Article describes a number of AIDS related outreach projects operated within the diocese of Toronto for local populations and overseas in Africa. Includes the story of the Rev. Doug Willoughby, an Anglican priest who is himself HIV-positive and the diocese's involvement in the Philip Aziz Centre, a non-profit home hospice for people living with AIDS. Describes the work of The Teresa Group, founded by Penelope Holeton, an Anglican lay woman, to help children in Toronto living with AIDS, and also the fundraising work of St. Clement's, Eglinton, which has contributed to the work of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and which in August 2006 "held a reception for grandmothers from Kenya who [were] in Toronto for the International AIDS Conference and the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers' Gathering".
"Anglicans across Canada are being called to demonstrate -- in the 22 days following the closing event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission -- that this ending is only the beginning of healing and reconciliation with Canada's Indigenous people. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald have issued a call to the whole church today to participate in #22days, a campaign that will stretch from the start of the closing of TRC event in Ottawa on May 31 [2015] to National Aboriginal Day on June 21 [2015]. 22days was first conceived of by a group of cathedral deans from cities in which a national TRC event was held and was 'heartily endorsed' by the House of Bishops" (p. 10). "The General Synod communications team has created a web page -- 22days.ca -- that will offer resources, including 22 videos featuring former residential school students and staff describing their experiences in the schools. The videos are not the typical 30-second sound bytes people are used to viewing on television, they are about 15 to 20 minutes each, in order to tell the stories in a more whole and sensitive way, said Anglican Video senior producer Lisa Barry. One video will be added daily to the website during the 22-day period and each will be accompanied by a prayer, written by various people in the church" (p. 11).
"The Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod has requested bishops and deans to focus, for 22 days, from May 31 to June 21 [2017], on renewing the church's commitment to support the work of the Anglican Fund for Healing and Reconciliation through prayers, participation in awareness-raising campaigns and donations. Early this year [2017], Council of General Synod (CoGS) agreed to dedicate the undesignated proceeds of Giving with Grace, General Synod's annual fundraising campaign, to replenish the fund. For the next five years, the fund -- created in 1992 as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement -- will focus on language recovery". General Secretary, Archdeacon Michael Thompson, "stressed that while the Anglican Church of Canada has met its legal obligations under the settlement agreement, 'we're far from finished with our spiritual and moral obligation to continue to support the healing work that is underway among those survivors and in those communities'."
"'People with AIDS are members not only of the community of nations but also of the family of churches around the world', Archbishop [Michael] Peers said during a Pentecost service at St. James Cathedral here [in Toronto]. 'AIDS is not something that is outside the church. It is now part of the church'. Among the things that members of the church can do is reject all notions of divine judgment which interpret the HIV virus as a punishment for sin, the archbishop said." "[T]he archbishop cited the fact that there was no danger of anyone contacting AIDS through the use of the common cup in the eucharist, nor was there any risk in a physical embrace".
"Sunday, Oct. 21, has been designated the Day of Prayer for AIDS". Editorial quotes Episcopal Bishop Douglas Theuner who has said that "the enormity and the universality of the AIDS pandemic can be seen as a challenge to the church to follow Jesus'practice of healing without 'quid pro quo'; to reach out in practical care and concern beyond those who adhere to its own tenets".
Article also translated into French on page 6 as "L'Eglise reconnait l'impact du SIDA".
"People who have lost a family member, a friend or a partner to AIDS are finding support in an Anglican grief recovery program. The program operates out of Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral under the auspices of the Anglican diocese of New Westminster and the downtown Anglican churches."
Detailed article about the support to those with AIDS in Vancouver provided by Christ Church Cathedral, St. Paul's Anglican Church and St. Paul's Hospital.
"People who have lost a family member, a friend or a partner to AIDS are finding support in an Anglican grief recovery program. The program operates out of Vancouver's Christ Church Cathedral under the auspices of the Anglican diocese of New Westminster and the downtown Anglican churches."
Dr. Peter Jepson-Young, a physician with AIDS, told about 125 people that he was impressed that the Anglican Church would sponsor a conference on AIDS. "I think (the event) sends out a message that the church cares and is prepared to get involved, Dr. Jepson-Young said. "Rev. John Bailey, rector of St. Martin's Church, which arranged the conference, said he wanted to change people's image of the church. "I felt it was important not only to raise awareness about AIDS, but also to make a public statement that the church is here to serve those in need, not to judge them".
"Prepared for the AIDS Working Group by General Synod Communications, Anglican Church of Canada".
Contents: The Working Group on AIDS -- What Am I ? -- A Mother's Story -- AIDS brings us face to face with the stranger, sexuality and death / Stephen Manning -- Biblical, Theological and Ethical Issues Surrounding Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome / Geoffrey Parke-Taylor -- AIDS and the Church as a Healing Community -- More information on AIDS -- Intercessory Prayer.
Contents: Letter from Archbishop Michael Peers [commending the Day of Prayer for AIDS on October 21, 1990] dated August 1990 / Michael G. Peers -- Why should we be concerned about AIDS -- What Can We Do ? -- Resources.
Contents include "Liturgy for AIDS Day of Prayer".
"Each issue of 'The Churches Speak' begins with an introductory essay which provides an overview of the topic itself and traces its recent historical manifestations. This essay also summarize, compares, and contrasts the opinions found in the individual statements, allowing the user to place each one in the appropriate context. Each essay concludes with bibliographic citations to sources for further reading on the topic. The statements presented in each monograph are arranged into four main sections based on broad religious families or traditions: The Roman Catholic Church (which represents the single largest religious body in the United States); Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches; Jewish Groups; and Other Religious Bodies. Within the Roman Catholic Church section, statements are arranged chronologically by issuing date. The remaining sections are subarranged alphabetically by individual churches, religious bodies, or ecumenical organizations; the statements issued by each organization are presented chronologically within that organization. Each of the four religious family sections is preceded by a note which provides background information of the family and analysis of its perspective on the issue in question." -- Preface.
Contents: Preface / J. Gordon Melton -- Introductory Essay: The Contemporary Debate in the Churches on the AIDS Crisis -- Statements -- Index to Organizations, Statements, and Subjects.
Statements sub-divided into sections: Roman Catholic Church -- Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches -- Jewish Groups -- Other Religious Bodies.
OTCH Note: Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches section contains four Canadian and/or Anglican statements as follows: A Bi-National (Canada/United States) Consultation Statement on AIDS (1987) -- AIDS: Some Guidelines for Pastoral Care (1986) / Church of England -- Resolution on AIDS (1988), Report of the Commission on Human Affairs and Health (1988) / Episcopal Church -- Statement on AIDS (1986), Statement on AIDS (1987), AIDS in Canada (1988) / United Church of Canada.