VISION, MISSION & VALUES
The Presbyterian HIV Network welcomes those who accompany, advocate and care for persons and families who have been infected or affected by HIV/AIDS or who educate themselves and others about HIV. We encourage the Church to live out Jesus’ ministry of love and justice in our response to HIV. PHIVN is a member of the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association (PHEWA).
VISION: That faith communities will have an HIV response that leads to the promotion of social righteousness and that exhibits the Kingdom of Heaven to the world.
MISSION: The Presbyterian HIV Network (PHIVN) works with interfaith partners to educate faith leaders about the realities of HIV as a human rights issue. Together we advocate for health and social policies to bring us closer to ending the epidemic.
VALUES:
As Christians we are guided by scripture Matthew 25:31–46 which calls all of us to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned or poor, as both the 222nd and 223rd General Assemblies (2016 and 2018) mandated.
Compassion– as a network we are compelled by the sufferings of our siblings and commit to both share in their sufferings and to let that suffering drive our work for solutions.
Non-judgmental– we will strive towards acceptance by being as radically inclusive of a network as we possibly can, listening for whose voices that are not being heard and working to amplify those speaking from the margins
Humility/Vulnerability – we recognize that the church has often been a larger source of harm than healing. We also recognize that as a body of broken people, we often lead better from our brokenness than from our strength. We commit to living with awareness of our failings and leaving space for others to be both fully known and fully loved
Justice – we recognize that the historic oppression of people of color as well as the ongoing discrimination against sexual minorities are major drivers of the HIV epidemic. Therefore, we acknowledge that ending systemic inequalities is a crucial component to ending the epidemic.
Scientifically Informed – we believe that science and faith are not in conflict. Therefore, we commit to listening to the latest research and evidence-based theory on the HIV epidemic and we commit to educating faith communities both from the resources of our faith and from those provided by the scientific community.
Resources and Articles
Seeking Justice Through the Power of Relationship: HIV/AIDS and Healthcare
PHIVN Leadership Team member Erin Donovan writes for Unbound, the PC(USA) online interactive journal of Christian Social Justice. | Read article
Presbyterian HIV/AIDS Awareness Worship, Awareness, and Advocacy Resources
Presbyterian HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is observed on June 23, 2019 in conjunction with National HIV Testing Day.
Current News
Helpful websites
- World Council of Churches
- 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 is a gateway to all domestic U.S. government HIV and AIDS testing, treatment, and research information.
- UNAIDS , the Joint United Nations Program 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 and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative. A project of the NAACP. Learn more.
- The United States People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Caucus is a group of organizations, coalitions, networks, client groups and individuals with HIV who advocate for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the U.S. The Caucus includes diverse and accountable representation by people living with HIV from throughout the United States.
