Current Articles |
Press Archives
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
Local church brings AIDS fight home
Daily Home (WWW)
Talladega, AL
By Mary Louise Waller
03.02.02
Mount Canaan Baptist Church's Health Ministry Team has recently
acknowledged a need for awareness concerning the HIV virus and AIDS
in Talladega County and surrounding areas.
Mount Canaan will join thousands of churches around the country
during the week of March 3 through March 9 in the [Black Church
Week of Prayer for the Healing of] AIDS. This will be its 13th year
of involvement, and the Health Ministry Team will host a workshop
focusing on HIV and AIDS on March 7 at 7 p.m. at Mount Canaan Baptist
Church on Battle Street in Talladega.
Each month, the health team addresses current health issues, often
by placing inserts in the church bulletins or through oral presentations.
Faye Lucas, an active member of the church, said the objective
of Mount Canaan's outreach nursing program is "to nourish not
only the congregation but the surrounding community."
And after a recent health survey of the congregation at the church,
the members realized the dangers of many common diseases. The survey,
performed by Baptist Montclair services, unearthed the prevalence
of diabetes and hypertension, as well as HIV, the virus that causes
AIDS.
Though people of all ages are encouraged to attend, Lucas says
the focus of the program will be young adults, specifically African-Americans.
Two specialists will involve the participants in discussions and
question-and-answer portions, as well as provide handouts with statistics
and descriptions of the virus.
Event organizers will also set up rooms with special video information
available. One secluded section will house a testing station for
any participants who wish to have an oral-swab test for HIV administered
to them.
"Hopefully, people will be more responsible about their behaviors,"
said Lucas.
It is the desire of the team that, by keeping the public informed
about HIV, those afflicted can begin treatment immediately, she
said.
The workshop will be open to the public, and Lucas says the team's
"ultimate goal is to impede the spread of HIV in all ages and
races."
There will be several presenters, other than the two specialists,
including some members of the congregation. Additional services
may be provided by personnel from an AIDS clinic in Oxford. The
Talladega College Gospel Choir will be another special guest at
the workshop, which will be held at Mount Canaan Baptist Church
March 7 at 7 p.m. Pizza and beverages will be provided.
Copyright (c) 1998-2002 Consolidated Publishing. All rights reserved.
..............................................................................................................................................................................................
Current Articles |
Press Archives
|
