The celebration of May as Asian Heritage Month begins this week. Officially recognized in Canada since 2002, this is a time to prayerfully reflect on the contributions of Asian Canadians to Canadian society.
Worship Ideas
- Asia Sunday 2020 (910.64 KB) (PDF): In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Christian Conference of Asia worship service has the theme "God, Heal Us as We Are Vulnerable."
- Asian Heritage Month | A Step Nearer to Harmony (39.25 KB) (Word): A worship service for Asian Heritage Month that encourages harmonious living.
- Asian Heritage Month | Centennial of Korean Independence (638.94 KB) (PDF): 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement of the Korean people, who rose against colonial occupation by Japan in 1919. This worship resource can be used in Sunday service in May, Asian Heritage Month.
- Asian Heritage Month | Our God Goes with Us (640.15 KB) (PDF): A worship service for Asian Heritage Month worship service this year that focuses on the United Churches of Japanese-Canadian background and reminds us that no matter where we go and whatever the future holds, we need not fear, for God goes with us and before us.
- Asian Heritage Month | Rice Is Heaven (31.72 KB) (Word): A worship service for Asian Heritage Month that uses rice as a symbol of life and harmony.
- Pentecost in Asian Voices 2021 (video): A beautiful worship service for Pentecost and personal reflection conducted by United Church ministers for Asian Heritage Month. Presented in Bunun, Korean, Cantonese, Japanese, Tagalog, and English, reflecting the Pentecost vision of a common story. Subtitles in English.
Music
- Sing, Thanks to Our God (Song of Many Tongues) (73.93 KB) (PDF): A unison worship song (includes optional descant) with piano accompaniment for use during Asian Heritage Month. Written by Amy Yea Kyong Lee.
Related Material
- Asian Cultures, Asian Heritage: This video celebrates Asian cultures within the United Church today. Asian leaders speak of their experiences in the church.
- Korean Partners of The United Church of Canada recognize participation in the Korea Peace Appeal: Korean Partners of The United Church of Canada recognize the participation of the church in the Korea Peace Appeal 10,000 Signature Campaign.
- Litany of Thanksgiving for Asian Heritage Month (13.14 KB) (Word): This litany is used at Tsurukawa Church located in the city of Machida, a part of Tokyo Prefecture and of the West Tokyo District of the United Church of Christ in Japan. Translation by Rob Witmer.
- Scripture and Incense (123.18 KB) (PDF): A Bible study for Asian Heritage Month on Psalm 141:1–4
- United Church of Canada Launches Korea Peace Appeal Campaign: The United Church of Canada Moderator launches the Korea Peace Appeal 10,000 Signature Campaign. Read more and sign the petition.
Worship Blog
A Clash of Faith and Culture
For Asian Heritage Month, Calin Chun-hong Lau looks at both his Chinese heritage and the Canadian cultural context through the eyes of faith and finds a broader perspective.
Parallel Journeys of Healing
For Asian Heritage Month, Nobuko Iwai shares her experience of being born in Japan and raised in The United Church of Canada.
Beautifully Made
For Asian Heritage Month, Rev. Sun-Young “Sunny” Kim writes about the unique challenges of being queer, Asian, and Christian.
God Gives Us Abundant Life
For Asian Heritage Month 2021, Klaus Simon Bondoc shares how his discovery of God’s love and acceptance led him on the path toward ministry.
The Blessings of Community
For Asian Heritage Month 2021, a blog writer tells of her experience navigating the complexities of her Asian and LGBT2Q+ identity.
Mind-Boggling Intercultural Change and Potential
During Asian Heritage Month, Noel A. Suministrado, a United Church minister from the Philippines, sees great opportunities for the church as it opens itself to Canada’s changing demographic realities.
Working toward Wholeness
As a recent immigrant from Asia, Rev. SunDo Hyun finds that opening oneself to intercultural opportunities — despite the challenges — can be transforming and life-giving.
Expanding the Circle of Understanding
Rev. Dr. Alan Lai writes about how Asian Heritage Month challenges us to grow deeper into intercultural awareness and understanding.
Our Diverse Heritages Are Gifts to Give and Receive
For Asian Heritage Month, YoonOK Shin writes that our diverse heritages are gifts to give and receive, transforming bleak cultural boundaries.
A Proud Heritage
I am a third-generation Japanese Canadian living in southern Alberta among the third-largest concentration of Japanese in Canada; the other two concentrations of population are in Vancouver and Toronto. In my city of Lethbridge, no one questions our presence here, because people have grown up… Read more
