Black Churches to Increase HIV Awareness in Observance of World AIDS Day 2004.

What:         In solidarity with organizations around the world, a
              dynamic coalition of pastors from Black churches
              throughout California will host AIDS awareness
              activities in observance of World AIDS Day, December 1,
              as part of a massive push to get Black community members
              at risk tested for HIV. The theme for World AIDS Day
              2004 is "Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS" to highlight the
              impact of the disease among women. Some of the
              activities include a 15-block march in Sacramento, HIV
              testing in Los Angeles, a concert in Fresno and a prayer
              vigil in San Francisco.

Why:          African Americans continue to be disproportionately
              impacted by AIDS and infected with HIV. The high
              incidence of HIV/AIDS among African Americans is a
              health crisis.

              African Americans account for more than half (54
              percent) of the 40,000 new HIV infections estimated to
              occur in the United States each year. According to the
              National Center for Health Statistics, AIDS is the
              leading cause of death among African American women
              ages 25-34 and African American men ages 35-44. While
              African Americans comprise only 7 percent of
              California's population, African Americans account for
              18 percent of the state's AIDS cases, and 36 percent of
              the cases among women.

When:         December 1 is World AIDS Day
              Churches will host activities from Sunday, November 28,
              through Sunday, December 5.

Where:        Please see the FACT SHEET below for a list of
              activities which churches throughout the state have
              planned in observance of World AIDS Day 2004.

Visuals:      Ministers preaching from the pulpit
              Ministers and the community marching together
              Gospel choirs performing
              On-site HIV testing at churches


           Statewide HIV/AIDS Church Outreach Advisory Board
                          World AIDS Day 2004
                      Church Activity Fact Sheet

FRESNO

Westside Church of God, Sunday, December 5 - 1422 W. California
Avenue - will host the African American AIDS Prevention Music
Festival, "Rockn' the House," from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Several
churches from the Fresno area have been invited to participate in this
free event to begin their efforts to inform the community about
HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Reverend Dr. Paul Binion, Pastor of
Westside Church, will deliver a sermon about the vital importance of
HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in the African American community.
In addition, the youth from Westside Church will pin red ribbons on
all guests attending this free event. Ministers from the Ministerial
Alliance Association have agreed to support World AIDS Day activities
at Westside Church, as well as inform their respective congregations
of the awareness and prevention activities taking place. For more
information contact Prof. Jean Kennedy, HIV/AIDS Ministry Coordinator
at 559-270-1023.

LONG BEACH

Refiner's Fire Fellowship Church along with the City of Long
Beach, Wednesday, December 1 - 5th Street and Long Beach Boulevard -
has encouraged 500 individuals to wear the AIDS ribbon in remembrance
of those infected with and affected by the disease. A Human Billboard
supporting World AIDS Day will be created and can be seen in Downtown
Long Beach from 3:30 p.m. till 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact
Rev. Bonnie Radden at 562-429-5111.

First Congregational Church, Wednesday, December 1 - 241 Cedar
Avenue - at 7:00 p.m. will host music, dance and discussion about
HIV/AIDS in the African American community as well as an educational
presentation featuring a video. For more information, contact Rev.
Bonnie Radden at 562-429-5111.

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Sunday, December 5 - 370 Junipero
Avenue - will hold service in observance of World AIDS Day at 3:00
p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Invited guests include the gospel rap artists Puttin'
It Down For Christ and 2nd James. A mobile HIV testing unit will be on
site. For more information, contact Rev. Bonnie Radden at
562-429-5111.

LOS ANGELES

Bryant Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Monday, November 29
- Sunday, December 5 - 2525 W. Vernon Avenue - will host a full
week of activities centered on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in
observance of World AIDS Day, including HIV Testing. To contact Rev.
Clyde Oden, pastor of Bryant Temple, please call 323-293-6201. Below
is a partial list of their activities for the week.

--  Wednesday, December 1, at 7:00 p.m. the Bryant Temple Women's
    Ministry will begin a 3-day revival to address the specific issues
    of AIDS and African American women. Dr. Rosie Milligan will
    discuss sexuality as a featured guest speaker. Rev. Dr. Ann
    Lightner-Fuller, from Mt. Calvary A.M.E. Church is the featured
    revivalist.

--  Saturday, December 4, Bryant Temple will participate in the
    African American HIV/AIDS Summit titled "The Cost and Casualties
    of Silence," taking place 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Bovard Auditorium
    on the campus of University of Southern California. Multimedia
    mover and shaker Tavis Smiley will moderate the panel discussion
    among church leaders, physicians, scientists, community activists
    and politicians. Admission is free.

--  Sunday, December 5, as part of Communion Sunday Service, Bryant
    Temple will celebrate in solidarity with persons living with
    HIV/AIDS.

Unity Fellowship of Christ Church, Wednesday, December 1 - 5149 W.
Jefferson - will host on-site HIV testing all day from 9:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m. at Minority AIDS Project. For more information, contact
Carolyn Martin at 323-936-4949.

--  Sunday, December 5, a sermon will be delivered in observance of
    World AIDS Day.

OAKLAND

Olivet Institutional Baptist Church, Saturday, December 4 - 807
27th Street - will host a gospel musical at 6:00 p.m. Confirmed guests
include the Peace Gospel Choir, Higher Height Christian Church, Olivet
Oakland, Olivet Richmond, Good Hope and Community Christian Church for
Christ, among others. Resource tables displaying HIV/AIDS education,
awareness and prevention materials will be set up in the lobby. For
additional information, contact Rev. Finley at 415-861-1060.

SACRAMENTO

Oasis Fellowship Church, Wednesday, December 1 - 21st & P Street
to 27th & L Street - will lead the community in a candlelight vigil
march to commemorate lives lost to HIV/AIDS. The march will cover 15
city blocks starting at CARES (Center for AIDS Research Education and
Service, Northern California's second largest comprehensive HIV
service provider) located at 1500 21st Street, and ending at Pioneer
Congregational United Church of Christ, located at 2700 L Street. The
program at Pioneer church will include music and guest speakers,
including the Mayor of Sacramento and women who have been impacted by
HIV/AIDS. For information contact Deacon Joseph Robinson at
916-470-2022.

Center of Praise Ministries, Sunday, December 5 - 1228 23rd Street
(23rd and Capital Avenue) - will host a gospel concert at 4:00 p.m.
located in midtown Sacramento. The program will consist of gospel
music performed by local artists along with HIV information and
testimonies shared from the pulpit. For information contact Deacon
Joseph Robinson at 916-470-2022. Service agencies that offer HIV
testing will be present at both events to provide information on how
and where individuals can receive testing.

SAN FRANCISCO

City of Refuge United Church of Christ, Wednesday, December 1 -
1025 Howard Street - will hold a prayer vigil at 7:00 p.m. Resource
tables displaying HIV/AIDS education, awareness and prevention
materials will be set up in the church lobby. African Drumming will
take place, as well as a spoken-word performance presented in
remembrance of Mother of Peace Orphanage in Africa. For more
information contact Rev. Kendal Brown 510-593-3349.