wfn.org | Metropolitan Community Churches on World AIDS Day Observance

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For World AIDS Day 2004  .  Wednesday  .   December 1, 2004

A Message
from Rev. Troy D. Perry
Founder &  Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches

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!

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 faith communities to set aside time on  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  Metropolitan Community Churches

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.

RESOURCES FOR WORLD AIDS DAY SERVICES
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.as
p_ 
(http://www.unaids.org/Unaids/EN/Events/Campaigns/World+AIDS+Campaign+2004.as
p) .  

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_ 
(aoldb://mail/write/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_ 
(http://www.christian-aid.org.uk/worship/church/hiv02/index.htm) . This
year's theme  is "Women, Girls, HIV, and AIDS."

MCC OFFERS ON-LINE  LISTSERV
Finally, a reminder that MCC offers 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, visit _www.MCCchurch.org_ 
(aoldb://mail/write/www.MCCchurch.org) . On the  opening page, click on
"Interactive Pages" and scroll down to 
the section that  says "UFMCCHIV@yahoogroups.com." Click on the link for more

information or to  sign-up.

(END)

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION,  CONTACT
Jim Birkitt, MCC Communications Director
MCC Communications  Department
8714 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA   90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640, X 226
E-Mail:  info@MCCchurch.org