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Campaign looks to tackle spread of AIDS
Galveston County News (WWW)
Galveston, TX
By Carolina Amengaul
03.02.02
GALVESTON -- Starting Sunday, island churches will observe the
[Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of] AIDS to tackle
the spread of the disease among members of the African-American
community.
The event is part of a national campaign to mobilize black churches
to become centers for AIDS education and compassionate care.
According to the AIDS Coalition of Coastal Texas, about 1,000 people
in Galveston live with HIV and 400 of those cases are minorities.
Maurisa Byerly, the group's service director, said church leaders
have the ability to make a difference because people are inspired
by them.
Through workshops, guest speakers and distribution of printed material,
churches will attempt to remove the stigma attached to AIDS as they
encourage people to discuss the disease openly and without fear.
Individual and group prayers as well as gospel concerts are included
in the program.
The Rev. Herman Lewis of Progressive Baptist Church, the local
coordinator of the weeklong program, said this year's theme --
"Planting a seed, seeing the results and keeping it alive"
-- illustrates the purpose of the event.
"I've had people ask me if they could get it by kissing or
holding hands with someone," Lewis said. "We want to give
information to those who don't know anything about AIDS. Not knowing
destroys many people. "
From a spiritual standpoint, the aim is to show that religion can
help in the treatment of AIDS, said the Rev. Charles Wheat of St.
Luke Baptist Church.
"Prayer can help people deal with the way they handle the
disease," Wheat said.
The Rev. David Everson of First Union Baptist Church said it is
important for people who are infected to learn that they are not
alone in their struggle.
"We want everyone to know that God will supply help,"
Everson said.
Sunday
3:30 p.m.
St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church
1301 Ave. L, Galveston
Tuesday
7:30 p.m.
St. Luke Baptist Church
13th Street and Broadway, Galveston
Wednesday
7 p.m.
Avenue L Baptist Church
2612 Ave. L, Galveston
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