As wildfires once again rage across western Canada, forcing thousands to flee their homes and impacting air quality as far away as the central United States, we pray for the healing of the creation:

Holy God, in you alone we find safety and shelter. Be a sure refuge to all suffering from wildfires. Grant courage, protection, and favorable weather to firefighters and emergency responders; embrace with supportive communities all who are newly displaced or homeless; comfort those grieving all that has been destroyed and give patience to those who are anxious, not knowing when relief will come. Heal your whole creation, that out of flame and ashes new growth will spring forth. We pray through Jesus Christ, our life and our strength. Amen. (All Creation Sings; from Sundays and Seasons)

Honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In May, we celebrate National AAPI Heritage Month. The Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries of the ELCA, in conjunction with the Minneapolis Area Synod, the St. Paul Area Synod, and their API leaders will be hosting a 4-person panel on Thursday, May 23 at 8pm ET to discuss the joys and challenges of being API. 

The panel will be live streamed on zoom and you can log on by clicking here.

For more information about this event contact: Pastor Jenn Luong (St Mark; @ jennluong426@gmail.com

For more information on ELCA API Ministries, visit:  Asian and Pacific Islander – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (elca.org) and Association of Asians and Pacific Islanders of the ELCA

Preventing Gun Violence from a Faith Perspective

We are all aware our world is broken and suffers from all the violence we are experiencing today. Gun violence is the leading cause of death in our children and youth. The media brings us news of another shooting on a regular basis. Join us on Wednesday, May 22 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom to hear Mike Martin, founder of RAW Tools and coauthor of “Beating Guns, Hope for People Who Are Weary of Violence”, as well as Miranda Viscoli, co-founder of New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence, discuss how we can transform our communities. We will also hear from some VICPP members about what actions we can take to prevent gun violence in our communities.

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month

(from Faith B. Harris, Executive Director, VAIPL)

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month! This week VAIPL celebrates and thanks all the fantastic AAPI environmental leaders making change across Virginia. 

Over the past few decades, the AAPI population in Virginia has risen significantly to over 700,000 people, accounting for 7.8% of the electorate in 2020. The AAPI community is incredibly diverse. The Asian American Society of Central Virginia, for instance, comprises 19 distinct communities, including Afghan, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Burmese, Chinese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and Singaporean.

Many committed advocates for environmental justice have emerged from this burgeoning, diverse community. For instance, the General Assembly's Virginia AAPI Caucus, which includes members of Korean, Indian, Bangladeshi, Vietnamese, and Filipina heritage, has been an environmental justice powerhouse.

VAAPI member Delegate Irene Shin was instrumental in successfully passing VAIPL's No Utility Shut-Offs bill, which will protect thousands of Virginians from water and electricity disconnections during extreme weather. 

Shin says, "Climate change disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable members of our communities, making it imperative for us to strive to protect everyone from the adverse effects of environmental harm."

We agree wholeheartedly and are grateful that the environmental movement in Virginia includes people of all different backgrounds, walks of life, and faiths! It truly makes us stronger.