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Coaching & Counseling Webinar
We want to invite church workers, and especially ministry leaders, to attend this webinar introducing a program of coaching and counseling for church workers in the CNH District. The presenters are Ashlee Zoch, who is a Certified Executive Coach and Jennifer Ferguson, who is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
What: Coaching & Counseling Webinar
When:
August 19, 5:15 p.m. (Click here for link)
August 20, 9:30 a.m. (Click here for link)
Where: Online (see links above)
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End of Summer Pastor Party
Pastors and familes from the Bay Area (or further away if you don’t mind the drive) are invited to the Behrens’ house for a backyard social on Saturday, August 30.
You can expect lots of good food, excellent company, ministry encouragement, and gifts to take home.
What: 4th Annual Pastor Party
When: Saturday, August 30 5-8:30 p.m.
Where: 15832 Via Cordoba, San Lorenzo, CA
RSVP: www.SparkHelpsChurches.com/rsvp
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Request for Nominations for Upcoming Synodical Convention
The 2026 Synodical Convention will take place in Phoenix, AZ, July 18-23, 2026.
Call for Nominations: Click here for a PDF with the request for nominations. Nominations should be received preferably before August 18, 2025, and no later than October 18, 2025.
Important information is available at lcms.org/nominate. Any member of a member congregation with a valid email address will be able to establish an account and submit a nomination.
To complete a nomination, visit forms.lcms.org and log in via a LISN ID (for rostered church workers and a few others) or an email address you control. If you need assistance to log into the system, click here for a PDF with details.
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Pastors Conference 2025 - Register Today!
What: Pastors Conference 2025 - Rooted in the Word, Radiating His Character
When: October 12 - 14
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton, San Rafael, CA
Pricing: $299 - General Admission; $99 - Spouse and Guest
Register Now - https://www.cnh-lcms.org/pastors-conference
Registration Policy: The registration deadline is Thursday, August 28. Beginning Friday, August 29, a late fee of $50 will be added and refunds will not be issued.
Need help booking your hotel room? We have created a step-by-step guide for the process. Click here.
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Come Build a Church - Disability Awareness Sunday
The last Sunday in September has been designated by the CNH Board of Directors as Disability Awareness Sunday. Resources to use for the Disability Awareness Sunday are available on the district CNH website: https://www.cnh-lcms.org/disability-ministry-committee.
What: Disability Awareness Sunday
When: September 28, 2025
Click here for an article about the history of this event.
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Join Us At The 2025 WALi Summit
This unique gathering is designed for worship arts ministry staff, leaders, pastors, volunteers, and students—across all worship styles. With time for connection, shared learning, and one-on-one conversations, the Summit offers support, inspiration, and answers for your ministry journey. Whether traditional or contemporary, WALi is for everyone. Come receive God’s gifts—and give thanks together!
What: 2025 WALi Summit
When: September 30 - October 2, 2025
Where: Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125
Click here to learn more and to register!
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Pastor Kanagasabai UmaShankar (Uma), Installed as Pastor at Messiah, Ewa Beach
Kanagasabai UmaShankar (Uma) was installed on August 10 as pastor at Messiah, Ewa Beach, on Oahu. President Lange was the celebrant for the installation, Rev. Paul Linnemann (transitional interim in Hilo) delivered the homily, and the pastors from the Hawaii circuit assisted. Also present was a large contingent of the Tongan congregation who utilizes the facility. We thank God for this ministry!
Click here for a blog with details and pictures.
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Kingdom Wins - St. John's, Bakersfield Celebrates New School Year with 850+ Participants
St. John’s Lutheran School and Children’s Center in Bakersfield, CA, started its new school year with the theme “Jesus Over Everything,” with around 630 children enrolled in the schools. The Kindergarten through Grade 8 school’s opening chapel on August 11 had so many parents and returning graduates that there were more people than the 850 seats in the St. John’s Worship Center could hold. To God be the glory!
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Grace, Modesto Child Care Center Expands Preschool
Grace, Modesto Child Care Center has been in operation for more than 40 years. The preschool serves 2–5-year-olds and has maintained a Summer Extended Care Program for school age children. For over seven years, they have had a vision to serve infants within the community. This goal was recently reached, and a blessing was completed by Pastor Grant Knepper on Sunday, June 29! Licensing final approval was completed on July 18, and babies started on July 21!
We pray the childcare programs continue to be blessed and become a place where all may grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God’s Love!
Click here to learn more about the growing ministry at Grace!
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FREE Mission Resources Available
Does your church or school have families whose first language isn't English? Why not share a Lutheran book about Jesus with them in their heart language? Get FREE resources from the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, including children's Bible storybooks and Luther's Small Catechism in more than 180 languages! Visit www.LHFmissions.org for more information.
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We're Hiring - Full-Charge Bookkeeper
The CNH District is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Full-Charge Bookkeeper to join our team in Livermore, CA. This full-time, in-office position supports our ministry's financial and administrative operations. Benefits include health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off. Please see the attached job description for more details.
To apply or inquire, please contact Denise Lo, Operations Executive, at (925) 245-4000 ext. 4006 or denise@cnh-lcms.org.
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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.
Click here for Episode 009 (Growing Together at Holy Cross) - In this episode, we’re sitting down with Pastor Marsh Shamburger to reflect on Holy Cross Rocklin’s incredible year of growth—new leadership, renewed vision, and a church leaning fully into its mission. From fresh outreach efforts to deeper spiritual engagement, hear how one congregation is impacting its community and what’s next on their journey.
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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.
Rev. Thomas (Tom) Windsor, pastor emeritus, was called to glory on Sunday, August 10, 2025. He served three congregations in the Pacific Southwest District and three in the CNH District: Our Redeemer, Honolulu, HI; Trinity, Gardnerville, NV, and Faith, Sonoma, CA. Please keep the Windsor family in your prayers.
Rev. Jonathan (Jon) Coyne, Bethany, Menlo Park, CA, was called to glory on Friday, July 25, 2025, surrounded by his family. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, 3pm, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1095 Cloud Avenue, Menlo Park, CA. Please keep the Coyne family in your prayers.
Rev. John Whaley, pastor emeritus, was called to glory on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 1pm, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 38451 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA. Please keep the Whaley family in your prayers.
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