Vivien Hao, a filmmaker from Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA has partnered with Shulee Ong (director, videographer and editor) and Lori Lai (associate producer) to create a 60-90 minute documentary film that lifts up Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) who identify as Unitarian Universalist. Vivien identifies as API herself. Years ago she was inspired by traveling photo exhibitions she had seen that spotlighted people of color, and by seeing only pictures of white men at UUA headquarters, to make something that focused on API in Unitarian Universalism. The re-emphasis on the 8th Principle and Widening the Circle Report and multiculturalism within the Unitarian Universalist Association inspired her to make this film now.
Once made, a social media campaign will advertise it as being available for viewing through her church’s website. Churches who partnered with her on this project can do an advance screening, and it will be submitted to various opportunities to reach non-Unitarian Universalists. The film will be made with a viewing audience of unchurched API in mind.
Funding for this project has been received from the Fund for Unitarian Universalism and the Pacific Western Region of the UUA.
East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, WA is a partner of Vivien Hao’s film. The film is tentatively called Invisible No More. We are inviting all people who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander (API) and Unitarian Universalist (UU) in Washington State to consider submitting their story of their experiences being an API UU.
The criteria for being considered for the film are: 1) you self- identify as API and UU. You do not need to be a member of a UU congregation; 2) and have a compelling story of contribution to communities or the UU world. Contributions can be of leadership, activism, or representation.
How To Submit Your Story
If you are interested in being considered for Vivien’s film, please send a one – two paragraph summary of your story to [email protected] along with your phone number by March 31st. You will be contacted by Vivien for an interview if you are a candidate for her film.
If you have further questions before submitting your story, please contact Grace at [email protected].
General Information
Interviewees from all areas of WA State are welcome to submit their stories for consideration. Vivien will make the final selections. Recruitment of interviewees is happening in other large metropolitan areas besides Seattle. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Orange County, and New York City are examples.
Film format is expected to be that of a story with video and possibly, narration by the interviewee. Interviews will be recorded. An overall story arc will be created after interviews are done. Interviewees can preview the finished product and comment on it. Time required from the interviewees is estimated to be a half day (3-4hrs) plus a pre-interview (.5 hour). Location filming will happen separately. Weekends or weekdays can be arranged for interviewing. Generally late March – early April would be ideal for interviewing but later months can be arranged.
Biographies of the Film’s Creators
Vivien Hao, is a co-founder of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus of DRUMM, a former Journey Toward Wholeness trainer for the UUA and a past congregational president of Pacific Unitarian Church in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, where she has been active for more than 25 years. She currently chairs the Multicultural Transformation Team at PUC. Vivien is a semi-retired school public relations director with experience in community organizing, project management, public relations, marketing and digital storytelling. She was associate producer of the award-winning documentary “Vincent Who?” about the socio/political impact of the hate crime murder of a Chinese American Detroit native. Vivien has a BA in journalism from the University of Southern California. As a former TV news reporter and producer, Vivien will serve as project manager and producer/writer of the Invisible No More project.
Shulee Ong is a key member of the production team for Sunday livestream services at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco. She is a former member of the UUSF Board of Trustees. Currently, she produces interactive on-line videos and other training materials for the San Francisco School Unified District. In 1990, Shulee produced a documentary, Because This About Love, on gay and lesbian marriage which was aired on select PBS stations throughout U.S. including KQED, the San Francisco PBS affiliate. Shulee spearheaded the UUSF team that produced, directed and edited a video series, Beloved Stories to highlight BIPOC members of the congregation; one of these videos was featured in the 2019 GA program. Shulee also directed a documentary, Beloved Universalists, Living the UU Faith in the Philippines; an early version of this film was featured in the 2021 GA program, “Filipinos as UUs”. Shulee earned a B.F.A in Media from Mass. College of Art and M.S. in Educational Technology from San Francisco State University. She will serve as director/videographer and editor of the Invisible No More project.
Lori Lai is a long-time collaborator with Shulee Ong on various video projects including Because This is about Love, Beloved Stories and Beloved Universalists, Living the UU Faith in the Philippines. Currently she is the Treasurer, UUSF Board of Trustees and chair of the Finance Committee as well as former chair of the Human Rights Working Group. She is working in the COVID-19 testing industry specializing in human factors and medical device usability. Lori will serve as associate producer of the project.
Thank you to all who gave so generously to the Na’ah Illahee Fund, recipient of East Shore’s Share the Plate collection during the month of October. Donations collected through East Shore were over $800 in addition to donations ESUC members sent directly via the NIF website.
As a follow-up to the visit of Susan Balbas, the NIF Director, to our October 3rd morning church service, we encourage you to learn more about their efforts to build indigenous community, culture and leadership.
You are cordially invited to attend their Blue Jay Festival, an annual festival which will be held this year virtually from November 15th to 20th. NIF is excited to host a collection of virtual events featuring indigenous stories, art, learning and conversation. All festival events are FREE and available via zoom. Feel free to join for one story or the whole week! (INSERT Festival Schedule.)
For more information and the link to their interactive festival schedule, please go directly to their website.
The Board has now approved a full team for our Beloved Conversations Among! This Board Task Force is made of Beloved Conversations grads and will work with a Coach to make systematic changes at East Shore. This group reports directly to the Board and will keep everyone updated as we work! The first few months are working within just the group before looking at bringing in more of the congregation. The team consists of: Nancy Barnes, Carrie Bowman, Katie Edwards, Maury Edwards, Caroline Haessly, Ryam Hill, Merrillann Hutchinson, Marcy Langrock, Li Lu-Porter, Susan McDonald, Milly Mullarky, Mike Radow, Lori Saccardi, Amanda Strombom, LeAnne Struble, Louise Wilkinson, Sue Yates, with Nicole Duff at the staff liaison.
by Nicole Duff, Director of Membership Development
You are cordially invited to attend ESUC’s new Indigenous Connections Team!
If you are interested in learning more about indigenous-settler history and the challenges indigenous communities currently face, consider joining a subgroup of the 8th Principle Team. We are currently brainstorming ideas for programs, field trips, speakers, actions, and discussion groups for books and films. We welcome your presence and ideas! For the next several months, we will meet on zoom every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to share ideas, resources and reflections. For more information, contact: Carrie Bowman, Maury Edwards, Lynn Roesch or Marilyn Mayers
*** Thank You so much for all your support, at this time we are no longer taking collections.***
Now extended until the end of the year! THANK YOU to all of those who have already contributed. The turnout for this project has been so amazing, we are able to continue collecting until the end of the year!
In response to a number of Afghan refugee families settling in the Puget Sound area, East Shore is committed to assisting MAPS-MCRC in gathering appropriate household items for them. The 8th Principle Team is sponsoring this drive as their work to accountably dismantle oppression.
Please consider donating gently used, clean items specifically requested belowand bringing them to East Shore where we will collect and then transport them to the MAPS-MCRC storage unit from where they will be subsequently distributed.
Here are items that are of use:
pots and pans: especially nonstick ones
dishware: plates, glasses, platters, bowls
silverware & utensils
microwave ovens
lamps
blankets
vacuum cleaners
irons
small tables, end and coffee tables
We will not be collecting clothing, toys, or other furniture at this time but may in response to a specific request for these.
You can drop off items at the church in the Sanctuary building on daily, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from now until December 24. Also look for a possible opportunity for a drop off event.
Meanwhile, please spread the word as we would like to gather as much and as soon as we can.
If you are interested in helping (especially with transporting the items) or have questions, please contact Ryam Hill, Marilyn Mayers or Nicole Duff.
Are you interested in participating in Beloved Conversations? There are two opportunities!
Beloved Conversations—the signature offering of The Fahs Collaborative at Meadville Lombard Theological School—is a program for Unitarian Universalists seeking to embody racial justice as a spiritual practice. In Beloved Conversations, we are here to heal the impact of racism on our lives, in order to get free together. Learn more from our past articles here and here and here.
Within
For those who haven’t participated yet, or wish to again, you can sign up for Beloved Conversations Within. This program focuses on you as an individual and has small pod gatherings, and virtual activities, readings, and more. For those wishing to participate, please register directly here… and don’t wait! Early Bird Registration: get 10% off by using code FALL21BCVEB at checkout (through 8/14).
Among
In this second phase of our program, we take our learnings from Within and focus them on institutional change in our congregations. In spite of our own, personal efforts to end racism, white supremacy culture still thrives in our congregational systems- in the way we make decisions, in the ways we worship, in our efforts towards social justice. What would it look like to work together to dismantle systems of oppression in our own congregations and build communities that center liberation?
In Among, participants will work with a dedicated coach and a core group of up to 20 Within alums from their congregation for 8 months to:
better understand the ways dominant white culture is woven into the congregation’s systems
explore possibilities for change in up to two chosen areas of congregational life
learn from examples of others who have made bold changes
center the spiritual needs and voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
create a plan for change that fits the congregation and context
Together, we can move our congregations closer to all our values and a vision of the Beloved Community. We are excited to work with congregations who are looking to transform! With that aim in mind, congregations joining the program must have a demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, a majority of lay and professional leadership who have taken at least one term of Within, and can point to ways their congregation has been accepting of change.
You can register for Among here. Please note, this group MAY become a Board Task Force in which case all participants will need to be an ESUC member and be approved by the Board.
