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Going Out Into the Community |
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Written by Russell Mitchell-Walker
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Wednesday, 28 September 2011 09:30 |
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On Sunday I went to North Central to participate in Regina's 17th Annual AIDS Walk in support of local agencies working for prevention and education around the issues of HIV and AIDS. I was there with one other person from Sunset, Jesse a young adult who has been attending, and I was a little disappointed that we couldn't get more out to support this important cause on such a beautiful day. It was great to be a part of this community which is very different from the community I am usually in. The group was predominantly aboriginal, reflective of the population of Regina and one of the groups deeply affected by HIV and AIDS these days. Other groups were markedly absent. Recent studies and research indicate that youth and seniors are another high risk group. There were some youth, again mostly aboriginal although there was a small group from the UofR Pride Centre who walked with us some of the way. I was surprised as well that more of the queer (LGBT) community was not present. I wonder if a bit of a malaise has come over us around this issue. As a community that is Affirming and wanting to welcome people of all backgrounds and diviersity, some of that means going out into the community to be with those in need and be a visible presence that we are with them. Having only two of us was not enough to carry our banner, but it would have been a great opportunity for this witness. Jesus did not stay in one place and wait for people to come to him but went out into the communities to serve and teach and be present with those there. As he became known, people did come to him. We do find that people come to us through our website. If we have the courage to step out into the community we live in, we may find new ways of being church and being faithful. People may or may not come to us, but they will know that we are with them and their circle of support will be wider, offering strength and awareness that they are not alone. Can we work toward making this vision a reality? May it be so.
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Located in Regina, SK.
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