Orangeburg, SC
Verenigde Staten
681 Broughton St. Tuin van Sereniteit van de Victory Tabernacle Kerk sinds 10 Mei 2007
152 namen
Seeking serenity: Church to raise HIV/AIDS awareness at anniversary of garden of peace, rememberance
A “Serenity Garden” dedicated to those whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS will be celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. A collaboration of Victory Tabernacle Church, the Orangeburg-based Minority AIDS Council and the church’s “A Family Affair” group for those with HIV/AIDS and their families, the garden is intended as a place where someone can grieve without stigma or find comfort among others whose lives have been affected by the disease.
A Family Affair member Pat Kelly, who has been living with HIV since 1985, said the program will also be about remembering those whose lives have been lost to the disease. “Since this past year, we’ve had two members of ‘A Family Affair’ pass away,” Kelly said. “It’s going to be a time of remembering them, and how much they gave to keeping the group going and being active in the things that we’ve done in the community.” Kelly said a list of names of other individuals who have died of complications from AIDS will be read, and a balloon will be released each time a name is called.
The Serenity Garden was built on a four-acre tract behind the church and includes flowers, hanging baskets, a water feature and benches.
Photo © Dionne Gleaton The Times and Democrat

11 Mei 2012
Dionne Gleaton, Orangeburg, SC