About United Methodist Global Aids Committee

About the United Methodist Global Aids Committee

UMGAC supports projects through our Advance Special Fund that focus on prevention, advocacy, testing, and counseling. Through the generosity of United Methodists and others, UMGAC has supported more than 200 programs in over 35 countries.

Beginning in 2014, UMGAC narrowed its international grant-making focus primarily to the prevention of AIDS to newborns and eradicating stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV or AIDS.

In 2016, Global Ministries assumed the responsibility of appropriating funding from the UMGAC Advance to international projects that address child and maternal health as a part of Global Ministries Abundant Health initiative. One hundred percent of all donations given given through the Advance #982345, go to carefully reviewed projects selected through an “invitation only” process.

GOVERNANCE

UMGAC is guided by an inter-agency committee comprised by representatives from the Council of Bishops, General Board of Church & Society, General Board of Global Ministries, General Commission on Communications, and United Methodist Women.

Chair: Bishop Cedrick D. Bridgeforth, Greater Northwest Episcopal Area
Vice Chair: Rev. Dr. Youngsook Kang
Secretary: Rev. Dr. Donald Messer

OFFICIAL UNITED METHODIST STATEMENTS ON HIV/AIDS (2016)

Social Principle on HIV/AIDS: ¶162.U – Persons Living with HIV and AIDS

Persons diagnosed as positive for Human Immune Virus (HIV) and with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) often face rejection from their families and friends and various communities in which they work and interact. In addition, they are often faced with a lack of adequate health care, especially toward the end of life. All individuals living with HIV and AIDS should be treated with dignity and respect.

We affirm the responsibility of the Church to minister to and with these individuals and their families regardless of how the disease was contracted. We support their rights to employment, appropriate medical care, full participation in public education, and full participation in the Church.

We urge the Church to be actively involved in the prevention of the spread of AIDS by providing educational opportunities to the congregation and the community. The Church should be available to provide counseling to the affected individuals and their families.

Resolution 3244 - United Methodist Global AIDS Fund