World Aids Day Observation a Moving Success
On December 4 2007, we observed World Aids Day with a memorable program of reflection and prayer. A wide selection of literature was available for participants and red ribbons were handed out.
An AIDS memorial quilt was on display courtesy of Erie County SCI Albion.
A moving personal testimony from an MHA member opened the event.
The Rev. W. Owen Rhodes of the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church then led a Prayer Service accompanied by the impressive talents of his daughter, Ms. Anoia Rhodes. Ms. Anoia played softly during the entire service, occasionally playing complete songs she knew by heart. Rev. Rhodes concluded the service with a "moment of healing" which found the 25 attending people standing in a circle and joining hands.
Attendees were invited to stay afterwards for fellowship and healthy refreshments.
World AIDS Day Memorial Celebration
"Save The Children, Keeping the Promise"
World AIDS Day is an annual remembrance of persons living with or affected by AIDS.
The Mental Health Association in conjunction with the Erie County Department of Health hosted its annual Eucharistic service and quilt display on December 1, 2006.
Please visit our Photo Display from this celebration.
"Save the Children, Keep the Promise" was the theme for World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006. The Mental Health Association acknowledged the day with a Tree of Hope, a quilt display and a Communion Service.
The Tree of Hope, an artificial evergreen was decorated in the lobby with red balloons, cutouts of children and red ribbons with people’s names that had died from AIDS. These people were later remembered at the Communion Service. An AIDS quilt was displayed in the Arts and Culture Gallery for the day.
Reverend Randy Roda celebrated a Communion and Healing Service at the MHA on Friday, December 1 at 1:30PM. Song, Scripture and prayer were a part of the service. At the end of the service people were invited to come forward for a laying on of hands. Reverend Randy listened to each person’s request for healing and offered a unique prayer and blessing on each person who came forward.
Information on prevention and testing was available. Light refreshments and fellowship were shared for the rest of the afternoon.
Comments from a participant
In one accord people came together because there is no refuge from their selves. People amazingly still do not accept that AIDS is not a one human sector disease. People come together in a common ground to plant roots to grow. In this ground we pray together, we fellowship together and we live/die together. But only through God’s grace and mercy comes healing and blessings. Amen.