Kansas City, MO
United States
620 East Armour Boulevard Trinity United Methodist Church AIDS Memorial since 5 November 2017
without names
Trinity's AIDS Memorial Dedication officially took place Sunday, November 5, 2017 during an indoor/outdoor worship celebration.  The  worship service started with the Mighty MO Combo, a big-band jazz ensemble which is a part of the Mid-America Freedom Band, welcoming church members and guests into the sanctuary.  Later Robert Rowlett and Alex Li performed a beautiful piano duet on a variation of a familiar tune, "This Little Light of Mine."  "Amazing Grace/My Chains Are Gone" filled the sanctuary thanks to the Trinity Choir, directed by Becky Stevens.  Calvin Arsenia lent his opera-trained voice and harpist skills to a segment of the music worship, Music for Remembrance.  Kansas City Women's Chorus gave their own rendition of 'This Little Light of Mine' during the offertory.  Once again the Mighty Mo Combo playing a rousing "When the Saints Go Marching In" ushered the congregation out to the Memorial Garden to dedicate the memorial.

Also during the service, a city proclamation was read proclaiming the service that Trinity members performed to help those with HIV/AIDS starting in the early 90's.  Two former Trinity ministers, Dr. Steve Campbell and Dr. David Belt, explained what it was like in those earlier days.  Rev. Sally Schwab gave a very personal account of how the disease affected her family.  Christopher Beal, Board President of AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City explained where we are now with the AIDS virus.  Rev. Dr. John Gooch concluded the dedication after Trinity member Rudy Breland read his poem, "We Hold Dear".  Thanks goes to all involved, especially the AIDS Memorial Dedication Committee led by Karen Mitchell.



5 November 2017
Trinity United Methodist Church, Kansas, MO