South Carolina is 6th in the nation in AIDS cases per capita.

The AIDS Benefit Foundation (ABF) is a nonprofit charitable organization, totally run by volunteers. There is no paid staff, no office, no overhead expenses. All the money raised by ABF is given to AIDS service and education efforts each year. In 2000, ABF awarded over $78,000 in grants to worthy and valuable efforts to stop the spread of AIDS in our state.

The following poem was written by Richard Klee Smith who died several years ago of AIDS.  Richard sent this poem out to 500 places and a portion of it was published twice in USA Today--once during the year and then the following January, featuring "the best" of the previous year. Some of the comments the poem has been getting--how "In the Name of a God that is Love," is creating a bridge to further religious acceptance of gays and lesbians. Richard would be awed by this fact. He did not consider himself a religious person--though he was a highly spiritual man. He was amused and pleased that a religious publication turned a portion of his poem into a psalm.

In the Name of a God
That Is Love
In the name of a God that is love,
They hate.
In the name of a God that is love,
They discriminate.
In the name of a God that is love,
They exclude us from their spiritual worship.
In the name of a God that is love,
They suddenly expel us from loving family relationships.
In the name of a God that is love,
They insist our commitments mean nothing.
In the name of a God that is love,
They prevent us from legally marrying.
In the name of a God that is love,
They deny the multitude of gifts of creativity we have freely given the world in so many areas.
In the name of a God that is love,
They attempt to legislate discrimination against us.
In the name of a God that is love,
They reject us in every way while many of us experience depression and
substance abuse.
In the name of a God that is love,
They steal our children and say we are unfit parents.
In the name of a God that is love,
They decide we are unfit to defend our country, and even after we have proven them wrong they expel us
with our medals and decorations.
In the name of a God that is love,
They do not appraise us individually but condemn us all.
In the name of a God that is love,
They laugh as the suicide rate among our youth soars.
In the name of a God that is love,
They keep us from reaching out to our youth to protect them.
In the name of a God that is love,
They attack us physically - wounding maiming and killing us.
In the name of a God that is love,
They lose all sense of compassion and love and turn into vicious beasts.
In the name of a God that is love,
They judge, "It's God's punishment," as the horror of AIDS devastates us.
In the name of a God that is love,
They say, "Let AIDS kill all the faggots."
And I become introspective,
And I think on these things,
And I wonder - WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Richard Klee Smith

Letter from the Co-Chairs of Lutherans Concerned/South Carolina

If you are not currently involved with a church, would just like to visit, or perhaps try something somewhat different, please visit and participate in a New Life non-traditional type contemporary style worship service at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina. This weekly worship service is at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday in the Ebenezer Chapel on Richland Street next to the sanctuary. The service is designed to be welcoming and accessible to people who have not previously been involved in the life of the church or people who have dropped out of the church. The service is informal in terms of dress. Please consider visiting if you are looking for a different type worship experience, a new church home, or just want to visit once to see what it is like. Ebenezer also has traditional worship services in the Sanctuary each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Peace be with each of you,
The Co-Chairs
Lutherans Concerned/South Carolina

Another church Lutherans Concerned/South Carolina would highly recommend is Gethsemane Lutheran Church located at 6904 Satchelford Road, Columbia, South Carolina, just one short block off Two Notch Road. From the downtown area, it is approximately three miles from the intersection of Two Notch and Taylor Street to Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Gethsemane Lutheran Church is the only Reconciling in Christ Congregation in South Carolina.

If you would like to suggest an event or activity or have any other suggestions or questions regarding Lutherans Concerned/South Carolina, please email the Co-Chairs.

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