The Presbyterian AIDS Network welcomes those who advocate and care for persons and families who have been infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. They 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.

Seminaries Consult on HIV and AIDS Action

Participants visit the AIDS Quilt/NAMES Project. Photo courtesy of PHEWA

by Bob Schminkey
PAN Co-Moderator

The Presbyterian AIDS Network (PAN) and representatives from seven PC(USA) seminaries met in Atlanta at Columbia Theological Seminary October 2-4 to consider how we prepare students for ministry in an HIV positive world.

Calling the HIV pandemic the “worst public health crisis in 700 years,” Dr. Donald Messer, professor emeritus at the Iliff School of Theology and executive director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS, preached at the opening worship for the consultation. Reminding us that Jesus preached compassion and not condemnation, Messer called on our seminaries to train pastors prepared to go forth into the world saying, “God is calling us to do God’s healing, redemptive work.” [Read more]

Spotlight on congregations

Hear stories from congregations engaged in HIV/AIDS ministries.

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. 

HIV/AIDS Worship Resources

For assistance in preparation for a service lifting up HIV/AIDS, download HIV/AIDS Worship Resources. These AIDS worship resources additional resources can be used for Presbyterian AIDS Awareness Sunday (2nd Sunday in October), World AIDS Day (December 1st), or any time throughout the year. The resource packet includes:

• Calls to worship
• Calls to confession
• Prayers
• Suggestions for preparing an HIV/AIDS sermon and service
• Suggested scripture passages
• Poems
• Suggested music

Visit the World AIDS Day page for more resources and ideas.

Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois, shares a vespers service for use on World AIDS Day and encourages congregations to promote awareness, justice, love and compassion. Download the service.

Visit these Web sites

National Health Ministries

The Office of National Health Ministries, guided by policies adopted by the General Assembly, provides ministry models, program resources, health awareness information, training and preparation to encourage, enable and support individual Presbyterians, congregations and governing bodies in mission focused health ministry.

International AIDS Ministries

Visit the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s International AIDS office Web site.