HIV and AIDS Ministry at Imago Dei
Our Purpose
Our Purpose
- Continue to facilitate personal contact by Imago Dei MCC congregants to the local AIDS community.
- To more frequently provide information on HIV/AIDS to Imago Dei MCC.
- To continue and expand remembrance of those lost to AIDS.
- To continue to pursue ways to perform corporal care in the AIDS community whenever and where ever possible.
Imago Dei MCC and Gift of Mary
Imago Dei MCC and Gift of Mary
In 1991 Mother Teresa visited the city of Chester and established a hospice called the Gift of Mary for women dying from HIV disease. Not only was the city a center of HIV transmission among its own population, but was receiving patients from throughout the metropolitan area dominated by the City of Philadelphia. The patients were principally minority and were clearly becoming more identified as women of color with histories of prostitution, substance abuse, or crime. In addition, Gift of Mary provides residential care for women with HIV/AIDS and their children.
Imago Dei MCC and Ralph Moses House
Imago Dei MCC and Ralph Moses House
Ralph Moses House - HIV/AIDS Supportive, Transitional Housing Program
Family and Community Service of Delaware County
This program provides supportive, transitional housing for twelve men living with HIV/AIDS. The project assists residents to gain skills needed to manage their health more effectively, and to become able to live independently and self-sufficiently. Residents may stay in the program up to eighteen months before moving on to permanent, independent housing.
The project is named for Ralph Moses, a lifelong Chester resident, HIV/AIDS activist and person living with AIDS. Ralph currently works as a driver for the AIDS CARE Group and is a member of the Board of Directors of FCS.
Want to get involved?
We need people who are warm, genuine and caring. No experience in any field is needed to join our ministry.
Be prepared to visit once a month or as often as possible and interact with the girls of Gift of Mary. Donate to the various collections of supplies for AIDs agencies. Prepare, transport and serve at Church sponsored dinners. Eventually visit the mens hospice and those sick in Hospitals.
Contact HIV/AIDS facilitator, Nancy Whitton HIVMinistry (at) imagodeimcc (dot) org
The Blue Candle
We will keep the "Blue Candle" on our altar for the year 2005. Several people have asked why this odd little candle was there, especially during the Christmas Season when it appeared so out of place with the poinsettias and greens. I told them it was there to remind us of those who live with HIV and of those who have died because of it. To a person the response was, "That's wonderful.", "How loving.", or "I guess it will be there forever." So the Blue Candle will remain with us for many years to come!
Resources
A Global Ministry of Passionate Living, Commitment to Service, and Innovative Education
HIV/AIDS: Is It God's Judgment?
From Metropolitan Community Church
By Rev. A. Stephen Pieters
At HIV Plus we are dedicated to helping our readers lead their fullest life possible by giving them tips, tools, and personal stories that motivate them to make the best of their friendships and relationships, work and leisure time, health care, and overall sense of well-being.
PA AIDS Fact Line - 1-800-662-6080
The Pennsylvania Department of Health coordinates statewide HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs, administers state and federally mandated activities through contracts with county and municipal health departments and other agencies. The Department oversees local activities through the Department's six District Offices and the seven regional AIDS Planning Coalitions in the Commonwealth and develops and implements the Department's statewide AIDS and HIV Prevention Plans. The Department works in concert with community-based advisory groups.
Donations Appreciated
Monetary donations will be used for entertainment supplies, prizes for game nights, and on the rare occassion that the Sisters have asked for a particular item for a patient. Example: a plus sized woman who had no nighties and they asked if I could shop for 2 for her. I did and we picked up the cost.
We also collect useful household items to help establish residents of the Gift of Mary in their own homes. These might be things that would normally go to Good Will Industries. Keep them coming!
And we collect clothes ongoing for both men and women.
Please Support Research on Spirituality, HIV and Gay Men
Please consider supporting research on spirituality and its impact on your experience living with HIV. Researchers from a variety of fields have determined that some form of spirituality (and/or religiosity) has significantly benefited individuals coping with chronic medical conditions, conditions similar to HIV in duration and severity, such as cancer. Sadly, previous research often overlooks subject populations outside of the mainstream. Further, due to an absence of scientific research, therapeutic treatment providers often discount spirituality as an effective tool for coping with HIV.
Can spirituality improve the lives of gay men living with HIV?
Even if you DON'T consider yourself spiritual (and/or religious), your opinions are extremely valuable to us.
This survey is completely anonymous. Click here to participate.
Other ways to connect with us
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