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Jesus in the City
The 2nd UK Urban Mission Congress
"Community Conflict and Celebration"
Belfast, 26-30 September 1998
THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY WITH AIDS
HIV/AIDS is increasing. African countries have a high proportion of HIV positive women; up to 43% of pregnant women are HIV positive in some countries. Some cities in the UK have areas where 1 in 160 pregnant women are HIV positive. This represents nine children born to HIV positive mothers in six months in just one borough of East London.
The proportion of heterosexually acquired HIV is rising in the 15K, from 9% in 1987 to 31% in 1997. Two-thirds of these were acquired from a partner infected heterosexually abroad, mostly in Africa. Many of these families have the problems of HLV infecting a number of family members, bereavement, adjusting to a different culture, but in addition often immigration and asylum issues and extreme poverty, since they may not be entitled to benefits.
The number of HIV infections resulting from intravenous drug use (IVDU) is small in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 4% of people with HIV. In Scotland the proportion of HIV due to IVDU is 36%, with many female partners of IVDUs also infected. Their children have the problems of a parent with HIV, but often also a chaotic lifestyle due to their drug use, and may be infected themselves.
Mildmay Mission Hospital, in London's East End, has for ten years been a centre of palliative care for people infected with HIV. Terminal care is now only 5% of the work, and the main focus is on rehabilitation. There is a family unit for parents and their children, and a fully-equipped children's nursery. Mildmay International was set up to offer training in HIV palliative care, and has run courses throughout the world. Mildmay Centre Uganda, the first HIV palliative care centre in Africa, opened in Kampala in September 1998. Mildmay aims to spread training and education to promote acceptance and care for people with HIV.
In this workshop we look at issues around families affected by HIV, by using two examples. Members are asked to comment on issues from their own point of view, or that of their church or organisation.
Ethel is a church member who shares the fact she has HIV with two church members praying for her. Should they break confidence? What should the wider church membership do?
Maurice is the adult son of two regular church members, living away from home. They reveal he is gay, has HIV, and had a conversion experience in hospital. What should be the response of his parent's church; and his church?
The aim of this workshop is to equip members with facts about HIV, a vision of how HIV positive people can be part of their church or organisation, and confidence to encourage others in acceptance and caring.
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