The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) welcomes those who advocate with and care for persons and families who have been infected or affected by HIV and AIDS. We encourage the Church to live out Jesus' ministry of love and justice.
Join PHEWA and take part in this ministry.
Meet the PAN Leadership Team members.
Download the 2012 World AIDS Day packet
'Getting to Zero'
December 1, 2012 marks World AIDS Day (WAD), a day of awareness and action in the struggle to eradicate HIV and AIDS. World AIDS Day brings together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and to demonstrate international solidarity. The day is an opportunity to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and to encourage progress in HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, and care.
Between years 2011-2015, World AIDS Days will have the theme of "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths." The World AIDS Campaign’s emphasis on "Zero AIDS-related deaths" signifies a push towards greater access to treatment for all. The 2012 focus "Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation," brings attention to the need for strong partnerships in order to achieve effective action.
2012 packet
2011 packet
On Becoming an HIV/AIDS Competent Church and Church Leader
Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, 2012 Conference at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA
The Office of Public Witness and the Presbyterian AIDS Network are partnering with Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary for a conference on creating HIV/AIDS competent churches and church leaders.
The conference will be part of certificate program offered by Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary that grounds participants in the fundamentals of both HV/AIDS and practical theology. Participants in the program will be equipped to provide prophetic witness and compassionate action that facilitates both spiritual and social change.
The Office of Public Witness, which will be presenting information on advocacy as discipleship and ministry, is offering a limited number of partial scholarships. Download the save the date flier!
To apply for a scholarship, complete this application form and return it via email. Details on the conference, including registration, are posted on the John C. Smith website, with more information to come. Join us there!
My Dreams for an HIV Competent Church
HIV & AIDS at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
By Emily Rose Proctor, Teaching Elder Commissioner, Baltimore Presbytery
Emily Rose Proctor.
No HIV-related Overtures for the220th General Assembly
The 219th General Assembly of 2010 was a powerful moment in the Presbyterian history of engaging HIV/AIDS awareness. That year, the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), a member organization of the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association (PHEWA), arranged for HIV testing; resourced presbytery members who were writing overtures encouraging Presbyterian leaders to help break the stigma and seek HIV testing at more of their corporate gatherings; and engaged the report from the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) “Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action”. An overture meant to address issues of HIV and AIDS in the criminal justice system was even passed with some funding. It could have been the beginning of a new era of addressing the changing face of HIV and AIDS, not just with words, but also with action.
PAN’s 2012 Faith In Action Award is presented to Mercer Island Presbyterian Church
George Kerr presents the Faith in Action Award.
A capacity crowd of over one hundred gathered on Monday, July 2nd, in the accessible gymnasium of the historic downtown Smithfield United Church of Christ during the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Pittsburgh, PA for the PHEWA G.A. Ministry Awards Celebration Reception. This has come to be one of the highlights of each Assembly, an opportunity to honor individual Presbyterians and congregations who call their faith into action through exemplary outreach ministries. In PHEWA tradition, hot and cold hors d’oeuvres were served at this dinnertime gathering, to keep ticket costs low.
In addition to awards presented for ministry excellence in congregational/community transformation, specialized pastoral ministries, and disabilities concerns, the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) presented our second biennial Faith In Action Award to the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church of Mercer Island (MIPC), Washington. George Kerr, Co-Moderator of PHEWA’s Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) presented the Award to the Rev. Paul Barrett, Co-Senior Pastor, accepting on behalf of the congregation.
In nominating MIPC for this Award, the Rev. Eliana Maxim, Associate Executive Presbyter for Multicultural Ministries, the Presbytery of Seattle, wrote, “MIPC has served those living with HIV and AIDS through hands-on efforts such as preparing meals, raising funds and nurturing relationships. Yet they have also been compelled to raise awareness and visibility of the church’s care and concern for this issue as one rooted in our reformed theology and the very identity of Jesus Christ… But perhaps nothing is more indicative of Mercer Island Presbyterian Church’s commitment to dispelling fear and promoting education and understanding of HIV/AIDS than their unanimous calling of Rev. Barrett 7 years ago, first as Associate Pastor and recently as co-senior Pastor. Rev. Barrett lives openly as an HIV positive individual. Married with a young daughter, Rev. Barrett has, in effect, promoted MIPC as a safe and nurturing faith community for those in the HIV/AIDS community. His leadership has been marked by compassion and a call to action to serve those who have marginalized and/or discriminated because of their health status.” We are grateful for the witness and service of the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church community. Read more here.
Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church
Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action
Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action, a report passed by the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers recommendations for action to the church. A short study resource at the conclusion of the report is based on PHEWA's Presbyterian AIDS Network's (PAN) video series and can help a congregation learn about issues of HIV and AIDS.
See 'The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS'
A new DVD by the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN)
In the United States, the face of HIV and AIDS has changed dramatically in the 30 years since the start of the pandemic. Communities are living with increased rates of infection and more and more Americans are affected by HIV.
This DVD in six 3- minute segments explores “The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS,” telling the story of ministries of compassion and support as the church and our communities respond. The segment, “What People of Faith Need to Know about HIV/AIDS” offers a basic primer for the church living in an HIV Positive world. By discussing the facts about HIV and AIDS, the video empowers the viewer to make faithful decisions and the church to take faithful actions, as well as helping to reduce the stigma attached to this devastating illness.
The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), a Network of the Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association (PHEWA), is available to assist a congregation in becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church.
A memorial to Jack Deckard, this DVD was made possible through the generosity of the Jack Deckard Memorial Advised Fund, Presbyterian Foundation.
- Part 1 - AIDs Interfaith Ministries of Kentuckian: Louisville, Ky. - Watch | Download
- Part 2 - The Granny Connection: Columbus, IN - Watch | Download
- Part 3 - Camp Heart to Heart: Lebanon Junction, Ky. - Watch | Download
- Part 4 - The Women’s Collective: Washington, D.C. - Watch | Download
- Part 5 - HopeSprings: Baltimore, Md. - Watch | Download
- Part 6 - What People of Faith Need to Know About HIV/AIDS - Watch | Download
Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) presents our First Faith in Action Award
Elder Rafael Rodriguez and the Red Ribbon Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N.J. receives the PAN Faith In Action Award at the 219th General Assembly. Photo courtesy of PHEWA.
The first ever PAN Faith In Action Award was presented to Elder Rafael Rodriguez and the Red Ribbon Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N.J. at the PHEWA Ministry Awards Celebration Reception at the 219th General Assembly on July 5, 2010. Pastor Robert D. Higgs was present to accept the award, along with Rafael. Rafael’s moving acceptance speech, telling their ministry story, is included here, below. The Rev. Charles Hale, a former pastor of First Pres of Elizabeth, and important in the formation of the Red Ribbon Fellowship, stated before the reception that being present for this award presentation “is the highlight of my ministry.” The newly elected Moderator of this 219th General Assembly, Cynthia Bolbach, visited the Reception to give her welcome and a pat on the back to the ministries of PHEWA. She raised her stained finger and announced that she had been tested and, “I know my HIV status.” We hope that she says that, everywhere that she goes!
Spotlight on congregations
Hear stories from congregations engaged in HIV/AIDS ministries.
HopeSprings is a ministry of Central Presbyterian Church and Grace Fellowship of Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in July 2007 to address the pandemic locally in Baltimore and internationally in Malawi, Africa.
McDonough Presbyterian Church is a friendly 775-member congregation about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Led by member Teressa Staten, a new member of the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), McDonough has held a number of AIDS awareness events leading up to World AIDS Day, which occurs on December 1 each year.
Westminster Presbyterian Church is an urban church in Southwest Washington, D.C. Ruth and Brian Hamilton have been copastors of this mid-sized congregation for more than 10 years. Why have an HIV/AIDS ministry? “Many of our primary members are personally affected and it became obvious that the stigma around HIV/AIDS was not attached at our church,” commented Ruth.
Visit these websites
The World Council of Churches
Visit the World Council of Churches website.
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is an international network of churches and church-related organizations committed to campaigning together on common concerns. Current campaigns focus on HIV and AIDS and Food. Their resources for observing World AIDS Day can be used throughout the year.
AIDS.gov
AIDS.gov is a gateway to all domestic U.S. government HIV & AIDS testing, treatment, & research information.
UNAIDS
UNAIDS , the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
The Black Church & HIV: The Social Justice Imperative
A project of the NAACP
