World AIDS Day (Dec. 1, 1998)
INDEX:1. A Message From The Rev. Elder Troy Perry
2. World AIDS Day Theme for 1998
3. Current Statistics On HIV & AIDS
4. HIV & AIDS Information Resources
5. Liturgical Resources For World AIDS Day Observance
6. Sample News Release For Local Congregations
7. Addtional Resources From The UFMCC Resource Center
SECTION 1: Message From The Rev. Elder Troy Perry
Dear Saints:
UFMCC's prophetic voice calls us to remember that the HIV/AIDS crisis is not over. The
reality is:
-- Worldwide, 30 million adults were living with HIV at the end of 1997.
-- 7000 young people become infected with the HIV virus every day.
-- One in every 100 adults under the age of 49 has the HIV virus.
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!
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 December 1 -- World AIDS Day 1998
-- 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 UFMCC HIV/AIDS Ministry, "God is greater
than AIDS!"
In Christ,
(The Rev. Elder) Troy D. Perry
Founder and Moderator of UFMCC
SECTION 2: Theme for 1998 Observances
The theme for 1998, the 18th year of the AIDS epidemic, is:
Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign with Young People
Be a Force for Change by ...
... encouraging young people to get involved in reducing their risk and the spread of
HIV/AIDS, to educate their peers, and to develop responsible, healthy lifestyles.
... developing policies that protect the rights of young people to be informed and
educated about the risk of HIV/AIDS, establish programs that provide access to medical
services and support groups for young adults with HIV, and ensure that young people are
protected from discrimination or exploitation resulting from their sexual preferences or
HIV status.
... increasing global awareness of the impact HIV/AIDS has on the 15- to 24-year-old
population and by informing young people they do have the power to change the course of
the pandemic.
-- From the American Association for World Health
SECTION 3: Current HIV & AIDS Statistics
Did you know?
Information from the United Nations and World Health Organizations
--UNAIDS and the World Health Organization estimate that over 30 million people were
living with HIV at the end of 1997. This means that one in every 100 adults aged 15 to 49
world wide are infected. 2.3 million people died of AIDS in 1997. 46% of those were women.
A total of 11.7 million people have died of AIDS and HIV-related causes since the epidemic
began. That is just a third of the number currently infected.
--1.1 million children under the age of 15 are living with HIV. 460,000 children died of
AIDS last year.
--The overwhelming majority of HIV-infected people (more than 90%) live in the developing
world. Most of these do not know they have HIV.
-- 7,000 young people aged 10-24 are infected with HIV every day. Five young people are
infected with HIV every minute. AIDS-related illnesses are the sixth leading cause of
death among 15 to 24 year olds in the United States
-- By the year 2020 there will be over 40 millions orphans under the age of 15 in 23
countries highly affected by HIV/AIDS. Most of these children will have lost their parents
to AIDS.
-- There are 250 million working children under the age of 18. At least one-third are
performing dangerous work such as bonded labor, commercial sex work, and domestic service
which violates their rights to health and development and makes them particularly
vulnerable to HIV infection. Young people who are commercially sexually exploited have
little or no power to negotiate safer sex.
-- AIDS is wiping out the gains made in life expectancy in many countries.
-- AIDS has dropped into second place among leading causes of death in the United States
for the first time since 1992. The 1996 introduction of combination therapies has slowed
the progression of the disease. However, in many countries, HIV remains the leading cause
of death. In some places, it accounts for 90% of the adult deaths.
SECTION 4: HIV & AIDS Information
Resources
Resources:
World Health Organization http://www.who.int/emc-hiv/
Global HIV/AIDS & STD Surveillance for statistics and information
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS http://www.unaids.org/
Information in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
American Association for World Health (AAWH) http://www.aawhworldhealth.org
1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1208, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone 202-466-5883, Fax 202-466-5896
coordinates World AIDS Day in the United States; they have resources, facts and links.
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) http://www.unicef.org
Children Youth & AIDS multimedia exhibition for UNAIDS by UNICEF which shows the
impact of HIV/AIDS on children and youth, and serves as an educational forum for AIDS
awareness and prevention. Site in French, Spanish and English
The Body http://www.thebody.com
The Body: A Multimedia AIDS and HIV Resource
HIV/AIDS information, including spirituality
Medscape http://www.medscape.com
Medscape newsletter, discussions, database, daily medical news, self-assessment features
Center for AIDS Prevention Studies http://www.caps.ucsf.edu
University of California, San Francisco
Thomas J. Coates, PhD, Director
74 New Montgomery, Suite 600 San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 597-9100 (415) 597-9213 - fax
Has curricula and information about prevention programs for heterosexuals, teens, young
gay and bisexual men, Latino gay men, African-American gay and bisexual men, inmates and
those in developing countries; also HIV Prevention fact sheets (in English and Spanish)
available on the website and by E-mail subscription
Global AIDS Resource Directory http://www.immunet.org/immunet/inetgard.nsf?
OpenDatabase Global AIDS Resource Directory
Global resources sorted by state/province, area code, name, purpose, sponsor and type.
Journal of the American Medical Association HIV/AIDS Information Center http://www.ama-assn.org/special/hiv/hivhome.htm
JAMA HIV/AIDS Information Center
Newsline, Library, Treatment Center, Education and Support Center, Prevention, Policy and
links
Immunet http://www.immunet.org/immunet/home.nsf/page/homepage
HIV/AIDS information on the web
CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse - US Referrals
http://www.cdcnac.org
CDC National Prevention Information Network
Abstracts of articles, information about organizing and funding opportunities for
community-based and HIV/AIDS service organizations;
To contact a health information specialist, (English and Spanish), Monday-Friday, 9 am to
6 pm, Eastern time call: •1-800-458-5231 •1-800-243-7012 TTY
•1-301-562-1098 International •1-301-588-1589 International TTY or Fax to:
•1-888-282-7681 Fax •1-301-562-1050 International Fax
or send an email to info@cdcnpin.org or write CDC
NPIN, P.O. Box 6003 , Rockville, MD 20849-6003
The Community AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) - In Canada http://www.catie.ca/network.html
Comprehensive, up-to-date information about treatments for HIV/AIDS, call
1-800-263-1638 Treatment Information Consultants are available at these times:
•Monday 10 am - 6 pm (Eastern Time) •Tuesday to Thursday 10 am - 10 pm (Eastern
Time) •Friday 10 am - 6 pm (Eastern Time) •Saturday 10 am - 6 pm (Eastern Time)
excluding Saturdays on the following long weekends: New Year's Day, Easter, Victoria Day,
Canada Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas. Free and confidential access to treatment
information, in both French and English.
AIDS Virtual Library http://planetq.com/aidsvl/
The World-Wide Web Virtual Library: AIDS social, political and medical information about
HIV/AIDS
Family Health International http://www.fhi.org/
POZ Magazine
POZ Publishing, L.L.C., 349 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014, Tel: 212-242-2163,
Fax: 212-675-8505, E-mail: pozmag@aol.com
SECTION 5: Liturgical Resources
World AIDS Day is frequently commemorated with an Interfaith Service. You may want to ask
other congregations to work with you in planning a service. Copies of bulletins from
previous years' services are available from the AIDS National Interfaith Network (ANIN).
You can contact them at: 1400 I Street, NW, Suite 1220, Washington, DC, 20005 USA,
202-842-0010.
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
One: Holy Spirit, Ever Present One, we call upon you:
Many: The Companion always at our side,
One: The Champion of Justice, the Force for Change,
Many: Our Gentle Comforter,
One: The Gatherer of the cloud of witnesses.
Many: We call upon you, the Peace that passes all understanding,
One: The Source of Healing that dwells within us,
Many: The Sustainer of our Hope.
One: You are our God and we are your people.
Many: We gather in your name, O Holy God.
Opening Hymn (see suggestions at the end of this resource)
Prayer (based on Psalm 139)
O God, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I have to lie down and rest;
you know when I rise up with strength and courage;
you discern my thoughts when I far away and dreaming of another life.
You search out my path;
you know where I am, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
You are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, O God,
you know me so well that you know exactly what I will say.
You are behind me and in front of me; you hold me on every side.
You lay your hand upon me and from you I draw strength.
Your presence is so wonderful for me.
Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
When I slip into denial, you are there;
if I shout and sing at the wonder of life, you do it with me.
If I take the wings of the morning
and fly as far as I can go,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
As I get my test results, you are with me in the clinic.
When I hold my lover's hand, you are there.
You count each pill, each day, each blessing with me.
You hold me as I sleep,
and sit with me when I lay awake at night in worry.
For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
You intricately wove my body, creating all its parts;
you made my bones, my cells, my heart, my blood, all of me.
You have known every moment of my existence:
you know all that has happened in my life and all that will.
I try to think like you do,
knowing each detail yet aware of the larger picture of life.
It is more than I can comprehend.
I wake up-- I am still with you.
O that you would kill that which saps my health, O God,
that all disease would depart from me
and that HIV and AIDS would be gone.
Do I not fight for the sacred life you have created in me, O God?
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Ringing of the Bells
Bells are rung once for each year of the epidemic; in 1998, the bells will be rung 18
times. If you don't have church bells, use a handbell, meditation bell or another similar
instrument. You may wish to allow people the opportunity to say the name of someone who
has died or you may wish to have silence while the bells are rung.
Scripture Lessons (see below for alternate readings)
Isaiah 44:2-8
Thus say God, who made you,
who formed you in the womb and will help you:
Do not fear, O Jacob my servant,
the one whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground.
I will pour my spirit on your descendants,
and my blessing on your offspring.
They shall spring up like a green tamarisk,
like willows by flowing streams.
This one will say, "I am God's,"
another will be called by the name of Jacob,
yet another will write on the hand, "God's own,"
and adopt the name of Israel.
Thus says God, the ruler of Israel,
and the Redeemer, the God of hosts:
I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
Who is like me? Let them proclaim it,
let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old
the things to come?
Let them tell us what is yet to be.
Do not fear or be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me?
There is no other rock; I know not one.
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
As we work together with God, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain. For
God says, "At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I
have helped you." See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!
We are putting no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our
ministry, but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: through great
endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors,
sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness of spirit,
genuine love, truthful speech, and ht power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for
the right hand and for the left; in nor and dishonor, in ill repute and good repute. We
are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and
see-- we are alive; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
Matthew 25:34-40
Then the ruler will say to those on the right, "Come, you that are blessed by God,
inherit the dominion prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry
and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of
me, I was in prison and you visited me." Then the righteous will answer, saying
"Sovereign, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave
you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or
naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited
you?" And the ruler will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to
one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Acclamation/ Sung Response
Message
The message can be a sermon from the pastor or a guest speaker. It is also very effective
to have several people whose lives have been touched by HIV and AIDS to give testimonies
with a brief piece of music between each speaker.
Hymn
Prayers of the People
Offering
Special Music
Act of Remembrance/Affirmation
You may want to have people light a candle of remembrance or write the name of someone who
has died on a poster, cloth or quilt. You may wish to include a time to affirm people who
are living with HIV, to recognize those who are serving as care-givers, or who are making
a difference through science, politics and activism.
Hymn
Benediction
Suggested Hymns:
We Hail You God's Annointed (Tune: Ellacombe)
Toda la Tierra/All Earth is Waiting (Tune: Taule)
My Soul Gives Glory to My God (Tune: Morning Song)
Come O Long Expected Jesus (Tune: Stuttgart)
O God our Help in Ages Past (Tune: St. Anne)
I Will Lift the Cloud of Night (Tune: Jones)
What a Fellowship/Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (Tune: Leaning)
Precious Lord, Take My Hand (Tune: Precious Lord)
The Weaver's Shuttle Swiftly Flies (Tune: St. Matthew)
I Want Jesus to Go with Me (Tune: African-American spiritual)
Singing for our Lives/We are a Gentle, Angry People
We Shall Overcome
Alternate Readings:
What actions are most excellent?
To gladden the heart of a human being.
To feed the hungry.
To help the afflicted.
To lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful.
To remove the wrongs of the injured.
That person is the most beloved of God
who does most good to God's creatures.
--The Prophet Muhammed
Birth is a beginning and Death a destination;
From childhood to maturity and youth to age,
From innocence to awareness and ignorance to knowing.
From foolishness to discretion and then, perhaps, to wisdom.
From weakness to strength or strength to weakness, and back again.
From health to sickness and back, we pray, to health again.
From offense to forgiveness, from loneliness to love.
From joy to gratitude, from pain to compassion.
From grief to understanding, from fear to faith.
From defeat to defeat
Until looking backward or ahead, we see that
Victory lies not at some high place along the way,
But in having made the Journey, stage by stage.
--Yom Kippur prayer
I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.
Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, but the best is lost.
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
Down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.
--Edna St. Vincent Millay
In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
we remember them.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
we remember them.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
we remember them.
In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer,
we remember them.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
we remember them.
In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
we remember them.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
we remember them.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
we remember them.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
we remember them.
So long as we live, they too shall live,
for they are now a part of us, as
we remember them.
--Jewish Prayer
SECTION 6: Sample News Release
The following news release may be easily adapted to promote your World AIDS Day Observance
or Service. Simply copy the following text onto your church letterhead, replacing all
sections in parentheses with your local information. Double-space the text, and add your
local contact information at the end, to give reporters a way to follow-up for additional
information. Be creative with your press mailing list. Send your news release to all of
the local religion editors at your mainline newspapers... to the public service directors
at your local radio stations... and to the editors of all gay newspapers and magazines
that serve your area. Be sure your press release arrives with plenty of time before the
news deadline -- you may need to call to find actual deadline dates. Feel free to edit or
add to this sample news release as appropriate to your ministry setting.
Title: (Church Name) Metropolitan Community Church
To Hold Community-Wide World AIDS Day Service
(Your Town) -- (Church Name) Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), which meets at (Street
Location), will hold a Community-Wide World AIDS Day Service at (time) on Tuesday, Dec. 1,
1998.
According to (Name of Senior Pastor), the service will feature prayers and meditations.
Music will be presented by (name of choir and/or soloists). The service is open to the
public and everyone is invited to attend.
"Worldwide, more than 30 million adults were living with the HIV virus at the end of
1997," noted (Name of Senior Pastor). "With all the advancements we have made,
we need to be reminded that for millions of people around the world, the AIDS crisis is
not yet over."
(Church Name) MCC is a member congregation of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches (UFMCC), a Christian denomination with a positive, affirming ministry
to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities. More than 6000 friends and
members of UFMCC have died from HIV and AIDS complications since 1980. UFMCC provides 300
congregations in 15 countries for its 42,000 members and adherents, and for the more than
225,000 persons who attend UFMCC's services and programs annually.
For additional information on (Church Name) MCC, contact the church office at (Area
Code/Phone Number) or by e-mail at (Church E-Mail Address). (OPTIONAL: Information on the
church's services and program may also be found on the Internet at (http://www/Your Church
Website Address). (END OF PRESS RELEASE)
SECTION 7: Additional AIDS Resources
The following HIV and AIDS reources are available through the UFMCC Resource Center.
Contact them by e-mail at ResourceCenter@ufmcchq.com
for details on ordering.
BROCHURES:
BR0006 0.20
HIV/AIDS: IS IT GOD’S JUDGEMENT - Rev Stephen Pieters
BR0009 0.20
SPIRITUAL STRENGTH FOR SURVIVAL - Rev Stephen Pieters
BR0013 0.20
CHOOSE LIFE: TO BE FULLY ALIVE WITH HIV/AIDS - Rev Stephen Pieters
BR0015 0.20
SO YOU’RE GOING TO LIVE: FACING LIFE - Rev Stephen Pieters
BOOKS AND MANUALS:
BP9602 11.00
AIDS AND THE SLEEPING CHURCH -- Personal Journal kept while author visited with patients
in the hospital.
BP0052 13.00
AIDS AND YOUR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY -- Outline on the AIDS service projects that work best,
featuring 27 proven models
BP9601 13.00
BEING A BLESSING: 54 WAYS YOU CAN HELP PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS -- "Following the
adivce of this book would improve the quality of life fo all persons lving with AIDS"
BP0051 10.00
FAMILIES REMEMBERED -- Pastoral support for friends and families living with HIV/AIDS.
BP0047 8.50
I’M STILL DANCING: A GAY MAN’S HEALTH EXPERIENCE -- Compiliation of articles,
sermons and journal entries written by Rev. A Stephen Pieters over a seven year period of
his life as a long-term survivor of AIDS.
BP0048 4.50
LIVING WITH LOSS: EXPERIENCING BEREAVEMENT, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO HIV/AIDS -- Basic
primer with chapters on the experience of bereavement, relationships and grief.
BP9612 13.50
REVIVNG THE TRIBE -- Paradigms for AIDS activism in critical areas of education,
prevention and community survival.
BP0062 3.50
TO CELEBRATE AND TO MOURN -- Experience God in particular ways which are connected to
living in the midst of AIDS.
BP9866* 11.50
MY ROSE -- An African American mother’s story of AIDS
BP0056 2.00
WORDS OF HOPE IN THE MIDST OF HIV/AIDS -- Small group Bible study utilizing familiar
prophetic passages from the book of Isaiah, the themes of justice, grief, healing and hope
are examined as they relate to living with AIDS. Advent related.
AM0010 4.00
LITURGICAL RESOURCES FOR WORSHIPPING COMMINITIES LIVING WITH AIDS
BP0064 6.50
CHRISTIAN CARING -- A manual for pastors and church leaders with four different models of
HIV/AIDS ministry for the local church.
AM0011 35.00
PEER EDUCATION MANUAL AND VIDEO -- Education and training for multicultural youth to be
peer educators with other young people about HIVAIDS prevention.
UM0026 3.50
AIDS AWARENESS PIN (RED RIBBON)
*NEW ITEM
Addendum:
Here's a reminder that all local MCC congregations have a wonderful resource in the person
of Mr. Roi Hudson-Anaya, manager of the UFMCC Resource Center. If you are seeking
resources and worship materials for Easter, or for any special services or programs,
contact Roi at the UFMCC Resource Center by phone at (310) 360-8640... by fax at (310)
360-8680... or by e-mail at ResourceCenter@ufmcchq.com
Roi is a former pastor of a mainline church and a longtime member of UFMCC. He
brings a wealth of knowledge -- along with a commitment to UFMCC ministry and a wonderful
sense of humor! -- to his position at the UFMCC Resource Center. He will also gladly
supply you with a free Resource Center catalog.
Finally... We'd like to hear your feedback. Your response to the UFMCC Resource Kits is
welcomed and encouraged. Do you find them to be helpful? What additional materials would
assist you in your ministry? Please let us hear from you. Thank you. (END)
For Additional information:
The Rev. Justin Tanis, Director of Clergy Development
James N. Birkitt, Jr., Director of Communications
UFMCC
8704 Santa Monica Blvd., 2nd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640 Fax: (310) 360-8680 E-mail: UFMCCHQ@aol.com
website: http://www.ufmcc.com
