November RAPP Movie

[anni]

Greetings Friends,

This month's film selection takes a look at some young people who have tested positive for HIV. Each one is unique in their circumstances, and all are open and frank about their experiences. The four subjects have been selected to create a dynamic perspective on the reality of living positive today. Medical and psychological experts weigh in to provide up-to-date facts and a historical context to the reality of living positively.

RAPP (Read And Practice Peacemaking) and the Montrose Peace Vigil are presenting:

"Positive Youth" on Friday,November 14th at 7:30 p.m. at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church, 2700 Montrose Ave. in Montrose, CA 91020. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.

We have chosen to focus on current HIV/AIDS developments as a warm up for World AIDS Day on December 1. CVUMC's Pastor Steve Poteete Marshall is on the AIDS Task Force of the California Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church. He has served as Spiritual Director of the Strength For the Journey Camp for people with HIV and AIDS for two decades. Pastor Steve has gathered a panel for discussion after the movie. That will include Gabriel Solorio, Program Manager, Outreach and Prevention of the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena. He is very active in the community providing outreach and education based on empowering individuals and communities at risk to make informed and thoughtful decisions regarding their sexual health and over-all well being. Also on the panel will be Rev. Rick Eisenlord, M.Div, Pastor Good Shepherd Church Pasadena, A Church For the Rest of Us. Good Shepherd is leading the preparations for Seasons of Love, a World AIDS Day observance on November 30th at the Westminster Presbyterian Church on 1757 North Lake Ave. We will hear about that from him and reflections on what his congregation is experiencing. And if circumstances allow, we will also enjoy the perspective of Cody Whitewolf, speaker and advocate for Native Americans living with HIV /AIDS. Cody shares traditional teachings and blessings at many gatherings and events in the Southland. CVUMC was grateful to hear his stories in worship this Fall.

I hope that you will be able to join us on the 14th. Come and receive information. Connect and communicate with other curious and caring neighbors.

Peace and Love,

Jeanne Lavieri

[Brian]

The trailer for "Positive Youth," the RAPP documentary screening this Friday, November 14.

Going by that trailer, Jeanne, Edmond and Pastor Steve have put together another evening to raise my consciousness, elicit empathy and inspire action at Crescenta Valley United Methodist Church.  Because the 42-minute documentary is only half the length of a feature, we will have more time for the discussion afterwards.  I'm planning to take Friday off from work, so I will be in the most positive mood too.

[Brian]

After Friday's excellent RAPP movie discussion, let me start by publicizing the concert on Sunday, November 30, mentioned by Rev. Rick Eisenhood of Good Shepherd Church in Pasadena, on the night before World AIDS Day:

Four of the AIDS Memorial Quilt panels from the Names Project in Atlanta will be on display. Proceeds raised will benefit the Laurel Foundation, which provides services to children with HIV/AIDS. Here's the link to the Good Shepherd Church homepage:

www.goodshepherdpasadena.com/

[Sharon W]

It was a very powerful film. It's so sad young people continue to be infected when the knowledge for protection is available. We need to promote more open sex education.

[Oss Rae]

There was sex ed when I was in jr. high (just before AIDS started to be reported in the news, so the big concerns were other diseases and pregnancy). Parents had to sign a form for students to attend.