---A Message
from Rev. Troy D. Perry
Founder & Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
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Dear MCC Friend:
Wednesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day.
The theme of this year's international observance is "Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS."
Did you know:
-- More than 40 million people today are living with the HIV virus -- the highest number since the epidemic began.
-- More than 3 million people around the globe died of HIV and AIDS complications this year alone.
-- 5 million people became infected with the HIV virus in 2004.
-- More than 20 million deaths have occurred worldwide since the epidemic began.
-- Women are increasingly at risk for HIV -- almost 50% of people living with HIV today are women, and in sub-Saharan Africa, that figure is 57%.
-- Young people 15-24 now account for half of all new HIV infections.
It is easy to become complacent, especially with the great strides made in recent years. Drug cocktails and protease inhibitors have contributed to longer and healthier lives for many. For this we praise God!
In the midst of these advancements, we must not forget those for whom new therapies have not proven effective... those deprived of adequate medical care... those in developing nations where AIDS complications contribute up to 90% of all deaths... and the 40 million children worldwide who will be orphaned by 2020 after losing their parents to HIV and AIDS. No, indeed, the crisis is not over!
Wednesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day.
The theme of this year's international observance is "Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS."
Did you know:
-- More than 40 million people today are living with the HIV virus -- the highest number since the epidemic began.
-- More than 3 million people around the globe died of HIV and AIDS complications this year alone.
-- 5 million people became infected with the HIV virus in 2004.
-- More than 20 million deaths have occurred worldwide since the epidemic began.
-- Women are increasingly at risk for HIV -- almost 50% of people living with HIV today are women, and in sub-Saharan Africa, that figure is 57%.
-- Young people 15-24 now account for half of all new HIV infections.
It is easy to become complacent, especially with the great strides made in recent years. Drug cocktails and protease inhibitors have contributed to longer and healthier lives for many. For this we praise God!
In the midst of these advancements, we must not forget those for whom new therapies have not proven effective... those deprived of adequate medical care... those in developing nations where AIDS complications contribute up to 90% of all deaths... and the 40 million children worldwide who will be orphaned by 2020 after losing their parents to HIV and AIDS. No, indeed, the crisis is not over!
I am especially pleased to announce that
AIDS activist
and Nobel Peace Prize nominee
Zackie Achmet
will be our
special guest at MCC's
General Conference and World Jubilee in Calgary, Canada in July
2005.
Zackie's work to make AIDS medications accessible and affordable is
having a powerful and positive impact on millions of people around
the globe.
Our lives and ministries have been forever touched by the ravages of
AIDS. I long ago lost count of the number of funerals I performed
for AIDS patients who succumbed to the illness. And since the
outbreak of the AIDS crisis we have buried more than 6000 MCC
friends and members.
That's why I encourage your church to set aside time on Wednesday, December 1 -- World AIDS Day 2004 -- to remember and honor those in our midst who have gone before us -- and to remind our community that, for tens of millions of people around the globe, the HIV and AIDS crisis is still very real and still impacting the lives of God's creation.
And in all of our observances, let's remember the inspiring and hope-filled words of the Rev. Steve Pieters, long-time Director of MCC's HIV/AIDS Ministry, "God is greater than AIDS!"
In Christ,
That's why I encourage your church to set aside time on Wednesday, December 1 -- World AIDS Day 2004 -- to remember and honor those in our midst who have gone before us -- and to remind our community that, for tens of millions of people around the globe, the HIV and AIDS crisis is still very real and still impacting the lives of God's creation.
And in all of our observances, let's remember the inspiring and hope-filled words of the Rev. Steve Pieters, long-time Director of MCC's HIV/AIDS Ministry, "God is greater than AIDS!"
In Christ,
Rev. Troy D. Perry
Founder and Moderator of MCC
Did you know that World AIDS Day was founded out of Metropolitan Community Churches?
In 1985, frustrated with a lack of broad community response in San Diego to the AIDS pandemic, Rev. David Farrell (then senior pastor of MCC San Diego, CA and today MCC Web Manager) set aside a weekend to focus attention on the AIDS crisis.
Under Rev. Farrell's leadership, the San Diego MCC congregation sponsored a 50-hour prayer vigil, conducted workshops, and invited participation by a broad spectrum of faith communities, social workers, medical specialists, funding organizations and community groups.
The event was so successful that the following year -- in 1986 -- Metropolitan Community Churches asked Rev. Farrell to lead an international campaign to help other MCC churches sponsor AIDS Day weekend observances. Organizational kits were prepared and posters were printed and in 1986, MCC churches around the world hosted World AIDS Day events, services, workshops, and vigils.
These simple but powerful observances struck a responsive cord in communities around the world.
When the results were in, more than 5000 churches and temples from a broad spectrum of faith communities had joined hands with 300 MCC congregations to sponsor World AIDS Day events in 1986.
By 1988, the United Nations and the World Health Organization jointly proclaimed December 1 of each year as World AIDS Day -- and the observance became an annual international event in communities around the globe.
On Wednesday, December 1, we encourage you to attend a World AIDS Day service to honor those who have lost their lives to complications from HIV and AIDS -- and as a witness that we are still living with the AIDS crisis.
Excellent resources -- including fact sheets and campaign materials can be found at the UNAIDS site at http://www.unaids.org/Unaids/EN/Events/Campaigns/World+AIDS+Campaign+2004.asp
Information on the Treatment Action Campaign, which works for affordable medical treatments for persons with HIV and AIDS, can be found at www.tac.org.za You will also learn more about the vital work of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Zackie Achmat, who will be featured at MCC's 2005 General Conference and World Jubilee in Calgary, Canada.
If you are looking for prayers, readings, and other ideas for World AIDS Day services, visit the website of Christian Aid UK at http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/worship/index.htm This year's theme is "Women, Girls, HIV, and AIDS."
Please note that these materials as posted on the Internet do not incorporate inclusive language, and will need to be edited or adapted for use in MCC churches.
Founder and Moderator of MCC
DID YOU KNOW...? BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Did you know that World AIDS Day was founded out of Metropolitan Community Churches?
In 1985, frustrated with a lack of broad community response in San Diego to the AIDS pandemic, Rev. David Farrell (then senior pastor of MCC San Diego, CA and today MCC Web Manager) set aside a weekend to focus attention on the AIDS crisis.
Under Rev. Farrell's leadership, the San Diego MCC congregation sponsored a 50-hour prayer vigil, conducted workshops, and invited participation by a broad spectrum of faith communities, social workers, medical specialists, funding organizations and community groups.
The event was so successful that the following year -- in 1986 -- Metropolitan Community Churches asked Rev. Farrell to lead an international campaign to help other MCC churches sponsor AIDS Day weekend observances. Organizational kits were prepared and posters were printed and in 1986, MCC churches around the world hosted World AIDS Day events, services, workshops, and vigils.
These simple but powerful observances struck a responsive cord in communities around the world.
When the results were in, more than 5000 churches and temples from a broad spectrum of faith communities had joined hands with 300 MCC congregations to sponsor World AIDS Day events in 1986.
By 1988, the United Nations and the World Health Organization jointly proclaimed December 1 of each year as World AIDS Day -- and the observance became an annual international event in communities around the globe.
On Wednesday, December 1, we encourage you to attend a World AIDS Day service to honor those who have lost their lives to complications from HIV and AIDS -- and as a witness that we are still living with the AIDS crisis.
Excellent resources -- including fact sheets and campaign materials can be found at the UNAIDS site at http://www.unaids.org/Unaids/EN/Events/Campaigns/World+AIDS+Campaign+2004.asp
Information on the Treatment Action Campaign, which works for affordable medical treatments for persons with HIV and AIDS, can be found at www.tac.org.za You will also learn more about the vital work of Nobel Peace Prize nominee Zackie Achmat, who will be featured at MCC's 2005 General Conference and World Jubilee in Calgary, Canada.
If you are looking for prayers, readings, and other ideas for World AIDS Day services, visit the website of Christian Aid UK at http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/worship/index.htm This year's theme is "Women, Girls, HIV, and AIDS."
Please note that these materials as posted on the Internet do not incorporate inclusive language, and will need to be edited or adapted for use in MCC churches.
MCC OFFERS ON-LINE LISTSERV
Finally, a reminder that MCCers offer a LISTSERV for people of
faith with HIV and for those involved in HIV and AIDS ministry and
programs. To sign-up for this free service,
click here to go to "Interactive
Pages" and scroll down to the section that says "UFMCCHIV@yahoogroups.com."
Click on the group's link for more information or to
sign-up.
(END)
For Additional Information, Contact:
Jim Birkitt, MCC Communications Director
MCC Communications Department
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, Second Floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640, Ext. 226
E-Mail: info@MCCchurch.org
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