World AIDS Week is held every year around December 1st, World AIDS
Day. During this week, UCE brings the message about the seriousness of
the global HIV/AIDS crisis back to the USA, and relays the success that
UCE has had in combating HIV/AIDS. It is also a time where we remember
that the Ugandan success began with prayer, and that prayer sustains our
efforts.
Ugandans, and other African countries UCE serves, have experienced what
it means to have a quarter of their population sick and dying. “In the
early 1990’s, we were going to funerals every week. We came to our
knees, thinking about life and God and we prayed to change, and live”.
In 2003, when UCE was founded, the HIV prevalence rate in Uganda had
already declined. However, the people still held regular all-night
prayer vigils, praying for success against the scourge of AIDS. UCE aims
to follow the Ugandan model of success against AIDS, and for this
reason World AIDS Week focuses on prayer and reflection. The first World
AIDS Week all-night prayer vigil was held in Pueblo, Colorado on
December 1st, 2006.
Currently, UCE only hosts an all-night prayer vigil in Pueblo, Colorado,
but if you aren’t from the area this doesn’t mean you can’t be involved
too!
Thousands of prayers began the original success, and still thousands more are needed.
Here is how you can have your own UCE World AIDS Week all-night prayer vigil:
-Ask your priest or pastor if your church or chapel could remain open all night for prayer and meditation.
-Require that two or more people sign up for one hour each with the Lord.
-At least two weeks ahead of time tell your congregation, friends, and
co-workers about the seriousness of the AIDS crisis in sub-Saharan
Africa (see Quick Facts about AIDS under Resources) and how Christians
are united in UCE, working together to encourage chastity as the best
approach to preventing HIV/AIDS.
-Let us know! We would love to give you more ideas on how you can make
your own UCE World AIDS Week all-night prayer vigil a success.
The UCE message is that abstinence until a faithful marriage to one
person works! Our faith in God strengthens us to love each other fully,
and live healthy lives!
Other easy ways to help UCE:
-Designate your church offering to UCE during World AIDS Week.
-Ask how you can organize a UCE fundraising event or get involved.
-Pray with us from afar! There is nothing quite like setting your alarm
clock for the middle of the night to wake up and pray. Maybe your church
would designate a few hours for this purpose. The idea is to begin in
prayer and turn your heart to the Lord, asking HIM how our lives should
be lived. Stay awake with us for one hour on December 1st. Prayer cards
can be provided upon request. We would love to hear from you!
UCE envisions a wide network of prayer on World AIDS Day and during World AIDS Week. Help us make this a reality!
Faith inspires. Hope is born. Health follows. Come, join us!