History
The Black Church Week of Prayer for the healing of AIDS is
modeled after the successful, innovative Harlem Week of Prayer
of AIDS which was established in 1989 by The Balm of Gilead in
New York City. The Week of Prayer was designed as a bold act of
community outreach to Harlem's religious leaders to address the
community's devastation by HIV/AIDS.
The goals of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the
Healing of AIDS are:
-
To involve
the power of prayer and Devine Love for all those suffering
from AIDS and its destruction
-
To empower
every individual living with HIV/AIDS and take time out for
prayer.
-
To establish
a support network between the religious community, the
families and the health care system
-
To remove
myth and unfounded fears by education people about what AIDS
is and is not and about the full impact of HIV/AIDS on the
community
- It is the largest AIDS
awareness program targeting Black America.
|
- Results in consciousness
change within Black communities and is a
catalyst for year-round church-based community AIDS
education programs.
|
- It is a national AIDS
awareness program to educate and mobilize African
American religious communities to become center for
HIV prevention, treatment, education and compassion.
|
The power of the Black Church
Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is rooted in
the thousands of Black churches across the United
States collectively praying, sharing their grief,
educating their congregations and communities about
AIDS prevention and affirming a compassionate
ministry for those infected and affected by the
disease.
The Black Church continues to
be the cornerstone of African American life in this
country. As the headquarters for disseminating on
issues of health, politics, and social changes,
churches play the central role in the lives of most
African Americans. Given this, and considering the
proliferation of AIDS in Black communities it is
essential that religious organizations lead the
struggle to stop the seemingly uncontrollable spread
of the disease and deliver and demand more services
and resources for people and families infected or
affected.
|
- It is vehicle for
spiritual renewal, transformation and HIV prevention
education for every individual and church community
taking part.
|
- It is effective because
African Americans regard prayer, education and
social action in close proximity.
|
- Helps create social
environments that are conductive to addressing
HIV/AIDS issues and to supporting people and
families affected by the epidemic.
|
- Links Black churches with
AIDS service providers in their locales.
|
Program Overview
This effect locally is organized by the Black Health
Coalition of Wisconsin (BHC) to assist the Black churches in
taking a stand in responding to the effects of HIV/AIDS in
African American communities. The BHC collaborates with local
churches and services providers in the community to address the
effects of HIV/AIDS in African American communities.
The Role of the staff at BHC is the recruit Black churches
to participate in the following ways:
-
On the first Sunday of March make AIDS education and
compassionate care the focus of worship experience,
incorporating a special prayer, alter call or
acknowledgement of The Black Church Week of Prayer for the
Healing of AIDS.
-
Ask the churches to host or sponsor at least one
community-wide AIDS education program during Sunday service
and throughout the week.
-
Make AIDS brochures and other materials available to their
congregation during Sunday service and throughout the week.
-
Support the community-wide AIDS education forum planned by
the staff.
-
Develop and implement an inclusive public relation campaign
highlighting all events schedule for the week.
-
Support and assist each church in any way possible to ensure
the successful completion of its AIDS education program.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CURRENT WEEK OF PRAYER PARTICIPANTS
Funded by:
Wisconsin Division of Public Health AIDS/ HIV program
