Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! What originated in the 1970s and 80s as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated in the month of May as we "commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843".
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month invites us to honor and celebrate all Asian Continents, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. These celebrative months are meant to provide us with space to take a moment to pause and engage with words, art, music and other work as we appreciate the diversity of the world intentionally. As we work to center the voices of our AAPI Siblings in Christ and celebrate their heritage this month, we lift up a few resources to help others learn more.
Behold the Stream: A History of Asian Lutheran Witness Book
In a Living Lutheran publication from 2021, authors Lily R. Wu and Edmond Yee share information about their co-edited "large-format pictorial book to tell our Asian Lutheran story", titled Behold the Stream: A History of Asian Lutheran Witness.
"Through historical essays, congregational profiles and brief biographies, Behold the Stream tells the story of how Asian congregations uniquely serve, and introduces many Asian leaders and their lifework. It charts the growth of our association, conferences and publications. And it offers a glimpse into the future. Two theological essays are included: on Bible-reading in Asian contexts and cultures, and on migration as a metaphor for Christian faith."
You can order Behold the Stream: A History of Asian Lutheran Witness by clicking here.
Embodied Blessing and Healing from members of the Association of Asians and Pacific-Islanders - ELCA
As part of the 2021 Lament against Anti-Asian Racism the ELCA observed on March 21st, members of the Association of Asians and Pacific-Islanders - ELCA shared the following Embodied Blessing and Healing litany.
Pr. Tita Valeriano, our Director of Evangelical Mission and Assistant to the Bishop, helped lead this blessing. We invite you to follow along and listen here.
Together in Hope: AAPI Heritage Month Zoom Gathering
On May 26th from 4:00-5:30pm, AAPI Members of the ELCA are invited to gather via zoom to "celebrate our unity in Christ and our diverse heritages, take a look at how U.S. race history has impacted our lives and communities, and share strategies for healing and resilience."
We invite you to register to attend this zoom gathering by clicking here.
Livestream Conversations with AAPI Leaders
Through the Bishop's Book Club and other Livestream Conversations, we've had the pleasure of talking with a few AAPI faith leaders. We invite you to listen to these conversation!
Aileen Cassinetto - Filipino American Poet and Publisher
Rev. Dr. Paul Chung - Luther and Buddhism Conversation
Dr. Kwok Pui Lan - Author and Theologian, "Post Colonial Politics and Theology"