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CNH Pastors' Wives Retreat -
This Weekend
The Pastors’ Wives Retreat offers a meaningful weekend of fellowship, renewal, and shared faith. Hosted at the St. Francis Retreat Center in San Juan Bautista, CA, participants will enjoy reconnecting with old friends, building new relationships, and finding encouragement alongside their sisters in Christ.
Wives of pastors & chaplains - full time, part time, and retired...widows of pastors, wives of vicars, if your husband is or was in pastoral ministry...this retreat is for you!
What: Pastors' Wives Retreat
Where: St. Francis Retreat Center,
San Juan Bautista
When: January 30 - February 1, 2026
Click here for information and to register.
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National Lutheran Schools Week
We celebrate the ministry of Lutheran schools throughout the country and in the CNH District during the 2026 National Lutheran Schools Week (January 25-31). The LCMS has nearly 1800 Lutheran schools in the U.S. and Asia served by 22,000 educators. Over 160,000 students and their families hear the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ on a daily basis. In the CNH District, we have 67 schools: preschools, elementary schools, and a high school.
We thank God for the blessing of our Lutheran schools and the people who serve in them. We also celebrate the LCMS and each church that supports a Lutheran school for the commitment and sacrifice it takes to run our school ministries.
Send us your celebration stories! Click here
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Update Your Congregation and Lay Leader Information by Feb. 28
It is time to submit to Synod your congregation’s end-of-year statistics and update your current list of lay leaders at the following website: lc.lcms.org. (If you cannot remember the username and/or password you created previously for your congregation, follow the on-screen helps on the login page to recover your credentials.)
The deadline for congregation statistics and lay leader updates is February 28. You may also review your congregation’s profile and lay leader information any time throughout the year to make sure your contact information, service times and other important data are current.
Up-to-date statistical information is essential for the Synod as it plans current and future ministry efforts. Such information is also critical for determining proper voting representation at conventions. Your district office is available to assist you during this process; contact Glenna Sanlis: glenna@cnh-lcms.org if you have questions.
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2 Kingdoms Citizenship in Today's Secular Lion's Den
Join Grace Lutheran, Modesto for a powerful seminar with Rev. Dr. Greg Seltz on 2 Kingdoms Citizenship in Today's Secular Lion's Den. The "Two Kingdoms" doctrine offers a framework for Christians living in a secular, sometimes hostile ("lion's den") culture, with the spiritual kingdom, ruled by grace and the gospel, and the earthly kingdom, ruled by law and civil authority.
What: 2 Kingdoms Citizenship in Today's Secular Lion's Den
When: February 5-6, 2026, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (Lunch provided)
Where: Grace Lutheran Church
617 W. Orangeburg Ave Modesto CA, 95350
To register: Call 209-529-7721
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Celebrating 150 Years of Faith, Witness, and Leadership -
Black Lutheran Ministry Anniversaries
Join us as we celebrate a powerful milestone—the 150th Anniversary of Black Lutheran Ministry. This gathering is a joyful moment to honor where we’ve been, give thanks for the faithful leaders who came before us, and look ahead with hope to what God is still doing.
We’ll come together for worship, storytelling, fellowship, and reflection. From the earliest Black Lutheran congregations to today’s thriving ministries, this celebration lifts up a legacy rooted in faith, resilience, and bold witness—and reminds us that the story is still being written.
This anniversary is about remembering, rejoicing, and recommitting ourselves to the work ahead. We invite congregations, ministries, and friends across the church to come celebrate this historic moment.
What: 150th Anniversary of Black Lutheran Ministry
Theme: Empowering and Advancing the Next Generation
Where: Charlotte, North Carolina
When: July 7-10, 2027
More Info: Email BCCLC.150@gmail.com
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CEU Opportunity in Rocklin, CA:
Welcoming the Unchurched
As our culture continues the slide towards secularization and we see the growth of the “nones” (those who have no faith at all), how does the church's voice welcome and teach those with no theological background? We'll take up this topic and more in this Continuing Education class hosted by Rev. C. Bryan Wolfmueller (of St. Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, Texas).
What: Welcoming the Unchurched
When: May 19-21
Where: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Rocklin, CA
Click here to learn more.
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LCMS Convention Deadlines - Nominations & Overtures
As congregations prepare to participate in the upcoming LCMS Convention, several important governance deadlines are coming up, including the close of nominations for President, First Vice-President, and regional vice-presidents on February 18, 2026, and the submission of overtures by February 28, 2026.
Click here to learn more.
What: LCMS Convention Deadlines
When: February 18 & February 28
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Deadline for Vicar Application or Pastoral Candidate
The seminary candidate and vicarage application paperwork for the Seminaries for Spring 2026 is to be received at the CNH District office by Friday, February 20, 2026. The earlier you send the information, the better. District President advocacy for a placement (seminary candidate or vicar) is essential. (Be aware that your request does not guarantee a seminary placement.)
Click here to learn more.
What: Seminary Candidate & Vicarage Application Deadline
When: February 20
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New Lenten Resource
Spark Creative is a group of ministry peers in CNH collaborating to share resources for worship and devotional life. You’ll find preaching and liturgy resources, graphics, and devotionals or reading plans ready to share with a congregation. There are four sets of resources available for Lent, including the newest, “Learning How to Die.” Go to www.SparkHelpsChurches.com.
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New Joyful Servant Newsletter Available
This newsletter is filled with inspiring messages, updates on recent Zone activities, and upcoming CNH LWML events. From mission projects and service opportunities to fellowship gatherings and faith-filled reflections, we celebrate all the ways LWML women are joyfully serving the Lord. Stay connected, be inspired, and join us as we continue our mission together!
Click here for the newsletter.
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Fellowship in Action
It was great to see many of our Nevada pastors gather for lunch and a little axe throwing—laughing, connecting, and enjoying fellowship together. Strong relationships make for a healthy ministry!
Click here to see more pictures.
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2026 CNH Church Worker Wellness Initiative - Sign Up Today!
“What if caring for your own well-being could strengthen your ministry, your joy, and your walk with God?”
That’s the heart behind our new CNH District wellness initiative (in partnership with Concordia Plans), "Healthy Living, Healthy Serving." We’re inviting every church worker to take simple, meaningful steps toward physical, mental, and spiritual health so that as we serve others, we do so from a place of strength, not exhaustion.
If you haven’t already, now’s a great time to sign up for Vitality®, or the wellness incentive program offered through your church or school’s health plan. To help encourage participation, we’re holding a special $500 drawing!
Click here to learn more about this initiative.
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Songwriter Initiative New EP
The Songwriter Initiative (TSI) is pleased to announce the upcoming release of its newest EP, The Weight, which debuted on January 23, 2026. Featuring five original studio tracks and a dynamic live recording, the EP offers a Christ-centered journey music written by LCMS songwriters from across the country.
Join the TSI mailing list to access resources and keep up to date on news and happenings.
About The Songwriter Initiative (TSI):
The Songwriter Initiative is a collective of LCMS Christians dedicated to creating new, Christ-centered compositions for the modern church.
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Mission Table Podcast - Episode 14: The Church That Feeds People
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 this episode of the Mission Table Podcast we join Pastor Nathan Linehan onsite at First Lutheran Church, Yuba City, CA to experience their Friday morning food giveaway. Click here for the podcast.
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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.
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