For Immediate Release

Second Annual St. Luke’s AIDS Walk
Held in Highlands Ranch Sunday, Sept. 23

Highlands Ranch, Colo. – Sept. 19, 2007 - St. Luke's United Methodist Church will hold its second annual St. Luke's AIDS Walk (SLAW) on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 12 p.m.

"We had such a successful walk last year, with over 40 walkers raising more than $2300, it just made sense to do it again,” said Susan McIntosh, chair of the church and society team at St. Luke's. “We continue to support the Colorado AIDS Walk with a quarter of the proceeds going to the Colorado AIDS Project.”

Following a prayer and blessing led by Senior Minister Janet Forbes, participants in SLAW will depart St. Luke's for a 2.5 mile walk along the local greenbelts and return to St. Luke's at about 1 p.m. All funds raised will benefit the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, which will in turn contribute about 25% to the Colorado AIDS Project (CAP). CAP works locally to improve the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS and prevent HIV infection.

According to CAP, it’s estimated that 15,000 people are living with HIV or AIDS in Colorado in 2005. McIntosh continues, “Worldwide nearly one in every 100 adults aged 15 to 49 is HIV-infected. This does not have to be - the resources exist to address this tragic pandemic, which is why we are walking to help fight this epidemic."

St. Luke's extends an invitation to Highlands Ranch and its surrounding communities to participate in SLAW or to sponsor a walker. For more information, please contact Susan McIntosh at (303) 347-0727 or email Susan.

St. Luke’s UMC is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary with its year-long “Got Community” campaign. Guided by the spirit of God, St. Luke’s UMC is an inclusive community of faith, seeking to meet people where they are, growing together toward full humanity, through living the teachings of Jesus: Love, Acceptance, Justice, and Hope. St. Luke’s is located at 8817 South Broadway in Highlands Ranch, one-quarter mile south of C-470. Regular office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Sunday services, led by Rev. Janet Forbes, are held at  8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday school and free child care are available during the 9:30 and 11:00 services. For more information visit www.stlukeshr.com.

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