Meeting of the Parliament
Meeting date: Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Official Report
946KB pdf
Time for Reflection
Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is the Rev Dr Robin Hill, Longniddry and Gladsmuir parish churches, and convener of the Church of Scotland HIV programme.
The Rev Dr Robin Hill (Longniddry and Gladsmuir Parish Churches and Convener, Church of Scotland HIV Programme)
This week sees two significant dates falling side by side. On Friday, we will mark St Andrew’s day at home here in Scotland and also overseas, I am sure; on Saturday, people around the globe will pause to reflect on world AIDS day.
The Church of Scotland HIV programme recently commissioned a badge—I am wearing one—that illustrates that same side-by-side relationship. The lower part features the saltire, while the top shows the red AIDS ribbon. This badge reminds the Church of Scotland that we are committed to tackling the virus in our time. Our HIV programme works to overcome stigma, to educate congregations and to offer assistance to partner projects at home and abroad. This badge speaks eloquently of the hope that we have for a Scotland and a Church of Scotland prepared to meet the challenges of HIV. But this badge does more. It was made by our friends at a women’s support project near Nairobi in Kenya. Each member of the project is living with HIV herself, and each member is able to earn a living through that project’s business activities.
For those who make it, this badge offers a lifeline in a harsh and discriminatory world; for those who wear it, this badge is a sign of solidarity that unites us here in Scotland with our sisters in Kenya, and with our sisters and brothers around the world who find themselves up against HIV stigma.
I am delighted to say that each MSP has been sent one of our badges. In the run-up to St Andrew’s day and on world AIDS day, we in the Church of Scotland HIV programme would be truly delighted if members would join us in wearing their badge to show solidarity with those many millions of people who are HIV positive.
Mother Teresa once said:
“If you judge someone, you have no time to love them.”
The response of many in our world to the spread of HIV has for too long been one of mistrust and even condemnation—that is unjustifiable by any measure of humane behaviour. The Church of Scotland aims to show that we hold to another standard—a standard summed up very well in these words from Ghana:
“Christian service and ministry is not about condemnation, but hope and renewal for the soul.”
I wish every MSP a happy St Andrew’s day on Friday, and a thought-provoking world AIDS day on Saturday. Join us in the movement for change. Keep the promise. Speak out for HIV justice in our land and in our world.