wfn.org | "Don't Stigmatize AIDS" Message of May 10, 12 Events in South

["Church World Service News" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE MEDIA COVERAGE REQUEST

"DON'T STIGMATIZE HIV/AIDS" IS MESSAGE OF MAY 10, 12 EVENTS
IN SOUTH AFRICA WITH U.S.'s TIM JANIS, S. AFRICAN MUSICIANS
Concert, Ecumenical Service Support Church World Service, South African
Council of Churches' HIV/AIDS Awareness and Care Projects

"Don't stigmatize people with HIV/AIDS" is the message of two events - a
benefit concert and an ecumenical worship service -- with U.S. composer and
instrumentalist Tim Janis and South African musicians, set for May 10 and 12
in South Africa.

Janis's "Music of Hope" CD topped Billboard's "Top Classical Albums" last
year.  His "music with a mission" is used by the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and
others in the medical community to help people through chemotherapy and
other such treatments.  Janis travels to South Africa for the U.S.-based
global humanitarian ministry Church World Service (CWS).  The two
performances grow out of his planned recording sessions with South African
artists for a new CD, to benefit HIV/AIDS projects in Africa.

6:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 - "Symphony of Hope," City Hall, Durban:

Tim Janis and his instrumental ensemble will perform at this gala dinner
concert, along with the Choir from the Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS Christian Care
Center in Durban; KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra; soloists Stacey
Almond, Pinkie Mtshali and Derick Ellis; Durban Singers; Nateshwar Dance
Company; Ukusina Dance Troupe, and others.  The concert is a benefit for the
Sinikithemba HIV/AIDS Christian Care Center.

3:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12 - "National Church Call to Condemn the
Stigmatization of HIV/AIDS Infected and Affected," Regina Mundi Catholic
Church, Soweto:

Tim Janis and his ensemble will join the Imilonji KaNtu Choir - the Soweto
community choir that sang at Nelson Mandela's inauguration as President -
for this service of music, prayer and commitment.  Organizing the event is
the South African Council of Churches (SACC), recognized worldwide for its
involvement in the struggle against apartheid.

CWS is an expression of the ecumenical family of the (U.S.) National Council
of Churches and its 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member communions,
supporters of that struggle and today's new struggles, including the effort
to destigmatize AIDS and extend compassion, treatment and services to
HIV/AIDS infected and affected.  Regina Mundi Catholic Church is where many
anti-apartheid rallies and services were held.

-end-

Contacts: CWS, New York - Carol Fouke, 212-870-2252/2227; news@ncccusa.org
Soweto - Bernard Spong, (011) (27) 11 726-7969 or mobile (011) (27) 82
345-3364
bspong@pop.ibi.co.za
Durban - Sheelagh Antrobus, mobile (011) (27) 82 432-7446;
sheelagh@netactive.co.za