Lutheran AIDS Network

In 2008 in the United States alone, persons aged 50 and over accounted for:

• 16.5% of new HIV diagnoses;

• 31% of persons living with HIV/AIDS (increased from 17% in 2001); and

• 45% of all deaths of persons with AIDS.

Yet many older adults are unaware of this silent epidemic. At least 1 in 5 are unaware of their HIV-positive status. Older adults living with HIV may feel alone and isolated, especially from their faith communities.

Older adults make up nearly two-thirds of the ELCA and LCMS membership base, and the church and church-related activities are great places to reach people with educational messages. The primary goal of Brokenness to Wholeness:The Silver Edition is to help break the silence of talking about this taboo subject within the church and within the target population. It is hoped that this resource will help to raise people's level of awareness, decrease stigma and discrimination, and help to create congregations where people can feel open about talking about their HIV-positive statuses.

The curriculum is designed to be used in whole or in part. While it is divided into four lessons, facilitators are free to choose activities which may be most relevant to their target audience and within their given timeframe. Possible settings for using the curriculum include small groups, Bible studies, workshops, Synod and District assemblies.

The curriculum is available for FREE download from this website. Limited print copies are also available and a CD-Rom and Kindle edition will also soon be available. For more information contact info@lutheranaids.net.

To view the curriculum with enhanced bookmark features:

1. Open the below PDF document in Adobe Reader.
2. Open the Bookmarks icon from the left-hand menu.
3. Click on the Bookmark you want to go to and it moves to that page.