wfn.org | ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE MARKS WORLD AIDS DAY

[Carol Fouke <carolf@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of Churches/Church World Service
Contact: NCC/CWS News, Carol Fouke, 212-870-2252 or 2227
E-Mail: news@ncccusa.org; Web: www.ncccusa.org and
www.churchworldservice.org

ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE MARKS WORLD AIDS DAY
Church World Service Presents Beaded AIDS Pin to UNIFEM AIDS Coordinator

November 30, 2001, NEW YORK CITY - An ecumenical worship service, held here
this morning to mark World AIDS Day, drew particular attention to the impact
of AIDS on women.  The service also lifted up the churches' commitment to
working on behalf of people with AIDS, especially in Africa.

"As AIDS is devastating entire nations, killing thousands each day around
the world," said the Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director of Church
World Service (CWS), "we commit ourselves to fight this epidemic by
advocating for sufficient resources to fight the disease, immediate access
to affordable medication, and eradication of poverty and an increase in
educational opportunities in the countries most affected."

Today's service was held in the chapel of the Church Center for the United
Nations, and was co-sponsored by CWS and the "Ecumenical Working Group" of
faith-based NGO representatives to the United Nations.  A long red cloth was
draped around the pulpit in the form of an AIDS ribbon.  Music reflected
U.S. and South African traditions.

The service featured distribution of colorful, beaded AIDS lapel pins made
by HIV-positive women at the Sinikithemba Center in Durban, South Africa.
Sinikithemba is Zulu for "We Give Hope."   The pins, whose design includes
the AIDS ribbon and the South African flag, use their makers' skills in
traditional Zulu bead work.  Their sale helps HIV-positive South African
women support themselves and their families.

CWS, the ecumenical, international humanitarian ministry of the National
Council of Churches and its 36 member denominations, is supporting the
Sinikithemba Center by offering the pins for contributions of $5 or more.
The pins and accompanying gift card describing CWS support for this and
other creative AIDS-response efforts are available from CWS by calling
1-800-297-1517 or at www.churchworldservice.org.

McCullough presented the first pin to Ms. Stephanie Urdang, AIDS Coordinator
for UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, as a reminder
that in Africa, the majority of people living with AIDS are women.

"Fifty-five percent of people living with AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa are
women," McCullough said.  "Worldwide, 47 percent of people living with AIDS
are women.  We must advocate for a gender-sensitive approach to the AIDS
pandemic."

"By presenting this pin made by a South African woman to a woman who
represents the United Nations' work in the fight against AIDS, Church World
Service symbolically lifts up the plight of women in this global epidemic
and underscores CWS's commitment to work with the United Nations in
addressing the AIDS pandemic," he said.

Urdang urged people to remember not only HIV-infected but also affected
women, who are the primary caregivers of men, women and children with AIDS.
"This pin unifies us with all who struggle with this disease every day all
around the world," she said.

The New York City service was accompanied by parallel events in Australia,
India, Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Ecuador, Russia, Canada and
other locations.

Church World Service is in the process of launching a major HIV/AIDS
response initiative that will combine programmatic components with a
campaign of education and advocacy.  This advocacy effort is linked with a
global church initiative through the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, a new
initiative of churches and church-related organizations around the world
designed to strengthen the prophetic voice and impact of ecumenical witness
on the crucial social, political and economic issues of the day.

NCC/CWS support many creative AIDS-response efforts.  CWS is pioneering the
use of the Moringa tree as a local, easily available, low-cost nutritional
supplement in several African nations.  The Moringa's leaves, pods and
flowers contain many vitamins and minerals needed to maintain health,
particularly important for HIV-positive individuals.  Clinical trials are
currently underway in South Africa.

"Ngone's Story: A Tale of Africa's Orphans" is a one-hour program on
AIDS-affected families in Senegal and Los Angeles produced by United
Methodist Communications for the NCC. Several stations will air "Ngone's
Story" on Sunday, Dec. 2; some may choose to air it on Saturday, Dec. 1,
World AIDS Day.  Check listings for local air date and time.

AFRUS-Aids is a new initiative that is developing into a partnership of
faith-based and other non-governmental organizations, including the NCC
Justice for Women Working Group, with strong women's networks in Africa.
Through the All Africa Conference of Churches and Groots International and
with partners in the United States and Africa, this emerging partnership
will identify small grassroots women's projects that tackle the HIV/AIDS
challenge and advocate for funding from a variety of sources, including the
U.N. Development Programme.

-end-