’d Andrew for information.