January 2011 Greetings and Peace, HIV/AIDS Advocate! Last year was a very busy year for those of us addressing the AIDS issue. Thanks to each of you for your faithful advocacy for those living with HIV & AIDS. We celebrate the success of the Lighten the Burden III AIDS Conference in October and look forward to Lighten the Burden IV which will occur just prior to the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Florida. As a part of our faith journey, Jesus calls us to speak out for those living on the margins and those who face stigma and discrimination. As we begin 2011, we also begin the fourth decade of the AIDS pandemic. Your work fighting this pandemic is vital. Here are some of the upcoming events and focus for ministry in 2011: African-American Women & HIV/AIDS Conference! March 3-5, 2011, in Columbia, S.C.  HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for African-American women, ages 25-34. The conference will mobilize faith communities into action and focus on HIV/AIDS-related issues that specifically affect African-American women.
The UMC Global AIDS Fund is sponsoring this event. Register online by February 11th. Those in the faith community concerned about and/or affected by HIV/AIDS are encouraged to attend. - Share and explore successful strategies and resources to prevent and respond to HIV/AIDS in the African-American community.
- Address issues related to stigma, discrimination, cultural behavior, and socioeconomic factors that promote the spread of HIV/AIDS.
- Develop supportive networks.
For more information, contact Oliver Green, General Board of Church & Society, at oliverdeck@aol.com or Litishia Smith, General Board of Global Ministries, at litishiasmith@gmail.com. 20/20 Vision Campaign With great excitement, the UMC Global AIDS Fund has launched a new campaign: "20/20: Visioning an AIDS-Free World," and we need your help to create an AIDS-Free World. $20 can make a big difference — Pledge to give and ask others to join in contributing at least $20! - $20 can stop the transmission of HIV from a mother to child.
- $20 can teach young people and adults how to prevent HIV.
- $20 can be used for church workshops to fight stigma and discrimination.
- $20 can feed an HIV+ person for a month or more, enabling them to take their medicine and lead productive lives.
Find more information on our Facebook page. Re-cap of U.S. Funding Developments for HIV & AIDS The U.S. Congress did not approve a budget for 2011 but rather affirmed a Continuing Resolution (CR) that enables all government agencies to continue spending based on the 2010 levels. This means $5.359 billion for global AIDS in 2011. Additionally, $1.5 billion will be allocated to the multilateral Global Fund for AIDS, TB & Malaria. Unless more money is approved, this flat level of funding will have negative repercussions for people living with HIV & AIDS around the globe. Funding for HIV/AIDS will be crucial for 2011 and going forward as we work to eradicate killer diseases around the world and provide care, support and treatment for those affected by AIDS.  Let's build our network of HIV/AIDS!
Invite family and friends to join by visiting www.umc-gbcs.org/MYGBCSForm. Thank you again for all you do to help providing healing, comfort, treatment and repsect for those in the margins. May God's love give you nourishment, joy, calm spirit and a desire to make the world a better place. Peace, Linda Bales Todd
Director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project
703-282-6254 | 
