Inglewood, CA (BlackNews.com) - More than 100 Black faith leaders from throughout
California came together at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood to discuss ways to effectively incorporate HIV/AIDS
education and prevention messages into their ministries. The historic meeting was hosted by the Statewide HIV/AIDS Church
Outreach Advisory Board, which was formed in 1999 through a partnership with the California Department of Health Services,
Office of AIDS.
"We are here today because the AIDS pandemic knows no boundaries and our brothers and sisters are getting sick
and dying at alarming rates," said Reverend Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr. of Bryant Temple AME Church in Los Angeles and working
committee chairman of the Statewide HIV/AIDS Church Outreach Advisory Board. "Because many of us have been silent, African
Americans are disproportionately affected by this disease."
While African Americans comprise only 7 percent of California's population, African Americans account for 18 percent
of the states AIDS cases, and 36 percent of the cases among women, as of April 30, 2005, according to the California Department
of Health Services, Office of AIDS.
Against a 20-year backdrop of providing pastoral care and compassion to those infected with and impacted by HIV
and AIDS, Black church leaders are openly working towards and struggling with how to help prevent the spread of the disease.
"HIV prevention is not an easy issue for many Black churches to take on," said Reverend Dr. Oden. "In our communities,
AIDS is often associated with a number of cultural and social taboos such as sexuality and drug use."
Jo-Ann Marie Hoye from Imani Temple of Temecula who co-presented with Rev. Oden stated, "Churches need to hear
from people who are infected, because we are our brothers keeper. Some people who are HIV positive just need to feel they
are in a safe place to share their stories without worrying if worshipers will no longer sit next to them in the pews."
Throughout the day-long meeting, clergy discussed many of the challenges churches typically face when trying to
educate their parishioners on HIV and AIDS. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the barriers to providing an effective
faith-based ministry and then work on strategies to raise awareness, educate congregations and ultimately prevent the spread
of HIV among African Americans in their regions.
Clergy also began planning for a statewide faith-based effort to promote National HIV Testing Day, which will take
place later this summer on June 27th. The Statewide HIV/AIDS Church Outreach Advisory Board is leading the awareness effort
to encourage Black churches throughout California to participate in National HIV Testing Day activities.
"In the past some churches have opened up their parking lots for confidential HIV testing. Others have hosted discussion
groups on preventing HIV/AIDS while others have delivered compassionate sermons about AIDS and those impacted by the disease,"
said Reverend Dr. Oden.
At the meeting, the Advisory Board recognized members of the Black faith community for their leadership in faith-based
AIDS education and outreach. Lynn Chamberlain-Tribble from Los Angeles and Dr. Robert Scott, a physician from Oakland received
Healing Begins Here Compassion awards. Chamberlain-Tribble was the owner and executive director of Marilyns Manor, a residential
care facility of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and was a member of Faithful Central Bible Church. Chamberlain-Tribble died
in December 2004 from AIDS. Dr. Scott co-founded the AIDS Project of the East Bay, the largest and oldest AIDS service organization
in Alameda County, California, and maintains an active presence as the president of the board. Scott is also the co-coordinator
of the Allen Temple Baptist Church HIV/AIDS Ministry.
PacifiCare and The California Endowment sponsored the gathering of faith leaders contributing funds to underwrite
a portion of the costs, including travel and lodging. The Advisory Board established a partnership with the California Department
of Health Services, Office of AIDS to create a platform for awareness and prevention within the faith-based African American
community.
This partnership gave birth to Healing Begins Here: A Pastor's Guidebook to HIV/AIDS Ministry through the Church.
To date, more than 3,000 copies have been distributed. As part of the partnership, charter members of the Advisory Board signed
the HIV/AIDS Church Outreach: Faith Community Covenant in June 2000, and new church representatives attending the gathering
were invited to add their signatures.
The Covenant emphasizes the following areas: Mentoring to other churches in their regions; HIV/AIDS training from
a spiritual, medical, public health and ecumenical point of view; Informing those in the faith community about the importance
of getting tested for HIV; Dedicating a minimum of four Sundays per year to HIV/AIDS.
For more information, contact the Advisory Board at 1-877-256-1997 or visit their website at www.healingbeginshere.org
