resolution

Endorsing “20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World”

2016 Book of Resolutions, #3245

Whereas, The United Methodist Church has long been committed to creating an AIDS-free world, and beginning in 2005 started the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund as a global health initiative to raise funds to support church-oriented and Christ-centered HIV and AIDS ministries, and

Whereas, this fund successfully has raised funds for distribution for more than 175 projects in over 37 countries (including the United States), and the need for continued and increased funding for programs of HIV and AIDS education, prevention, care, and treatment is everywhere evident, and

Whereas, more than 30 million people are infected worldwide, almost 50 percent of whom are women, and over 15 million AIDS orphans struggle to survive, we are reminded anew that “where there is no vision, the people perish“ (Proverbs 29:18 KJV) and that Jesus called his disciples to “heal every disease and every sickness” (Matthew 10:1), and

Whereas, our founding leader, John Wesley practiced medicine himself and called his followers to care for the sick and suffering, and to avoid stigmatization and discrimination, and

Whereas, a gift as small as $20 can stop the transmission of HIV from several mothers to their newborn babies, supply nutrients to 20 HIV-positive children suffering from dehydration, ensure nursing care for a newborn infant born with AIDS, teach young people and adults how to prevent HIV, feed an HIV-positive person for a month so they can take powerful medicines, and provide free Upper Room biblical readings and prayers for those infected and affected.

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 2012 General Conference endorses the new “20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World” campaign of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee, and

Encourages every United Methodist to contribute yearly $20, $200, or more to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Advance #982345 and to invite others to join in this mission of mercy. Twenty-five percent of what the annual conference raises should be used within the conference for AIDS work, either locally or in global projects.
Asks each church and annual conference to educate its members about the HIV and AIDS crisis and to take up at least one major annual conference offering during the quadrennium.
Invites local congregations and individuals to join the 2020 Club composed of those who have committed $2,020 by 2020 to the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund.
Requests United Methodists to pray for an AIDS-free world, remembering the words of Galatians 6:9: “Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest, if we don’t give up.”

Be it further resolved, that the 2012 General Conference requests that planners of the 2016 and 2020 General Conferences set aside plenary time to review the progress of this “20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World” campaign, evaluating and highlighting the contributions United Methodists have made to this global health initiative.

ADOPTED 2012
RESOLUTION #3245, 2012 BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS

See Social Principles, ¶ 162U, V.

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