Bethlehem celebrating AAPI Month
Join us this month as we learn & celebrate AAPI month together!
AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage month is during the month of May. We choose to celebrate the leadership and contributions of this community to the faithful witness of the church as well as in our broader community. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are an integral part of the American cultural mosaic, encompassing a wide range of diversity. AAPI communities consist of approximately 50 ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, with connections to Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean, Hawaiian, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries. Over 24 million Americans, or 7.3% of the U.S. population, are AAPI; however, about two-thirds of the population identify with their specific ethnicity or country of origin (https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Asian-American-and-Pacific-Islander).
In the late 1970s, Congress passed a resolution to designate a period of time to celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in the United States. The month of May was chosen due in part to the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was largely constructed by Chinese immigrants, as well as the anniversary of the first person to immigrate to the United States from Japan.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have over 150 years in the United States This May, the intentional celebration of the gifts, history, and heritage of the AAPI community feels especially important amidst an uptick in violent attacks and hate crimes against the AAPI community. As a church family we believe that the church has a vital role in recognizing and raising up the beautiful diversity found in the kingdom of God and we’re grateful that we can celebrate our brothers and sisters in the AAPI community!