“We believe that prayer changes things,” says Pernessa C. Seele, founder and CEO of the Balm in Gilead, Inc., the organizer of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. The 9th annual local commemoration begins next Sunday, March 6, with a Praise Dance Fellowship at Four Square Church, 11150 Old St. Charles Rock Rd.
“Whatever we do, we have to start with prayer,” Seele says. “We are also asking churches to have AIDS education sermons, programs and Bible studies.”
The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS started 16 years ago, when Seele was working at Harlem Hospital in the AIDS service office.
“One of my responsibilities was to work with people living with HIV,” recalls Seele. “I was taken back by the lack of pastors and people in church that were present.”
In response to that absence, she started a week of prayer and her organization, the Balm in Gilead, which takes it name from Jeremiah 8:22: “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?”
The local religious community has followed her lead this year by organizing a busy week of fellowship and education. Honorary co-chairs are Bishop Deborah A. Morris of Willing Workers Christian Redeeming Spiritual Church and the Rev. Anthony Witherspoon of Washington Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church. The local schedule of events is as follows:
Sunday, March 6, 6 p.m.Praise Dance FellowshipFour Square Church11150 Old St. Charles Rock Rd. Monday March 7, 7 p.m.Memorial ServiceWashington Metropolitan AME Zion Church613 North Garrison Tuesday, March 8, 7 p.m.Commission Service for Persons Living with HIV and Working in the FieldWest Side Missionary Baptist Church4675 Page
Wednesday, March 9, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.Faith Confrence: “Bridging the Gap”Harris-Stowe State College3701 Laclede Thursday, March 10, 6 p.m.AIDS Awarness Activities on UMSL Campus
Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m.Praise and Worship ServiceWilling Workers Christian Redeeming Spiritual Church5361 Wells Friday, March 11, 5:30-9 p.m.Sisterhood: One in the SpiritVashon High School3035 Cass Saturday, March 12, 2005Annual Prayer BreakfastSt. Alphonsus “Rock” Catholic Church1118 North Grand Seele is aware that AIDS awareness campaigns often go against the grain of the black church.
“Many church leaders don’t know how to approach that issue, or they believe that homosexuality causes HIV,” she says. “Since they are against homosexuality, they don’t talk about HIV.”
They have a lot to talk about.
African Americans represent only 12 percent of the population, but account for 54 percent of all new AIDS cases.
Black women are more likely to get AIDS from heterosexual activity than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“The first role of the black church is to dismantle the stigma. It’s the stigma that drives people not to get tested or treated. That stigma has its root in the idea that AIDS is sin,” Seele said.
“Next, they must educate the community about the disease and provide information.”
For more information about local events, call Shelia Grigsby at 612-5877. To register, visit www.balmingilead.org/wop2005. Complete the online registration form or download and fax it to (212) 730-2551. Or call (888) 225-6243.
Students Teaching AIDS to Students
HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the top five killers for teenagers. In 2000, 1,688 young people between 13 and 24 were reported having AIDS, bringing the total cases among this group to 31,293. It is estimated that today almost half of new HIV infections occur among teenagers and almost 65 percent of them black.
In response to this aspect of the crisis, this Saturday, Feb. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the Washington University School of Medicine will host a free workshop, “Students Teaching AIDS to Students,” which includes a free lunch.
The goals of the workshop include to provide basic information about AIDS, to motivate youth leaders to raise awareness about the disease and to prevent transmission of HIV among adolescents.
Teens will participate in break-out educational sessions on the issue, meet individuals living with AIDS and enjoy a presentation by the HEALTHWORKS Theatre Co. of Chicago.
The workshop is for teens, grades 9-12. Parental permission is required, though teens may register at the door.
The entrance to the workshop is through the Bernard Becker Medical Library on Euclid Avenue at the intersection of Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza.
For more information, call Judy Lipsitz at 997-0585 or email daljrl@sbcglobal.net.