Monday, December 13, 2010

HPLS

Had a great day at the HIV Prevention Leadership Summit. A great day of networking with our friends at UCAN, workshops on HIV Prevention in Rural Populations and The Role of Faith Based Organizations in the CDC's Expanded Testing Initiative.
I was fortunate to be able to meet with staffers in the office of Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana and discuss our partnership with the state of Indiana in further detail. I believe more good things are in our future.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Mobile Testing Unit Blueprint

Mobile Testing Unit exteriror view (artist conception)

HPLS

It's been a while since I've last posted. I'm in Washington DC this week at the National Minority AIDS Council HIV Prevention Leadership Conference. I'm here to network with other organizations on how to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic working with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States, recently developed by the Obama Administration.

I was very excited to run into Oliver Martin from UCAN, the United Church of Christ AIDS Network. I have been working very closely with UCAN on several projects and it looks like we may have another one coming up.

I have some very exciting news. Recently we purchased a 30 foot Blue Bird Transit Bus. In January that bus will undergo a renovation to convert it into a mobile HIV testing platform. I'm thrilled to have this new platform to use as we work to battle the HIV epidemic in this country. This bus will be used primarily to test in rural areas in Indiana, where we are based. It will also make appearances at major church functions.

We hope to take the bus on tour this Spring and show it off a bit. If you'd like to have the bus make an appearance at your congregation or function just drop me a line. I'm going to post some pictures and the blueprint to give you an idea of what we're dealing with.

Keep us in your prayers.

Jody

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

CTS HIV Awareness Day

I have to say that today was one of the most Spirit filled days I have ever experienced. Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry, in conjunction with the Christian Theological Seminary Student Association had an HIV Awareness Day. We provided prevention education and testing at CTS today and I felt very fortunate to be asked to provide the Good News for Worship. I'm going to attempt to post the video of the service.

Peace,

Jody

Monday, August 30, 2010

We're gonna need a bigger boat!

Every now and again I get a wild hair. My last wild hair of major significance to was provide HIV Testing at General Assembly last year in Indianapolis. I have to say the whole thing came off pretty good! If you were in Indianapolis you may have even made it to our small AIDS Healing Service on Sunday morning.

Recently I had another wild hair. I was having a meal with Patti Case and Kaye Edwards in Oklahoma City while attending the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). As Patti and Kaye pecked at their food (is there ANY wonder how they stay looking so good?) and I inhaled mine I managed to wonder aloud between bites who we might find to preach at this years AIDS Healing Service. A few names were tossed around the table and Kaye said, "What about Bill Lee"? I have to admit, Dr. Lee had been first on my list but I dared not speak it aloud. "Could I get that lucky?" I asked aloud and Patti deadpanned, "Why don't you ask him, he's sitting right behind you".

Now if you know Patti at all you know she loves to have a little fun every now and again so I turned around half expecting to see an empty chair and there sat Dr. Lee.
Ever so gracious, ever so kind, Dr. Lee agreed. I thanked him profusely and returned to my table thinking..... "We're gonna need a bigger boat!"

Last year my minister, Rebecca Zelensky was gracious enough with her time to preach for me in Indianapolis. She did a fantastic job and the whole service was moving and brought tears to my eyes. Our service was small, we had a room near the main entry to the Convention Center and around 40 people in attendance.

This year I have Dr. Bill Lee, Past Moderator of the Christian Church (DOC) and one of my favorite voices within the wider church.... we're gonna need a bigger boat for this fish!

After many weeks of wishing and hoping and praying I heard on Friday that the General Assembly planning team has agreed to allow us use of Plenary Hall on the Sunday morning of Assembly in Nashville!

Pray for us as we begin planning this service!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Yea for an 'A'

Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry of Indiana, now under contract with the Indiana State Department of Health, scored 46 out of 50 points on our recent review, the first of our contract. This 'A' grade, following an inspection and visit my ISDH staff in July, notes that Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry "significantly exceeds standards" as laid down by the state contract, which began in January of 2010.

Congratulations to all of our volunteers, friends, and especially our advocates who work so hard to make this ministry viable