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What's New with Wallace & St. Paul's

File Under “Awake”

February 03, 2010

LogoPosted by Kimberly Allen

File under "being awake!" St. Paul's is now a partner in the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS (March 7 - 13, 2010). This nationwide movement is organized by "The Balm in Gilead," a faith-based organization focused on HIV/AIDS that is headquartered in Richmond.

As part of our involvement in this effort, on Sunday, March 7, the prayers and sermon at our worship services will focus on the healing of AIDS. Dozens of other area parishes will also participate. Last week, a new Web site for this annual week of prayer -- now in its 21st year -- launched. As a national interfaith leader, Wallace+ provided the following statement urging even more faith communities to join the movement.

"Archbishop Desmond Tutu says, ‘if it's not political, it's not Christianity.' The Balm In Gilead has mobilized the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS for nearly two decades. Those joining the movement begin with prayer, then - as founder Pernessa Seele explains - somewhere along the way the Spirit stirs and often compels a faith community to go still deeper into action.

"As the Balm in Gilead seeks to broaden the week of prayer, it is my honor to join the movement. I encourage my brothers and sisters in Richmond and beyond to also sign on for this year's week of prayer if they haven't already. The deadly virus that causes HIV is color blind. It doesn't care if we're in a so-called red state or blue state or purple state. It doesn't worry if we've been kind and generous or cruel and greedy. It knows no mercy.

"People of faith (and those who have not yet found faith) must offer a united front against HIV/AIDS, help those living with it, and together combat the systemic injustices that stand in the way of access to preventative education and care. The Balm In Gilead exemplifies God's mercy, justice, and hope. May many more answer Pernessa's call - and, yes, God's call - to see the suffering and end it."

The 2010 National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is the inclusive, expansion of the highly successful Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, which concluded its 20th year anniversary in 2009. The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS was the nation's FIRST national mobilization campaign that specifically focused on HIV/AIDS. The campaign has provided AIDS information to well-over 5 million African Americans through the engagement of Black congregations of every sector across the United States.

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