As the 2026 LWML CNH District Convention draws near, our hearts are full of anticipation and gratitude. After two years of prayerful planning, your host committee is excited to welcome you to a weekend designed to inspire, inform, and refresh you in fellowship and faith. From worship and learning to laughter, music, and meaningful connections, this convention promises to be a joyful gathering you won’t want to miss.

Below you’ll find important details to help you prepare for the weekend—be sure to visit the website for additional information as you make your plans.

If you don’t know anyone in the Sacramento area and you don’t have two or more people to share taxi/lift/uber costs, call LaVada at 408-893-3367 with your arrival/departure times, and she will try to assist you.

• LWML CNH Mites will be collected during the Friday evening worship and communion service.
• The Steinbeck Memorial Scholarship Fund offering will be collected at the ballroom doors following the Saturday morning and afternoon sessions.
• The Rubin Perpetual Memorial Fund offering will be collected during the Sunday morning Sending Service.

Step back in time for our Saturday Night Banquet as we celebrate in true Roaring ’20s style! Dress in your favorite 1920s fashions—think flapper dresses—and enjoy photo opportunities, lively jazz and big band music, and dancing. Get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with fun, flair, and fellowship.

• The convention/hotel lobby will open Friday at 10 am, where you will pick up badges, manuals, folders, pens/pencils, tote bags, and Passports.
• The Convention Manual is meant to be kept with you throughout the weekend. It will have a complete convention schedule, as well as worship services, song lists, the list of new mission grants, District information, bios, room devotions, and much more.
• Name tags/ID badges are to be worn at all times, as it is your entrance to meals and all sessions.
• The Medical Form should be filled out, folded and placed behind your name tag.
• Plan to wear comfortable clothing and shoes all weekend. Remember the LWML color is purple/lavender. I hope to see a lot of this color!
• Photographs will be taken throughout the convention. Attendees who do not wish their image to be used must complete an opt-out form at registration. If you opt out, we will take your photo at registration to help us identify you and comply with your wishes.
• Banners may be brought to the Hostess Room (downstairs Sacramento Room) on Friday.
• Ingathering/In-Service Items may be brought to the Terrace and Garden Rooms on the first floor on Friday/Saturday. Visit Ingathering online for a complete list of items needed. Plan to help put these bags together!

“Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” was the theme as Zone 3 groups met at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Merced, on March 21.

Jan Sorge led a discussion about making a difference in your neighborhood and shared information and a planning guide for National Good Neighbor Day which is coming up on September 28, 2026.

Loving your neighbor means showing compassion and meeting the needs of others. We wrote notes of encouragement to St. Paul’s shut-ins and brought donations to the Alpha Pregnancy Center.

Another highlight of our day was worshipping together through the LWML “P. R. A. Y. E. R.” Service, led by Pastor Ron Youngdale. The 2026 LWML Prayer Service, based on the acronym P.R.A.Y.E.R. — Praise, Remember, Ask, Yield, Excitement, Rejoice — is a classic, yet updated, service from over a decade ago.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39

LWML hosted “Becoming a Great Commission Christian” at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Healdsburg, CA on March 21. The central focus of the event was a discussion centered around Thom S. Rainer’s book, “Pray First and Go,” and emphasized the importance of praying for our neighbors, the community, our partners, and pastors.

Registration for the rally began at 9:30 am, with beverages served to attendees. Shortly after, Laura Ledson, Zone President, welcomed Pastor Gary Gerloff from St. Mark’s, Santa Rosa, who initiated the event. Pastor Gerloff, together with Pastor Gary’s presentation and contributions from three other speakers, addressed the theme “Pray First and Go.” The presenters included Pastor Jim Byer, Circuit 14 Visitor and former Pastor of St. Mark’s; Pastor Phil Byer of Good Shepherd; and Pastor Fred Karlen of Grace Lutheran Church, Cloverdale.

Each pastor shared a personal story with the attendees, illustrating the practical application of the event’s core message. Pastor Gary recounted his experience of initiating outreach at local laundromats. His approach was simple yet impactful: offering to pay for the laundry of strangers. Many responded with gratitude; one encounter was especially notable. Pastor Gary described meeting a woman and her daughter, to whom he extended the offer. Overwhelmed with emotion, they revealed that they were facing a difficult choice that day—whether to use their limited resources to wash their clothes or to buy food. Pastor Gary’s act of kindness relieved them of that burden, bringing tears to their eyes. The experience was not only a blessing to the recipients but also to Pastor Gary and all who witnessed the tangible expression of care and generosity.

A potluck lunch fostered fellowship among members, and the atmosphere remained lively and friendly as people visited and connected.

Concluding the event, Dana Finger, Zone Secretary, presented thank-you gifts to the pastors who attended and recognized first-time attendees with attractive bookmarks. Door prizes were also presented.

The rally was closed with the “Lord’s Prayer” marking the end of a meaningful day of fellowship and encouragement.

“Pray Without Ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17