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Sponsors for the Black Church Week of Prayer
for the Healing of AIDS
Knoxville News Sentinel
Knoxville, TN
By Jeannine F. Hunter
03.02.02
Churches are pillars of strength, places where the weary seek refuge
from tribulation. In many black communities, the first schools and
hospitals started in churches.
Today the church is being called upon to respond again to the needs
of hurting people with promoting AIDS awareness and education. This
week, that response takes the form of the Black Church Week of Prayer
for the Healing of AIDS, which begins Sunday, March 3, and ends
Saturday, March 9.
The challenge for churches, say many supporters, is getting the
clergy behind the mission. The Rev. Vincent M. Jones, a retired
dentist and presiding elder of the AME Zion Church's Knoxville/Maryville
District, says the problem is that when AIDS first appeared, many
thought it was a plague and that God was cursing a certain generation.
"But we found out that it's affecting not just the average
person but too many of their families, within their communities,"
said Jones, whose district consists of 17 churches from LaFollette
to Madisonville. "It is happening in their churches, and they
want to minister to the people. This is not a hands-off disease."
All district churches are endorsing the weeklong Black Church Week
of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.
The local observance begins at 5 p.m. March 3 with a prayer vigil
candlelight march from Haley Heritage Square on Dandridge Avenue
to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 1602 Dandridge Ave.
Catherine Wyatt-Morley, Nashville author of "AIDS Memoir:
Journal of an HIV-Positive Mother," will be the guest speaker
on March 8, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2714 Brooks Road. Beginning
at 7 p.m., the program will feature Morley and musical selections
from Praise, Honor and Glory choir. A reception will begin at 6
p.m. On March 9, there will be an educational forum featuring testimonials
beginning at 10 a.m. at Rogers Memorial Baptist Church, 520 College
St.
Delta Sigma Theta sorority has been active in planning events for
Black Church Week of Prayer, said Loretta Johnson, public health
educator with the Knox County Health Department.
"We need all the sororities and fraternities to get involved
and bring awareness to the community that HIV and AIDS are killing
our people," said Johnson. "I am just so thankful that
Delta stepped up and is taking a part in this."
Dr. Celvia Dixon, vice president of programs for the Knoxville
Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., is encouraging
youths and their parents to attend the week's proceedings. "We
are trying to get the message out that HIV/AIDS is preventable,"
Dixon said.
In 2001, there were 25 local congregations committed to participate
in Black Church Week of Prayer. This year, 54 congregations are
participating.
Johnson said even if churches have not purchased information before
this weekend about the weeklong observance, it is not too late to
participate.
"I attended a meeting of African-American chaplains this week
and someone made the comment that to reach the African-American
community, the only way is to go to the African-American ministers
and the ministers have to get the message to their congregation
and the congregation brings the message to the community. It's sort
of like the disciples to me. Jesus trained his disciples to go out
and teach all nations. Discipleship starts in the church before
they work out into the communities and bring awareness to the people."
Jeannine F. Hunter may be reached at 865-342-6324 or hunter@knews.com.
Copyright 2002 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
2002 Copyright (C) 2002 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co. All Rights
Reserved.
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