The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) welcomes those who advocate with and care for persons and families who have been infected or affected by HIV and AIDS. We encourage the Church to live out Jesus' ministry of love and justice.
Join PHEWA and take part in this ministry.
Meet the PAN Leadership Team members.
Download the 2011 World AIDS Day packet
'Getting to Zero'
December 1, 2011, World AIDS Day (WAD), is a day of awareness and action in the struggle to eradicate AIDS. The theme this year is "Getting to Zero" and our dream is zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. We must continue to be sacred activists against a deadly epidemic that still infects 2.7 million new people and claims two million lives annually. PAN members have developed these resources to assist in your congregation’s observance of World AIDS Day, and in your study and worship throughout the year.
Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church
Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action
Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action, a report passed by the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) offers recommendations for action to the church. A short study resource at the conclusion of the report is based on PHEWA's Presbyterian AIDS Network's (PAN) video series and can help a congregation learn about issues of HIV and AIDS.
See 'The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS'
A new DVD by the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN)
In the United States, the face of HIV and AIDS has changed dramatically in the 30 years since the start of the pandemic. Communities are living with increased rates of infection and more and more Americans are affected by HIV.
This DVD in six 3- minute segments explores “The Changing Face of HIV/AIDS,” telling the story of ministries of compassion and support as the church and our communities respond. The segment, “What People of Faith Need to Know about HIV/AIDS” offers a basic primer for the church living in an HIV Positive world. By discussing the facts about HIV and AIDS, the video empowers the viewer to make faithful decisions and the church to take faithful actions, as well as helping to reduce the stigma attached to this devastating illness.
The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), a Network of the Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association (PHEWA), is available to assist a congregation in becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church.
A memorial to Jack Deckard, this DVD was made possible through the generosity of the Jack Deckard Memorial Advised Fund, Presbyterian Foundation.
- Part 1 - AIDs Interfaith Ministries of Kentuckian: Louisville, Ky. - Watch | Download
- Part 2 - The Granny Connection: Columbus, IN - Watch | Download
- Part 3 - Camp Heart to Heart: Lebanon Junction, Ky. - Watch | Download
- Part 4 - The Women’s Collective: Washington, D.C. - Watch | Download
- Part 5 - HopeSprings: Baltimore, Md. - Watch | Download
- Part 6 - What People of Faith Need to Know About HIV/AIDS - Watch | Download
Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) presents our First Faith in Action Award
Elder Rafael Rodriguez and the Red Ribbon Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N.J. receives the PAN Faith In Action Award at the 219th General Assembly. Photo courtesy of PHEWA.
The first ever PAN Faith In Action Award was presented to Elder Rafael Rodriguez and the Red Ribbon Fellowship of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabeth, N.J. at the PHEWA Ministry Awards Celebration Reception at the 219th General Assembly on July 5, 2010. Pastor Robert D. Higgs was present to accept the award, along with Rafael. Rafael’s moving acceptance speech, telling their ministry story, is included here, below. The Rev. Charles Hale, a former pastor of First Pres of Elizabeth, and important in the formation of the Red Ribbon Fellowship, stated before the reception that being present for this award presentation “is the highlight of my ministry.” The newly elected Moderator of this 219th General Assembly, Cynthia Bolbach, visited the Reception to give her welcome and a pat on the back to the ministries of PHEWA. She raised her stained finger and announced that she had been tested and, “I know my HIV status.” We hope that she says that, everywhere that she goes!
Spotlight on congregations
Hear stories from congregations engaged in HIV/AIDS ministries.
HopeSprings is a ministry of Central Presbyterian Church and Grace Fellowship of Baltimore, Maryland. It was founded in July 2007 to address the pandemic locally in Baltimore and internationally in Malawi, Africa.
McDonough Presbyterian Church is a friendly 775-member congregation about 30 miles southeast of Atlanta, Georgia. Led by member Teressa Staten, a new member of the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), McDonough has held a number of AIDS awareness events leading up to World AIDS Day, which occurs on December 1 each year.
Westminster Presbyterian Church is an urban church in Southwest Washington, D.C. Ruth and Brian Hamilton have been copastors of this mid-sized congregation for more than 10 years. Why have an HIV/AIDS ministry? “Many of our primary members are personally affected and it became obvious that the stigma around HIV/AIDS was not attached at our church,” commented Ruth.
Visit these websites
International AIDS Ministries
Visit the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s International AIDS office Web site.
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance
The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance is an international network of churches and church-related organizations committed to campaigning together on common concerns. Current campaigns focus on HIV and AIDS and Food. Their resources for observing World AIDS Day can be used throughout the year.
Responding to the Changing Face of HIV/AIDS
The 2010 G.A. adopted, with minor changes, the report submitted by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP), “Becoming an HIV and AIDS Competent Church: Prophetic Witness and Compassionate Action.”
The Assembly answered Item 19-02 from New York City Presbytery, with concurrence from the Presbyteries of Baltimore, New Castle, and Ohio Valley, by their action, with amendment, on the ACSWP Report, Item 19-05. “On Encouraging All Presbyterians to Know Their HIV Status.” And the G.A. approved the Overture from Missouri River Valley Presbytery, calling for full access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services in U.S. correctional facilities.
Ending the stigma of HIV testing at the General Assembly
The Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), receives a free HIV and Hepatitis C test during the 219th General Assembly. Photo by Danny Bolin.
Free HIV testing at the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis was sponsored by the Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN), a volunteer ministry network of the Presbyterian Health, Education & Welfare Association (PHEWA) in partnership with African Health Action of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was among the PC(USA) top officers who took advantage of free HIV and Hepatitis C testing during the 219th General Assembly (2010), as an act of solidarity with those living with HIV and as an encouragement to all people to know their HIV status.
- Voluntary AIDS/HIV test participants include top PC(USA) officers, July 8, 2010
- Download "Ending the Stigma of HIV Testing at the General Assembly"
- Download a list of test participants