Worship Resources: World AIDS Day 1999The hearing ear and the seeing eye-- the LORD has made them both. -- Proverbs 20:12
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The theme for this year's World AIDS Campaign, "Listen, Learn, Live!," focuses on communication with children and young people. Not only are children and young people to listen and learn from adults but more importantly adults should listen and learn from children and young people. The UNAIDS campaign has two main objectives:
The second objective includes Ten Action Areas to Strengthen AIDS Programs with Children and Young People.
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Although the theme is secular, Christians can use biblical and liturgical resources to help put "Listen, Learn, Live!" into a faith-based context. After all, the Bible is the Book of Life.
The first word of this year's theme is "Listen!" Include a variety of opportunities to listen to young people, people with AIDS, and God. Prayer and meditation can be forms of listening.
The second word is "Learn!" Make available resources on AIDS. Include educational aspects about AIDS, including its impact on young people, in the worship service itself.
The third word is "Live!" As people of faith, we are concerned about living in all of its wholeness-- physical, social, emotional, and spiritual.
Consider organizing your entire World AIDS Day event around "Listen, Learn, Live!" Like the theme, emphasize practical and spiritual applications for daily life.
Many of the proverbs and other sayings of the Bible also were designed to provide us with guidance for living as individuals and in community.
Methodism's founder John Wesley believed that Christians should do both "works of piety" and "works of mercy." Works of mercy include attendance at worship, prayer, and Bible reading. Works of mercy involve "Doing good"-- helping others. Be sure to include works of mercy as a part of the World AIDS Day observance. Consult Ten Action Areas to Strengthen AIDS Programs with Children and Young People and see which ones your church can participate in.
Include also information about other United Methodist and faith-based responses. For example, action area number 8 is "Support and care for children and young people living with, affected or orphaned by HIV/AIDS" One of the aspects of Hope for the Children of Africa, a United Methodist Bishops' Appeal, is to minister with young people affected by AIDS. See especially these on-line stories:
United Methodists are also encouraged to contribute to Advance #982215 Enabling AIDS Ministries as a part of their World AIDS Day observance.
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The idea of "Proverbs for Life" is one way to approach this year's World AIDS Day theme. The original purpose of the Book of Proverbs was to provide practical faith-based insights to help young people learn to cope with life. The book's purpose was:
For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of insight,
for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice, and equity;
to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and prudence to the young--
Let the wise also hear and gain in learning, and the discerning acquire skill,
to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles.
(Proverbs 1:2-6)
Collect some ancient and modern proverbs that help us to "Listen, Learn, Live!" In addition to sayings from the Bible, include proverbs from a variety of cultures and experiences. Invite persons to write some new proverbs or sayings. Display some of these proverbs on posters in the rooms where you hold the worship service and any educational events. An activity for the day that young people would enjoy could be to create some banners with sayings that could be displayed during worship and other events following World AIDS Day. Here are some sources of proverbs of the web:
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Choose ones that are appropriate to your context and to this event.
The Book of Proverbs does not address the complexities of suffering. Its basic theme is that wisdom/righteousness reaps success and folly/wickedness brings destruction. Avoid falling into this simplistic view if you employ proverbs in your programming. The Book of Proverbs does not ask the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" We must turn to other scriptures, such as Ecclesiastics, for that kind of exploration.
Jesus, who embodied the Wisdom of God, demonstrated what it means to "Listen, Learn, Live!" He sat down at table with a variety of people and had conversations with them, listening to their stories and sharing with them practical advice and spiritual truths. Jesus' words and actions, including his works of healing, brought life to people.
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In addition to some of the standard forms of prayers included in worship, consider a time for intercessory and healing prayer as a part of your World AIDS Day observance. Rituals of healing are an important aspect of ministry with people with AIDS and their loved ones: John Wesley would have called these a "means of grace."
This litany can be adapted to your context. You will probably want to include local illustrations too.
One: Listen, Learn, Live!
Listen to children and young people, hear their views and concerns, and understand what is important in their lives.
Children and young people need to know facts about AIDS, sexuality, and death which are appropriate for their age level. Even young children have heard of AIDS and may be scared because of misinformation. Answer their questions openly. With younger children, do not give them more information than they are asking for or complex explanations. Tell them that it is safe to be friends with people with AIDS, to play with them, talk with them, hug them.
ALL: LISTEN, LEARN, LIVE!
One: Older children and young people can be involved in education of both adults and their peers concerning AIDS. Alex Cory (shown left, photo taken in 1994), a United Methodist teenager, was infected with HIV shortly after he was born. Since he was around ten he has appeared publicly with his father in order to tell people about what it means to be a young person with AIDS and to educate them about this disease. His father, Richard Cory says "Despite all of the problems that my family has experienced (or perhaps even because of them) and a nearly 20 year absence from church, I have had my faith restored. The example set by people ministering to my family as we learned to live with AIDS, has led me back to God. I know this is the greatest gift I could receive and, I know now, that this is the greatest gift I have to offer. " [Life with Alex]
One: Listen, Learn, Live!
Learn from one another about respect, participation, support, and ways to prevent HIV infection.
The United Methodist Church helps to fund programs and projects in the United States and abroad that provide support for young people who are affected by AIDS. For example, the church is active on many fronts in Zimbabwe, such as preaching the Gospel and providing education through its schools, and operating hospitals and orphanages. It is confronting Zimbabwe's worst problems, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Church Battles Zimbabwe's Worst Problems
ALL: LISTEN, LEARN, LIVE!
One: Listen, Learn, Live!
Live in a world where the rights of children and young people are protected and where those living with HIV/AIDS are cared for and do not suffer from discrimination.
Two million children were killed in armed conflicts from 1988-98. Three times as many were seriously injured or permanently disabled. Countless others have been raped. Those who have been raped are also at risk for AIDS. As she visited with those who had suffered from war, "I set out to listen to children," says Graça Machel of the United Nations. "The mothers and children I met and talked to, they all taught me lessons I will remember for the rest of my life." [Graça Machel's Urgent Call]
ALL: LISTEN, LEARN, LIVE!
One: The targeting of children in warfare is an issue which the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church (GBGM) has focused for many years. In 1999, "Missioners of Hope" were assigned by GBGM to work exclusively with children in crisis in Africa. Among components of the program is the care and counseling of children traumatized by war. [Children in War Situations]
ALL: LISTEN, LEARN, LIVE!
One: We must be the Christ for persons affected by HIV/AIDS. Like Jesus, let us sit down with our sisters and brothers from both inside and outside of the church. We must listen and learn from each other in order that we all may live. In the case of those around the world whom we can not meet face-to-face, we can seek out their stories and participate in the United Methodist Church's global mission work with those affected by AIDS.
The task is daunting. We could become discouraged, but we cling to the Word of Life. We believe that "there is nothing in death or life, in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers, in the world as it is or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in heights or depths--nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39), including HIV/AIDS.
ALL: LISTEN, LEARN, LIVE!
On This Web Site
On Other Web Sites
The United Methodist Hymnal
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Many of the hymns suggested below include themes of the Wisdom of God, listening, learning, living, and healing. Some are best as an opening or closing hymns; others for times of prayer and healing.
All hymn numbers are from The United Methodist Hymnal. Titles with hyperlinks feature the words and the music (MIDI format) hyper links.
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Hymns of Life Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise, #103; Give to the Winds Thy Fears, #129; I Sing the Almighty Power of God, #152; Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life, #164; We Meet You, O Christ, #257; When Jesus the Healer Passed Through Galilee, #263; Heal Us, Emmanuel, Hear Our Prayer, #266; Surely the Presence of the Lord, #328; There is a Balm in Gilead, # 375; Amazing Grace, # 378 ; Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, #384; Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life, #427; Open My Eyes, That I May See, #454; Come, Ye Disconsolate, #510; Saranam, Saranam (Refuge), #523; Where Charity and Love Prevail (music only), #549; Wonderful Words of Life, #600; Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire, #603. |
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In addition to various proverbs and other sayings from the Bible that you might include:
Psalm 16
1 Protect me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
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5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.
10 For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your faithful one see the Pit.
11 You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Isaiah 55
1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
12 For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
Luke 12
22 He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!
25 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
26 If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?
27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
28 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you--you of little faith!
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1. If possible, gather together a committee to help plan this event. Involve a diversity of people, including children and young people. Decide for whom this event is planned, whether it is for adults, youth, or persons of all ages.
2. Read the material provided here and select those resources and ideas which seem most appropriate to your context.
3. Decide whether or not to have special music and contact the individual(s) or group(s) as early as possible. Consider choirs of young people.
4. Find out if there are persons in your area who can tell personal stories about young people and AIDS, including successful ministry and prevention education efforts. Consider adding a global dimension with stories from around the world. Many stories are available on the General Board of Global Ministries' World AIDS Day web site at http://gbgm-umc.org/programs/wad99/.
Note: This page has general photos of young people around the world. Except for the photo of Alex Cory, the pictures are NOT of young people infected with HIV. All photographs are copyright © General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church. For reproduction information, including use on web sites, see captions and photo order numbers.
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Links on this page enable visitors to find information that may be of interest. Not all external WWW sites have materials consistent with the official policies and statements of the General Board of Global Ministries or The United Methodist Church. Only General Conference speaks for The United Methodist Church. The UNAIDS resources on this site are not official United Methodist material; they are provided as important information pertaining to this annual event.
All biblical quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.