Reflection on our World AIDS Day service 30th November 2014
by Cate Jacobs
The Red Ribbon, created by our resident artist Richard Popplewell to adorn the front of the church, was a bold statement for our community as a mark of solidarity with those living with and affected by HIV.
What you don't get to know the other side of the doors, is the ripple effect it has in the community - I was privy to a number of conversations where people 'living with HIV' were just blown away and amazed that a Church would make such a statement.
Furthermore, knowing that we also showed the Now and Then film were nearly speechless that I could sit in the congregation and be loved and accepted by our community without condemnation.
We live in a world where many people of faith dare not speak of their HIV with in their faith communities for fear of the repercussions of their disclosure, so to everyone passing by St Bride's the message was one of acceptance.
I am also aware from having spoken to Bob Downes, the Team Leader of the clinical specialist HIV nurses, that the HIV testing clinic that was held at St Bride's on 1st Dec was one of the most successful clinics they ran and that the venue was the reason that those who chose to come for testing felt able to come!
The service itself was reflective and meditative - it's hard for me to comment objectively as I helped to put it together, but people's feedback to me was very positive (excuse the pun!)
For me personally it means more to me than the remembrance at St Georges Hall. I'm really glad World AIDS Day has become an integrated part of the church calendar - it transfers ownership of World AIDS Day from being an event driven by me as a HIV+ woman, to an event driven by the Church, which I believe is inline with being part of Inclusive Church.