September 2001

Oregon Pilot Test

Harriet Langfeld, NEAC Co-Chair

“Being Christian in an Age of AIDS” was pilot-tested at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, a small rural parish in the Diocese of Eastern Oregon. On the first evening two high school students and on the second evening four junior high students met with the two youth group leaders and three members of the parish:

  • A physician, who brought in condoms, pills, sponges and talked very frankly about each, as well as giving substantive information about HIV/AIDS, other STDs, and rape.
  • A teacher who has taught about HIV/AIDS for several years and is comfortable with this age group.
  • A NEAC board member and long-time friend of the students.

Compared to when the curriculum was first offered, the general information level has risen, and adults working with young people need to be aware that generally they know more now. However, their understanding is sporadic. In the pilot at St. Paul’s, they had many questions on all aspects of sexuality.

These particular kids had all had some HIV education in school and most parents had mentioned it, so their awareness was fairly high—but they seemed to really appreciate having a safe place to discuss the details of prevention AND talking about the hurt that those who are gay suffer. It helped that the on-going emphasis in this youth group is compassion for others.

Here are some of the comments on the student evaluations:

  1. Did you learn anything? No. Yes, more than when talking with my mom. It is not transmitted through saliva.
  2. Did you change any of your opinions or feelings? Yes, quite a few. We need to remember gay people have feelings, too. I feel I am more aware now.
  3. What did you like best? Laughter. All of us talking. Being able to not be embarrassed. Adults who were not afraid to talk about sex.
  4. What did you like least? The visuals of birth control pills and condoms. Not enough people. Talking about this is not easy. I felt uneasy some of the time.
  5. What would you change? Nothing. I don’t know what.

The adults reached consensus: If just one of those kids remembers those conversations, we will have been a success.