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Inventory of the Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies Collection
GTU 2001-9-01  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Biography / Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms
  • Separated Material

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies collection
    Dates: 1972-2002
    Collection number: GTU 2001-9-01
    Creator: Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies
    Collection Size: 20 boxes 15.50 feet
    Repository: The Graduate Theological Union. Library.
    Berkeley, CA 94709
    Abstract: Organized in 1972 as the Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies and incorporated in 1974, the name was changed to Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies in 1977 to reflect inclusiveness of constituencies. PACTS was an ecumenical center for research, resourcing, recruiting, training, and consciousness-raising which sought to promote the fulfillment of God's mission through the ministries of the churches and the service of community groups.
    Physical location: 5/E/1-5
    Languages: Languages represented in the collection: English

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Publication Rights

    Copyright has not been assigned to The Graduate Theological Union. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Graduate Theological Union as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

    Preferred Citation

    Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies collection, GTU 2001-9-01. Graduate Theological Union Archives, Berkeley, CA.

    Biography / Administrative History

    The formation of Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies (PACTS) grew out of the need "to re-think faith and reorient ministries in the light of the emergence of ethnic consciousness in the late 1960s." (PACTS information article, 1985; Box 6 ff 9.)
    In February 1972, Dr. Wilbur Choy, of the United Methodist Church, invited a group of ministers to meet to talk about the need for a center to focus on Asian American ministries. Further meetings followed. At a planning retreat held at Mills College in Oakland, CA, March 1973, a "Statement of Priorities and Programs" was adopted. The Statement called for a center which would relate to programs of higher education with special attention to seminaries, and relate to Asian American communities with special attention to churches. The program would facilitate the expression of concerns for Asian American ministries for a new vision of possibilities, developing new structures, and fostering a greater sense of spirit. "The theme of liberation, political, economic, social, cultural, and spiritual-was the key." The center would be committed to conduct workshops and training which fostered theological reflection, negotiate with seminaries in ways their programs could be changed to include training in Asian American ministries, relate to churches through local and regional bodies and denominational caucuses, and produce publications for dissemination of news, new developments, and sharing concerns. (First Annual Report, 1972-74; Box 5 ff 23.)
    Incorporated as the Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies in March 1974, the name was changed to the Pacific and Asian American Center for Theology and Strategies in 1977 to reflect an inclusiveness of constituencies. Roy I. Sano was appointed the first Director, serving 1972-80. Dr. Sano was chaplain at Mills College, Oakland, CA so for the early years PACTS was based there. In 1974, Dr. Sano was appointed a professor at the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, CA. PACTS moved to office space at PSR in 1975.
    PACTS was an "action/reflection, resource and service center for faith and ministry." (PACTS Catalogue: Publications, Services and Resources; Box 6 ff 2). A national Board of Directors reflected the several Protestant denominations and broad representation from Pacific and Asian ethnic groups. The Center presented an active program of conferences, workshops, courses, and events. A Resource Bank was built up which came to include articles, unpublished papers, reports, proceedings, dissertations, theses, periodicals, and other informational resources. The resources were available for research.
    The 1980s continued the original program emphases and expanded to include women in ministry, ministry with immigrants, refugees and native peoples, racial and ethnic concerns, and human rights. The 1980s also saw the establishment and growth of PANAAWTM (Pacific, Asian, and North American Asian Women in Theology and Ministry). Though an informal affiliation had continued with the Graduate Theological Union since 1976, a formal affiliation agreement was signed in 1986. Lloyd Wake served as Director 1980-85; Fumitaka Matsuoka, 1985-87; and Julia Estrella (or Matsui-Estrella), 1987-95. Active and long serving staff members included Kathleen Thomas-Sano, and Clifford Alika.
    The 1991 mission statement described PACTS as "an ecumenical center for research, resourcing, recruiting, training, and consciousness-raising, with foci on the Pacific and Asian American constituencies, to promote the fulfillment of God's mission through the ministries of the churches and the service of community groups." PACTS offices were moved to the Graduate Theological Union in 1994. Deborah Lee served as Director, 1995-2000. The program emphases again expanded to include ministry with Gays and Lesbians.
    PACTS, throughout its history, was often in transition as it grappled with issues of mission, program, funding support, and staffing. At the turn of the decade/century, these issues became overwhelming. Kyle Miura came to serve as Director in 2000. Vital programs were still offered, but by 2002, it was not possible to continue. PACTS closed in May 2002.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    The Collection was packed in the office by the PACTS Director and transferred directly to the GTU Archives. The Collection contains eleven Series. Series 1: Board of Governors/Directors and Executive Committee Meeting Minutes; Series 2: Programs Files; Series 3: PACTS Published Newsletters and Journals; Series 4: Funding; Series 5: Subject Files; Series 6: Resources Library; Series 7: Photographs; Series 8: Slides; Series 9: Audiocassettes; Series 10: Videotapes; and Series 11: Computer Disks. The Resources Library comprises the largest Series in the Collection.

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

    Subjects

    Asian Americans--Religion.
    Asian Americans--Religious life.
    Asian Americans--Race identity.
    Asian Americans--Ethnic identity.
    Asian Americans--Social conditions.
    Pacific Islander Americans--History--Sources.
    Pacific Islander Americans--Religion.
    Pacific Islander Americans--Religious life.
    Pacific Islander Americans--Race identity.
    Pacific Islander Americans--Ethnic identity.
    Pacific Islander Americans--Social conditions.
    Clergy, training of--History--Sources.
    Asian American Women.
    Women--Clergy--History--Sources.
    Church work with Asian Americans.
    Theology, doctrinal.
    Church and social problems--Pacific Area.
    Human rights--History--Sources.
    Asians--Religious life.
    Asian Americans.
    Women and religion.
    Pacific Area--Religion.

    Index Terms Related to this Collection

    Sano, Roy I. (Roy Isao), 1931-
    Alika, Clifford.
    Thomas-Sano, Kathleen Ann.
    Estrella, Julia.
    Wake, Lloyd.
    Lee, Deborah.
    Miura, Kyle.
    Matsuoka, Fumitaka.
    Nagano, Paul M.

    Separated Material

    I. Items transferred to the CIRCULATING collection of the Graduate Theological Union Library:
    Asia's Struggle to Affirm Wholeness of Life, Report of a Consultation on TNC's in Asia: The Aftermath of Bhopal, (Hong Kong: Christian Conference of Asia-Urban Rural Mission, 1985).
    Butterworth, Frank E., The Methodist Church in Hawaii, 1855-1967.
    Free Indeed: A Video Drama about Racism [Video-recording], (Akron, PA: Mennonite Central Committee, 1995).
    Honor Bound: A Personal Journey, The Story of the 100th, 442nd Regimental Combat Team-50 Years Later (Video-recording and Teacher's Classroom Guide), (San Francisco, CA: National Japanese Historical Society, 1995).
    In Clenched Fists of Struggle: Report of the Workshop on the Impact of TNC's in Asia, (Hong Kong: Urban Rural Mission-Christian Conference of Asia, 1981).
    Minoritized and Dehumanized: Reports and Reflections on the Condition of Tribal and Moro Peoples in the Philippines, (Philippines: CCA-URM and NCCP-PACT, 1983).
    Mrantz, Maxine, Women of Old Hawaii, (Aloha Graphics and Sales: Honolulu, HA, 1975).
    Muhamed, Jamilla, Weaver's of Change [Audiocassette], Women's Church Conference, Albuquerque, NM, 1993.
    Rabbit in the Moon: A Memoir/Documentary [Video-recording and Facilitator's Guide], (San Francisco, CA: Wabi-Sabi Productions, 1999).
    Through Innocent Eyes: Life in Poston, Arizona Internment Camp, 1942-43 [Audiocassette], (Los Angeles, CA: Keiro Services/Family Media Publishing, 1990).
    U.S.A. on Trial: The International Tribunal of Indigenous Peoples and Oppressed Nations in the U.S.A., Parts I and II [Video-recording], (San Francisco, CA: Mission Creek Video, 1992).
    Wong, Kei Tin, A History of the Chinese-American Presbyterian Missionary Society, 1871-1971, in Chinese.
    II. Items transferred to the RARE collection of the Graduate Theological Union Library:
    Double Diamond Anniversary Renaissance: Hollywood Independent Church, 75th Anniversary, 1916-1991 Commemorative Souvenir Booklet, Alhambra, CA. Harris United Methodist Church, Honolulu, Hawaii, 88th Anniversary, 1888-1976.
    Hiroshima: Testimony Through Paintings, [Audiocassette and Slides], (Maruki Gallery and Seirinsha Projections: Toyko, Japan, 1985).
    The History of the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1895-1975, San Jose, California.
    The Japanese American United Church, 25th Anniversary, 1978, (New York, NY: The Church, 1978).
    Japanese Baptist Church, 75th Anniversary, 1899-1974, Seattle, WA.
    The Japanese in Our Midst, (Denver, CO: Colorado Council of Churches, 1943).
    Makiki Christian Church, 70th Anniversary, 1904-1974.
    Shinto, Hisata, Reflections of My Forty Years of Life in God's Grace, [1975].
    Uratsu, Rusty K., History of a Church, First United Methodist Church of Loomis, 1903-1972, (Roseville, California: Press Tribune, 1975).