November 22, 2010

CHICAGO – In a message for World AIDS Day 2010, the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), invited ELCA members "to prayer, remembrance and to leading by example." He also urged members to join him in signing a religious leaders' commitment to action in response to HIV and AIDS.

World AIDS Day is observed every year on Dec. 1. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.

The observance provides an opportunity for individuals and faith communities "to reflect on God's call to us," Hanson wrote in his message.

"I believe that we are called to lift up the dignity and value of each person," he said. "We are called to witness God's encompassing and transforming love. We are called to lead by example by standing together against stigma and discrimination, striving for comprehensive access to treatment and care, and working tirelessly on methods of prevention that will help restore health and wholeness to all of God's people."

The annual observance also provides an opportunity to reflect on the ELCA's work in HIV and AIDS with faith-based groups and partners, and provides the opportunity to strengthen that work, Hanson said.

In March of this year, Hanson joined an international gathering of religious leaders in The Netherlands. He and the other leaders signed a commitment, "Together We Must Do More: My Personal Commitment to Action." They agreed to "hold each other accountable in this partnership, eradicating stigma and discrimination, and jointly enabling the universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support which will lead us to a new world, a world of respect, justice, love and dignity for all of our world's people."

Hanson invited members to make their own personal commitments to prevention of HIV and AIDS. He said his commitment includes doing all he can to break the barrier of silence and exclusion "to fully and openly" include people living with HIV and AIDS, and their families, in the ELCA. Hanson's commitment also includes "leading by example and encouraging my religious community to deepen its engagement in the response to HIV and AIDS, including advocating for prevention, treatment, care and support for all."

"Join me at the foot of the cross, in praying for healing and strength for those with HIV and AIDS, and for courage and commitment for all in the ongoing fight against this pandemic," he added.

The Rev. Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, coordinator for the ELCA Malaria Initiative and HIV and AIDS Strategy, said World AIDS Day calls people to prayer and reflection on the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS.

"For Christians it comes at the beginning of Advent, our liturgical season marked by hope and expectation," she said. "How appropriate for us to focus on this pandemic in the light of God's promise to bring new life, and to infuse our world with hope."

DeGroot-Nesdahl said she hopes in the coming year that ELCA members will educate themselves and become more active in response to HIV and AIDS.

The full text of Presiding Bishop Hanson's World AIDS 2010 message is at http://www.ELCA.org/bishopstatement/, on the ELCA website.

Information about the ELCA's strategy on HIV and AIDS, and World AIDS Day, is at http://www.ELCA.org/aids/, on the ELCA website.

ELCA News Service