There is an altar in Poling Chapel on the main floor of Marble Collegiate Church. It was built a couple of weeks ago as a sacred place of honoring people living with AIDS and remembering people who have died with AIDS.  

World AIDS day is this Saturday, December 1. I call your attention to the date so that I might invite you to be in prayer in a few different ways:

• Pray with your eyes open
  Look around and see this epidemic that is 25 years old.  It has spread to every corner of the world and is not a “gay men’s disease,” “an African disease,” “drug user’s disease” or any other exclusive kind of disease. In your open-eyed prayer, see your neighbor as one across the hall or across the world. In an article in the Washington Post this week, it was reported that one in 20 D.C. residents is thought to have HIV and 1 in 50 residents to have AIDS. The AIDS rate in New York State is about double the national rate for men and triple the national rate for women. There are 90,298 city residents known to be living with AIDS. The man asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” These are our neighbors.
   
• Embody your prayers
  Go get tested for AIDS. There are many ways to do it.  You may speak to your health care provider or take advantage of free testing going on in honor of World Aids Day. Throughout the year, you can call 1-800-230-7526 to find a nearby testing place. The tests are pretty easy.  Whether or not we have engaged in risky behaviors, we should all know our status.
   
• Bow your heads and close your eyes
  Remember all who have died because of this epidemic.  Remember all children who have been orphaned, especially on the African continent. Remember all who have lost a partner, spouse or friend. On the altar in Poling Chapel, we have a book for people to write the names of their dead. I will include those names, as well as invite you to write the names of your dead at the end of this blog.

God, you are the Source of all being. We pray for those who have died with AIDS, may their souls find rest and may they rise with Christ in glory. We pray for all people living with HIV & AIDS, that you will heal and sustain them. With faith, O God, we pray for the end of this epidemic in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Markiver Grissom Darryl Johnson, '99 Grant Arnold Kenneth Murden, '94 Bonnie Quinn Ray Hargrave, '84 Carld Jonaissant Sean Samosky, '91 Alvin Ailey Daniel Mancivais, '93 Winston Mallory Harley Uhl, '86 Rich Scierra Edgar Rebich, '92 Dr. Craig Houston Paul Zappala Tim McGunty Michael Arnold Manny, '87 Gary Z, '89 Danilo, '87 Bird, age 9 Carlos A, '88 Al Zonca Maria Antonia Mary Pierce, '89

Tony B & Tony G, '89 Jerry Wood, Jr. '98 Bobby, '90 Leslie Collier Scott, '90 Peter Quinones Brian, '91 Al Holland Gregory, '91 Slinky Judy "Labarbara", '92 Michael S & Pedro John e, elio, Mario - '93 Bob Kenny, '94 Ken & Jim Henry Riviere - '83 Mattie Robert Post - '92 Coleman Ronald Wright, '92 Mary Kevin Oldham Howard Kenney James Miller Dr. Henry Jackson