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Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Central Diocese of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Program Update 2008
Members of Diakonia AIDS Ministry (l-r) Rahab
Ramodibe (Social Worker),
Christiana Metzger (ELCA Volunteer, Education Coordinator),
Diane Magagane (Administrator), and the Rev. SS Muhgive (Executive Director)
Photographs from Bishop Miller's Visit - September 3-15, 2008
2007/08 Annual Report
(128KB)
September-December 2008 Newsletter from Diakonia AIDS Ministry
(2.46MB)
Bishop Miller Travels to South Africa, Learns of Life and
Ministry in Companion Synod
by Jeffrey L. Drake, Associate to the Bishop for Public
Relations
Download article as a PDF
Bishop Wayne N. Miller, the Rev. Kathryn
North, pastor at Good Shepherd in Oak Park, Ill., and Mr. Jeff Drake, Associate
to the Bishop, travelled to the synod’s companion synod, the Central Diocese of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, from September 3 to 15,
2008. This was Miller’s first trip to the Central Diocese, and the second
for North who will be the convener of the synod’s new advisory group for the
companion synod relationship, and the second for Drake, who coordinates the
companion synod program in the synod office. Miller was also in South Africa to
take part in a consultation in Cape Town (September 10-14, 2008) hosted by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA), and attended by partners
and companion churches and mission agencies from the ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran
Mission (Germany), Church of Sweden, Berlin Mission, Church of Norway, and
Church of Finland.
The purpose of the trip was to introduce Bishop Miller to the Rt. Rev. N.P.
Phaswana, Bishop of the Central Diocese, and other diocesan leaders. In
addition, the group toured the four circuits of the diocese (Eastern, Western,
Pretoria, and Soweto) and gathered more information about projects supported by
the synod, including the Diakonia AIDS Ministry (DAM), and Project Education
that assists students at Mapetla High School.
The Visit
After arriving in South Africa, Miller, North, and Drake met with the Diocesan
Council who introduced themselves, and thanked the synod for its ongoing
partnership. The group took part in the diocese’s synod meeting, and visited
several congregations in the Soweto Circuit. At West Meadowlands, youth members
were deciding who would read Sunday’s lesson and where they would gather after
worship to watch a movie. Bethsaida, a congregation, was filled with choir
members washing windows, doors and pews for Sunday worship, as well as singing
and preparing a potluck meal. On Sunday, Bishop Miller delivered the sermon at a
combined service in Potchefstroom in the Western Circuit, followed by attendance
at a diocesan music competition.
Monday was spent visiting congregations in the Western Circuit, near Boksburg
and Reichers Park, and a tour of a United Nations camp set up for immigrants to
South Africa who had been the focus of recent xenophobic attacks and violence.
The Camp Director worked closely with local social workers, and clinics, as well
as pastors, including the Rev. Christopher Behrens, a Dean in the Central
Diocese, who believes that the church “can be an agent of change by creating
bridges between people.” This was followed by a tour of St. Francis House of
Mercy, an HIV/AIDS Hospice, and a dinner with pastors from the Western Circuit.
Tuesday, the group visited Pretoria, including Freedom Park, several
congregations, and participation in a renewal of wedding vows service, followed
by dinner with Eastern Circuit pastors and leaders. Wednesday through Sunday,
Bishop Miller participated in the Bishop’s Consultation in Cape Town, and
preached at a congregation on Sunday. North and Drake took part in a
congregational visit to Pretoria with a Women’s Group, visited the Diakonia AIDS
Clinic, including several congregational service points, and Mapetla High
School. In addition, they took part in a Young Adult Leadership Training Event
held at the diocesan center, worshipped at a congregation on Sunday,
participated in a Women’s League meeting, and were able to take part in several
pastoral care visits. On Monday, Miller, Drake, and North met with members of
the Diocesan Council who outlined their strategic priorities. These priorities
are:
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Human Resource – Skill
Development and Training
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Social Ministry Advocacy
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DAM (Diakonia AIDS Ministry)
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Development of Christian
Education Curriculum for Students and Adults
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Theological training with an
emphasis on relevancy and evangelism
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Liturgical and worship renewal
with an emphasis on Africanizing rhythms and creating ritual for daily life
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Communication Ministry Strategy
within a context of unreliable community resources, and
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Financial and Administrative
Training for pastors and leaders
Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Located in Soweto, South Africa, on the grounds of the diocesan office, Diakonia
AIDS Ministry (formally dedicated in 2004) serves about 80 people a week at the
clinic itself. In addition, the clinic directs the activities of a staff of 26
(six people working in the office, ten Home Based Care Givers, and four
coordinators and four facilitators in all four circuits of the diocese) who
provide services throughout the Central Diocese. Congregations throughout the
diocese are used as meeting places, education centers, and food distribution
points. DAM provides services to all those in need – 90% of the people served by
the ministry are not even Lutheran. Yearly support from the synod provides
grants to help staff and operate the ministry.
Its vision is “to be a leading faith-based organization in people-centered
health and development services.” It has orphan care programs in all circuits of
the diocese, three outreach support groups, education and training, sewing,
carpentry, bead making, counseling services, and administration. It strives to
be a resources consultant linking clients to resources, to assist clients to
develop self-knowledge, and providing clients with skills. As Rahab Ramodibe,
the lead social worker stated, “The goal is to link people with resources so
that they feel confident enough to exit the program with both new skills and
better self-esteem.”
The ministry has served 91 clients in home based health care since the beginning
of 2008. This ministry provides palliative care to sick and bed-ridden people
who are in the last stage of HIV infection, and who are also suffering from
other chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, cancer, ulcer wounds, and diabetes.
DAM provides orphan care services for 30 children in each of the four circuits
(for a current total of 120 orphans served). DAM interviews prospective foster
parents, provides regular outings for the children, monitors academic progress,
and provides before and after-school care – as well as daycare. The ministry of
caring for AIDS orphans is expected to increase as 5.5 million South African’s
are HIV positive (out of a population of 48.6 million), more than any other
country in the world.
(Source: BBC News -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7637207.stm)
In addition, DAM holds workshops on proper nutrition, and provides food parcels.
Between November 9, 2007, and April 10, 2008, DAM held 135 workshops attended by
6,118 people.
Importantly, DAM is intimately connected with other service providers so that it
can refer people suffering from a wide-range of related issues, such as domestic
abuse, and alcoholism, to proper treatment centers.
DAM’s executive director, the Rev. SS Mughivi, expressed profound gratitude for
the continuing support of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, noting that such
support saves lives, prevents new HIV/AIDS infections, and provides dignity and
care for those who die from the disease.
Project Education
Initiated by John and Ruth Bradburn, members at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in St.
Charles, Ill., Project Education is a mentoring program for volunteer educators
to mentor South African teachers and students on an interim basis. In addition,
the project provides funds for bursaries (scholarships) for students, purchasing
much-needed science equipment, and books. At least four scholarship recipients
have graduated from college, and are working full-time. The matriculation rate
has increased from 30% to 90%.
In the future, the school hopes to provide more training in math and science,
and fully equipped vocational training courses.
How Can I Help?
Members of the synod are already supporting this ministry. When you share
mission support with your local congregation, you are sharing God’s love with
those who live across the street, and around the world. If you are interested in
providing additional support to the HIV/AIDS Ministry in Soweto, South Africa,
please contact Mr. Steve Homberg at the synod office at
shomberg@mcselca.org or
773-248-0021.
This article will appear in the
December issue of the synod supplement to The Lutheran.
Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Central Diocese of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Program Update 2007
Click
here for new
photographs
Helping Proclaim Hope and
Healing in South Africa
by Jeffrey L. Drake
– Director for Public Relations
The statistics are sobering. According to the Joint United Nations Program on
HIV/AIDS, “Southern Africa remains the epicenter of the global HIV epidemic: 32%
of people with HIV globally live in this subregion and 34% of AIDS deaths
globally occur there.”
In South Africa, where the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is in partnership with the
Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, “some
5.5 million [4.9 million–6.1 million] (UNAIDS, 2006)
people, including 240,000 [93,000–500,000] children younger than
15 years, were living with HIV in 2005 (UNAIDS, 2006). HIV data gathered in the
country’s extensive antenatal clinic surveillance system suggest that HIV
prevalence has not yet reached a plateau.”
Yet, you are there, as a member
of the synod, collaborating with the Central Diocese in proclaiming hope and
healing those living with HIV/AIDS. At the beginning of his term, former Bishop
Landahl asked Bishop Ndanganeni P. Phaswana of the Central Diocese of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, what he felt the diocese
needed. Bp Phaswana responded in November of 2002 by saying, “We are trying to
build a family health center,” he said, “to inform people of the pandemic [of
HIV and AIDS], and also address the issue of domestic violence in the same
center.” Phaswana explained that AIDS is still taboo in many families. “Victims
still living with the virus fall victim to fear as parents and spouses chase
them from their places of abode.” He noted that the center would offer
temporary accommodations for such people.
Today, because of funds and
volunteer labor from the synod, this center is a reality, and is located in
Soweto, South Africa, on the grounds of the diocesan office. The construction
of the center primarily used local workers from South Africa who learned
valuable skills that will enable them to work on future construction sites.
Yearly support from the synod also provides grants to help staff the clinic.
"Deep down in my heart I thanked God that we met with a companion synod like
yours that clicked when I shared with you about my dream of responding to the
AIDS pandemic as a diocese," wrote Bishop Phaswana in January of 2007. "I want
to express my deepest thanks to Project Build and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod
of the ELCA for this valuable contribution in enabling us to render such a
service to our people who are ravaged by this merciless virus that causes AIDS."
Currently, the HIV/AIDS Clinic,
that was formally inaugurated on December 4, 2004, serves people living with
HIV/AIDS with support groups, food packages, an education and training project,
skills development workshops including carpentry and baking, home based care,
childcare, community based organizing workshops, care and support for orphans,
and other services.
When you share mission support
with your local congregation, you are sharing God’s love with those who live
across the street, and around the world. If you are interested in providing
additional support to the HIV/AIDS Clinic in Soweto, South Africa, please
contact Mr. Steve Homberg at the synod office at
shomberg@mcselca.org or
773-248-0021.
All estimates of the total number of people living with HIV in a given
country are for 2005.
South Africa - Responding to a Crisis That Has
Grown Out of Proportion
Article appearing in
the Lutheran World Federation publication 'PositHIVe Church'
(November 11, 2005)
"PositHIVe Church" is available in a PDF 3.8 MB file at
http://tinyurl.com/d9lph
Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Central Diocese of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa
Program Report
-
January - August 2005
Update on Central Diocese Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Photographs
Participants at the dedication of the Diakonia AIDS Ministry Clinic
on the grounds of the Central Diocese in Soweto, South Africa.
On December 4, 2004, the Diakonia AIDS Ministry
(DAM) of the Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern
Africa was formally dedicated. The Central Diocese is the companion church of
the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA. Representing the synod were the Rev. Paul
R. Landahl, Bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, the Rev. Cynthia K.
Hileman, Associate to the Bishop, the Rev. Kathryn North, dean of the West
Conference and pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in North Aurora, Ill.,
and the Rev. Mark Selbo, dean of the North Conference, and pastor at St. Andrew
Lutheran Church in Mundelein, Ill.
In addition to supplying labor during the initial building of the HIV/AIDS
clinic, the synod has provided financial support that includes the salary of a
full-time administrator, Mr. Diane (pronounced Dee-ah-nay) Magagane, to help
staff the clinic. In addition, the ELCA provides for a volunteer, Ms. Becky
Johnson, who is an HIV/AIDS worker at the ministry.
The Rev. N.P. Phaswana, Bishop of the Central Diocese, notes in the foreword to
the handbook for Diakonia AIDS Ministry, that “The majority of the infected and
affected members of our community die of loneliness and isolation associated
with or linked to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.” According to the United Nations AIDS
Program (UNAIDS) AIDS Epidemic Update for 2004: “South Africa continues to have
the highest number of people living with HIV in the world. An estimated 5.3
million people were living with HIV—2.9 million of them women. Unfortunately,
there is no sign yet of a decline in the epidemic.”
Despite the task that is before the Central Diocese, Selbo noted that “it was
humbling seeing the overwhelming challenge, and yet also seeing the hope, and
resilience, and faith and determination that was meeting the challenge.” North
recalled an illustration that Bishop Phaswana used when speaking of the
challenge, comparing it to David and Goliath. He said, “This guy is so big I
can’t miss.” In other words, rather than be paralyzed or afraid of the “Goliath”
that is HIV/AIDS, the Central Diocese has committed itself to helping as many
people as it can because it does make a difference – one person at a time.
HIV/AIDS in the Central Diocese education should be included in part of broader
discussions on lifestyles, human sexuality, and care for the body. As the
Central Diocese continues in its efforts to educate its members and the larger
society about the reality of HIV/AIDS, how to prevent its spread, and how to
care for those who are living with HIV/AIDS, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is
there as well, part of the body of Christ.
The synod group also noted how well-received Project Education has been. “We
were told that test scores have improved dramatically,” said North, adding that
under apartheid it was illegal to teach math and science to nonwhite students.
More at: www.mcselca.org/project.education.html.
For 2005, the Diakonia AIDS Ministry hopes to completely furnish the center, and
in 2006 they plan to convert an existing garage into a hospice/daycare center.
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Photographs
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Participants at the dedication of the Diakonia AIDS
Ministry Clinic on the grounds of the Central Diocese
in Soweto, South Africa.
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The
Reverend Zachariah Senosi, Coordinator, Diakonia AIDS Ministry, Ms.
Becky A.
Johnson, HIV/AIDS Worker, Diakonia AIDS Ministry, and Mr. Diane
(pronounced Dee-ah-nay) Magagane, Diakonia AIDS Ministry Administrator. |
The dedication of the Diakonia AIDS
Ministry Clinic on the grounds of the Central Diocese in Soweto, South
Africa. |
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| A child
and her grandmother before Sunday morning worship in the Western
Circuit, South Africa. |
The Bishop Paul R. Landahl speaks with
Dean Mugivhi of the Soweto Circuit, South Africa. |
The Rev. Paul R. Landahl,
Bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA, speaks at the dedication |
Diakonia AIDS Ministry
Coordinator and Volunteer's Report for January to July, 2004
Included with the August newsletter is a report by the
Diakonia AIDS Ministry Coordinator and Volunteer's Report for January to July,
2004. This report in available here
as a bulletin insert in PDF format.
On the grounds of the HIV / AIDS Clinic
Soweto, South Africa
Vision of the Central Diocese
Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Southern Africa
The Companion Synod Program
establishes relationships between the 65
synods of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and its international companion churches around the world. It is an expression of the communion fellowship among member churches of the
Lutheran World Federation (LWF). The Lutheran churches of the world
consider their communion an expression of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.
Project Education
A program for volunteer educators to mentor South African teachers on an interim basis.
Visit
to Companion
Synod on September 17 - 30, 2003
More
Information on Companion Synod and Visit (PDF)
Bishop Phaswana Visits Synod Office (November 13, 2002)
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