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AIDS
Walk New York:
May 18
I’ve heard some refer to it as the “spiritual
highlight” of their year. It is certainly like no other
day. AIDS Walk New York takes place every year, rain or shine,
the third Sunday of May. It is a 10k fundraising walk in Central
Park that draws approximately 45,000 participants and last
year raised an incredible total of $6,800,000 to support the
services provided by Gay Men’s Health Crisis and other
AIDS Service Organizations in the tri-state area. Since the
walk began in 1985, concerned Episcopalians have participated
in this funding and awareness effort. In 2000 an informal
coalition of local parishes was formed, calling itself Episcopal
Response to AIDS (ERA), and began walking as a team, deriving
great energy and fellowship from one another. The group soon
grew significantly, incorporated, and in 2006 was granted
501(c)(3) charitable status, with St. John’s parishioners
Suzanne Culhane and Gerry Dilley helping to start-up the organization,
and now serving on the Board of Directors. Through the Community
Partner Program of the AIDS Walk, ERA is now able to retain
75% of the support raised through the AIDS Walk, with funds
later granted to AIDS ministries of Episcopal faith communities
in the dioceses of New York, Newark and Long Island, through
a competitive RFP process that begins in September and culminates
on December 1, World AIDS Day, with the announcement of grant
awards.
On walk day (May 18, 2008), we gather in Central Park at approximately
8:00 am. Many arrive wearing the faux crowns they have received
in recognition of their diligent fundraising, or carrying
other incentive gifts they’ve just picked up in the
sign-in area. Over the years we have gotten to know some of
the constant participating parishes and it is a delight to
catch up with old friends. We also make new friends, and even
have come to the conclusion that this year we must wear name
tags – a team of 200 walkers is enormous! Through a
mix of clergy who serve on the ERA Board and other volunteers,
we commence with a simple Eucharist. This year, The Reverend
J. Barrington Bates will celebrate, and The Reverend Barbara
C. Crafton will preach. We use a tray table as a mobile altar,
stand in the grass, sing a cappella, speak aloud the names
of those we remember at the prayers of the people, and bless
each walker for the rigorous day ahead. We have a brief coffee
klatch, disseminate goodies, take pictures, and then begin
our scenic six-mile journey through Central Park.
Along the way we encounter lively entertainment – string
quartets, bands, Broadway characters, professional cheering
groups. We consume obscene amounts of sugar via snacks provided
just about every mile – ice cream, candy, granola bars,
Gatorade – and lots of water. We talk with many of our
own team members – we learn about the current life of
their parishes and gain some ideas along the way. We also
strike-up conversations with strangers. Many begin with questions
like “What was her name?” or “How old was
she?” prompted by the emotional photos that many walkers
carry with them or the names of loved ones written on the
backs of their t-shirts. Babies, mothers, jubilant men, seniors.
The diverse crowd of walkers reflects the diverse affected
– there are students, infants in strollers, couples
of all kinds, seniors, the disabled. And there are always
memorable moments. Like the time somebody noticed the ERA
name and wanted to know if as a gay person he could come to
our Church. There was the time we had forgotten water and
a GAP team member personally searched high and low for an
unopened bottle when I explained that we needed it for the
Eucharist. The couple who arrived at the end of Mass and was
shocked to be offered Holy Communion – one later told
me he hadn’t been to Church in years but was there with
his partner, and couldn’t believe how welcoming we were.
There are the passersby who just quietly stand in awe and
curiosity watching as we celebrate the Eucharist. It is all
almost too overwhelming. The mile markers seem to fly by and
we finish the walk around Noon and usually adjourn to brunch
– we have worked up quite an appetite! After the meal
we hug strongly and say our goodbyes, some until next year.
We arrive home completely physically exhausted, retire for
a bath, or nap, or foot massage, and go to sleep that night
with our bodies feeling heavy against the sheets. As we drift
off the alarming statistics linger in our minds. There are
1 million people living with HIV in the United States. African
Americans account for half of all HIV cases diagnosed. Half
of new infections occur in people 25 years old or younger.
Women account for 27% of new AIDS diagnoses. We close our
eyes knowing that we have done our part in the continued fight
against the pandemic.
The 2007 ERA team consisted of 175 walkers representing 17
parishes and raised more than $53,000. Grants were later awarded
to HIV/AIDS programs of the following organizations:
1. Angel Food East (Kingston, NY)
2. The Church of St. Luke in the Fields (New York)
3. Misión San Juan Bautista (Bronx, NY)
4. St. John’s in the Village (New York)
5. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (Queens, NY)
As you may know, in 2007 AIDS funding was cut by nearly $10,000,000
in New York State, leaving many government-reliant organizations
to cut programs, and many faith-based initiatives to fill
the service gap. Now more than ever our work is needed. In
2008 our goals are to have 200 walkers and to raise $70,000.
We have six walkers from St. John’s currently registered
and would like to see our participation grow to 10 walkers.
We invite everyone in the parish to support this important
ministry in one way or another – by walking, sponsoring,
or simply offering some words of encouragement and a prayer
for our safety and faithful work. For more information see
www.erany.org or contact Suzanne Culhane at suxulhane@yahoo.com
or Gerry Dilley at
geralddilley@yahoo.com .
Walk in love as Christ loved us
and gave himself up for us,
an
offering and sacrifice to God.
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