2025 marked our 73rd District Convention, held this year in Sacramento.  The Convention included the re-elections of District President Michael Lange and Rev. Mitchell Gowen (Our Savior, Aiea, HI) as First Vice President, along with the rest of the board and resolutions. Cindy Steinbeck also shared thoughtful video reflections, offering encouragement and insight into our collective journey of faith and service. Prior to the Convention, a welcome dinner and worship service was

Advent greetings from the CNH District staff! Each Wednesday during Advent, we will post a short devotion to you, written by one of our staff members. We pray that these reflections help you prepare for the coming of our newborn King! For additional Advent resources, please read Advent Reflections: Rest, Peace, Love, Joy and Hope from Jennifer Ferguson. “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than

Reaching students can take many different forms and include partnership with the church, positive reinforcement and making learning fun. Lisa Jackson, principal of Bella Vista Academy, launched a Disney-themed Positive Office Referral Program where students earn “tickets to Disneyland” for positive behavior and personal goal-setting. When nominated, students are celebrated in front of their peers and taken to her “Disneyland” office for a special recognition experience that b

CNH District Educator of the Year – Bethany Bogle The 2025 Educator of the Year for the CNH District is Mrs. Bethany Bogle. Bethany is the only Called teacher on her faculty, and she carries the sacred responsibility of ensuring the youngest students build a strong faith foundation rooted in the truth that we are saved by grace through Jesus Christ. In her 11 years at St. Paul Lutheran School in Merced, California teaching kindergarten, she has combined academic excellence wi

Mike Newton, 5th grade teacher at St. John's in Napa, is celebrating his 50th year of teaching at St. John's Lutheran School. He was recognized at the CNH and PSD Lutheran Elementary Conference in Phoenix, Arizona on November 23. There were seven current Lutheran teachers in the CNH District who were students in his 5th grade class. Mike, who also attended St. John's Lutheran School as a student, will retire at the end of this current school year.

Each year, our CNH District teachers are invited to join educators from the Pacific Southwest District for a Lutheran Educator Conference (LEC). This year's conference was held in Phoenix, Arizona and included over 700 educators. Teachers and administrators had the opportunity to spend time in spiritual growth, professional learning, and the valuable opportunity for fellowship with other Lutheran educators. This year's conference theme was "Lift High the Cross" based on Roman