aids.jpgWEST PALM BEACH – The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS will be observed March 3-9.  Each year this week generates HIV awareness by mobilizing faith communities, and highlights the contributions and impact congregations are making in areas of HIV prevention, testing, direct service, advocacy and community engagement.

Throughout the week, faith communities are encouraged to educate about HIV, encourage and support HIV testing, advocate for the availability of compassionate care and treatment for all those living with the HIV/AIDS, and love unconditionally all persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

In support of the national faith mobilization campaign, the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Program once again has set a goal to have 670 faith institutions register to participate in National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS activities. 

Participation can include holding a special service for those infected/affected by HIV/AIDS, providing or wearing red ribbons in observance of the week of prayer, providing HIV/AIDS educational materials, becoming a HIV test site or testing location, or putting up a poster for the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.

Events and contacts include:

Singing for the Healing of AIDS, March 3 at 4:30 p.m., Mt. Zion Church, 1425 Ninth St., West Palm Beach, 561-255-7711

Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, nightly on March 5, 6 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., United Deliverance Church of God in Christ, 1120 Lincoln Rd., West Palm Beach, 561-255-7711

Prayer, Praise and Worship, March 8 at 7 p.m., Jesus People Proclaim, 3200 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton, 561-361-0610