Christian scripture and tradition teach us that every human being is created in the image of God and deserves the respect appropriate to such an image. The most quoted verse in Christian scripture declares that, out of love for the world, God sent Jesus Christ into the world, not to condemn but to save it. (John 3.16-17)

Proclaiming God's love in word and deed, Jesus challenged the prevailing beliefs of his society. He rejected a religious and social system that divided people into "the sinners" and "the righteous," which excluded those considered "sinners" from the circle of God's love and denied them the respect they deserved as images of God. Jesus underscored his rejection of this system by dramatic acts welcoming and embracing the very people whom it declared to be "sinners," by teaching that "the first will be last and the last first," and by warning the "righteous" that these "sinners" would enter the Kingdom of God ahead of them. Jesus also warns us against judging others and teaches us that we all live by God's grace and judgment.

Jesus calls the church and all his disciples to follow this example by challenging contemporary beliefs and practices that divide people into "good" and "bad," "sinners" and "righteous," and judge those considered "sinners" unworthy of love and respect. Like Jesus, we are to welcome and embrace all people in need and to offer ourselves as instruments of compassion and care. Nor are we to do so in a condescending or patronizing manner, but as those who know their solidarity with the whole human race in grace and sin.

In our time, this call to embrace and care for all who suffer or are in need includes the millions who suffer from HIV/AIDS. They face not only a devastating and fatal illness but often also social condemnation and isolation. The annual Wisconsin AIDS Walk in September and World AIDS Day (December 1) offer unique opportunities to show our concern and compassion for people who suffer from HIV/AIDS. We encourage congregations to support the AIDS walk by helping to recruit walkers and/or sponsors from among their members. We also encourage congregations to include prayers for people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS in their worship on the Sunday nearest to World AIDS Day. (*)

Finally, we encourage congregations to consider how they might educate their members about HIV/AIDS and how they might develop a loving and supportive pastoral ministry to people in their congregation or community infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. (**)