October is AIDS Awareness Month, and few are more aware of AIDS and the toll it’s taken on the people of New Haven than the folks at AIDS Interfaith Network, which sponsored its 17th annual day of prayer and remembrance in the chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church. Some of those present lit candles in tribute to their lost loved ones.
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AIDS Interfaith founder Elsie Cofield (pictured) welcomed people into the caring, sacred space for the Wednesday noon service; her group was founded in part to address the toll AIDS has taken in the minority community. Some people were scheduled to sing, while others were moved by the spirit and added their voices to praise the Lord. Faith was palpable — almost like one could grab onto it if in need of succor.
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The chapel was full of those both mourning and celebrating the lives of their parents, children, siblings and friends. Cofield introduced the guest speaker, Ce Ce Jones, a powerful young preacher. Jones said she had watched a television program in which young African children sang joyously in their native language. She was shocked when she learned they were orphans, and the words to the song meant, “Many have died, but we are alive. What can we do for Jesus?” She said that was a lesson for everyone.
“I want us to be thoughtful about we must continue to make our lives count, no matter who we are, no matter we are, no matter where we’re from.”
Click here to listen to more of her talk.
As of December 2005, just under 2,500 people in New Haven were diagnosed with AIDS. Deaths peaked in 1995, then dropped with the introduction of effective drug cocktails.
A man named Ray Ray, living with AIDS for two decades, showed that even those with the once fatal and still traumatic disease can keep their sense of humor. After thanking Cofield and others at AIDS Interfaith, he said, “I’ve been with this 20 years, and I look good, I feel good, I taste good,” kissing his own hand to laughter. He said he knows God has a plan for him, but just hasn’t told him what it is yet. “When He lets me know, I’ll let you know,” he said, to more laughter.
Cofield began her remarks by remembering her dear friend and first AIDS Interfaith colleague, the Rev. Elnora Bess, who had just died. She said almost 20 years ago, when AIDS Interfaith began — and when Bess was in her mid-70s — the two of them would traipse all over the city, delivering food and cleaning up after critically ill men and women (and some babies) who often had no one else to care for them. A memorial service for Bess, who was 95, will be held at Immanuel Baptist Friday morning.
It's all about the imaginary guy in the sky for these people, isn't it? Is there no tragedy that christians won't exploit to spread their nonsensical beliefs? Brainwashing poverty stricken orphans; I'm not at all surprised.