VGKSA Konferensie oor MIV-Vigs Gehou

UNITING REFORMED CHURCH IN SA, NORTHERN SYNOD

“THE CHURCH AS CHANNEL OF HOPE”

CONFERENCE ON THE THE RESPONSE OF THE CHURCH TO HIV AND AIDS, 13-14 FEBRUARY 2009

SUMMARY OF CONFERENCE THEMES AND OUTCOMES

1. SPEAKERS

The following speakers addressed the conference:

•            MS LYN VAN ROOYEN (CABSA)

Ms van Rooyen addressed the conference on the following theme:  “The HIV-Aids Epidemic:  Specific Challenges for the Church”

The printout of her slide show is included.  She gave an excellent introduction, also smashing some of the most common “myths” about HIV and Aids. The most disturbing thing to hear was that more or less 1 000 people are dying each day in South Africa from Aids related diseases.  Even more shocking, was the fact that more or less 1 500 new infections with the HIV virus takes place daily and that one third of them are amongst teenagers younger than 15 years of age. Another shocker was the statement “For most women, the major risk factor for HIV infection is being married”!  The vison of CABSA (Church Aids Buro of  South Africa), was amply illustrated in her address: “Helping congregations to become caring Christian communities ministering reconciliation and hope in a world with HIV”.  The contact number of CABSA in Johannesburg is 011 7966 819, and ms van Rooyen’s e-mail address is info@cabsa.co.za .  

FILM: “WHAT CAN I DO?”

The film on DVD shown after her address has the title “What can I Do?”.  It is the story of rev Gideon Byamugisha, an ordained minister of the Anglican Church and  

Canon of st Paul’s Cathedral in Uganda.  He is also HIV-positive.  In the video he shares with us the lessons he has learned from his journey with HIV.  He calls for more relevant and accurate HIV prevention messages, and encourages churches to spread hope – not fear – through peer education, counselling, home-based care, practical help and prayer. The most important message of  rev Gideon is that stigma is always wrong, and that being HIV positive does not necessarily mean that you have been immoral or sexually promiscuous.  Several members inquired whether they could get hold of this DVD.  The DVD is distributed by CLF (Christelike Lektuurfonds).  It will be available at Dibukeng.  But please phone before you go there to get your copy.  There is also a facilitators’ guide acompanying the DVD, which gives detailed guidance on how to use the DVD for discussions.  

1.2 DR ARNAU VAN WYNGAARD AND MS TEMBI SHONGWE (REFORMED CHURCH IN SWAZILAND)

Talking about the theme “Becoming the Hands and Feet of Christ in the Community”, dr van Wyngaard told the amazing story of how God spoke to him, asking him what he was going to do anbout the spread of HIV and Aids in Swaziland ?  But even more amazing was the story of how God guided the church in Swaziland to become involved with the suffering of so many thousands of people that already have Aids. The short Video Clip about this story and about the project by which more than 400 home-based care givers were trained, was remarkable and inspiring.  It showed that nothing is impossible for God, especially when his people awakens to the call of the Lord to become the hands and feet of Christ in the community.  Dr van Wyngaard stressed the fact that the vast majority of the care-givers are poor themselves, and that they do the work without any remuneration, out of a sense of calling and compassion.

Ms Tembi Shongwe, head of training in this project, went into more detail of how the training took place and how practical stumbling blocks are overcome.   She also gave particulars of the “love packs” that they distribute. A copy of this is also included.     

Dr van Wyngaard and ms Shongwe declared themselves willing to assist any congregation or URCSA that would be interested to start a ministry of caring for people living with Aids.  They will be available to share their experience, without prescribing or pretending that they know everything.  The contact details of dr van Wyngaard is tel nr 017 826 1174 or 082 924 5632.  His e-mail address is   wyngaard@lando.co.za .

•1.3  MS RHODDY KGOHLOANE (URCSA)

Ms Rudy Kgohloane is one of our own members in the congregation of Phlaborwa, who is busy working as facilitator for Aids awareness on a full time basis.  She does not consifder herself to be a speaker, but rather a facilitator, reaching out to congregations and presbyteries, to women and youth, facilitating a process by which Christians are helped to understand their calling amidst this terrible disease. 

What does Rhoddy do as facilitator ?

• She encourages congregations to become HIV-friendly congregations, welcoming and accepting those who are living with HIV and Aids
• She focuses on creating awareness
• She facilitates in the ritual of candle lighting, which is unusual in our church
• She encourages members to undergo VCT (Voluntary Counselling and Testing)
• She encourages the congregation to prepare “LOVE PACKS” which can be given monthly or quarterly.

Primarily, being involved in a ministry towards people infected and affected by Aids, is a  ministry of caring, of charity and of compassion.  She refers to Mattehw 5:14 “You are the light of the world”, and explains that the church must be the light in the dark world of Aids.  In Matthew 25 the Lord clearly calls on us to care for people living with Aids as if we are caring for Him.  He comes to us in the form of those who are suffering.    

The church should therefore be a channel of hope

It brings hope to the hopeless

It brings light in the darkness

CANDLE LIGHTING

The ritual of candle lighting is done during the conference.  Everyone receives a small candle and lights it at the big candle placed in the front of the hall.  Thereby members and congregations commit themselves to become HIV-Aids Friendly congregations.  And to bring light for those in the darkness and hope for the hopeless.

Rhoddy’s contact number is 015 769 1464 or 083 239 5327  

•1.4  DR SIMON MAILULA (HOSPIVISION)

Dr Mailula is a pastor or minister of the Baptist Church in Garankuwa.  He is also full-time employee of HospiVision, and trainer of facilitators for the Choose Life Programme.  It is a value based training course. 

First of all, he did the so-called signature exercise with us, which had us all laughing, but which illustrated in a very graphic and practical way how easily and swiftly the HIV-virus is spread in a given popluation.   Referring to the rampant problem of multiple concurrent sexual relations as one of the main drivers of the disease, he made it clear that abstaining from sex before marriage and being mutually faithful in a monogamous relationship is the best way to protect yourself from the disease and to prevent the disease from spreading.        

In this respect it is only the consistant adherence to and living according sound values, especially as it is found in the Bible, that can enable us to protect ourselves and curb the spread of the disease.

The value framework within which Choose Life operates, is defined by these two pillars: The Golden Rule by Jesus in the gospels “do unto others what you would  have them do to you”, and the ubuntu principle in traditional African culture whereby one is bound to consider the well-being of society before anything else. 

The contact number of HospiVision is 012 329 9492 and the e-mail is training@hospivision.org.za .  

•1.5  REV SIPHO MOKOENA (URCSA)

Rev Sipho Mokoena, minister of the URCSA Congregation Ohrigstad, addressed the workshop on the problem and challenge of “Stigma”.

He reads from Mark 1: 29-34, and focuses on vs 32-34, where the people brought all the sick and demon-posessed people to Jesus and “He healed many who had various diseases”.

The problem with stigma is that it ostrasizes people from the community.  It discriminates against them and heaps shame on them and relegates them to a class of people who are to be avoided at all cost.  It is then also internalised by those who are stigmatised.  Consequently they despise themselves and avoid contact with others and become intensely lonely and isolated. The sad thing is that church members are often guilty of this extremely cruel behaviour  towards those who are suffering from Aids.  One of the unintended results of stigma is the problem of secrecy.

In contrast to allowing people to suffer in loneliness and isolation we as church should strive to break the unhealthy silence.  Following the example of Jesus, we should invite people who are sick, also those with HIV and Aids, to come forward so that we can pray for them and comfort them.   If they are not healed physically they can still be healed spiritually and emotionally and experience the acceptance, love,  compassion and fellowship of the Christian community and be empowered to still living productive and meaningful lives.  

2 OUTCOMES OF THE DISCUSSION GROUPS

2.1 Caring for the Sick and the Suffering: Becoming the Hands and Feet of Christ

• The main aim is home-based care
• The care should involve physical, social, emotional and spirtual care
• The basic attitude behind care is compassion and love which leads to support in all forms
• Spiritual and church leaders should primarily take responsibility to guide and inspire their congregations to become involved. Firstly, awareness should be created. This should be done through preaching on compassion and care. Furthermore leaders should also become involved with some practical initiatives to mobilise the congregation.
• Make an analysis of the families and individuals who need home-based care
• Partnerships could be forged with local schools to find out which children are in need of afterschool care and perhaps part of child-headed households
• Practical ways of raising money and collecting clothes and other useful items to support the care initiatives should be investigated. Love packs could be distributed
• The founding of a section 21 company or faith-based NGO could be considered, raising money throug this channel.
• The focus of the congregation should however be on utilising the gifts and potentials of members already present in the congregation, with the main focus on hands and feet: go, reach out, and serve, following in the footsteps of Christ

2.2 Preventing the Spread of the Disease

• Knowledge is the key to prevention – therefore preaching and teaching, workshops and an awareness campaign
• Mobilise and convince people for VCT (Voluntary Care and Testing)
• Follow and advocate the ABC strategy: Abstain before marriage, Be faithful within marriage, and Condomise
• Also follow and advocate the broader strategy of SAVE: Safe practices, Access to medication, VCT, Education and empowerment
• Voluntary disclosure
• Avoiding and fighting stigma

Preventing Unnecessary and Untimely Deaths among HIV-positive people by:

• Support through love and hope
• Take medication regularly
• Eat healthy food, e.g. vegetables and fruit
• Counselling and spiritual care
• Avoid alcohol and smoking

2.3 Mobilising the Congregation

• Communication by facilitator/mobiliser of the church should be audible, strong and convincing, showing conviction and passion, and thereby making the body of knowledge available to all
• This communication should explain unknown terms and concepts clearly (e.g “love packs” and “mountain of love”. It should also point out false perceptions and myths about HIV and Aids (e.g. reversing the HIV infection by having sex with a virgin or young girl, using a jel to prevent infection, sangomas being able to heal Aids etc.)
• Preparation of resources and technical aids should be done beforehand
• The possibility of compiling a document containing the most important points about HIV and Aids should be considered
• A more comprehensive workshop should be held at the Dienssentrum for prospective Aids facilitators from all presbyteries, in order to “train trainers” and facilitators
• Specific steps to be taken in a congegation are the following:
• o Focus on an awareness campaign
• o Convene a meeting of interested and motivated people
• o Invite people who has expertise in specific fields e.g nursing sisters, doctors, social workers
• o Develop a core team that will compile a strategy for the congregation and be responsible for the execution of the strategy

Soortgelyke artikels:

• South African HIV/AIDS and related statistics
• Abridged Mission Statement And Values
• Report Of Progress Towards A Chics Model
• Northern Theological Seminary Newsletter
• Covenanting For The Reunification Of The Family