CNH DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

November 25, 2025

As we wrap up the Church Year, Luke 23 reminds us of Jesus on the cross - our King who reigns even in suffering. To the thief next to Him, He speaks those powerful words: “Today you will be with Me in paradise.” What looked like loss was actually God’s victory, bringing forgiveness and life.

Colossians 1 tells us that this same Christ is the One who holds all things together. That’s a good reminder as we head into Thanksgiving. We give thanks for family, food, and freedom—but our greatest thanks is for the Kingdom we’ve been given in Christ. It’s a Kingdom that can’t be shaken, no matter what changes around us.

So as we end the Church Year, we don’t do it in fear - we do it with purpose. Redeemed in Jesus, we’re sent out to share His hope and reign with a world that needs to hear it.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Registration is Open for the Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry

Join us for a weekend designed to encourage, equip, and energize leaders navigating ministry in times of change. The Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry gathering offers practical tools, honest conversations, and shared wisdom to help you see new possibilities where challenges feel overwhelming. Come ready to learn, connect, and return home with renewed hope for the work God is doing in your church and community.

What: Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry

When: January 19-21, 2026

Where: CNH Ministry Center

Click here for a blog with more details.

Save the Date: CNH District's Pastors' Wives Retreat

More than ever, we are aware of the blessings of having a pastor who is active, healthy, and available in our congregations. Encourage your pastor’s wife to attend this year’s CNH District's Pastors' Wives Retreat - this retreat is a chance for her to join with other ministry wives at this annual retreat which provides rest, community, friendship, and important connections with other wives.

What: CNH District's Pastors' Wives Retreat

When: January 30 - February 1, 2026

Where: San Juan Bautista, CA

Cost: $350

Questions: Email the retreat planning team at CNHpastorswives@gmail.com.

We don’t want anyone to be left out because of finances. Should your congregation be experiencing limitations that hamper this, please contact our office.

2026 CNH Administrators Conference

We are excited to have some special guests and presenters join us: Dr. Tara Rolle from CAPSO, Dr. Eugene Kim from Concordia University Irvine, and Dr. Drew Gerdes from Concordia University Nebraska!

Date: February 3-5, 2026

Location: CNH Ministry Center

Cost: $195

What: CNH Administrators Conference

When: February 3-5, 2026

Where: CNH Ministry Center

Cost: $195

Click here for more details and to register.

2026 Early Child Directors Conference: Gather & Grow

If you are a preschool director in the CNH District, you are invited to participate in our annual Early Childhood Directors Conference.

We are excited to have Dr. Drew Gerdes, from Concordia University Nebraska, as our main presenter. We will also have plenty of opportunity to share and discuss topics that are important to preschool leaders.

What: Early Child Directors Conference: Gather & Grow

When: February 5-6, 2026

Where: CNH Ministry Center

Cost: $175 (includes two meals, materials and program)

Click here for more details and to register.

Bay Area Lutheran Young Adults Go Bowling

Are you 18 to 40'ish years old and would enjoy the company of other area Lutheran (LCMS) young adults? Join Bay Area Lutheran Young Adults (BALYA), which meets regularly for camaraderie in fun, worship, service projects, and study.

What: Bowling with BALYA

When: December 6

Where: Cupertino, CA

Info: Contact BALYA co-coordinators Michael McThrow or Nonso Mogor

Blue Christmas Service

St. Matthew Lutheran Church will offer a special Christmas worship experience. All are invited to this community event that spreads the Word of Christ to people who might be struggling with grief, loss, or sadness at this holiday season.

What: Special "Blue Christmas" Worship Service for those struggling emotionally

When: December 10, 4 p.m.

Where: St. Matthew Lutheran, 13880 Joshua Way, Sonora, CA 95370

More Info: Call 209-532-4639 or visit stmatthewchurchsonora.org

Featured News

Micah Glenn Completes Principal 360 Program

Congratulations to Micah Glenn, Executive Director at Sierra Lutheran High School in Carson City, Nevada! Micah just completed certification in Principal 360, an intensive 11-month leadership development program, operated by the Chicagoland Lutheran Education Foundation (CLEF). This program develops and equips Lutheran school administrators in specific areas that help them develop school leadership skills. The program also includes extensive training to craft and implement a customized, comprehensive strategic plan for their school.

Click here for Micah's experience with this one-of-a-kind program.

School Spotlight: Upward Bound Preschool, Santa Maria, CA

Upward Bound Preschool has been a ministry of Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Santa Maria since 2000. The church has been a part of the Orcutt community in Central California since 1960. In 2024,
both Brendan and Katie Harrell accepted Calls to serve, Brendan as pastor at LCOS, and Katie as the preschool director. The current preschool has 21 children that are 2-5 years old. May God bless the ministry of Upward Bound as they daily share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with young children and
their families!

Click here for a blog with more details.

Cross Academy Students Soar at Science Symposium

Congratulations to six of Our Savior, Aiea's Cross Academy's 5th-8th graders for placing in the top 3 of Honua Scholars Proposal & Pitch Competition! The competition fosters new ideas that could positively impact the Hawaiian community through STEM. Students who submitted written proposals were also invited to a "Proposal Pitch Competition" in-person at the Honua Scholars 2025 Laulima Symposium on November 15, 2025 at WCC.

Students and families also got to help a university lab collect environmental samples around WCC campus to potentially isolate "Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium" (that still cause lung disease).

Click here for a blog with more details.

Please Send Us Your Thanksgiving Pics

Turkeys aren’t the only ones getting their picture taken this season. If your congregation is hosting a Thanksgiving service, snap a photo and send it our way — we’d be thankful for it! Click here to submit.

New Podcast Just Dropped - 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. His journey is nothing short of remarkable - born and raised in Sri Lanka in a Hindu family, shaped by years spent as a refugee in Liberia, and ultimately led by the Holy Spirit to faith in Jesus Christ and a call into pastoral ministry here in the United States.

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!

Called to Glory...

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.