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As
an active participant in the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS,
your church is asked to do one or more of the following:
Make HIV/AIDS education and awareness the focus of the worship experience on
Sunday, March 4, 2007.
Host an educational program, prayer service, conference, or workshop during the
week of March 4-10, 2007 at your place of worship.
Provide ongoing HIV/AIDS education information and promotional materials for your
congregation and community.
Develop a partnership with local AIDS service organizations, community based organizations,
faith-based organizations, public health agencies, and health departments, who
are also active participants in the Black Church Week of Prayer.
Partner with the Balm In Gilead by making a commitment to serve as a community
center for HIV/AIDS awareness, education, support, and compassion year around!
Upon registering and becoming an active participant in the Black Church Week
of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS 2007, your church will receive the following:
1. Membership in the National Black Church HIV/AIDS Network
of the Balm In Gilead, Inc.
2. Online access to the Black Church Week of Prayer for the
Healing of AIDS 2007 Planning and Implementation Guide, including HIV/AIDS Fact
Sheets,
Products and Liturgical Resource information.
3. Access to ongoing technical assistance, training, and capacity
building services provided by the Technical Assistance and Training Department
of the Balm In Gilead, Inc.
4. A personalized listing on the internet of your church’s
Week of Prayer activities and events.
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Suggestions
for making AIDS education the focus of your worship experience:
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- During worship, offer a special prayer for the healing of AIDS -- its impact
on our family and community and throughout the global village.
- The pastor can deliver a compassionate and informative sermon on HIV/AIDS and
the role of the church.
- Include AIDS facts in your Sunday bulletin and/or distribute AIDS education
brochures from your local AIDS service organization or health department, from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or from The Balm In Gilead.
- Include a discussion on AIDS education in the church school program at every
age level.
- Work in partnership with a local health care provider to provide on-site HIV
testing after worship and encourage members to get tested.
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Suggestions for educational
activities you can provide at the church during the week:
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- Host a church conference on AIDS for the community.
- Conduct an AIDS prevention workshop for youth and/or adults.
- Host a treatment and care workshop for persons living with HIV/AIDS and their
families.
- Host an educational workshop on mother-to-child transmission and prevention.
- Host a "Get Tested" workshop to educate church members/community on the importance
of knowing one's HIV status, and to address the fears and stigma about testing.
- Host a workshop on mobilizing volunteers for AIDS service.
- Host a prayer vigil and distribute AIDS information.
You can receive more program suggestions and further assistance by calling
The Balm In Gilead at 888-225-6243.
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