First Church has a long tradition of ministry with people living with HIV/AIDS, a ministry about support, hospitality, loving care, and advocacy.

Since AIDS was identified 27 years ago, the face and story of the disease has changed dramatically; people with HIV are now living longer, better lives, but there still is no cure. Around the globe, the face of AIDS is increasingly poor and vulnerable, and the disease is affecting increasing numbers of women and people of color. AIDS also remains a disease that too often carries with itself judgment and stigmatization.

Our congregation has been involved in ministry with people with AIDS in a number of ways. Each year we sponsor an Easter and Thanksgiving dinner for residents of Josue House, a residential facility for adults with AIDS. Our Food Ministry began collaboration with others in the AIDS community to meet basic needs of people living with the disease. Each year, church members participate in AIDS Walk San Diego, which will be Sunday, September 28 this year. We also do a joint food drive with Congregation Beth Israel each Thanksgiving for Mama’s Kitchen, which provides meals to people living with HIV.

Church leaders help offer Strength for the Journey, an annual retreat the United Methodist Church sponsors for adults with HIV/AIDS, at Camp Cedar Glen in Julian. This August 25 to 29, about 100 people will once again gather at the camp to share in this powerful and life-giving gathering. Men, women, young and old, speaking several different languages, people sharing the common journey of life with AIDS will come together.

We continue our partnership with Christie’s Place, the only organization in San Diego dedicated to serving women, children, and families with AIDS. With the support of the Annual Conference we hope to sponsor a mini weekend Strength for the Journey retreat for women and children in 2009. This will present the opportunity for women with children who are unable to attend the five-day retreat the chance to participate in this life-giving experience with their children.

As a part of the worldwide United Methodist Church, we join together in work toward eradicating preventable diseases like AIDS. This year, we named efforts to eliminate global diseases of poverty as one of our four areas of focus for our denomination. We join our prayers and work with the efforts of others across the church as we imagine a future without AIDS. We celebrate the Global AIDS Bill, signed into law even this week, which extends real help to as many as 5 million children affected by AIDS over the next 5 years.

We hope you will help us to continue to support ministry with people with AIDS through your support and prayers.

For more information,

Rev. Molly Vetter
619-297-4366
MVetter@fumcsd.org

Brenda Blake
619-297-4366
BBlake@fumcsd.org