| Black youth learn of HIV/AIDS prevention at Youth Harambe by JOHN W.COLEMAN JR.UMCONNECTION STAFF  Nearly 50 African-American youth and young adults from 17 United Methodist churches came to the rural town of New Windsor Feb. 13-15 to explore, from a faith perspective, personal and social challenges affecting their lives.
The Baltimore-Washington Conference chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, an unofficial caucus of the denomination, sponsored its third annual Youth Harambe with a theme for the Valentines Day weekend: Love of God, Love of Heritage, Love of Self. The lessons taught and learned during the retreat seemed to extend that theme to its logical conclusion: love and respect for one another. Between their opening and closing worship services, the youth and their chaperones heard lectures and engaged in discourse on HIV/AIDS, self-esteem, developing personal responsibility and integrity, and identifying and becoming positive role models. Popular films, sports and entertainers served as references to illumine biblical and moral principles rather than the all-too-often reverse. Common youth attitudes and behaviors were scrutinized in light of the retreat theme. Participants reveled in a performance by Christian hip-hop and R&B group Urban Street Level, with its upbeat rhythms and redemptive messages of hope and deliverance. The popular group performed at the ROCK youth retreat in 2001.  We wanted the youth to gain a strong, positive sense of their identities, said the Rev. Hattie Johnson-Holmes, BMCR chairwoman, and to find God at the center of what they go through each day of their lives, whether its dating, peer pressure or looking for role models to follow.
Bishop Forrest Stith, retired, set the tone with Our Roots, a lively keynote presentation on African-American heritage and culture. He described the role and significance of the black church, using Legacy of Faith II, a video produced for the denominations Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century initiative. It was interesting to learn about demythologizing and clarifying our history, said Keisha Watkins, 16, of Grace UMC in Fort Washington. I didnt know that much about our African beginnings and the reason for different names and customs. Im proud of what weve accomplished as black people. Pride was mixed with grave concern, however, when the youth viewed and discussed a video from the conferences second AIDS and the Black Church symposium held in December 2003. In the video, Pernessa Seale, founder and director of the national Balm in Gilead AIDS advocacy organization, challenged churches to move from silent denial and judgment to active compassion in responding to the AIDS scourge in black communities. She recounted her efforts to spread that message to several African countries as well, and cited the obstacles she discovered there. The Rev. Brian Jackson, pastor of Zion UMC in Lexington Park, also stressed the importance of promoting AIDS prevention and education. This is not only an adult disease, he said after a number of youth raised their hands when asked if anyone knew someone with HIV or AIDS. It attacks at least one youth or young adult in our nation each hour. Johnson-Holmes, who is associate pastor of Hughes UMC in Wheaton, reported that the conferences Committee on AIDS and the Black Church would help sponsor training this year for people wanting to become certified AIDS counselors. She also said BMCR would send teams of counselors to churches to provide AIDS education because some pastors are uncomfortable teaching and preaching about AIDS. | 
Login/Register to leave comment