Diocese of Ontario responds to AIDS

Source: Debra Fieguth

Stephen Lewis and Debra Feiguth

A plan to host Stephen Lewis for a fundraising event in the Diocese of Ontario took off so quickly that we ended up inviting the UN Special Envoy for HIV and AIDS in Africa to speak not once, but twice, at afternoon and evening events in Kingston.

The result was that 1,300 people attended the back-to-back talks (and many more were asking for tickets) on September 24, raising more than $40,000 to combat AIDS -- double our goal!

The money, which came primarily from tickets sales, as well as sponsors and parish coin challenges, is being split between The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund and the Stephen Lewis Foundation, both of them work in community development to help people who are affected by HIV and AIDS.

The afternoon event, held at St. George's Cathedral, included opening entertainment by a Brazilian samba group from Queen's University called Wuawuanco Todos, as well as African Voices, a group of Congolese and Nigerian singers and drummers. A large number of Queen's students were in the audience, and the Anglican chaplain to Queen's, the Rev. Val Michaelson, was the MC. Mr. Lewis was introduced by a Queen's student, Beth Lorimer.

 Sold out events raise $40,000 to combat AIDS. 

The evening program was held at McArthur Hall Auditorium on the Queen's West Campus. Georgette Fry and her Shout Sister choir opened the event, followed by Jeanette Arsenault, a singer-songwriter from Prince Edward County, accompanied by the Anahata Women Drummers. The Rev. Chris Doering, rector of St. John's Portsmouth, hosted the event.

Although the diocese did little advertising for the afternoon and evening with Stephen Lewis, beyond our diocesan newspaper and website, word quickly got around. We started selling tickets in May to the evening event and by June we were sold out. We realized that most of the tickets had gone to Anglican parishioners and because we wanted to invite the community, including Queen's students, we asked Mr. Lewis to come earlier and speak. He agreed, and gave two different talks.

But the message at both was vintage Lewis --slamming governments and praising non-governmental organizations, including faith groups, as well as celebrities, for speaking out and acting when politicians fail to do so.

Our expenses were minimal --Mr. Lewis's travel costs, hall rental, printing-- and our volunteers were numerous. All of this helped us raise a substantial amount of money and host two meaningful and professional events.

Debra Fieguth is the Social Action Ministry Coordinator in the Diocese of Ontario and a member of the PWRDF Board of Directors.