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World AIDS Day observed in Rehoboth

Jordan Hines from the Delaware HIV Consortium speaks with people gathered about the agency’s services available for the public. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
December 9, 2021

World AIDS Day 2021: A Service of Remembrance and Hope was observed Dec. 1 at the Metropolitan Community Church on Plantation Road near Rehoboth. Almost 40 people were in attendance and more attended virtually as the service was livestreamed on the CAMP Rehoboth Facebook page.

The theme for the 2021 observance was Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice. Names of people who have died of AIDS were scrolled on a screen during the service.

“CAMP Rehoboth is proud to join forces with many local organizations and communities of faith to help bring this important and annual event to Rehoboth Beach for those in and around Sussex County,” said David Mariner, executive director of CAMP Rehoboth.

World AIDS Day was first observed in 1988.

The names of people who died of AIDS in Delaware are scrolled on the big screen during the World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance and Hope.
An attendee records the names of Delawareans who died of AIDS being scrolled on the screen.
World AIDS Day is observed at the Metropolitan Community Church.
The church’s video screen scrolls the names of Delawareans who died of AIDS.
David Mariner, exectutive director of CAMP Rehoboth, welcomes the crowd gathered to observe World AIDS Day.
The Rev. Jeffrey Ross of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes offers the opening prayer.
Jordan Hines from the Delaware HIV Consortium brings words of hope for the community.
Christopher Costas, a long-term AIDS survivor, speaks to the crowd in attendance.
Christopher Costas, a long-term AIDS survivor, speaks about how he has survived with AIDS for so long.
Pastor Tesha Miller of Macedonia AME Church in Seaford speaks to the crowd gathered to observe World AIDS Day.
Pastor Tesha Miller of Macedonia AME Church in Seaford brings words of hope to the community.
The Rev. Diane Fisher of Metropolitan Community Church reads the litany of names.
The Rev. Diane Fisher of Metropolitan Community Church lights a candle for people who have passed away from AIDS.
Todd Hacker of the Seaside Jewish Community Center performs the Kaddish or Hymn of Praise.
The crowd stands silently in prayer.
The Rev. Dr. Vicki Gordy-Stith, right, and the Rev. Dr. Bo Gordy-Stith of Epworth United Methodist Church sing a song of hope.
The Rev. Dr. Vicki Gordy-Stith, right, and the Rev. Dr. Bo Gordy-Stith of Epworth Methodist Church sing a recessional to wrap up the service.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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