Updates on The Wildfires In Southern California and How To Help | |
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From the Pacific Southwest District:
As a result of a very significant Santa Ana wind event, several devastating wildfires have been burning in multiple areas in Southern California. Thousands of homes and other structures have burned, and unfortunately there have been fatalities and injuries.
Several of our PSD congregations and schools are in or near the fire areas, with some having to evacuate. As of this point, we are not aware of property damage to churches and schools but have been told some members and student families have lost their homes.
Thank you for continuing to pray and for contributing funds to assist the Southern California fire victims - your prayers and gifts are so important as the scale of this disaster grows.
Click here for resources, updates and "how to help" information.
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Urgent - Certificate of Election for Circuit Visitors Due Tomorrow! | |
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Certificate of Election for Circuit Visitors must be mailed or scanned and e-mailed to the District Secretary no later than Wednesday, January 15, 2025. If you have any questions or special needs, contact District Secretary, Rev. John Standley.
All forms are available on the CNH District Convention webpage, https://www.cnh-lcms.org/2025-district-convention.
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Installation at St. Phillip, Dublin, CA | |
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David Ficken was installed January 12th at St. Philip Lutheran Church in Dublin, CA. He and his bride Kristen have three adult children: Rebekah, Tigist, and Abush. Pastor Dan Ettner served as the liturgist for the service and President Mike Lange delivered the homily and conducted the installation. A fine representation from Circuits 2 and 7 came alongside to celebrate.
Pastor Dann Ettner, following Pastor John Whaley, served a long interim at St. Philip Lutheran. In the later years he was assisted by Rev. Paul Sauer, an LCMS chaplain stationed nearby and a member of St. Philip.
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Cybersecurity Basics for Churches | |
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How do issues of cybersecurity affect churches? What can they do to keep their data safe? Churches need to know how to protect their congregation's data. Rev. Bill Johnson lays out dangers and how to mitigate them in this timely blog that outlines two common cyber attack vectors: social engineering and phishing.
Click here for the blog.
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Marriage Renewal Weekend with Marriage Encounter | |
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Enjoy a renewal weekend to refresh your marriage relationship and enjoy wine country. This is not a traditional Marriage Encounter Weekend! Registeration open now.
What: “Spring in Sonoma”
When: Friday, March 21 (6:00 pm) - Sunday, March 23 (noon)
Where: Oxford Suites, 67 Golf Course Dr W, Rohnert Park, CA 94928
More Info & Registration: Click here
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An Introduction to Phil's Friends - an LCMS RSO | |
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Phil’s Friends was founded in 2006, inspired by a thoughtfully curated care package Phil Zielke received during his cancer treatments. That care package meant the world to Phil, and he wanted to pay it forward. Eighteen years later, Phil’s Friends sends, on average, 250 care packages and 8,000-plus Cards of Hope a month to cancer patients across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Click here to learn more about this tremendous RSO and how you and your congregations can get involved.
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Walk For Life West Coast Pre-Walk In 11 Days | |
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Participants are welcome to meet at West Portal Lutheran Church before the event, to enjoy some good fellowship & refreshments, then travel to the march together on the SF MUNI light rail train.
What: Walk for Life West Coast Pre-Walk Gathering Site
When: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 11 a.m.
Where: West Portal Lutheran Church & School Parish Hall; WestPortalLutheran.org
200 Sloat Boulevard, San Francisco, CA 94132
Click here to sign up.
Click here for a PDF with more details.
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TIM Conference In Two Weeks - Register Now | |
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For 27 years, Best Practices in Transitional Interim Ministry (TIM) has hosted powerful, ministry focused conferences at the beautiful St. Anthony Retreat Center in Three Rivers, California. Although hosted by the Transitional Interim Ministries of the PSD, CNH, and NOW Districts, we also welcome all Pastors because our topics focus on current and relevant ministry challenges and how to successfully navigate them without losing your mind. 2025’s emphasis is on Preaching through Ministry Transitions.
What: Best Practices Transitional Interim Ministry 2025 Conference
When: January 27-29, 2025
Where: St. Anthony's Retreat Center, 43816 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA
Registration: Click here
Click here for a PDF with details, including links to the schedule, speaker bios, and more.
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Convention Delegate Reporting Forms Due February 14 | |
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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.
The Convention will be held May 15 -17, 2025, at Hilton Sacramento Arden West, 2200 Harvard Street, Sacramento, CA. The event will begin with dinner and opening worship at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 3785 Placer Corporate Drive, Rocklin, CA, on Thursday evening, May 15. Watch for registration details soon.
The theme for the Convention is “Fruitful Branches” (Pruned for Growth), based on
John 15:1-3.
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Deadlines for Vicar Applications or Pastoral Candidate (Call) Placements
from the Seminaries
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The paperwork for candidate and vicarage placement from the Seminaries for Spring 2025 is to be received at the CNH District office by 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 for review to prescnh@cnh-lcms.org.
Your ongoing communication regarding your congregation’s desire to call a candidate or engage a vicar is appreciated. This will help the staff of the President’s office to guide you through your best opportunity for a placement. (Be aware that your request does not guarantee a seminary placement will be made.)
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Understanding Trauma: A Conversation with Kate | |
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Trauma can deeply influence how people interact with the world, often in ways that are hard to see. In this intimate conversation, Kate Hutchinson, M.S., will help you understand the hidden effects of trauma and how it shapes both those you help and yourself. The goal of this conversation is to help you recognize the impact of trauma and respond with empathy, creating stronger, more supportive relationships. You’ll explore how life-changing events, like disasters or abuse, affect individuals and discover practical ways to support their healing journey.
What: Understanding Trauma
When: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Where: Zoom (link will be provided to registrants)
Cost: $20
Click here to register.
For questions, email Marilyn Harri, harri2@comcast.net
For a PDF flyer, click here.
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Called to Glory Notifications | |
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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. We will still continue to send a Flash for pastors and called workers as well.
Rev. Robert (Bob) Wobrock passed away in San Luis Obispo, CA, on Thursday, January 9, 2025. Rev. Wobrock served in the CNH District from 1979 – 1988 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Terra Bella, CA. He also served at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Redwood City as Life Enrichment Minister until his retirement in 2013. His obituary is found here. Services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, 1010 E. Foothill Blvd., San Luis Obispo, CA, on Saturday, January 18, 12pm, with a reception following in the Parish Hall. Please keep the Wobrock family in your prayers.
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InTouch Info - Subscribe & Share Your Stories | |
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Requesting Your Inspirational Stories and Upcoming Events
Each day reveals our Lord and Savior's awesome work within our communities. The InTouch Newsletter is your opportunity to share these fantastic stories and highlight your upcoming events with our sisters and brothers in the CNH district.
To share your stories and events, please click here to email the InTouch or contact Matt Newton at 408-504-7998.
Please click here for article submission best practices.
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CNH District LCMS | 2772 Constitution Drive, Suite A, Livermore, CA 94551
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