It's a Matter of Faith

Africa stands to lose an entire generation to the AIDS epidemic that is sweeping the continent. In some pockets of sub-Saharan Africa, up to 20 percent of the population is infected with the virus that causes the disease. The crisis is cause for despair, but for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s African church partners it also is a matter of faith and a call to action. [Read more]

Give now to support International AIDS Ministries.

Download the It's a Matter of Faith congregational packet.

Peacemaking goes to Africa

Three PC(USA) program areas, International AIDS Ministry, Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association have partnered together for a two-week travel/study program to South Africa and Malawi. Participants will learn from our church partners about the realities of HIV/AIDS in their context. The travel/study program is being co-lead by Bob Schminkey, a member of the Presbyterian AIDS Network, and Janet Guyer, a mission co-worker serving as a regional AIDS consultant in Africa. The Peacemaking Program has created a blog for you to follow along in this journey as they visit our church partners and see the myriad of ways they are addressing the AIDS pandemic.

Swords into Plowshares allows Presbyterians to share in the daily experience of this trip. So far travelers have reported their impressions of arriving in South Africa, of gathering together with a local Presbyterian congregation and of meeting with local AIDS relief organizations. 

Learn more about the work of our church partners in Africa.

A second chance for Luanga with Moringa

Luanga is an 18-month-old boy who was abandoned by his mother a few months after his father's death. By the time he arrived at Centenary Health Center's nutrition program, he was severely underweight and malnourished. The center houses a feeding program run by the Presbyterian Women and Family Department of the Presbyterian Community of Kinshasa (CPK) and the Presbyterian Health Department (DPS). [Read more]

Africa's Children: A Church Response to Children's Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa

Free single downloads available

For multiple copies order from Presbyterian Marketplace.

Read the Presbyterian News Service article about this resource.

New Resources: General Assembly encourages Funding of AIDS-related ministries

The 217th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved the overture (submitted by the Presbytery of Ohio Valley) to address the world AIDS pandemic. The overture directs the Peacemaking Program to encourage congregations to use their 25 percent of the Peacemaking Offering, and presbyteries and synods to use their portions of the Peacemaking Offering, to fight HIV/AIDS in the United States and globally (where those diseases are decimating whole populations). The funds generated will be utilized for education, prevention, care, and treatment of HIV/AIDS in the most afflicted areas of the world.

AIDS and Peacemaking

This one-sheet leaflet briefly describes the work of the PC(USA)’s International AIDS Ministries in Africa and how that work relates to peacemaking. Congregations, presbyteries and synods are encouraged to use all or part of their share of the Offering to go for work with AIDS-related ministries.

Free
PDS # 1114207289

HIV/AIDS pins

The beaded AIDS pins, made by people infected or affected by HIV and AIDS, raises awareness about this ongoing pandemic and provides a small income for people such as a grandmother, new caregiver or the older sibling taking care of the younger children. Order the pins for members of the congregation especially for Presbyterian HIV/AIDS Awareness Sunday (2nd Sunday in October) or World AIDS Day.

$50 for a packs of 25
PDS #25384-07-001

PCEA releases a landmark HIV/AIDS Policy Statement

The PCEA Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center offers information about the ABC model of behavior modification as well as other services. Photo by Gail Bingham.

In April 2006 the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), PC(USA)’s partner in Kenya, passed a HIV/AIDS Policy at its General Assembly. The ground-breaking policy includes the ABC model of behavior modification:

• A—Abstinence from sexual activity until marriage;
• B—be faithful once married (zero-grazing);
• C—condom use for those who go against the teachings of the Church; for discordant couples or in a marriage where both partners are HIV positive.

Learn more about this policy.

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