Englewood United Methodist Church held a service of song and praise in honor of National HIV Testing Day.
Community organizations and activists teamed up with other faith institutions, organizations, and leaders to feature a service that encouraged HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, and outreach. Special guest speaker 6th legislative district representative Esther Golar greeted kicked off the service with a welcoming where she urged guests to "act as ambassadors for their community" in regards to HIV/AIDS. Golar also shared with guests that she budgeted $50,000 to Englewood United Methodist Church to work on the HIV/AIDS crisis.
"We need healing in our community. We need hope and a plan of action for our community for HIV/AIDS," said Golar.
Rev. Frederick Schells of Pleasant Green M.B. Church recognized that though it has been 30 years since the discovery of HIV/AIDS, the virus has been around for many years before. Green urged people to not forget their true purpose of caring for one another.
"As we have already entered a stage of great catastrophe, we must look into ourselves. We need a word of healing. We need some Davids to go out and fight the Goliath that is challenging us," said Green.
The service also included a choir performance of Life Every Voice and Sing, guest soloist performances from Thomas E. Jones of Southlawn United Methodist Church and gospel recording artist Shirley Bell. The Flora Robinson Chorale concluded the service with a gospel song.
Organizer Sylvia Jo believes that the service was a way to connect the community with the church. "We wanted to connect the community with the church. This is a serious issue for the Black community and communities beyond that. We wanted to reach out to the community in a way they could relate back to us," said Jo.
Participating community organizations included Come Alive Ministry of Faith, Englewood Advocates of Grace for Lives, Education and Service (E.A.G.L.E.S.) Englewood UMC, Faith UMC, Grace Calvary UMC, Greater Englewood UMC, West Englewood UMC, Pleasant Green M.B. Church, 140-46 W. 59th St. 7545 S. Vincennes Ave, Rust Memorial UMC, Grand Boulevard Federation, Greater Westside Development Corporation, Making a Daily Effort (M.A.D.E.), 6th Legislative District, Southside H IV/AIDS Resource Providers (S.H.A.R.P) and Teamwork Englewood.
