|
Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry - Special Rate Deadline This Friday
Managing all the stresses and existential fears surrounding declining congregations can be an overwhelming prospect. Additionally, as pastors and District leaders, we have to manage our own personal angst too. Frequently, this leads us to react with our own, "one way, crisis-driven" thinking. Breaking this cycle begins by discovering what God may be up to in these transitional times. That is the focus of this year's Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry event. Whether you're a settled pastor, District leader, or a TIM Practitioner, facing and addressing these types of challenges as God-created opportunities is the starting point for revitalization.
What: Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry
When: January 19-21, 2026
Where: CNH Ministry Center
More Details: Click here
To Register: Click here
| | |
Advent Service Tomorrow (12/10)
Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Concord, CA invites you to a special Advent Service featuring instrumental and vocal performances. We invite our sister congregations to attend this special evening with refreshments following.
What: Musical Advent Service
When: Wednesday (12/10) - 7:00 p.m.
Where: 1092 Alberta Way, Concord, CA
| | |
2025 Advent Devotions from CNH Staff
Advent greetings from the CNH District staff! Each Wednesday during Advent, we will post a short devotion to you, written by one of our staff members. We pray that these reflections help you prepare for the coming of our newborn King! An additional Advent resource titled, "Advent Reflections: Rest, Peace, Love, Joy and Hope" from Jennifer Ferguson is also available!
To view all of the devotions, click here.
| | 2025 Advent Devotions from CNH Staff | | | |
From spirited district gatherings to quiet moments of worship, our churches, schools, and leaders came together in ways that shaped hearts and strengthened ministries. Milestones were celebrated, new connections were forged, and long-standing traditions continued with renewed purpose. Whether on a steamboat in New Orleans, in a retreat center in the Sierras, or gathered around the Word in Sacramento, our district family experienced a year rich in growth and grace.
The stories that follow capture that journey: click here.
| | | |
CNH District Educator of the Year - Bethany Bogle
The 2025 Educator of the Year for the CNH District is Mrs. Bethany Bogle. Bethany is the only Called teacher on her faculty. In her 11 years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Merced, California teaching kindergarten, she has combined academic excellence with daily faith formation, helping children see that learning itself is a gift from God. Beyond her excellent example as a Lutheran teacher, Bethany also filled in as an interim principal in 2023. Bethany Bogel’s joyful witness, tireless service, and Christ-centered leadership embody the very heart of Lutheran education and ministry.
Click here for a blog highlighting all the 2025 CNH District Educators of the Year.
| | |
Free Resources to Share the Christmas Gospel
Free Lutheran Resources: Do you have a friend, neighbor or family member who doesn’t speak English as a first language? This Christmas, give them a book that explains the real “reason for the season” that’s written in their own language. The Lutheran Heritage Foundation, a recognized service organization of the LCMS, has translated and published books like Luther’s Small Catechism, A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories, God’s Word For You, and more into nearly 190 languages like Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Tamil and Chinese. Best of all, these books are FREE to any church or individual who needs them. Simply visit the LHF website to search by language and send an email with your request!
| | |
Mission Table Podcast (Official Podcast of the CNH District)
Pull up a chair and join the conversation. The Mission Table is the official podcast of the California-Nevada-Hawaii (CNH) District of the LCMS, where leaders, pastors, and everyday disciples gather to share stories, explore ministry challenges, and celebrate how God is at work across our communities.
In Episode 12 of the Mission Table Podcast, we were joined by Pastor Uma, the newly installed pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Ewa Beach, Hawai‘i. Click here to listen to this audio only episode that tells the story of courage, resilience and how God brings people from the ends of the earth to exactly where they’re needed for such a time as this!
| | |
As pillars of the faith get called back to their heavenly home, we want to honor and acknowledge the legacy they leave behind and the impact they had within our congregations. If you would like to include any upcoming memorials, please click here to send the name, date of death, and date of service so that we may include them in an upcoming issue of the InTouch.
| | | | |
