March 2005

Our Church Still Has AIDS

Remember, Renew, Recommit at NEAC’s Regional Conference

The regional NEAC conference will be held in Atlanta on April 15 and 16.

“It is our hope and prayer that through our conferences we might inspire the church to remember those that have gone before us and those living with HIV disease and AIDS in our communities and congregations,” said Canon Sue Kuebler, NEAC Secretary and Conference Co-Chair. “Likewise, let us renew our spirits so that we might recommit ourselves to the work of AIDS ministry.

Conference Co-Chair Alfredo Macaya explained there will be two sets of workshops in the morning, which will be repeated in the afternoon to make it possible for those attending to engage more deeply in the discussions and for everyone to join four separate groups. All presentations will be informed by the personal experience of both presenters and participants. The six scheduled workshops are:

  • Pastoral and Ethical Issues Associated with the Current Faces of AIDS: Because AIDS has become a chronic disease to many who have access to medication, this workshop will focus on both life issues and such ethical issues as palliative care, living wills, and the church’s responses in general. Presenters will incorporate their personal perspectives.
  • The Quilt as Liturgy: The National AIDS Memorial Quilt is remembering; remembering is liturgy. In the sacred space of our churches, quilt panels tell their stories of pain, love, joy, sorrow, and faith. Participants will learn how to order Quilt panels, train display volunteers, publicize displays, and find and create healing service liturgies.
  • Youth Ministry in the Age of AIDS 2: The new curriculum, just published and now being distributed, will be explained in the context of what participants can do to help slow the rate of HIV infection among young people in grades 6 to 12. There will be discussion of the risks adolescents face and how to open dialogue with young people about HIV. The curriculum is rooted in the Baptismal Covenant that can help youth feel empowered to make responsible Christian choices.
  • AGAPE—All Generation AIDS Prevention Education: The rate of infection is rising at an alarming rate among Americans over 50. The workshop is designed to educate those over 50 so that they can in turn educate children, grandchildren, and peers. It will cover factors that contribute to poor decision-making, and resources for information and support.
  • African-Americans and AIDS: Of particular concern in this workshop will be barriers to HIV/AIDS prevention that arise from cultural issues unique to this group, and the importance of understanding how to cross those barriers to effectively educate people about the risks they face.
  • The Latin Population and AIDS: The Latin population in the U.S. is also disproportionately attacked by the virus, and again cultural issues are a barrier to HIV/AIDS prevention efforts.

The conference will open at 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening for early registration and a welcome reception. After the workshops, they will close with Eucharist, presentation of the NEAC Award, and a healing service.

Sessions for the conference in Atlanta will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church at 634 West Peachtree Street. The hotel is the Hampton Inn, 3398 Piedmont Road (404.233.5656).