• Do you know your status?
• Have you ever attended an HIV/AIDS Day prayer or healing service?
• Do you know anyone living with or affected by HIV/AIDS?
• Do you hear about HIV/AIDS issues and concerns in sermons, prayers and congregational programs?
• Does your congregation offer HIV prevention education for youth? For seniors?
• Would you help advocate with government leaders for programs that provide HIV prevention education, care and medicines?
When I publicly disclosed my HIV status in The Lutheran ("Andrena 'set free," December 2006), I was a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. I was unsure, but hopeful, about a future call. Today I am pastor of St. Michael Lutheran in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, celebrating five years of ministry with the congregation.
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| Andrena Ingram, an HIV-positive ELCA pastor, enjoys serving a congregation while helping the wider church take action on HIV/AIDS. |
Like most ELCA pastors, I visit people in hospitals and nursing homes and celebrate baptisms and funerals. At the church door, I may find someone seeking counseling or a child who wants a drink of water and a hug. I handle emergencies, enjoy tea or coffee with a colleague and attend too many meetings.
But it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Initially there were the challenges of serving a congregation in transition and learning to loosen up my leadership style (I previously spent six years in the Army). But I couldn't have found a better, more welcoming church home.
I suspect calling me as pastor may have raised a few eyebrows at St. Michael. "So she has HIV. Who doesn't have something?" I imagine them saying. "Let's keep it moving." Because keep it moving, we did. We were too busy with ministry and learning who we are.
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