Conference Committee
HIV Caring Ministries
Ministries of Faith in Action
HIV Caring Ministries is an approved conference advance special ministry.
HIV Caring Ministries focuses on two goals:
- Bringing God’s love to those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS
- Providing education and awareness presentations on HIV/AIDS reaching both youth and adults. We are committed to collaborating with all United Methodist churches of the Desert Southwest Conference. Our goal is to provide resources and direction to show a compassionate response to women and men living with HIV/AIDS.
Our largest program, Strength for the Journey (SFTJ) celebrated our 29th anniversary this year. SFTJ is a four day retreat for men and women with HIV/AIDS and is held annually at Mingus Mountain Retreat Center. The Retreat gives campers the opportunity to focus on our own personal life journey and to explore ways in which they might enrich and strengthen themselves. Interest groups, open discussion, support groups, arts and crafts, and hikes are among the planned activities. Funding is consistently a challenge. We do not wish to turn anyone away for lack of financial resources.
Here are two testimonials from campers about their Strength for the Journey experience:
Danny – “The first year I came to SFTJ was 1998 and I’ve been coming ever since and SFTJ saved my life. For many years I couldn’t even mutter the words that I was HIV positive, but I knew that this camp was here and I could just come here and be myself every year. They loved me when I couldn’t love myself. I felt I was damaged. I would come here and they would love me and make me feel special.”
Nika – “I feel like a human being. Because everybody knows everybody’s problem around here. Where out in the city, you know, like, ‘Oh yea’ you know you gotta be careful because people don’t take things like we take them here at STFJ. I feel at home here…I do, I feel very comfortable.”
Scholarships
The HIV Caring Ministries is seeking scholarship funds to ensure that campers are not limited by finances to attend the retreat. If you’d like to sponsor a camper or give any amount towards the scholarship fund, please use the Online Donation Form (which accepts both credit and debit).
News & Events
Bible Study: WJ LGBTQIA+ Ministries Opportunity
The Western Jurisdiction LGBTQIA+ Ministries team recently connected with a fellowship of young trans women in Uganda. The women are living in basic conditions in a challenging area of the country with limited resources. Many have been ejected from their...
Volunteer for the AGRA Rodeo
Volunteers ages 18 and over are needed on Saturday and Sunday, February 18-19, 2023, at Corona Ranch, 7611 S. 29th Ave – Laveen (Phoenix).
HIV Caring Ministries rodeo-themed dinner
There is no charge for this event, but a $5 donation to the SFTJ Scholarship Fund, or applied to your 2023 camp fee is included in the registration. The $5 can be refunded requested.
HIV Caring Ministries – Meeting Notes
Attendance: Linda Girard, Mary Bullis, Bill B., Gregory Wagner, Billie Fidlin Linda opened the meeting in prayer. Quarterly Dinners Most recent dinner was in July. Participation is semi-low but those who come value gathering together; new people really like the...
Contact
Linda Girard
Co-Chair
Bill Butler
Co-Chair
Billie Fidlin
Director of Justice & Outreach
Call the Desert Southwest Conference
Email Us
HIV Caring Ministries Archives
Team Members
Gregory Wagner
Mary Bullis
Danny Murray
Resources
Strength for the Journey
Learn more about the Strength for the Journey retreat.
Brochure
Aunt Rita's Foundation
Thank you, Aunt Rita’s! Transportation to and from Tuscon and Phoenix for this year’s retreat has been generously provided by the Aunt Rita’s Foundation.
