September 2001

New Youth Ministry Curriculum Ready

Elizabethe C. Payne, M.A., M.Ed., NEAC Board Member

It’s finally here!!! As a volunteer youth AIDS educator, I have spent many an hour speaking to young people about HIV/AIDS and to youth leaders about the importance of HIV/AIDS education. Though youth leaders were often interested in addressing issues of HIV in Christian Education, they felt limited by time and their own lack of knowledge. This new resource, Being Christian in the Age of AIDS, is intended to be used by the lay Christian educator—no prior experience with HIV education necessary!

The first edition was written in 1988 by The Rev. Canon Gene Robinson. Our national Church was a leader among churches at that time in calling for its parishes to address AIDS in Christian Education; this guide was a response to that call, a call that has been repeated at each General Convention since 1988.

Much has changed in HIV/AIDS education since 1988—but much has not. Young people think that they are immune from risk, even as statistics continue to show a rise in infection among youth. The new guide, constructed by Esther Walter, reflects today’s Age of AIDS: the original guide was intended for high school age youth; the new guide addresses youth from 6th grade on. It is intended to be flexible, so that it can be used in almost any Christian Education setting. We hope this resource will encourage all Christian Educators to take a look at their opportunities for HIV education.

Youth Curriculum in the Age of AIDS II is being published in both English and Spanish. Early this fall, English language guides will be mailed to every Diocesan Office (150) in the United States. Each Christian Educator registered with Youth Ministries (2,200) will receive a copy. The Spanish language guides will be mailed out later in the fall. Additional guides will be available free (except for shipping and handling) through Episcopal Parish Services (item # 56-8934-2).

This is a joint effort of the Youth Ministries Office of the Episcopal Church Center and NEAC. Publication and distribution of the guides has been made possible through the generous support of United Thank Offering.