An Everflowing Stream
Amos 5:24
Robert MacAfee Brown said, "(Religion) provides a norm, a standard by which we are rendered dissatisfied with the way things are... as a way of liberating us for change." Karen Armstrong said, spiritual "experience must be incarnated in our behavior toward others... The test of true spirituality is practical compassion." May God ever render us dissatisfied, liberate us from complacency, and empower us to be agents of compassionate change in Nevada and throughout the world. Bishop Dan Edwards
GC'00 Encourage the Church at every level to combat oppression that contributes to spread of HIV/AIDS and hinders prevention, education, treatment, and access to services
A GRASSROOTS HIV/AIDS MISSION
On the recent occasion of the celebratory Mass in thanksgiving to God for the many good works of Fr. Ed Lovelady, the now retired rector of All Saints Parish, Las Vegas, Bishop Dan preached strongly about manifesting faith, hope, and love in our lives and within and from the life of our communities. These elements of the Christian life are essential and effective for the banishment of fear, worry, and despair. Consequently we are opened to new and riskier possibilities for serving Christ and our brothers and sisters.
AIDS Action International offers HIV/AIDS prevention education seminars assisting people, especially youth, to remain uninfected with HIV. Discussion of what the virus is and is not; how it is transmitted and how it is not transmitted; who can "get" the virus; and what communities, including religious communities, can do to encourage the development of AIDS ministry within the community and to become overtly welcoming of persons living with HIV/AIDS.
On many occasions and in many places, including the present, fear, misinformation, outright prejudice, and proudly sustained ignorance have guided all too frequently the discussions and statements about this disease and those millions living and dying with it. AIDS Action International works to change these attitudes, and guide people into understanding that AIDS is not "their" disease: HIV/AIDS is "our" disease. When one person in the parish, the diocese, or the larger community has AIDS, we all have AIDS.
AAI seminars are basic, and easy to understand. There is a period during the day when participants may hand in written questions. "Now is the moment when you can ask that question that you've wanted always to ask . . . but been too afraid to ask it." Then I tell them: "Remember, there is only one stupid question; and that's the question that doesn't get asked!"
In addition to college and high school students, AAI works with hospital and medical staffs; teachers and government workers; members of the armed forces and the national police; and with lay and clergy groups. In actuality, AAI goes to many places and among diverse people. In New York City on 17 November, the 16th annual St. Nicholas Celebration will gather and distribute holiday gifts for 2000+ people living with HIV/AIDS, from infants to seniors. In the Philippines AAI works with thousands of students, and in partnership with the Mountain Province provincial high school, AAI provides two scholarships each year, to a young woman and man, who desire and are highly motivated to continue their studies, but they are poor and without AAI's assistance, college would be out of the question. Presently we have 12 students in the Philippines and one student in Thailand.
International work is all local work. Together with that principle we strive to establish relationships with as many people in the towns as possible. This will be the 17th year of going to the Philippines and Thailand. In Bontoc, the capital of Mountain Province, and other places, there are many friends. Like Las Vegas, New York City, Clearwater, Florida. and Parsons, Kansas where I was born, I count Bontoc, the Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand, two more of my "homes". One important return from the work with AAI is this: wherever and among whomever I am, there is home.
Written by Fr. Rand Frew, Founder and Missioner for AIDS Action International. From 1988-1994 he served as Staff Officer for AIDS Ministry at 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY the Episcopal Church Center (National)
