Each of the congregations of the CNH District (a multi-congregation parish being considered as a congregational unit) shall be represented by one (1) pastor and one (1) lay delegate at the 73rd CNH District Convention, duly elected by the congregation. Plan for a delegate election and return the delegate reporting form to the District Office no later than Friday, February 14, 2025. This form should be printed out, signed by the congregational representatives, and mailed or emailed to the District Office (per Synod Bylaws 4.2.2[a]). Forms can be found at the CNH District website.

Reminder: JLCMS 2024 Congregation Statistics and Lay Leader Updates

All congregations should have received an email recently regarding the LCMS 2024 Statistics and Lay Leader Updates. The information is submitted through LISN which is found here: https://lc.lcms.org/. If you cannot remember the username and/or password you created for your congregation, follow the on-screen helps on the login page to recover your login credentials. If you would like a blank form emailed to you, contact Glenna Sanlis, glenna@cnh-lcms.org. This information is to be submitted to Synod by Friday, February 28, 2025.

Reminder: Deadlines for Vicar Applications or Pastoral Candidate (Call) Placements from the Seminaries

Just a quick reminder that the paperwork deadline for candidate and vicarage placement from the Seminaries for Spring 2025 to be received at the CNH District office is Friday, February 28, 2025 . Please contact the district office (925-245-4000) for call document information for candidates from the seminary and/or information regarding vicarage application and minimum salary. (Ask for Glenna, assistant to President Lange.) Before mailing your final call document or vicarage paperwork,you may send a scanned copy to prescnh@cnh-lcms.org.

School Spotlight - Lisa Jackson, Principal, Bella Vista Academy

Lisa Jackson is the principal at Bella Vista Academy in Tracy, California. Bella Vista Academy has been a ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tracy since 2000, and the preschool has been around since the 1980’s. Lisa has been principal at Bella Vista since 2023 and taught at the school for 14 years. This past year, Lisa implemented a Positive Office Referral Program. As a huge Disney fan she has dubbed her office “Disneyland”. 

Click here to learn more about Lisa's invitation for students to visit "Disneyland".

West Coast Walk for Life Recap and Photos

Pastor Curtis Binz of West Portal Lutheran Church, San Francisco and Pastor Otis Byrd led the West Coast Walk for Life gathering this past January. Altogether, there were 50+ participants (including those who gathered at West Portal Lutheran Church, plus those who joined the group downtown). 

Click here for photos from the gathering and march.

Click here for a recap from Pastor Otis.

Early Childhood Directors Gather in Daly City

Directors from across the CNH District held their annual retreat on February 6 & 7 at Hope Lutheran Church & School in Daly City, California. The theme was "Bridging Churches and Schools". Presentations, by Lori and Kal Waetzig, Cynthia Huang, and Cynthia Silva focused on several subjects: how churches and schools can best work together in the mission to share the Gospel, parent education helping serve families, and school and home working together to raise children as good Christian citizens. In addition to professional learning, EC Directors spent time in fellowship, asking questions and sharing resources. Thanks go out to our Early Childhood Advisory Team (Cynthia Huang, Lori Waetzig, and Tania Kennedy) for their work putting together this event.

New Financial Scholarship from Concordia Chicago

As of this week, Concordia Chicago has instituted a new policy, the Prepared to Serve Church Professional Scholarship. What this new policy means is that all students enrolled in church-work programs will be able to study for no more than $5,000 / year, not even factoring in district scholarships or other outside scholarships. This will significantly lift financial burdens for students, and make it much more feasible to enter church-work programs at CUC.

Click here for a flyer with more information.

CUI Choir Performing at Bay Area Congregations

The Concordia Choir is the flagship choral ensemble at Concordia University Irvine. The talented ensemble of over fifty voices is known for its expressive singing and innovative programming. They will be performing in concert at Our Savior Lutheran Ministries in Livermore on Saturday, February 22 and during services at Prince of Peace in Fremont on Sunday, February 23. Everyone is welcome!

Under the direction of Dr. Michael Busch, this outstanding choir will present a unique blend of music inspired by classical traditions and contemporary works. Much of their concert features compelling music composed within the last five years. Featured composers for their 2025 program include Bach, Beethoven, and Byrd, with Daugirdas, Hazzards, Kirchner, Forrest, and Bob Dylan.