Greetings and blessings to you!

In the United States, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 1978, a bill was passed in the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Jimmy Carter designating the first 10 days of the month as “Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week.” In 1992, this week of recognition was expanded to include the entire month and was called “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” In 2009, the celebration was redesignated as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.”

Regardless of how you may refer to this celebration, I thank God for all the amazing Asian and Pacific Islander (API) leaders we have in the ELCA. They are serving in our congregations, our synods, and our churchwide organization. I am especially grateful for those who lead our API ethnic ministries and the Association for Asians and Pacific Islanders. API people also contribute to the life, culture, and achievements of our country. I am deeply honored and humbled to be the first ELCA Vice President of Asian descent.

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