National Day of Prayer for People Living with AIDS Becoming an Ecumenical Observance
Episcopal News Service. October 26, 1989 [89214]
"Very soon, none of us will be unaffected by AIDS," claimed a letter signed by representatives from a variety of churches -- United Methodist, Greek Orthodox, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, and Baptists. "In just a couple of years," the letter continued, "all of us will know someone who has AIDS, or is carrying the AIDS virus, or is a family member, co-worker, or friend of someone who does."
The letter included a plea on the part of the Virginia Council of Churches calling upon member denominations to join with Episcopalians in declaring October 15 "A Day of Prayer for Persons touched by AIDS." "We mailed a three-page resource document along with the letter to 6,500 clergy in Virginia," said the Rev. James McDonald, a United Methodist minister and general minister of the Virginia Council of Churches.
"Our mailing developed from a request of the United Methodist annual conference that we distribute the documents and that the council join Episcopalians in a day of prayer," McDonald said. "Though I am not sure how many congregations actually joined in, I have heard from many of them to say thanks for sending the material. I expect more interest will develop for next year."
McDonald's experience is only one of a remarkable number of indications that the day of prayer for people living with AIDS established four years ago by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is becoming an ecumenical observance.
"The day was a real success," said Randy Frew, national AIDS coordinator at the Episcopal Church Center. "More people, congregations, and individuals outside the Episcopal Church observed the national day of prayer and used the materials than at any other time."
Over 50,000 educational brochures included a variety of appropriate litanies and prayers. They were sent to every congregation and bishop of the Episcopal Church, as well as to all persons and organizations listed on a National Episcopal AIDS Coalition data base, and to names on an ecumenical AIDS network list maintained by Frew.
"When I received the materials, I thought they were some of the best, eye-catching, and dramatic things I've seen," said Dan Schubring from the Presbytery of Chicago. "The task force in the Presbytery was extremely impressed (with the materials)," he said. "I know of about six or seven churches in the Presbytery that at least introduced prayers for people living with AIDS on October 15th. With more advance notice, we may be able to increase involvement next year."
In North Carolina, Episcopalians invited other congregations and individuals to join in praying for people living with AIDS. "We put an advertisement in the Charlotte Observer," said Donald Fishburne, associate rector of Christ Church in Charlotte. The advertisement read: "The Episcopal Churches of Charlotte invite you to share in the 4th national prayer for people living with AIDS on Sunday, October 15. Join with us as, in our Sunday services of worship, we pray for persons living with AIDS and those who minister with them offering care and friendship."
Fishburne noted that it would be impossible to determine exactly how many people responded to the advertisement, but he said that he suspects a number did because "AIDS is very much on the forefront of public discussion. Mainline denominations have taken the lead in terms of education and pastoral care relating to AIDS."
"I am not aware of any other denomination having a day of prayer to focus on AIDS," said Randy Frew, who stated that he believes that the Episcopal Church has exhibited leadership in the area of AIDS because "our theology is not ashamed or afraid of Jesus' humanity. The full dimensions of the Incarnation means that we are able to handle disease, sexuality, addictions -- manifestations of our own humanity." Frew maintained that Episcopalians "are able to hold up human beings of all manifestations because the Episcopal Church is strongly incarnational. If we don't have a theological frame of reference to deal with this crisis, then we're just a social service agency."
Churches were not the only places to observe the national day of prayer for people living with AIDS. Hospitals are often the primary place where the AIDS crisis demands a response. The Rev. Jerry Kolb, a chaplain in St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, is also acquainted with the spiritual needs of those who come to the hospital for physical attention. "Along with our participation in the national day of prayer for people living with AIDS, we pray for those living with AIDS any time we're at the altar," he said.
Also observing the national day of prayer for people living AIDS was a congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church in Kansas City. "We got a flyer in the mail and decided to follow up with a prayer vigil," reported Dan Eldridge, director of administration of the parish, which focuses its ministry within the lesbian and gay community. "We announced ahead of time that we would observe the day of prayer and encouraged people to sign up to pray at different times so that we would have prayers 'round the clock for 24 hours. It was the second time we participated in the Episcopal Church's day of prayer," said Eldridge.
In Chicago, the Episcopal churches participated in a variety of ways. "Many congregations received the educational material and then embroidered it for their own use," said Bill Doughty, chair of the AIDS task force in the Diocese of Chicago. "I know of one parish in which the names of 13 people who have either died of AIDS or are living with AIDS were included in the prayers of the people. It was a very moving experience for them."
Three staff members from the AIDS Pastoral Care Network, an independent organization responding to the AIDS crisis in Chicago, preached in Episcopal churches. "We sent a Roman Catholic, a Mennonite, and a Lutheran from our staff to preach in Episcopal parishes," said Karl Meirose, head of the network. "The religious faith communities must realize that the AIDS crisis is so great that no one group can face it alone."
In Detroit, a special service to observe the national day of prayer was held in the Church of St. Matthew and St. Joseph. "Until this year we had some pretty low-key observances of the national day," said Rod Reinhart, associate rector of Emmanuel Church in Detroit. "This year, the service received more attention. I spoke on a radio show to publicize the event, mailings were sent to the diocesan clergy, and press releases went to all the newspapers and other media," reported Reinhart. "And information about the observance was carried by the newsletters of other institutions and organizations in the city concerned about AIDS, and by two gay-oriented publications."
The liturgy in Detroit was a Eucharistic celebration and healing service with laying on of hands and anointing with oil. Reinhart reported that there was broad participation by ecumenical guests. "We had a Roman Catholic nun, a Presbyterian minister, a deacon from the Metropolitan Community Church, who took part in the service along with seven Episcopal clergy, and Stewart Wood, the bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Michigan."
The Detroit liturgy was one of six separate regional observances that occurred in the Diocese of Michigan. "Even though we have not yet really felt the impact of AIDS in our community, we want to keep the crisis before our people," said the Rev. Sally Fox, rector of St. John's in Royal Oak. Fox noted that talking about AIDS meets some resistance: "Some people have said that they may cut their pledges if we continue to mention AIDS." Despite the resistance, Fox reported that the service of Eucharist and laying on of hands with anointing was "wonderful and moving."
Yet Fox admitted that it may only be a matter of time before her congregation is faced more directly with the AIDS crisis. It is an opinion shared by many who participated in the national day of prayer for people living with AIDS on October 15 and by national church leaders.
Randy Frew said that he hopes that the ecumenical involvement in confronting the AIDS crisis will continue to grow. "I would like to see the national day of prayer be more ecumenical and interfaith. AIDS is a concern that affects all persons of faith."