AIDS-aware

We describe ourselves as an AIDS-aware Faith Community, seeking and serving Christ in all persons and respecting the dignity of every human being. But many people ask, "What does it really mean to be an AIDS-aware faith community?"

In 1993 St. John's made a commitment to one of its members living with HIV/AIDS by assisting with housing, pastoral care and community support. At that time, the vestry noted that too many people with HIV/AIDS had been alienated from family, friends AND faith communities. The vestry voted unanimously to recommend to the parish that we become a public advocate for people suffering with this disease and the statement became a part of our identity.

St. John's has worked with Boulder County AIDS Project over the years by assisting with housing, offering spiritual support, collecting food annually for their food bank, providing a service of remembrance on World AIDS Day, and providing education programs for Episcopal adults and youth in Boulder County.

Over the past 10 years, the face of HIV/AIDS has changed dramatically. With advanced medical treatment, people with this disease have the possibility of living longer and living well. The "urgency" associated with the disease here in the United States has decreased, but the challenges of this world pandemic continue to grow along with the social stigma.

According to the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition, an AIDS-aware faith community commits itself to:

Educate its members concerning what HIV/AIDS is (and is not);
Promote pastoral care to create a safe haven for all persons affected by HIV/AIDS;
Advocate for the physical, emotional and spiritual health of all people affected by HIV.

What does it mean to be an "AIDS-aware" faith community?

As far as we know, we are the only Episcopal congregation in the nation that identifies itself as an AIDS-aware faith community today. People are often drawn to our community because this statement indicates that we accept, care and reach out to all (not only those living with HIV/AIDS) who are in need.

Each month of the year St. John's has a particular outreach focus. May is the month we focus on the needs of the Boulder County AIDS Project. During this month we collect items for their food bank and offer educational updates on the challenges of AIDS today. On May 8th, Robin Bohannon, Executive Director of the Boulder County AIDS Project came to speak to members of our congregation about the current work being done by BCAP. On May 15 2005, a number of parishioners met at the St. John's labyrinth and then participated in the 22nd International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Walk.

With God's help, St. John's will continue to be "an AIDS-aware faith community" and a beacon of light and hope to those in need.