In May, we celebrate Asian heritage in The United Church of Canada. Chinese and Japanese congregations took part in church union; strong Korean and Filipino communities have taken shape since. The Very Rev. Sang Chul Lee became the church's first Moderator of Asian heritage in 1988. The intercultural vitality of the church continues to expand today, including through mutual recognition of ministries with The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) and The United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).
Worship Ideas
- 2024 Asian Heritage Month Worship (1.18 MB) (Word): A collaboration of various Asian groups in the United Church on the theme of the church's new Vision.
- 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 | 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.
- 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
- Voices United: Intercultural Index (24.42 KB) (Word): A listing of hymns from Voice United identified by their country of origin.
Worship Blog
Beautifully Made
For Asian Heritage Month, Rev. Sun-Young “Sunny” Kim writes about the unique challenges of being queer, Asian, and Christian.
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
What Is at Stake in Celebrating Asian Heritage Month?
To be candid, when I received an invitation to create a worship service and Bible study for Asian Heritage Month 2018, I hesitated at first. I am grateful for this opportunity to share why I accepted.
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