In this first week of Advent, we pause to pray for all who continue to live with HIV-AIDS, to remember all who have perished in the 29-year-old contagion, to commit ourselves anew to mission among all God's people.
December 1 is World AIDS Day, a day to remember and act with compassion and generosity. The Bible mentions the poor 2100 times: God's priorities are very clear. God moves in any connection with those who are poor, lost, lonely, hungry, homeless, imprisoned, anxious.
Last year, a young adult commented, "I am the same age as AIDS. I have never known a world without AIDS." Her comment remains with me on this World AIDS Day. Being older, I remember clearly 1982 and the first rumors of a mysterious illness...
The journey has been long. Medical and social advances have been immense.
Yet, on the continent of Africa, thousands continue to die everyday from AIDS. New AIDS diagnoses in Mississippi continue, day by day.
Our Mississippi Conference 2011 Advent Offering is designated for diseases of poverty -- malaria and HIV-AIDS. Thank you for participating in this opportunity for education and generosity as Christ is born anew in our hearts and in our world.
With gratitude for your ministry,
Hope Morgan Ward
