Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry

HPLS

2010-12-13T17:27:00.002-05:00

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.

Mobile Testing Unit Blueprint

2010-12-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

Mobile Testing Unit exteriror view (artist conception)

2010-12-12T20:07:00.000-05:00

HPLS

2010-12-12T19:54:00.003-05:00

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

CTS HIV Awareness Day

2010-11-16T20:45:00.002-05:00

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

We're gonna need a bigger boat!

2010-08-30T11:39:00.003-04:00

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!

Yea for an 'A'

2010-08-08T08:58:00.003-04:00

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

The photo that brought AIDS home

2010-08-07T07:55:00.001-04:00

This is from LIFE magazine online:

A Picture That Changed the Face of AIDS
In November, 1990, LIFE magazine published a photograph of a young man, David Kirby -- his body wasted by AIDS, his gaze locked on something beyond this world -- surrounded by anguished family members as he took his last breaths. The haunting image of Kirby's passing (above), taken by a journalism grad student named Therese Frare, became the one photograph most identified with the HIV/AIDS epidemic that, by then, had seen as many as 12 million people infected. Now, 20 years after her photograph helped transform public perception of the disease, LIFE spoke with Frare about that picture; the international controversy it sparked when United Colors of Benetton used it in a 1992 ad; and the never-before-published photographs she took before and after David Kirby's death -- photos that reveal the untold story behind one of the 20th century's most heart-breaking, indelible images.

A great week

2010-08-06T08:21:00.002-04:00

It's been an amazing week. Just this week I received an invitation to speak at the Church of the Covenant in Lynchburg, Virginia. What a treat it will be to spend a few days with Kaye and David Edwards. If I had been fortunate enough to have people such as these in my life when I was younger......

Great events this week:

A Mexican court upheld Mexico City's gay marriage law as constitutional!

A federal judge overturned Proposition 8, a California law preventing same sex marriage!

Elena Kagan was confirmed as the 112th Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court! She's only the 4th woman to serve but she's also the second woman appointed in as many years!

AND

The National Institute for health is spending 5.5 million dollars to fund research on an HIV prevention gel!

This is one of those weeks I'm really proud to be me!

A long hot summer

2010-08-04T14:56:00.002-04:00

We had a great time in Oklahoma City. I kid you not, it was so hot on Saturday that I got a sunburn through my shirt.

Had some amazing things happen in OKC. Dr. Bill Lee, former Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) agreed to preach at the AIDS Healing Service in Nashville! We have been invited to Lexington to Transylvania University for Black HIV-AIDS day in February and have an open invitation from Jarvis College in Hawkins Texas to have an HIV focus project.

Additionally, we have almost completed our work adapting Popular Opinion Leader. This new intervention (as yet unnamed) will consist of five classes of 1 to 1.5 hours each. Our new intervention utilizes two theories, Diffusion of Innovation and Preparation for Bias, to help us begin conversations about health in human sexuality. I hope to have it available on the DHM website by early October.

Peace,

jody

Leaving for National Convocation

2010-07-28T13:08:00.002-04:00

So I just checked in online for my trip to Oklahoma City for the National Convocation. I'm very excited about this trip. When Ron emailed me from a Board Meeting several months ago it seemed it would be forever and now the time is upon me.

My friend Allissa Williams is headed down with me. Allissa is a student at CTS in Indianapolis and we have a great program planned.

If you're in Oklahoma City, look for the large RV parked across from the Convention Center!

A New Year

2010-01-02T07:28:00.002-05:00

Good Morning,

It's 7:28 and currently 6 degrees Fahrenheit in Terre Haute. I'm up suprisingly early for a Saturday morning. A bowl of tuna fish followed by some red tea and I'm watching the sun come up as I make final plans for our trip to Wilson, North Carolina at the end of this month. Members of the AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions will be traveling to Barton College for an HIV/AIDS focus event. We will provide prevention education, outreach, and free anonymous testing over the course of two days February 1st and 2nd. I'm excited about this upcoming event, our first since General Assembly. Five members of the AIDS Ministry Network will be traveling with me to North Carolina and I am confident we will affect change through our ministry there.

I have high hopes for 2010 for the AIDS Ministry Network, in addition to the Barton College event, plans are in the works for Quadrennial Assembly in Greensboro, NC and just recently we received an invitation to bring the mobile HIV testing unit to the National Convocation of the Christian Church (DOC) in Oklahoma City this summer!

I pray that God will show us new direction this year, and continue to bless our ministry.

Peace,

Jody

Press Release from DHAM of Indiana

2009-11-18T17:56:00.001-05:00

Disciples hiv-aids ministry, INC. OF INDIANA

P.O. Box 3053

Terre Haute, IN

47803

812.232.1381 X 343

Press Release

Contact: Jody Grieb

Phone: 812.243.6402

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 18, 2009

DISCIPLES HIV-AIDS mINISTRY OF iNDIANA RECEIVES STATE CONTRACT, GRANT FUNDING.

terre haute, in, november 18, 2009: Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry, Inc. (DHAM) of Indiana, announced today that it has received a contract in the amount of thirty thousand dollars with the Indiana State Department of Health to provide HIV prevention education, interventional services and testing in the Wabash Valley of western central Indiana. Additionally, DHAM will receive grants totaling forty thousand dollars from private business organizations.

This partnership is a culmination of an eighteen month joint project between The AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions and members of Central Christian Church, (Disciples of Christ) in Terre Haute, Indiana. When members of Central Christian Church noticed a gap in HIV/STD prevention education, they reached out to Wabash Valley PATH, a local not-for-profit and Disciples Home Missions. The AIDS Ministry Network worked with the group providing guidance and technical assistance. “The AIDS Ministry Network helped us realize our mission. We received help writing our mission statement and by-laws, incorporating, receiving our not-for-profit designation from the IRS, and assistance with writing our first state proposal” stated Mary Seybold, a Prevention Specialist and certified HIV Counselor and Tester.

“The state contract and private funding are examples of how faith based organizations, government entities, and private business can find synergy in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States” Jody Grieb, Volunteer Director of the AIDS Ministry Network told participants at an HIV Prevention Training recently at the offices of the Christian Church in Indiana.

Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry will provide education in the form of seminars and workgroups in Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo Counties in Indiana surrounding the city of Terre Haute. Staff will also conduct the ‘Popular Opinion Leader’ intervention. ‘Popular Opinion Leader’ or ‘POL’ is a community-level HIV prevention intervention designed to identify, enlist, and train peer opinion leaders to encourage safer sexual norms and behaviors within their social networks of friends and acquaintances through risk reduction conversations.

The private grants from Starbucks, Walgreens, and other donors will enable DHAM to provide testing through the six county area using their mobile HIV testing unit, a cargo van, converted for the specific use of HIV prevention and testing. DHAM is staffed by a full time program manager, and utilizes volunteers and AmeriCorps members from Indiana State University Sycamore Corps.

The AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions is available to assist congregations with an existing HIV-AIDS Ministry realize their potential or to help grassroots organizations like Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry of Indiana with capacity building programs.

For more information contact Jody Grieb, Volunteer Director of the AIDS Ministry Network at AIDSMinistryNetwork@gmail.com or Wilma Shuffit at Disciples Home Missions 888.346.2631.

Funding Announcement for 2010

2009-10-31T20:04:00.003-04:00

I'm very excited to announce that Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry will be fully funded for 2010!

The Indiana State Department of Health has offered Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry a $30,000 contract to provide HIV prevention services and testing in the Wabash Valley of western central Indiana. In addition to the state contract I have received additional grants notifications totaling $35,000 for a total of $65,000!

I'm very excited about the state contract. This is the first time in many years any organization in our area has been funded. While the state contract is specific for use in the Wabash Valley of Indiana, the additional grant funds are unrestricted geographically.

The first major event we will conduct will be an HIV Awareness Campaign and HIV testing drive at Barton College in Wilson, N.C. on February 1st and 2nd! I promised to get a press release out soon with all the details!

Peace,

Jody

More on the Chalice

2009-10-05T11:05:00.001-04:00

I just became aware that my friend Verity wrote a great piece about the chalice, read about it on Disciples World Online !

Safe Place

2009-10-05T09:55:00.003-04:00

Have you ever needed a safe place? Sure you have, we all have.

Last week I was in Indianapolis at the Indiana State Department of Health and we were debating the Universal Health Care Plan currently before Congress.

I've read the current piece of legislation in its entirety and I can tell you that it's not perfect, but it's a good start. The point I made to the people participating in my conversation was that since June 1 of this year, 5 clients in my area have died while on the waiting list for insurance. These people all previously had insurance at work but were laid off due to the current economic issues. After being laid off, they were unable to pay the costs to keep their insurance. Three of these people were back at work but, due to their pre-existing condition, they are now uninsurable.

I couldn't take it any more, so I walked out and down the road to Disciples Center. I went upstairs to see my friend Wilma and she was gracious to leave me alone in her cubicle for a few moments to cry out my anguish. When she returned, she asked me if I had seen the new chapel downstairs, I told her I had not but promised to visit it on the way out and I did.

What a wonderful place of peace. I sat in prayer and meditation for a few moments and began to look around. I was amazed to discover a communion set that was used at Cane Ridge! Having a few minutes alone in this chapel helped me to recover and re-affirm my commitment to finishing the business at hand.

If you find yourself in Indianapolis, and need a safe safe place to cry, I recommend that you stop by the chapel and Disciples Center, and if you see Wilma, tell her thanks!

Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry at the 2009 Indiana AIDS Fund Walk and Ride

2009-09-01T12:58:00.002-04:00

Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry needs your help! The AIDS Walk & Ride is held each year to symbolize the impact HIV/AIDS has on all Hoosiers. This year's 5K Walk and 10K Ride will be held downtown Indianapolis adjacent to the Indiana War Memorial on the beautiful grounds of University Park (Vermont and Meridian Streets)on SATURDAY, October 10th, 2009. Please join us in supporting this important cause. In addition to the Walk and Ride, the Indiana AIDS Fund will host a day of entertainment for all ages and a health fair.

The proceeds from this event benefit the Gregory R. Powers Direct Emergency Financial Assistance (DEFA) Fund which provides financial assistance for food, clothing, medications, utilities and more. Funding for these types of emergency services cannot be provided by traditional government funding. The AIDS Walk is the only source for funding for the DEFA program.

Follow this link to visit the web page Disciples HIV-AIDS Ministry and Wabash Valley PATH are sharing and help us in our efforts to support the Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis.

If you live in Indiana and are a member of a Disciples congregation, we invite you to join us, or start your own team. If you don't live in Indiana, call someone you know who does!

Peace,

Jody

Religious Leaders Absent in the Anti-AIDS Fight

2009-09-01T12:21:00.001-04:00

Religious Leaders Absent in the Anti-AIDS Fight

August 21, 2009

Though they exert great influence in the communities in which they serve, religious leaders are not doing enough to fight HIV/AIDS, said experts at the recent ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bali, Indonesia.

"Many religious groups and leaders are unwilling to address HIV/AIDS and make it a priority. Their commitment level is quite low, particularly when compared to the size of their budget and the amount of work they do," said Donald Messer of the US-based Center of Church and Global AIDS.

"We've been talking about HIV/AIDS and the religious groups' response for three decades now. We're still talking too much even now," said Fiji's Dominica Abo. The "most powerful contribution" religious leaders can make is addressing stigma, discrimination, and biases that put groups like women at high risk for the disease.

The epidemic's impact on women and children needs to be addressed from a faith-based perspective, said the Rev. Youngsook Charlene Kang of the United Methodist Church in the United States, noting that women account for nearly half of all infections worldwide. "We need to call on religious leaders to educate and create new pathways within our churches for parishioners to learn the role that faith communities can play."

Messer noted that many conservative Muslim and Christian groups continue to preach against contraceptives, including condoms, believing they promote promiscuity. "[Yet] when used directly and consistently, condoms are humanity's best protection and weapon against HIV/AIDS," he said. "Some religious leaders are more eager to preserve the purity or correctness of theological perspectives than their task to save human lives."

From The Body Pro : http://www.thebodypro.com/content/art53360.html

Disciples pioneer HIV and AIDS testing in Indiana

2009-08-04T13:13:00.000-04:00

By Nathan Day Wilson, DisciplesWorld contributing writer

INDIANAPOLIS (8/1/09) — There’s a new first to add to the growing list of Disciple firsts — the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry is the first faith-based effort fully certified by the Indiana Department of Health. If commitment and consistency are criteria, there is little doubt the honor is well deserved.

In terms of commitment, the ministry is completely organized and administered by well-trained, impassioned volunteers such as Jody Grieb, a member of Central Christian Church in Terre Haute.

In terms of consistency, every day the ministry offers testing in Terre Haute. On Saturdays the ministry tests at Roberts Avenue United Methodist Church on the corner of Massachusetts and Roberts Avenue in Indianapolis. Every third Thursday of the month, testing takes place at the Walgreens at the corner of 16th and Meridian Streets.

As of this writing, 191 people were tested during the 2009 General Assembly. The oldest was 74 and the youngest 11. The 11-year-old, suggested Grieb, convinced as many as 40 more people to be tested.

One who was tested was Sharon E. Watkins, general minister and president.

“There are assumptions made about who should be tested and who doesn’t need it,” said Watkins. “But if we are serious about stopping this pandemic, we all have to take part.”

Watkins' statement is consistent with recent reports that the fastest growing infection rate in Indiana is among heterosexual women over the age of forty.

“Plus, maybe if I’m tested, they will start allowing me to give blood again,” she said in reference to the limitation placed on her by the Indiana Blood Center since she lived in Africa.

In addition to testing, the ministry offers crisis counseling and is able to make referrals for those who receive confirmatory tests.

Each test costs $10.28. The ministry receives no official financial support from the denomination. Volunteer administration significantly reduces operating expenses. Subsidies from Starbucks and Walgreens for material costs resulted in a combined financial gift of over $17,000 since October 2008. Finally, state-certification will make the ministry eligible for state funding of testing supplies.

To learn more about the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry, contact Jody Grieb at Central Christian in Terre Haute.

As printed in Disciples World online:

http://www.disciplesworld.com/newsArticle.html?wsnID=15659

Getting Ready for Assembly

2009-07-12T12:16:00.004-04:00

I'm very excited about our upcoming General Assembly. The Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry will be in Indianapolis providing prevention education and free anonymous HIV testing via two mobile testing units.

Our primary platform, a 30 foot RV will remain at the convention center to provide on-site testing, prevention education, and harm reduction supplies while our mobile van will perform testing with our partners at Walgreens and Starbucks and at other locations throughout Indianapolis. Starbucks has graciously covered the cost of our testing supplies and Walgreens has provided us with harm reduction materials and is covering operating expenses.

I'm also excited to announce that we will bring two panels from the AIDS memorial quilt to Assembly to display. In addition, we will gather names of friends and family members to assemble our own quilt panel. After it has been created, we will bring this 'Disciples AIDS Quilt' to various venues in the future.

Our AIDS Healing Service will be Sunday morning August 2nd in room 103 of the Indianapolis Convention Center. This service will begin at 8:00 am, giving you plenty of time to worship and find healing with us, then get to late morning services at one of the local congregations should you wish.

As you are well aware these are tough economic times. We have been very lucky to establish relationships with our corporate sponsors at Starbucks and Walgreens. Please continue to pray for our ministry and these relationships.

I look forward to seeing you at Assembly.

Peace,

Jody

Get Tested

2009-06-24T11:35:00.001-04:00

National HIV Testing Day Video Widget. I know. I took the test.
Flash Player 9 is required.

Testing at Walgreens

2009-06-24T10:45:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful day yesterday at the Walgreens at 16th and Meridian in Indianapolis. I took my friend Jen from Terre Haute and Jamie from Indianapolis joined us. We were onsite from 1 until 9 pm and test 17 people! What a wonderful partnership we have created here. Starbucks provided a grant for testing supplies, Walgreens provides the location and we provide the testers and the testing vehicle.

In addition to testing we handed out pamphlets about preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to just over 60 people.

I'm really looking forward to General Assembly. The supplies have been ordered and most have arrived. I'm making my lists and ensuring that everything is ready. We are currently scheduled to conduct testing every day except Sunday the 2nd of August.

I look forward to seeing many of you there.

Peace,

Jody

2009-06-22T09:02:00.003-04:00

First, I would like to thank all of the congregations who answered the call to provide condoms and literature pertaining to HIV/STI prevention in their congregations. I personally packed 29 packages to ship from Terre Haute and I know others went and purchased supplies of their own.

So I haven't posted for a while, but I have had a lot going on here in Indiana.

First of all I am happy to announce that we have started a relationship with Starbucks to provide testing at several of their locations in Indiana. I would also like to thank Starbucks for the financial support they have given us.

I recently attended a Comprehensive Risk Counseling Service (CRCS) class in Indianapolis. Comprehensive Risk Counseling is intensive, individualized client-centered counseling for adopting and maintaining HIV risk-reduction behaviors. CRCS is designed for HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals who are at high risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV and STIs and struggle with issues such as substance use and abuse, physical and mental health, and social and cultural factors that affect HIV risk. This three day class focused on competency for providing client centered behavioral risk change and will be instrumental in developing programs for use by those in the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry.

I'm really looking forward to General Assembly next month. My first GA was 2 years ago in Fort Worth and I had a blast. Please look for us with DHM in the Exhibit Hall. Also be on the lookout for the mobile HIV testing units that we will be using throughout Indianapolis. We will conclude our work at General Assembly on Sunday, August 2nd with an AIDS Healing Service at 8:00 am. I don't have the venue yet, but as soon as I do, I'll post for you to see.

Peace,

Jody

The Balm in Gilead

2009-06-02T11:49:00.003-04:00

I received an email from Kaye Edwards today about an amazing organization called the Balm in Gilead.

The Balm In Gilead, Inc.™ is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to improve the health status of people of the African Diaspora by building the capacity of faith communities to address life-threatening diseases, especially HIV/AIDS.

The Balm In Gilead’s pioneering achievements have enabled thousands of churches to become leaders in preventing the transmission of HIV by providing comprehensive educational programs and offering compassionate support to encourage those infected to seek and maintain treatment. The Balm In Gilead spearheads a dynamic response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the faith community.

For 19 years, The Balm In Gilead has mobilized The Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, which engages Black churches to become centers for education, compassion and care in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Balm In Gilead has established, and continues to develop, educational and training programs specifically to meet the needs of faith communities that strive to become centers for HIV/AIDS ministries, education and compassion.
(from http://balmingilead.org/about/mission.asp)

I have just spoken with representatives from the Balm in Gilead in hopes of partnering on upcoming programs.

Check out there website at http://balmingilead.org.

Gaps in Services

2009-05-21T17:04:00.002-04:00

It was a beautiful day today in the Wabash Valley. The skies were clear and sunny. Our high was 83 degrees and I could see for miles and miles.

Not a lot happened today, I participated in a conference call for a needs assessment survey for people living with HIV/AIDS in Indiana. Our state government is trying to determine if there are any gaps in services in Indiana.

The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides HIV/AIDS related prescription drugs to uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

ADAP funds are used to provide medications to treat HIV disease, or to prevent the serious deterioration of health, including measures for the prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections. As a payer of last resort, ADAP only serves individuals who have neither public nor private insurance or cannot get all of their medication needs met through their insurance payer.

In Indiana, ADAP funds are used to both purchase drugs and to purchase cost-effective insurance. The problem is... funds are limited. As of this morning there were 37 people on the ADAP waiting list in Indiana. As of this afternoon there are 36.

'Michael' and I have know each other for about a year. Michael was diagnosed with HIV in 2005 and entered care in 2008 which was when I met him. Michael was 22 when we met. When his parents noticed he had homosexual tendencies they invited their pastor over to discuss the issue with him. Michael disclosed to his minister that he was gay and the following Sunday the minister announce that there was a sinner in the congregation and he publicly announced that Michael was gay and damned to hell. That day, Michael's parents asked him to move out. Shortly after moving out of his parents home Michael began using methamphetamines to help deal with his depression and sadness. At some point thereafter, Michael was exposed to HIV.

In January of this year Michael's doctor recommended that he start Anti-Retroviral Therapy to treat HIV. Michael was uninsurable and his Medicaid co-pay was $952 per month. An amazing amount considering his income was less than $300 per month and he lived in a local shelter.

Due to budget restrictions there wasn't enough money in the Indiana state budget for Michael to have HIV medication and this morning at 9:18 am he passed away.

But, Indiana has a balanced budget... and we have cut services for people living HIV/AIDS in Indiana again this year.

Reality Check

2009-05-11T09:13:00.004-04:00

Yesterday morning as I sat in congregation at Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Terre Haute, my friend Dennis James Perry passed away from illnesses associated with advanced HIV disease. Dennis James was a friend with whom I often argued, not because we had issues, but because we both enjoyed a good argument. Dennis James and I had only known each other for about 5 years but we developed a mutual respect for each other quickly. He occasionally provided HIV prevention education classes in Terre Haute. A retired educator, DJ loved working with teenagers, he told me he felt at home with them.

In this world of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) and Long Term Non Progressors (LTNPs) we often forget about the death. In fact, some 5,500 people die from AIDS related illnesses everyday so it is paramount that we do whatever we can to provide prevention education and testing whenever and wherever we can.

Here are some startling facts from USAID:

In 2007, 33 million people around the world were living with HIV/AIDS. More than 64.9 million people have been infected with HIV since the pandemic began. AIDS is the leading cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the fourth leading cause of death globally.

HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects women, with 15.5 million HIV-positive worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, women represent 61 percent of the region’s cases.

An estimated 32 million people have died from AIDS since the beginning of the pandemic.

In 2007, 370,000 children under 15 were newly infected with HIV, bringing the total number of children living with HIV to 2 million. About half of all new adult HIV infections occur among 15-24 year olds.

Approximately 95 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS live in developing countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is the hardest-hit region, but other regions face severe or rapidly growing epidemics in specific countries or areas. Parts of Asia and Latin America are experiencing severe epidemics at the national or local level. Eastern Europe and Central Asia is the region with the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the world.

DJ, you will be missed my friend.

A New Joint Venture

2009-05-08T10:23:00.002-04:00

I had a great week in Indianapolis facilitating American Red Cross HIV Prevention Training. During the course of the week I learned that the group providing HIV testing at the Indianapolis Walgreen's Pharmacy stores had stopped providing those services due to manpower issues.

I'm happy to announce that beginning on Friday, May 15th the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry will offer free anonymous HIV testing at the Walgreen's at 16th and Meridian in Indianapolis onboard the mobile HIV testing unit. We will soon announce a schedule listing the days and locations the mobile testing unit will serve sometime in the next few weeks.

A Very Special Day

2009-04-24T12:26:00.003-04:00

I'm going off topic today because it's a very special day here in Heiligtum, Indiana. Today my partner Roland and I became legal parents of our daughter.
Our adoption is final.

My heart is filled with joy!

Peace,

Jody

News from Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry

2009-04-16T13:52:00.000-04:00

The Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry and Wabash Valley People Attempting To Help Inc. announced Tuesday a strategy to dramatically increase the availability of Rapid HIV testing for underserved communities in west-central Indiana via a mobile HIV prevention and testing van.

The announcement, made at Human Rights Day at Indiana State University, is part of a multipronged strategy to expand HIV/AIDS awareness and testing in communities throughout the state. This specific program will target Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo counties.

“The first step in halting the spread of HIV/AIDS is through education and to ensure that as many people as possible know their status and are counseled on proper care and prevention,” said volunteer director Jody Grieb. “We stand ready to assist any community health center or clinic as they expand the availability of Rapid HIV testing in underserved communities.”

To cover the gap in testing services, Grieb “unveiled” a mobile testing van. When one participant asked to see the van, Grieb gestured over his shoulder to a large parking lot and noted, “It’s over there”. To keep the testing process as anonymous as possible, the van has no identifying marks or symbols. “DEBI,” as the van is called, can provide testing services anywhere they are needed. Grieb noted that anyone can request testing by calling the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry offices at (812) 232-1381, extension 343, or 888-346-2631, or by going online to www.discipleshomemissions.org/aidsministry.

The two clinics currently providing Rapid HIV testing are the Vigo County Health Department Clinic in Terre Haute and the Parke County Family Health and Help Center in Rockville. Grieb told participants that all community health clinics should expand access to Rapid HIV testing, including the Student Health Center at Indiana State University.

“As part of this initiative, I am encouraging every community health center and clinic to begin or increase their Rapid HIV testing,” Grieb said. “If we are going to reduce incidence of HIV/AIDS, we must have this fast, effective testing technology readily available to everyone.” Grieb also encouraged houses of worship to begin provide HIV testing at their sites as well.

Grieb noted that at the end of 2006, an estimated 1,106,400 people (95 percent confidence interval 1,056,400-1,156,400) in the United States were living with HIV infection, with 21 percent undiagnosed.

The Rapid test is important to slowing the spread of HIV because it overcomes a major obstacle in HIV testing. Getting the results in 15-20 minutes means people no longer have to wait one or two weeks and return to the testing site to get their results.

The test requires less than a single drop of blood from the fingertip. The fingertip is cleaned with alcohol and pricked with a needle to get a small drop of blood. Blood is transferred to a small plastic vial containing a solution. The test device is then inserted into the vial. The results can be read in as little as 20 minutes.

Grieb noted that since PATH began testing in October 2008, 99 percent of people who took the Rapid HIV test have received their results. Grieb cited a National Institute of Health study that estimates as many as 40 percent of those who have a traditional blood draw test never return for the results because it requires a two-week wait.

Grieb noted that of approximately 750 people his organization has tested in the Wabash Valley since October, 3 percent have tested positive for HIV antibodies.

The Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry is a network of Disciples Home Missions, the enabling and coordinating division of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the area of congregational program and mission in North America. Wabash Valley PATH is a community-based organization in Terre Haute and is the Indiana liaison partner of the Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry. Wabash Valley PATH is online at www.wvpath.org.

From the Terre Haute Trib-Star: http://www.tribstar.com/archivesearch/local_story_104225124.html

DEBI hits the road

2009-04-11T18:25:00.006-04:00

Take a moment and look at the picture above. One of the vehicle in this picture is the Disciples Effective Behavioral Intervention van... aka DEBI!

From DEBI we will run our Mobile HIV Prevention and Testing in Rural Settings program. This program is designed to bring peer based HIV/STI prevention education, harm reduction services, counseling, and testing to rural areas. This mobile platform will help make the testing process as convenient, accessible and non-threatening as possible in order to address the proportion of high-risk individuals not accessing testing services in rural areas.

The drivers space and a passenger seat with a work space are contained in the forward cabin. The middle cabin will be used for prevention and education services and HIV testing while the rear compartment will be used for storage of supplies and educational materials. In addition to testing, DEBI will provide harm reduction items and wellness kits.

Testing can be offered at any location thanks to the anonymity of the van. When a client has a presumptive positive test result, transportation and an escort to receive confirmatory testing will be offered. The program will collaborate with an internet based social marketing campaign focused on raising awareness about HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. At times, outreach workers from the campaign may work in conjunction with the mobile program and go into venues and approach more people about testing services offered on the MTU. The program also collaborates with internal STI testing programs at the appropriate county health department.

The primary goals of this program include:

· To identify HIV positive individuals who did not know their HIV serostatus prior to testing,

· To provide primary HIV prevention services,

· To teach participants the skills needed to protect themselves from HIV disease (partner negotiation, consistent and correct condom use, identifying STI symptoms, harm reduction related to IDU),

· To normalize the HIV testing process,

· To reduce health care disparities in rural areas,

· To facilitate the linkage of HIV positive individuals into care and social services, and

· To recruit peer educators/testers to volunteer with this program in the future.

DEBI will make her debut tonight at various nightclubs in Terre Haute, Indiana. Please pray that God will empower and protect those who volunteer on the van, as well as those we see and speak to throughout the evening.

The Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry is hard at work raising funds to cover the cost of testing at General Assembly this year in Indianapolis. If you would like information on small things that your congregation can do to help this valuable ministry give me a call at 812.243.6402.

The Disciples HIV/AIDS Ministry and Wabash Valley PATH are proud to introduce the DEBI van!

Pass the offering plate and take a condom... or maybe 5,000!

2009-03-26T17:26:00.002-04:00

I'm totally psyched about the United Church of Christ HIV/AIDS Ministry (UCAN)!

I spoke to Mike Schuenemeyer again this morning and asked what we at the HIV/AIDS Ministry of DHM could do to help. He mentioned that he was about to order some more condoms.. I told him we could help him out there.

I just packaged and shipped a little over 5,000 male condoms (of different sizes and colors) a box of female condoms, and 10 cases of lubricant to the UCC Church House in Cleveland!

As I mentioned yesterday I want this partnership to WORK so in addition to the supplies we sent today I am pledging an additional 10,000 pieces for safer sex kits to be shipped to the UCC Church House over the next year! Now, for any Disciples congregations out there ready to take a leap, drop me an email or call and we'll have condoms and safer sex kits on the way to you within 24 hours.

Distribution of condoms and prevention education are the easiest ways to help make a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS! Join us in the fight, do something and make a difference!

United Church of Christ takes a leap!

2009-03-25T19:50:00.002-04:00

Many years ago our brothers and sisters at the United Church of Christ went 'all-out' embracing all of God's children regardless of Sexual Orientation and openly inviting gay and lesbian ministers to join their denomination. Remember those commercials? What a great campaign and what an amazing ministry.

Today the UCC took another leap of faith stating that, "Condoms should be distributed at places of worship. The March 19 statement, issued at a presentation to the UCC Wider Church Ministries Board, also called for making condoms available at faith-based educational settings." According to UCC executive Michael Schuenemeyer, "The practice of safer sex is a matter of life and death. People of faith make condoms available because we have chosen life so that we and our children may live."

Read the full story here; http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=155555715176&h=nD3Y7&u=mu7Lc&ref=nf

I'm am amazed and inspired at the action the United Church of Christ has taken today.

I've spoken with Mike Schuenemeyer, Executive Director of UCAN (The UCC HIV/AIDS Network) and proposed a full partnership between the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions and UCAN and Mike has graciously accepted my offer to work together, sharing ideas and resources!

The HIV/AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions will no longer sit and wait, we will join our brothers and sisters at UCAN in a collaborative effort to bring faith based HIV/STD prevention education to our denomination and God's broader church as a whole!

The HIV/AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions is now booking dates for our spring and summer road trips in the Midwest. If you have an event in your congregation or community that you would like us to be a part of, please let us know.

Check out our website: www.discipleshomemissions.org/aidsministry to find out what we can offer you and your group.

UCC’s health advocates press for increased condom distribution

2009-03-20T20:16:00.002-04:00

I received an email today regarding the work UCAN - The United Church of Christ HIV and AIDS Network, is doing. Mike is really stirring things up and laying it on the line with the facts... Take a look at this: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=76023806534&h=AbdQR&u=nuZ3Q&ref=nf

Action in Houston

2009-03-20T17:44:00.003-04:00

Have any of you seen this?

Houston Chronicle Examines Local Church's Efforts To Increase HIV Testing

The Houston Chronicle on Wednesday examined efforts by pastors at the predominantly black St. John's Church in Houston to encourage people to receive HIV tests. St. John's offers HIV testing, among other services, through the non-for-profit Bread of Life. Amber David, a counselor at the church, serves as an advocate for testing, urging congregants to be screened during monthly "Get Tested" Sundays. St. John's Pastor, Rudy Rasmus, began an HIV campaign among congregants 15 years ago, after "too many funeral service requests for young people who died" from AIDS-related causes, he said. Rasmus says the church serves as an effective forum for reaching the black community because it is historically the center of the community. According to Houston health department data, blacks account for more than half of all new HIV cases in Harris County, and black teenagers represent most new cases among all adolescents. St. Johns' Bread of Life tested 700 people in 2008 (George, Houston Chronicle, 3/18)

I am amazed and blessed when I read articles like these. It's conforting for me to see churches becoming more involved in slowing the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

I recently had a conversation with the senior minister of a Disciples congregation and offered to help plan and conduct an HIV/AIDS focus group at his church building and offer free and anonymous HIV testing. Imagine my surprise when the minister told me that his congregation was not affected by HIV and that he was afraid that if we discussed HIV, and in particular condoms, we would be encouraging his flock to engage in sexual relations.

I'm sad to say that I didn't have the words that this minister needed to hear. I pray that the Spirit will reach him.

When we first considered offering testing as an outreach project at General Assembly this year I began to look for people who would get tested and talk about it publicly. When I sat down to discuss this with my minister, Reverend Rebecca Zelensky, she deadpanned, "I'll do it" before I had the chance to asky my question. That was the stepping off point in Terre Haute. I don't think I've had anyone tell me no after she publicly announced that she had been tested. Perhaps we need one group or congregation from within the Disciples Denomination to step up and go first.

Any takers?

Peace!

Bill Introduced to Fund Responsible Sex Ed

2009-03-19T14:04:00.002-04:00

I just received this in my email and wanted to pass it along

Legislation to federally fund comprehensive, medically accurate sex education in public schools was introduced in both chambers of Congress on Tuesday. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey and Rep. Barbara Lee of California, both Democrats, submitted the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, "A bill to provide for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy, HIV rates, and other sexually transmitted diseases, and for other purposes."

At the moment, federal funding for sex education is available only to states teaching abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that prohibit discussion of condom use and other forms of contraception. According to the Human Rights Campaign, the federal government has spent more than $1 billion providing funding to abstinence-only programs whose federal guidelines mandate defining marriage as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as a husband and wife."

HRC president Joe Solmonese said, “Our nation’s youth deserve the facts about how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. The federal government has tied states’ hands when it comes to providing prevention education to teens.”

The bill has five cosponsors in the Senate and 27 in the House and has been referred to the committee of jurisdiction in both chambers for review.

By Kerry Eleveld

The Advocate Online

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid75633.asp

On the road in Indiana

2009-03-19T12:16:00.002-04:00

Today the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network is on the road in Rockville, Indiana. Parke County has a population of just over 17,000 Hoosiers and today we're at the Parke County Family Health and Help Center. Parke County is currenty home to about 25 people who have tested positive for HIV. The number of new diagnoses in this small county in western Indiana doubled in 2008. I was contacted by Susie Waymire, the Administrator of the Parke County Health Department a few weeks ago about conducting outreach testing here. Until today there was not free HIV test available in Parke County. The only option for testing was through local physicians, which runs in excess fo $100.00

As the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network continues to grow, we hope to offer more outreach testing opportunities such as this through our member organizations around the country.

I want to take a moment to thank our friends at Starbucks Coffee Company for their recent donation to the network to help offset the cost of testing at this years General Assembly in Indianapolis.

On the road again

2009-03-16T21:44:00.003-04:00

It's a busy week for me this week. Today I attending a continuing educational seminar entitled 'Hot Topics in HIV/STD. Today's meeting focused on Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV).

In 2008, Indiana had more than 28,000 reports of sexually transmitted diseases. Even more incredible is that there are more than 8,000 people known to be living with HIV or AIDS in Indiana and many others unaware of their status. Despite this, many providers fail to test and treat the many individuals who may be at risk. Today’s STD/HIV conference provided an update of HIV infection, including review of a study that suggests individuals with HIV should be started on antiretrovirals sooner than previously recommended. In addition, we highlighted genital herpes, a genital ulcer disease that increases chances of contracting HIV.

When providing comprehensive HIV/STI prevention education it’s important to stay abreast of changes in detection and treatment. I attend at least one continuing education class per month.

Tomorrow I will be attending the Statewide Community Planning Group meeting. Take a look at the CPG website to see exactly what we do: http://www.in.gov/isdh/23270.htm.

You asked for more about me...

2009-03-12T17:14:00.003-04:00

A VERY intelligent young lady wrote the following bio for me... I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do!

Joseph Thornton Grieb, directs the efforts of the AIDS Ministry Network of the Disciples Home Missions.
‘Jody’ is co-founder of Wabash Valley People Attempting To Help, Inc. a community based organization in Terre Haute, Indiana that provides prevention education and testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and support and advocacy for those living with and affected by those diseases. Jody works extensively with the Indiana State Department of Health, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in evaluating current effective behavioral interventions in the HIV arena.

He is a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS/STI awareness, LGBTI health and wellness, and drug use and addictions education. He travels extensively sharing a message of hope and spiritual renewal. A survivor of drug addiction and HIV, Jody brings his personal experiences to help develop intervention and harm reduction programs. His combination of personal narrative and community dialogue brings light to a set of challenging social and spiritual topics.

Jody continues his education at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in western Indiana with plans to enter Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis in 2011. Jody, his partner Roland and their daughter Delena live in Terre Haute, Indiana where they are very involved members in Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jody enjoys spending time with his family, photography and really misses his motorcycle.

A space of our own

2009-03-12T16:28:00.001-04:00

I have received some emails inquiring about how things are at Disciples Center. The best answer I have is, “I’ll let you know when I get there”.

I actually don’t work for Disciples Home Missions, I’m the ‘Volunteer Director’. Now with a little play on words you can figure out that I volunteer as the Director and I occasionally direct Volunteers.

I actually live in Terre Haute, Indiana. Terre Haute is about 1 hour west of Indianapolis on the Indiana/Illinois line. I co-founded a community based organization called Wabash Valley People Attempting To Help, Inc. or PATH for short. I love acronyms! Ask any of my friends.

The mission of Wabash Valley PATH is to provide prevention and educational services to increase awareness and reduce the transmission of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. PATH covers Region 8 of Indiana including Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. We are the only outreach organization in this area. We started about a year ago, just my partner and I in the kitchen discussing the number of new HIV infections in our area and we agreed that something needed to be done about it and the next thing you know I was trying to figure out an acronym for it ;)

We started out on a shoestring budget with a donation from our local (not defunct) AIDS Task Force. Those first few months it was like pulling teeth trying to get someone to let us do prevention classes… now we have a hard time finding enough volunteer educators to cover the classes we have scheduled.

I eventually heard about the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network at Disciples Home Missions and I contacted Kaye Edwards to see what support the Network could provide for us. Kaye told me that due to funding cuts and other issues the Network was in need of some revival and I volunteered to help out…. The rest as they say, is history.

Today was a banner day for us at PATH and the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network. After working out of a guest bedroom in our home for nearly a year, we moved into our own space. Thanks to some hard fundraising efforts PATH is very fortunate to be able to lease (at a very low price) space from the Terre Haute Housing Authority and as we say around here, what’s good for PATH is good for the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network. We have 3 offices and a large conference center which can be used for support groups and educational meetings. If you’re ever in the Terre Haute, Indiana area, drop by and see us!

As soon as we get things all arranged I’ll post some pictures for you to see. Please continue to pray for us as the Spirit helps us find paths to healing, wholeness, and abundant life.

Peace,

Jody

Lutheran Bishops Get Tested

2009-03-10T19:17:00.001-04:00

From the Chicago Tribune:

"In Solidarity with HIV Victims, Lutheran Bishops Get Tested"
Chicago Tribune (03.05.09):: Manya A. Brachear

On March 5 in Chicago, bishops from the United States' largest Lutheran denomination were publicly tested for HIV as a way to show support for those affected by the disease and raise awareness of its impact at home and abroad.

"We in the US tend to think of this as a global pandemic unrelated to people in the US," said Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA) Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson. "For me as a married heterosexual man to be tested is a reminder that all communities are affected, if not infected."

Bishop Wayne Miller of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod said that getting tested for HIV was his show of solidarity with members of the city's companion synod, the Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. He also hoped it would signal to his own 206 congregations they should not be ashamed to be tested and learn their status. "There's still so much shame and secrecy, people end up hiding from the treatment and care they need," he said.

Hanson, who also serves as president of the Lutheran World Federation, said the church must do more to embrace those living with HIV/AIDS, as it has for other pandemics such as malaria. At its biennial assembly in August, the chief legislative authority of the ECLA is expected to approve a new national strategy on HIV/AIDS.

The Rev. Donald Messer, executive director of the Center for Church and Global AIDS, praised the bishops, noting "pastors and laity look to their episcopal leaders for these kinds of symbolic gestures to show that they are important." Messer, a Methodist pastor, urged his own denomination to follow the Lutherans' example.

What a great show of support from the Bishops of the Lutheran Church.. I think it's time to plan to test the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Let me know what you think....

Social Networking pages for the HIV/AIDS Ministry Network

2009-03-07T14:26:00.001-05:00

AMN on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19059433263#/pages/AIDS-Ministry-Network-of-Disciples-Home-Missions/53168766532?ref=ts

Facebook Cause: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/214042?m=f6a2e5a8&recruiter_id=45815030

A proposed Declaration of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

2009-03-07T14:11:00.003-05:00

We are members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), called by God to affirm a life of hope and healing in the midst of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Our traditions call us to embody and proclaim hope, and to celebrate life and healing in the midst of suffering.

HIV and AIDS are an affliction of the whole human family, a condition in which we all participate. It is a scandal that many people suffer and grieve in secret. We seek hope amidst the moral and medical tragedies of this pandemic in order to pass on hope for generations to come.

We recognize the fact that there have been barriers among us based on religion, race, class, age, nationality, physical ability, gender and sexual orientation which have generated fear, persecution and even violence. We call upon all sectors of our society, particularly our faith communities, to adopt as highest priority the confrontation of racism, classism, ageism, sexism and homophobia.

As long as one member of the human family is afflicted, we all suffer. In that spirit, we declare our response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic:

1. We are called to love: God does not punish with sickness or disease but is present together with us as the source of our strength, courage and hope. The God of our understanding is, in fact, greater than HIV/AIDS.

2. We are called to compassionate care: We must assure that all who are affected by the pandemic [regardless of religion, race, class, age, nationality, physical ability, gender or sexual orientation] will have access to compassionate, non-judgmental care, respect, support and assistance.

3. We are called to witness and do justice: We are committed to transform public attitudes and policies, supporting the enforcement of all local and federal laws to protect the civil liberties of all persons with HIV/AIDS and other disabilities. We further commit to speak publicly about HIV prevention and compassion for all people living with HIV/AIDS.

4. We promote prevention: Within the context of our respective faiths, we encourage accurate and comprehensive information for the public regarding HIV transmission and means of prevention. We vow to develop comprehensive HIV prevention programs for our youth and adults.

5. We acknowledge that we are a global community: While the scourge of HIV/AIDS is devastating to the United States, it is much greater in magnitude in other parts of the world community. We recognize our responsibility to encourage HIV education and prevention policies, especially in the global religious programs we support.

6. We deplore the sins of intolerance and bigotry: HIV/AIDS is not a "gay" disease. It affects men, women and children of all races. We reject the intolerance and bigotry that have caused many to deflect their energy, blame those infected, and become preoccupied with issues of sexuality, worthiness, class status or chemical dependency.

7. We challenge our society: Because economic disparity and poverty are major contributing factors in the HIV/AIDS pandemic and barriers to prevention and treatment, we call upon all sectors of society to seek ways of eliminating poverty in a commitment to a future of hope and security.

8. We are committed to action: We will seek ways, individually and within our faith communities, to respond to the needs around us.

Adapted from the Interfaith Declaration on AIDS.

Very busy month

2009-03-07T14:01:00.002-05:00

It's been a very busy month here at the AIDS Ministry Network. Our Indiana based group has a very busy calendar and I've also heard from a couple of other Disciples who are also in HIV prevention.

First things first! Plans are well underway to conduct outreach education and testing at General Assembly this summer in Indianapolis. I posted a flyer just a moment ago, feel free to contact me with any questions about what we're doing there.

I received an email from Pastor Willie J. Smith Jr. this past week. Pastor Smith and I spoke via telephone for some time about the HIV prevention and testing work that he is doing in rural Alabama and in the Alabama Correctional System. Pastor Smith has been involved in this ministry for several years now and he pays for most of his supplies out of his own pocket! What a blessing to know that there are others out there sharing the Good News of Jesus the Christ through HIV/AIDS Ministry. I hope in the future I'll hear from others who are doing the same.

Planning for Indianapolis.

2009-03-07T13:50:00.003-05:00

A great day at The Woods

2009-02-12T21:46:00.000-05:00

We spent the day at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in western Indiana. We conducted prevention education and HIV testing. We had great turnout and tested 24 students and staff. I know what you're thinking, 24 students is not that many. What's important to remember here is that SMWC is the oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women in the United States and today the AIDS Ministry Network of the Christian Church was on campus with HIV tests and condoms! Mind you that this was done with cooperation from the Student Senate at SMWC. My friend Mary and I were fortunate enough to sit in on an interview with Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of Ryan White, as she spoke with local media today.
This evening Jeanne spoke about her son Ryan, his life, his death, and how he has affected so many of us. We walked with her, we talked with her, we laughed and cried with her as she showed us videos of Ryan and discussed how he touched so many people in life and in death.
I spoke with Jeanne briefly about the possibility of coming to speak to us at a future General Assembly and she was very open to the idea.
I'll have more on her presentations as well as some pictures soon.

Peace,

Getting Ready for SMWC

2009-02-11T20:37:00.000-05:00

I had a few minutes so I wanted to hop on and let you know what's going on tomorrow. The AIDS Ministry Network will be conducting prevention education and free anonymous testing at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in western Indiana. Jeanne White-Grinder (Ryan White's mom) will be speaking at 7:00 pm tomorrow night. It will be a busy day at SMWC. I'll let you know how things turn out.

Welcome to the AIDS Ministry Network

2009-02-10T09:01:00.000-05:00

My name is Jody Grieb and I am the Volunteer Director of the AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions. Disciples Home Missions the enabling and coordinating division of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the area of congregational program and mission in North America.

The Mission of the AIDS Ministry Network of Disciples Home Missions is to support existing HIV/AIDS related ministries in North America and to inspire others to create such ministries.