Excerpted from a letter composed for World AIDS Day, December 1, 2004
from Rev. Troy D. Perry, MCC Founder & Moderator

Did you know...? 
      World Aids Day beginnings...

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's 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 worship services, 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.

Each year on December 1st, 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.

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