Author Archive for Dick HOM

2022 PAAM Sunday Resources

Posted by Dick HOM on Sunday, April 10th, 2022 in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

At the 18th General Synod, a resolution was pass that designated the last Sunday in April as “PAAM Sunday”.  This is the one day of the year that all churches across the UCC recognize and celebrate the contributions that Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries have contributed to the life of the United Church of Christ.

Herein are resources that your church can use to celebrate PAAM Sunday.

  1. This Lectionary was created an prepared by Rev. Mitchell Young, the pastor of Montebello Plymouth Congregation Church, a PAAM church in Montebello, CA
  1. A Litany to honor PAAM created by Rev. Tom Fujita
  1. An Invocation used at the 2019 Monday evening worship at General Synod involving all PAAM people.
  2. A YouTube video on “Stop The Hate”, a presentation by PAAM for UCC’s Thursday For The Soul series.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKsiph3bnCM&t=19s
  1. A link to a Facebook page entitled “Sacred Conversation” which contains stories and materials that groups can use to create discussions and workshops on the subject of racism and social justice issues.
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/922637861885537

PAAM SUNDAY 2019 INVOCATION
Litany to honor PAAM
Lectionary
the PAAM Story2011-Copy

 

Please feel free to us any of these materials as you explore and learn how our Pacific Islander & Asian American siblings has helped to shaped our denomination.

COREM Convocation Registration

Posted by Dick HOM on Monday, February 21st, 2022 in 2022 Convocation | Comments (2)

Thanks for registering for the COREM Convocation.  PAAM UCC, along with 5 other ethnic ministries of the UCC, will be gathering in one place for the first ever convocation of COREM in ten years.  This will be an event to remember!

Joining PAAM will be CAIM (Council for American Indian Ministries); UCB (United Black Christians); USM (United Samoan Ministries); The Colectivo (Colectivo de UCC Latinx Ministries); and MRSEJ (Ministers for Racial, Social and Economic Justice).

We will be gathering from June 23rd to June 26 on the campus of Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA to worship, fellowship, sing, laugh, pray and come together as the Body of Christ to learn from each other and how we all impact and are part of the United Church of Christ.  We hope you and your friends will join us.

Please download the FAQ for information about the convocation.  If there are questions that are not addressed by this document, please send an email to COREMCONVO@ gmail.com

Convocation Cost

As of February, the venue has state and local health protocols in place.  All those attending the convocation must show a picture ID and proof of vaccination including booster.  If children older than 5 are being accompanied by an adult or guardian, proof of vaccination must be shown when you check in.  Masks must be worn indoors but not necessary when outdoors as long as social distantcing is maintained.  These requirement may change as we draw closer to the convocation.  All reegistered attendees will be kept up-to-date.

Please access the below link to begin your registration:

2022 COREM Convocation Form

Chaplin Of The Year

Posted by Dick HOM on Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021 in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

Congratulations to former PAAM UCC moderator and form UCC Board member, Rev. Dr. Ernie Reyes.  For the second consecutive year, Kaiser Permante MC- Home Care Services of Southern California has named him “Chaplin Of The Year”!  Well done, good and faithful servant.

Stop The Hate!

Posted by Dick HOM on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 in Uncategorized | Comments (0)

#StopTheHate – A Call to Prayer and Action by the Pacific Islander/Asian American Ministries (PAAM) of the United Church of Christ

Angry! Outraged! Upset! There are no words to reflect what is happening in our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Brutal attacks on the elderly and vulnerable are increasing.  And these are not robberies. Just hate crimes and in broad daylight. The latest report from just one center monitoring AAPI crimes list over 3,700 incidents from March 2020 to February 2021.

Join the United Church of Christ for an expanded edition of Thursdays for the Soul as leaders and members from the UCC Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries (PAAM)  offer prayers, reflections, and song for collective lament, grieving, a call of national repentance, hope for healing and forgiveness.  Followed by a panel presentation and discussion calling for action on how UCC congregations and the wider church can help respond to counter the increasing  harassment and violence aimed at our AAPI siblings, sisters and brothers.  Thursday, April 15, 2021 beginning at 3:30pm (EDT)

Resister at this link.  https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u3q0TS0rRgi5HNAWmoHExA

Hate Has No Place Here!

Posted by Dick HOM on Friday, March 19th, 2021 in General News | Comments (2)

Angry!  Outraged!  Upset!  There are no words to reflect what is happening in our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.  Brutal attacks on the elderly and vulnerable are increasing.  And these are not robberies.  Just hate crimes and in broad daylight.  The latest report from just one center monitoring AAPI crimes list over 3,700 incidents from March 2020 to February 2021.  (https://secureservercdn.net/104.238.69.231/a1w.90d.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/210312-Stop-AAPI-Hate-National-Report-.pdf)

Many bring up the fact that the previous administration encouraged this type of racial discrimination.  “Kung Flu”.  “Chinese Virus”.  This might be true, but it is individuals who continue to perpetrate these crimes.  And we, not only as Christians but also as human beings, need to stand up and support our AAPI community.  Many have asked how they can help.  Here is what is shared by Stop AAPI Hate:

Five Ways to Help If You Are Witnessing Hate

  • Take action. Approach the targeted person, introduce yourself and offer help.
  • Actively listen. Ask before taking any action and respect the targeted person’s wishes.  Monitor the situation if needed.
  • Ignore attacker. Using your discretion, attempt to calm the situation by using your voice, body language or distractions.
  • If the situation escalates, invite the targeted person to join you in leaving.
  • Offer emotional support. Help the targeted person by asking how they are feeling.  Assist them to figure out what they want to do next.

 

The Pacific Islander & Asian American Ministries (PAAM) of the United Church of Christ has always called out and condemned all types of racism and xenophobia against all communities of color since 1974 and will continue to do so if this virus is among us.

Contact your local legislative officials and demand support for the AAPI community in your area.  Contact your local civil rights organizations to add your name to their list.  Discuss in your church how you can show support for your AAPI community during this time.