Representatives from churches around Northern Ireland have attended 'A night at the movies' workshop in Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian Church to equip them to screen a film in their church to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS around World Aids day, Thursday 1st December.
During the workshop, Julie Magowan, Tearfund Church Representative in Kirkpatrick Memorial Presbyterian, shared tips from her successful screening of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ in Strandtown cinema which raised £650 for Tearfund HIV and AIDS programmes. ‘We watched a brilliant film, enjoyed live music and complimentary refreshments and helped local churches support people affected by HIV and AIDS’ said Julie.
Each delegate received a pack which included some briefing notes, a DVD to show on the night and Gift Aid envelopes. ‘We’ve produced this simple pack to make it as easy as possible to run a screening either in a local cinema or their own church building’ says Northern Ireland Director, Tim Magowan.
This year Tearfund is hoping 10 churches will host screenings around World AIDS day on Thursday 1st December 2011. The support raised will help our local church partners support children like 13 year old Rachel, who has been left to raise her 6 siblings after both her parents died from AIDS.
‘We’re planning to host a screening around World AIDS day in our church for some of our young people’ says Seymour Street Methodist church representative Jane Dawson. ‘We hope this will give them an opportunity to respond at a time of the year when there’s lots of media coverage about this crucial issue’
Jane Richardson from West Church Presbyterian, Bangor, suggested hosting a screening during Fairtrade Fortnight. ‘You could eat Fairtrade chocolate while watching Chocolat – it’d be great’ says Jane.
For ideas and resources to help you host ‘A night at the movies’ in your church contact the Belfast office on 028 90 682828 or by emailing ir@tearfund.org