prayer March on June 28

The publicized murder of George Floyd has caused systemic racism and violence to resurface once again. Following the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, George Floyd’s death has served as a tipping point for people across the country to say that enough is enough. The recurring violence against Black women, men, and children has reduced too many names into hashtags, proving that our system needs immediate change. As the list of Black lives taken continues to grow, people throughout the nation and world are declaring together that Black lives matter.

As Christians, we are called to seek God's Kingdom and character as our highest priority. As Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates (Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church) says, “Justice is God’s idea.” Because we affirm the God-given dignity of all human beings, we denounce the killing of innocent Black people as an affront to God himself whose divine image they bear. Therefore, in light of these murders and the ongoing systemic injustices facing many African American communities, we-- as Asian American Christians and leaders-- stand with our African American neighbors because Black lives matter to God. 

Thus, we confess and grieve that we have perpetuated racism and division. Many of the ethnic groups that comprise our Asian American community are only now beginning to name our anti-Black racism. We see our responsibility in the ongoing tensions that remain between Asian American and African American communities. Asian Americans have too often served as a wedge against our Black and Brown peers. In Chicago and countless cities across the country, Asian American businesses profit from Black communities without reinvesting in them. And we lament that our churches have failed to build meaningful bridges towards each other. Rather than building communities together, we have too often insulated ourselves, allowing tensions to escalate into crime and outright violence.

As Asian American Christians, we call our own families and communities to action. Though our many past failures have contributed to our present problems, we are being invited once again to follow Jesus in a different direction, to walk in repentance and humility for the sake of our neighbors and city. For many of us, these might be our first steps on a new journey. For some of us, it is our turn to call others on the way. For all of us, we hope that by prayerfully marching in support of Black lives, we will commit to walking alongside our Black sisters and brothers, learning from them as we seek justice together.

We invite all Asian American Christians, churches, leaders, and our friends from all backgrounds to join us as we peacefully pray and march in a socially distant manner for Black lives on June 28, 2020 at 3:30pm.

The Century Prayer March

The march from Chinese Christian Union Church (CCUC) to Progressive Baptist Church holds symbolic significance. CCUC is a historic (and possibly the oldest) protestant Asian American church in the Chicagoland (est. 1915). Progressive Baptist Church is a historic African American church in Chicagoland (est. 1919). The march between these century old churches is a way for Asian American Christians (and our friends) to say that because of our Christian convictions, we are committed to building bridges between the Asian American and African American communities in order to bring forth racial healing and stand together against racial injustice.

Let us pray, march, and commit to seeing this through.

FAQs

what should i bring?

Come prepared for a full day of marching - we anticipate the march will go until 6:30p. We ask all participants to be fully equipped with their own water, snacks, and hand sanitizer. Please bring a mask and wear it during the march and observe social distancing. Also, design signs and bring them (we encourage you to host a sign making event prior to the prayer march).

If it rains, bring an umbrella or a poncho - we will march rain or shine!

What do we do after the march?

We encourage you to connect with people before, during, or after the march and take out food from one of the local establishments near Progressive Baptist Church or Chinese Christian Union Church to support local businesses that have been hit hard due to the pandemic.

What about Parking and Transportation?

Paid parking is available in the Chinatown Parking Lot (Wentworth/Archer). Metered street parking is also available throughout Chinatown.

After the march: From Progressive Baptist Church, you can take the redline (Sox-35th Street) back to Chinatown. Head toward Chinatown and get off “Cermak-Chinatown.”

What about those who might have physical difficulties marching?

For those who want to participate, but have physical difficulties are invited to participate in an indoor seated live stream of the march at 2301 S Wentworth Ave, the main church location.  We will have a tent outside where people can check in and be led to their seat.  Face coverings and social distancing will be enforced.  

Are the local authorities aware of the march?

The Illinois 2nd District State Representative Theresa Mah and the 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez, along with the 9th District Police Commander Don Jerome, the Illinois State Police, and the Chinatown Neighborhood Watch have been briefed and are aware of the march.

Will the march be available online for those who are out of town?

We have had both national and international interest in the march, so we will be hosting the march online via Facebook Live. Please check the @aachristcollab Facebook page.

What does the prayer march route look like?

how can we get involved after the prayer march?

The prayer march is just the beginning. We encourage everyone to continue to pursue opportunities to get involved and commit to their communities. Not sure where to start? Here are some of AACC’s commitments moving forward.

Prayer March Stations

The prayer march is marked by four key stations (see map above). At each station, there will an opportunity to spend time in reflection and prayer. Watch these videos below to learn more about each station!

(We will also stop and pray a few times between CCUC and Progressive Baptist)

WORSHIP LYRICS

During the prayer march, we’ll be singing songs of praise and worship together. You can access the lyrics below.

lead Organizers and Sponsor Churches/Organizations

Lead Team - Pastor Raymond Chang, David Wu, Rev. Dr. Andrew Lee

Operations Oversight - Chris Javier, Anthony Chan

March Design - Pastor Raymond Chang, Chris Javier, Pastor Jay Catanus

Graphic Design Team - Kristi Meng // Ann Liu, Kim Fong, Naomi Wu

A/V Team - Simon Yu // Brian Ongtengco

Videography Team - Andrew Dai // Will Wang, Brian Ho, Winston Woo, Riley Wong

Worship Team - Tiffany McGhee, Ian McNair

Web Communications - Maila Kue // Sarah Lam, DJ Chuang, Given Tanri

Partners from the African American Christian Community - Pastor Watson Jones III, Rev. Dr. Charlie Dates, Pastor Jamal Johnson, Deacon Gawaine Nash, Emmanuella Carter, Jemar Tisby, Ally Henny, Diana Collymore, Christina Edmondson, Michelle Higgins, Ekemini Uwan, Justin Giboney

Prayer March Program

Arrive at Ping Tom Memorial Park by the Water Taxi Stop (3:30p)

Ping Tom Memorial Park: Lament: Pastor Raymond Chang will give an opening word and David Wu, Executive Director of the Puitak Center will give an opening prayer.
- We will silently march from the park to the next stop

Wells/Cullerton: Grief and healing: Ally Henny from The Witness: BCC and Grace Chan, Executive Director of CBCAC will offer prayers to acknowledge the divisions between communities and to pray towards healing.

CCUC: Confession, Repentance, and Restoration: Pastor Andrew Lee (Advisory Pastor at Chinese Christian Union Church) will pray a prayer of confession and repentance over our silence and complicity, Father Li (of St. Terese Catholic Church - possibly the oldest Asian American church in the Chicago area) will read scripture, and Pastor Jamal Johnson (of Progressive Baptist Church) will pray for restoration.

- We will also sing a song of worship here.

26th Street: Commitment to stand for righteousness and justice: Pastor Gabriel J. Catanus, Lynn Catanus, and their son, Noah will pray that Asian Americans will pick up the mantle of God’s justice and righteousness. (We will have our hands open in a receiving gesture during this)

29th Street: Prayer for God to raise up a righteous generation: Youth kids - one from Progressive Baptist and one from CCUC will pray towards a brighter future together asking for God’s help in bringing forth restoration and wholeness. (We will have our hands stretched forward as to bless during this)

32nd Street: Commitment to building partnerships for the Kingdom: Dr. Greg Lee of Wheaton College and Diana Collymore from Intervarsity (both who live in Lawndale) will pray that we will engage in the work of (re)conciliation established on the cross, as we dismantle the negative stereotypes and biases, and build relationships with each other. (We will have our fists up during this)

Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago: Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will give a short word, Pastor Gabriel J. Catanus will share the Asian American Christian Collaborative commitments, then Pastor Watson Jones III will close us out. Afterwards, Pastor Raymond Chang will pray a prayer of blessing over the African American community and Pastor Watson Jones III will pray a prayer of blessing over the Asian American community.
- Tiffany McGhee will lead us in a song of worship to close us out

#endthesilence