News & Updates

December 20, 2022

Regional Assistant to the Bishop

My name is Jayaprakash Sabbithi and JP for short. (I know some of you are saying, phew!) Native to India, ordained at the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church in India, a partner church of the ELCA. I completed my Doctor of Ministry program from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and served 31 years in health care in various settings both in India and here before I was called to serve as the pastor at the Joy of Christ Lutheran Church in Pearl City, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii in January 2019.

I have two primary responsibilities: 1. Mobility in the Hukilau Conference. The Hukilau conference has 10 ELCA congregations. We also have Lutheran pastors serving partner congregations and also ministers from partner denominations serving Lutheran congregations. My responsibility includes helping congregations through their transitions. I coordinate with other Assistants to the bishop and the bishop and help both congregations and ministers with their process of discernment. 2. First Call Theological Education (FCTE): This program was instituted by ELCA to provide both resources and collegiality for the first call pastors. It provides an opportunity for them to integrate their theological education with their pastoral ministry within the context of their collegium. We currently have 9 pastors in this program.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the role of the Assistant to the Bishop. We truly appreciate your prayers for a fruitful ministry.

Information about Annual Congregation Report

As in previous years, all ELCA congregations, synod-authorized worshiping communities (SAWCs), and new starts will receive an annual congregation report packet through the mail. This packet should arrive during the second week of January. It will contain paper copies of Form A and Form C, instructional documents on how to complete these forms, and the password you will use to file your reports online.

We recognize that your congregation may wish to begin compiling information for the annual congregation report before you receive the packet through the mail. You can access electronic versions of the forms and instructions here.

The system for online submission of annual congregation reports, accessible at elca.org/congregationreport, will open during the second week of January.

If you need to submit your forms on paper, you will mail the original completed forms to your synod office.

Whether you respond electronically or on paper, please submit the forms by March 1, 2023.

If you have not yet submitted your congregation’s 2021 data, you can still do so through the online system through Dec. 21, 2022.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions, email us at SEC@elca.org.

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Shepherd's Canyon Retreat

Shepherd's Canyon Retreat is the only Lutheran-based ministry which provides week-long counseling retreats for men and women in full-time ministry who are in various stages of burnout, stress, depression, compassion fatigue, and conflicts of all kinds. Each retreat is conducted by two licensed Christian counselors--male and female--and the retreat chaplain.

Click Here for More Information

January 5th - Coaching for all Seasons

Join Pacifica Coaches as we gather for support and connection. We will begin the New Year with an invitation to pause, listen and prayerfully enter into story. A time for us to reflect on how our story and God's story are woven together. We will be led through two practices by Deacon Tammy Devine, who facilitates the ELCA Coaching Ministry's Segment 2 Discipleship Coaching curriculum.

Click here to view our Synod Coaching web page for resources as well as previous presentations.

For emergencies, please call 714-900-3289.

More Opportunities

ALOA Seeks Executive Director

ALOA seeks a highly skilled part-time Executive Director to fulfill its important work of supporting and encouraging congregations and stakeholders for intentional ministry and service by, with, and for older adults. The Executive Director will be responsible for the successful leadership and management of the ALOA organization, carrying out fundraising, strategic plans, program activities, and policies and procedures as prescribed by the ALOA Board of Directors.

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