The Journeys of Black Peoples

The following letter about the Journeys of Black Peoples' concern for HIV/AIDS was sent to Montreal & Ottawa Conference in June 2009. Congregations across the country are encouraged to prayerfully consider what action can be taken about HIV/AIDS in Canada and around the world.

Dear Friends,

The Journeys of Black Peoples in The United Church of Canada believes strongly that our denomination needs to engage the reality of HIV/AIDS in Black communities of Canada as a matter of justice, faith, and public witness to the healing work of God.

HIV is at a crisis level in Black communities in Canada. Statistics demonstrate that Black people are over-represented in the number of new HIV infections and AIDS cases. In 2001, Black people represented 2.2% of the Canadian population. In 2005, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) estimated the HIV infection rate among Black people to be at least 12.6 times higher than among other Canadians.

For 2006, Black people accounted for 12.9% of the positive HIV test reports and 11.1% of the reported AIDS cases where ethnicity was known (PHAC, 2007). Canadian Black women are over-represented among persons living with HIV/AIDS, with four-fold higher HIV prevalence compared to White women (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2005).

While these numbers are significant in and of themselves, they are most likely understated due to factors such as under-reporting and a lack of ethnicity data. The disproportionate number of Black people living with HIV and AIDS combined with an increasing number of Black people presenting for services at AIDS service organizations (ASOs) across the country demands that urgent action be taken.

There is a lot of work to be done in our denomination's ministry with communities of colour. Further, as we live toward becoming an intercultural church—as the General Council has declared—we need to knowledgeably and substantively engage the urgent issues of the various cultural communities with whom we desire to share life, faith, and witness.

The Journeys invite all to reflect on the creative advocacy and persistence of the Syrophoenician/ Canaanite woman relative to Jesus and his disciples. Jesus retreated to the district of Tyre and Sidon and is chased after by a woman of that Gentile region who is ethnically and culturally different from Jesus and the disciples. She worships Jesus and pleads with him for mercy. She demonstrates faith that he can deliver her daughter from demon possession. The disciples try to get Jesus to chase her away and Jesus does not answer her. Undeterred she persists and through clever repartee challenges their assumptions about God's missional intentions, the "other," and what they are or are not entitled to in the divine economy of healing, grace, and mercy.

The robust healing ministry of God is meant to challenge and correct assumptions about those who may be ethnically and culturally different, and thereby extend all the resources of well-being to those in need, especially those previously excluded from such benefits by human attitudes and systems.

This can be achieved through various channels, including donating to the M&S Fund, designating funds to specific NGOs working in the Black community with those afflicted by HIV/AIDS, or simply naming the issue squarely in worship services, particularly around World AIDS Day. Another option is to collaborate with The Journeys around new initiatives that would alleviate the pain and suffering in these communities across Canada. The choice is yours, we only ask that you choose to help and shine a light on this issue.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Blessings,

Claudette Esterine-McLaughlin, Chairperson
Erene Anthony, Steering Committee Member
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey, HIV/AIDS Initiative Member