"Task Force be charged with coordinating a network of AIDS ministries already in place in annual conferences, offering assistance to those conferences which wish to establish such ministries, and developing and providing educational and interpretive materials to assist the church in an effective response to the AIDS epidemic both in the United States and around the world."
The 1988 and 1992 General Conferences did not assign the implementation of these Calendar Items to an agency. Consequently, GCOM, through its role as reflected in ¶ 1006, referred this assignment to the General Board of Global Ministries.
Membership
The original legislation went on to require the following membership on the Task Force which was augmented at the Task Force's request and with the General Council on Ministries' concurrence: two members and one staff person each from the General Board of Global Ministries, the General Board of Church and Society, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Board of Discipleship and the National Youth Ministries Organization; one member and staff each from the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women with at least two of these being young adults; and also staff from the United Methodist Communications and the General Council on Ministries.
Each agency authorized by the legislation to seat members on the Task Force chose its representatives. Additional persons were added in order for the Task Force to include persons with HIV infection and AIDS, a care provider of a person with HIV/AIDS, and a parent of a person living with AIDS. The Task Force membership represented ethnic diversity.
Organization and Responsibilities
In its report to the 1992 General Conference, the Task Force included a recommendation that it be continued through the 1993-96 quadrennium. General Conference, by accepting the report, accepted the contin- uation of the Task Force. The Task Force continued to operate during this quadrennium in a fashion similar to that of the previous quadrennium. The 1993-96 Task Force used the same criteria as in the previous quadrennium to establish membership. The responsibilities of the Task Force included: monitoring, coordinating, and interagency communicating.
Work of Task Force
The Task Force met three times. Meeting agendas included time for reports on each member agency's work with regard to HIV/AIDS infection as well as suggestions for improvements and interagency offerings of help.
All member agencies worked in support of a request to the Council of Bishops to update their pastoral statement on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, dated April 20, 1988. The Task Force commended the Council of Bishops for their straight-forward, caring and compassionate statement of 1988. The Task Force was in agreement that while the content of the Bishops' Statement was clear, new issues had arisen since 1988 which needed to be addressed.
In addition, the Task Force reviewed and recommended revisions of general agencies' employment policies and procedures that are established by the General Council on Finance and Administration's Committee on Personnel Policies and Procedures. These recommendations were intended to strengthen the church's policies related to employment and HIV/AIDS as well as to bring those policies more closely in line with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
The Task Force worked with the Lutheran AIDS Network and the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition in the planning and implementation of a Hope and Healing Conference in St. Louis, Missouri in September, 1995. The purpose of this collaboration was to use the learnings from participating in this ecumenical event as the basis for the development of a United Methodist HIV/AIDS consultation during the next quadrennium.
Task Force meetings provided an opportunity for substantial continuing education for the member representatives from each general agency, and at each meeting agency representatives reviewed and discussed current HIV/AIDS information made available through the Computerized AIDS Ministries Resource Network. This information included surveillance findings from the United States Department of Health's Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, reports from the World Health Organization and materials from United Methodists throughout the United States.
The Task Force celebrates the effective ministry with persons living with HIV/AIDS, local pastors, congregations and outreach to the unchurched which is being conducted through the Computerized AIDS Ministries Resource Network (CAM), a computerized bulletin board service, which was recommended by the previous Task Force. This ministry has been expanded to include Internet access and world coverage through the World Wide Web. The Task Force has noted that for hundreds of individuals, CAM has become their church home. CAM has been referred to in the media as "The On-line Church" on the new information super-highway.
Task Force members during the quadrennium resourced numerous local, regional and national HIV/AIDS events representing the Church. One Task Force member, infected with AIDS, was invited to be the keynote speaker for the State of Iowa at a display of a portion of the AIDS memorial quilt by the Names Project in Dubuque, Iowa. Another Task Force member played a major role in bringing together leaders of African-American religious communities in Los Angeles, California for a Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. Task Force members also participated in meetings of the National Council of Religious AIDS Network of the AIDS National Interfaith Network. One member of the Task Force living with HIV disease was selected by the World Council of Churches to participate in their international health meeting in Madras, India in 1995.
General Agency Summaries:
General Board of Global Ministries
Through the General Board of Global Ministries' Health and Welfare Ministries Program Department and its World Program Division, the following HIV/AIDS Consultations were held: 1) 1992 - Sao Paulo, Brazil (in association with CIEMAL and other Latin American agencies) for 100 Methodist Church leaders from 15 countries throughout the Latin American region; 2) 1993 - Harrare, Zimbabwe for 36 United Methodist Church leaders from West and East Angola Annual Conferences, Zimbabwe and Mozambique; and 3) 1994 - Delhi, India (in association with the Methodist Church of India, Christian Medical Association of India, Seventh Day Adventist Church of India and Adventist Development and Relief Association) for 125 Methodists and Seventh Day Adventists from India. In 1995 the Department worked with the Lutheran AIDS Network and National Episcopal AIDS Coalition to participate in a Hope and Healing Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Health and Welfare Ministries Program Department conducted seminars within Northwest Texas, Virginia, New Mexico, East Ohio and Florida annual conferences. The Department conducted workshops at the following events during the quadrennium: 1) 1992, 1993 and 1994 HIV/AIDS Skills Building Conferences; 2) 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Annual Convention of the United Methodist Association of Health and Welfare Ministries; 3) Health and Welfare Chairpersons trainings in 1993, 1994 and 1995; 4) Women's Assembly in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1994; 5) Southeast Jurisdictional Church Business Administrator Annual Meeting at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina in 1994; and 6) Global Gathering 1993 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Department continued to develop the resources which were added to the Department's HIV/AIDS library available to individuals, local churches and annual conferences including: Meditation for HIV/AIDS Ministries, Worship Resources for HIV/AIDS Ministries, HIV/AIDS Ministries: A Practical Guide for Pastors, 27 FOCUS Papers covering topics including women and AIDS, children and AIDS, basic HIV/AIDS information and pastoral resources for HIV/AIDS ministries, Covenant to Care Manual and associated resources. Local church and annual conference resources including Suggested Activities for Individuals and Local Churches, Suggested Principles and Guidelines Regarding Workplace Policies on HIV Infection and Related Illnesses, Things Annual Conferences Can Do and Suggested HIV/AIDS Education Outline.
One of the most significant developments during the quadrennium was the establishment of the Computerized AIDS Ministries Resource Network (CAM), a computerized bulletin board system which allows persons to get the latest HIV/AIDS information, communicate with others doing HIV/AIDS ministries and provide support to persons infected with HIV/AIDS. The system is operated 24 hours a day, receives an average of 5,000 calls per month, contains more than 4,000 pieces of information and is used by more than 2,000 individuals per year. By expanding access to CAM through the Internet and the World Wide Web has opened its resources to the world. Individuals from as far away as Great Britain, Spain and Australia have already taken advantage of their new ability to access the resources of CAM.
United Methodist Communications
United Methodist Communications produced a Catch the Spirit segment about the experiences of a HIV positive woman in 1993, who contracted the virus through a blood transfusion after surgery.
EcuFilm has promoted and distributed 3 videos about HIV/AIDS. Unconditional Love - A warm, caring story about St. Paul's United Methodist Church and the outreach program that members of the congregation organized to help persons living with HIV/AIDS in their community. (First distributed in 1990.) Spread The Word - Presents information, stories, attitudes and feelings shared by teens whose lives have been affected by AIDS. (First distributed in 1991.) HIV/AIDS: Stories of Mutual Ministry - This program introduces viewers to ordinary people who have been forced to confront HIV disease and the stigmas and isolation that are often part of the crisis. (1993)
EcuFilm continues to distribute the Why We Care AIDS program and the CTS AIDS program on request.
United Methodist News Service has produced and distributed 18 news releases on various aspects of HIV/AIDS during the quadrennium.
The Interpreter has published one major article (July-August, 1993, "Show That We Care") and two success stories about local church ministry or activity with people living with HIV/AIDS.
General Board of Discipleship
The General Board of Discipleship included in The United Methodist Book of Worship a section on "Services and Prayers, Ministry with Persons with AIDS" with suggested scripture readings. The September/October 1992 issue of alive now was devoted to AIDS. In partnership with the National Hispanic Plan, SIDA: Manual de Estudio para Adultos was produced. LINKS, the Laity in Ministry Unit newsletter, continues to produce articles that develop an awareness of HIV/AIDS, educational articles on prevention and ways congregations can be in ministry with persons with HIV/AIDS.
General Board of Church and Society
The General Board of Church and Society anchored its work in HIV/AIDS in two specific goals: to advocate for public policy in support of persons with HIV/AIDS and to educate about HIV/AIDS.
The public policy challenges concerning HIV/AIDS have required constant vigilance and creative strategies. The quadrennium began with the hope of major reform of our nation's health care system, and ended in a battle to sustain critical social spending amidst drastic budget cuts. To strengthen the religious voice and maximize impact, the board coordinated its efforts through an interfaith coalition, AIDS National Interfaith Network (ANIN). National AIDS Lobby Days were coordinated from the United Methodist building, joining the secular and faith communities in public policy advocacy on issues of housing, medical research, Medicaid, public education, etc., as related to HIV/AIDS. Sadly, the work of our faith community to protect people and the critical programs that sustain individuals disabled by illness, was more often thwarted than affirmed by our nation's lawmakers. One major accomplishment, however, will be the re-authorization of the Ryan White Care Act. The funding to states and cities sanctioned by this legislation is critical to programs across our country supporting persons with AIDS and public education about AIDS.
Education about AIDS and the needs of persons struggling with AIDS has been the second focus of the General Board of Church and Society. An educated public is critical to the process of assuring justice in public policy. The General Board of Church and Society, with the support of the Health and Welfare Ministries Department, sponsored two art exhibits in the United Methodist Building to raise awareness around the issues of AIDS. The first, in October of 1992, We See Face to Face, was a collection of portraits of homeless persons with AIDS, painted by David Johnson. Members of Congress (and staff) were invited to view this unique presentation, giving a human face to AIDS; a press event was held to open the exhibit, enabling national coverage of the issue. In March of 1995, an international collection of poster art Imagenes Contra el Sida was displayed in the building during National AIDS Lobby Days. This dramatic exhibit, interspersed with official statements on AIDS by faith groups, was designed to enhance understanding between the faith and secular communities working on the issues. During the peak of the Congressional Medicaid debate in the fall of 1995, an exhibit of pictures and stories of persons dependent upon Medicaid cuts. A quote from a letter by Joe Miler, a person with AIDS, received national attention as the focal statement of the exhibit.
The General Board of Church and Society has also employed its publication Christian Social Action to teach church members and leaders about AIDS. In addition to feature stories on the church and AIDS, news of the legislative issues surrounding AIDS has been carried in Word from Washington. Two educational resources were developed during the quadrennium. Faithful Witness on Today's Issues: AIDS contains the church's official statements on AIDS, formatted to facilitate a study of the issues. The AIDS Resource Packet, available through the Ministry of God's Human Community, provides additional resources for developing a church study about AIDS. A major educational focus for the board has been the annual promotion of World AIDS Day. Materials have been distributed to conferences and individual members as requested. A worship service to lift up the needs of persons with AIDS and the role of the church has been developed and published annually in Christian Social Action for use on World AIDS Day. The board has promoted ANIN's "Tolling of Steeple Bells" and the "Council Call" on World AIDS Day as strategies to increase awareness of AIDS and encourage commitment to action by people of faith.
Throughout the quadrennium, the General Board of Church and Society has led people of faith on Capitol Hill in worship, lifting up the needs of persons with AIDS. Interfaith worship services have been conducted during national awareness events and annually on World AIDS Day.
National Youth Ministries Organization
The National Youth Ministries Organization (NYMO) assisted in the development of To the Point: Confronting Youth Issues, AIDS. Abingdon Press, 1993, Edited by Diana L. Hynson and Carmen M. Gaud. This resource offers practical ways to talk to teens and adults about AIDS in a sound biblical and theological context. It contains teaching articles, group programs, leaders guides, helps for pastoral care, worship resources, facts, figures and where to go for help. This resource also contains a sizeable section of resources in Spanish.
NYMO distributed grants to the following organizations for work in the area of HIV/AIDS through Youth Service Fund Grants including:
1994 - Homeless Youth Shelter Project, San Jose, CA ($3,000). Youth took part in workshops and activities, focused on independent living, relationship skills, substance abuse and health education.
New Generation Youth Advocates, Washington Park, IL ($9,000). This program combines education and recreation to heighten awareness of such issues as HIV infection, alcohol and drugs, and premature sexual activity.
1995 AIDS Awareness and Nonformal Education Program ($6,491). Youth in the lowest castes in India are at high risk for AIDS. This project provides basic health education and medical assistance; teaches occupational and life skills so they can earn a safe, respectable and sustainable income; and shows them how to organize and work cooperatively for a better life. They also have recreational and cultural experiences that bring much needed joy.
Second Decade of HIV/AIDS Pandemic: The Context for Task Force Recommendations
The second decade of the HIV/AIDS pandemic (world-wide epidemic) brought clarity to the reality that HIV disease is absolutely not a homosexual disease, though in the United States the vast majority of people who are dying horribly are gay men. Throughout the world, including within particular segments of United States society, women, children, youth, and racial ethnic communities continue to be at greatest risk for HIV infection. Dr. Morton Merson, former Director of the World Health Organization's Global Program on AIDS stated that "women are at risk for HIV, not because of what they do. Rather they are at risk because of what their spouses do." It is a tragic reality that women throughout the world do not have the power to say when they have sex, how they have sex, or with whom they have sex. Task Force members recognized that, while progress has been made in getting churches to respond compassionately to people living with HIV/AIDS, far too many churches and people of faith have yet to comprehend fully just how their attitudes have left gay men, intravenous drug users, women, and children infected with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones and families unable to weather the assault of HIV disease. Task Force members realized that the credibility of the church is at stake whenever and wherever the church remains aloof or fretful.
Early in its work the Task Force reviewed the mission statement of the original Task Force and unanimously agreed to continue to use it to guide it in the fulfillment of its assignment. Its opening paragraphs are:
In response to the Gospel accepting that the Church is the body of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:24) and following the mandate of General Conference, it is our mission to envision "effective response(s)" by The United Methodist Church to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and to those affected by it.
Effective response by the faith community is demanded by the Gospel and requires theological and confessional openness to God's revelation. In this health crisis, that revelation will come to the church partly through the proximity to the experiences of the HIV positive community--the experiences of disease, trauma, indignity, insult, death, grief, separation, fear, remorse, sorrow, grace, healing, reconciliation, community, commitment and salvation.
Task Force Recommendations <R>to General Conference
The Interagency Task Force on AIDS which was commissioned by the 1988 General Conference and recommissioned by the 1992 General Conference recommends the continuation of a downsized Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS in the 1997-2000 quadrennium:
That each required agency (General Board of Global Ministries, General Board of Church and Society, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, General Board of Discipleship, National Youth Ministries Organization, General Commission on Religion and Race, General Commission on the Status and Role of Women) appoint one director and one staff person to serve on the Task Force, in order to provide greater efficiency and economic restraint, also staff from United Methodist Communications and General Council on Ministries;
That one of the two agency representatives will serve as the HIV/AIDS coordinator and Task Force liaison of that agency;
That two of the members of the Task Force be Youth or Young Adults;
That additional persons be included in the Task Force, for the inclusion of persons with HIV/AIDS, care providers of persons with HIV/AIDS, parents and/or family members of persons with HIV/AIDS, and ethnic diversity;
The creation of an organized and active HIV/AIDS task force, committee or work area in each annual conference where it does not already exist;
Funding in the amount of $25,000 to ensure the participation in the Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS of individuals, families and care providers whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS.
In response to frequent requests from individuals, local churches, and annual conferences, we will hold the second United Methodist training consultation on HIV/AIDS, the first in ten years. In view of the involvement of eight program agencies in the Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS, the cost of the event up to $100,000 will be borne by the budget of the General Council on Ministries. The event will be held by the end of the 1997-2000 quadrennium.
Paul Dirdak, Chairperson
Interagency Task Force on AIDS
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21674-GM-NonDis-O$
1996 United Methodist General Conference