The preschool class at St. John's, Napa pose with their new bibles. In their chapel last month, St. John's Lutheran School in Napa, California had their annual Presentation of Bibles to their second graders. The next week, Children's Bibles were presented to all of the preschool students. It is a tradition at St. John's to present Bibles to second graders and preschool students at the start of each school year. Bibles are purchased and signed by church and school leaders and

More than 30 men attended the CNH District Men's Retreat at Redwood Christian Part in Boulder Creek, CA. We thank God for the quality time had this year and look forward to more joining in the future!

On September 25, CNH principals, ECE directors, and school pastors gathered at the CNH District Ministry Center for the annual Joint Meeting of School Leaders. This year’s workshop, “Lutheran Identity in the Relationships of School Life,” was led by Rev. Jonathan Priest, director of the Mission Training Center. This annual gathering brings pastors and school administrators together to explore how they can work collaboratively to share the Gospel through Lutheran school minist

Longstanding TIM models are being challenged and new ones need to be explored. And that’s exactly what’s happening at Best Practices in January 2027! As Practitioners we need to adapt to these challenges. It’s who we are. It’s what we do. It’s in our leadership DNA. But how do we do it? Where do we begin? At this year’s event we will explore this with Practitioners who are already building what could be the next generation of TIM models. New Ministry Models will be presented

The end of summer gathering of Bay Area pastors and their families has grown from less than 30 people attending to more than 60 this year in the fifth addition of the event. Hosted by Matt & Sherrah Behrens in San Lorenzo, the time together is built around connecting with one another as neighbors and friends, with no other agenda, task list, or schedule to follow. These social spaces are also an important touchpoint for wives who do not have as many opportunities to connect (

About 120 children and adults gathered at Bethany Lutheran Ministries, Vacaville, for a Family Day of fun, games, bounce houses, softball clinic, food and fellowship. Missionary Tim Sandeno shared his story of growing up in Vacaville, going to the Naval Academy, serving as a Navy Aviator, graduating from Concordia Theological Seminary and planting churches. He and his wife Lisa leave for Germany on January 4 where they will plant an English-speaking congregation next to a U