"The 100-page report, 'A survey conducted for the Book of Alternative Services Evaluation Commission', is available from the Anglican Book Centre for $8.99. The Commission had earlier published 'Thinking about The Book of Alternative Services: A Discussion Primer' (also available from ABC at $8.99). Its focus is a theological evaluation of the BAS. 'This survey of the use and attitudes to the BAS by a variety of Anglicans is one of the ways in which the Evaluation Commission is fulfilling its mandate to consult with the Church', said John Webster, acting chair. 'The detailed results will be a significant factor in drawing up our report and recommendations to the 1995 General Synod'." [Text of entire article.]
"Africa has one-tenth of the population but nearly two-thirds of the estimated cases of AIDS in the world." Canon Ron Taylor, NZABM General Secretary and formerly Secretary of the Church of the Province of Tanzania, was recently in Tanzania to run seminars for the Anglican church leadership, on the subject of AIDS, in nine of the sixteen dioceses in the province.
Andrew Ignatieff reported to the November 2003 Council of General Synod meeting about the AIDS campaign of PWRDF. "The campaign called `A Partnership for Life -- A Generation Without AIDS', aims to raise $1 million from parishes, foundations and government sources." PWRDF already provides close to $500,000 in program support to HIV/AIDS work, principally in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa, according to a report prepared for the fund's annual meeting Nov. 1. [2003]. The fund has also developed a liturgy booklet in connection with World AIDS Day, Dec.".
Luc Montagnier, one of the discoverers of the AIDS virus, has urged the Roman Catholic church to relax its ban on contraception. The French professor gave a Vatican conference on the child a moving description of the inroads of the disease among children in Uganda.
Peg Herbert, a parishioner of St. George's, Ottawa is spearheading a program for children in Lesotho, expecially those orphaned by parents who have died of HIV/AIDS.
"Published by the Provincial Office of the Church of the Province of Kenya, P.O. Box 40504, Nairobi, Kenya".
"The Pre-Lambeth Conference for Anglican Bishops and Archbishops in Africa met in Limuru, Kenya, from July 8th-16th 1987. The Conference was intended as a preparation for the 1988 Lambeth Conference of all Bishops in the Anglican Communion which will be held next July in Canterbury. Hosted by the Archbishop of Kenya, the Most Rev. Manasses Kuria, and organized by the Provincial Secretary, the Ven. John Kago, assisted by a small Provincial Committee chaired by the Rt. Rev. David Gitari, the Conference brought together 57 Bishops from nine out of the ten Anglican Provinces in Africa, eight of them Archbishops: approximately half of the entire number of Anglican Bishops on the continent of Africa. It was the first time a large number of Archbishops and Bishops from Africa had assembled on African soil to discuss things of common concern". -- Intro.
Contents: Welcome dated 8th July 1987 / Manasses Kuria -- Introduction -- Keynote Address / Samuel Van Culin -- Summaries of Discussions and Resolutions -- The Debate on Polygamy -- Resolutions Passed concerning Polygamy -- Resolutions Passed concerning AIDS -- Conference Papers -- Church, Community and State / J.H. Okullu -- The Critical Issues / A.K. Kiriro -- AIDS / W. Koinange -- The Ground on Which We Stand: The Theological Basis for our Action in Advocacy / Kwasi A. Thornell -- Conclusions -- Appendix 1: 1978 Lambeth Conference: Resolutions 20, 21 and 22 on the Ordination of Women -- Conference List.
OTCH Note. The Most Rev. Michael Peers, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, was a guest at the Conference and appears in a photograph on p. 3.
At head of title: PWRDF : Liturgy for World AIDS Day : December 1, 2002
Resource prepared by Susie Henderson [conversation with author, Susie Henderson].
"The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund created this liturgy for use by parishes and groups on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2002. It is designed for use during Advent, however it could be adapted for use throughout the year. PWRDF acknowledges HIV/AIDS as a global pandemic that affects all of us. In the year 2002 our worship service focuses on the disastrous situation in Africa". -- Leader's Guide, p. 1.
Contents: [Preface] -- [Service] -- Some Questions and Answers about HIV/AIDS -- A Prayer for AIDS Awareness Shabbat -- Sources.
December 01, 2009 - An interview with the Rev. Patricia Sawo, a church leader and mother living with HIV in Kenya inspired Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to entitle his World Aids Day Message A Space for Hope. Patricia says of her church "My congregation knows about my status and people in my church know that this is a place where, if they come with HIV, they can be loved." The Archbishop says "when the Church is doing its job, it is providing space for people to face themselves, to be themselves, and to cope with the future."
On my trip to Burundi in February, I saw numerous examples of that kind of space. Let me cite just two. In the heart of the city of Bujumbura there is an HIV/AIDS clinic. Above the main entrance of the administration building is a sign stating that the building was renovated though a gift of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) of the Anglican Church of Canada. That gift inspired other churches in the city to make contributions to expand the services of this clinic which serves teens and young adults who have been orphaned through AIDS. Most of them live on the street and their life is very rough. The clinic is a haven where they can learn about HIV/AIDS, get tested and if necessary receive treatment and counseling. As the Archbishop says, they can "face themselves, be themselves, and cope with the future."
Up in the hills, "in the bush" as Burundians say, in the village of Bitare, I and Cheryl Curtis (Executive Director of PWRDF) and Maureen Bailey (Youth Council, PWRDF) were invited to assist local people in laying the foundation stone for a new HIV/AIDS clinic. It was very humbling to kneel down and share in that work as hundreds of people looked on and sang and prayed for God's blessing on this project. The building is now complete and providing services to hundreds of people in Bitare and a number of surrounding villages. Individuals and families are feeling support and care. Lives are being changed and hope is rising like the glory of a new day.
This coming Sunday, the second in Advent, I ask that throughout the Church, prayers of special intent for those living with HIV/AIDS be included in the Prayers of the People. Pray for their caregivers and for their doctors and nurses and clergy. Pray especially for the work of the Mother's Union in Africa and their deep and steadfast commitment to helping those who are living with AIDS and those who have been widowed and orphaned through AIDS, and those who are caring for their grandchildren. Pray for those engaged in education about healthy sexuality and the prevention of AIDS. And as we pray for the eradication of the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, pray also for that "space" the Church is called to provide where people can be welcomed and free to face themselves and be themselves without fear of rejection; where through loving care and support they can cope with their future. This calling is after the very example of Our Lord who reached out and "touched" (Mark 1: 40-41) the sick with love and mercy.
I encourage one and all to pray, to support the continuing work with HIV/AIDS, and to stand with all those who are pressuring world leaders, in the words of one of the Millennium Development Goals, "to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases." I issue this call in the name of him whose Advent sets us free, whose love brings healing and hope to all.