Release date: Jan. 15, 2008

Emory's Baptist Studies Program to Hold HIV/AIDS Discussion Jan. 30

Contact: Elaine Justice, 404-727-0643, elaine.justice@emory.edu.
Contact: Kelly McLendon, 404-727-4481, kelly.mclendon@emory.edu

A panel of theologians and medical professionals will discuss the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its impact on the church as well as society at a special event Wednesday, Jan. 30, organized by the Baptist Studies Program at Emory University's Candler School of Theology.

Topics will include the alarming rates of HIV infection among minorities and churches' response to HIV/AIDS in their congregations, communities, in this country and in the world. Panelists include: the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, canon for global justice and reconciliation at Washington National Cathedral; Maria Rivas, Hispanic outreach coordinator for AID Atlanta; Randall Bailey, Interdenominational Theological Center professor of Old Testament; Deborah Lake, founder of Sankofa Way Ministries in Chicago; and Sandra Thurman, former director of the Office of National AIDS Policy at the White House during the Clinton administration.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 2-5 p.m. at Central Presbyterian Church’s Central Outreach and Advocacy Center, 201 S. Washington St., Atlanta.

"HIV/AIDS is a major health epidemic that the entire Christian church must face," says a href=http://www.candler.emory.edu/ABOUT/faculty/key.cfm>David Key, director of Baptist studies at Candler. "Baptists are no exception. Our conservative opinions on sexual matters will not shield us from its ramifications on the church as well as society."

For more information, contact Key at 404-727-6350 or dkey@emory.edu.

Emory University (www.emory.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities. Known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities, Emory is ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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