“Twenty-five years ago, you and I began to hear whispers about a devastating new disease called AIDS, Soon those whispers turned into cries of grief and pain as HIV/AIDS erupted into a worldwide pandemic. In the years since, some 25 million people have died of HIV/AIDS. Another 40 million are currently infected , with 16,000 new infections daily. The United Nations has declared the pandemic a ‘global emergency.’ “
“Our 2004 General Conference acknowledged that The United Methodist Church has abeen slow to respond. “The church has been sleeping for the past 25 years while the pandemic is spreading. But the good news is the spirit of God is awakening the church. Resolution #153 urged responses at every level of the church. In particular, the resolution called for the observance of World AIDS Day in all our churches on or around December 1st and the formation of the Global AIDS Fund through which our churches will raise $8 million during the 2005-2998 quadrennium (UMCOR Advance # 982345), The $8 million represents approximately $1 peer member of the United Methodist Church – 25% of which is to remain for use in the Annual Conference.
At Annual Conference 2006 we passed Resolution #19, which accepted the task of raising $1 per church member in the California-Nevada Annual Conference—approximately $86,000.
Educational and Worship resources are available at www.unaids.org
www.umc-gbcs.org, and www.gbgm-umc.org/health/
Will Furr reads near AIDS Quilt after program at Trinity UMC-Chico
Mavis McGillis, Nancy Park, Leslie Johnson with AIDS Quilt at Trinity UMC-Chico |
