International AIDS Candlelight Memorial 2018

Today (Sunday 20 May) is International Candlelight Memorial Day. On this Pentecost Sunday, we lit candles, read prayers and remembered people living with HIV, as well as those we have lost to HIV.

Big thank you Cathedral bookshop

On Saturday 19 May, CHATT organised a morning tea for the Cathedral Bookshop and Volunteers to thank them for their incredible work over the years. The Bookshop has raised funds for many initiatives supported by the Cathedral. This includes funding CHATT's activities, especially the work we do 'caring for carers'.

It's 2018! CHATT is going strong & excited about the year ahead

Our annual CHATT social activity took place over a delicious breakfast on 13 January at Rhodes Memorial Tea Garden. Desire Martin, the Cathedral's communications lead and a super supporter of CHATT joined us for the breakfast. CHATT involves a beautiful group of people - we enjoy each others' company, fellowship together and do important work to speak up against social injustice, especially stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV.

World AIDS Day 2017

At our 9h30 Cathedral service on 26 November 2017, to mark World AIDS Day, CHATTers wore t-shirts carrying messages against HIV and TB-related stigma. We processed with the clergy, spoke to the entire congregation about why HIV remains critical and affects us all, prayed for people living with and most affected by HIV, and spoke with Cathedral members during the tea and coffee after the service to share information, resources, experiences and stories of support. 

CHATT Review Meeting 2017: A call for a greater focus on gender violence

CHATT held its review meeting, which takes place every two years. We discussed our external environment in South Africa, reviewed the activities we have achieved in the past two years, critically examined what went well and what we could do differently and agreed on our key activities over the next two years.

CHATT will continue to focus on tackling stigma (against HIV, TB, sexual minorities, disability), chatting with congregation members and connecting people with information and resources. In addition, following our review meeting, CHATT will increase our focus on gender violence. This is a critical issue for us - violence against women, children and in relationships. It is a silent, neglected, pervasive and very complex issue. We are challenging ourselves to understand it better and to act on these critical issues in our Cathedral and in our Cape Town community.

International Candlelight Memorial Day 2017

Today is a very special day. We remember people who we have lost to HIV. At the same time, we celebrate the gift of life.

Below are pictures of our activities at the Cathedral today.

CHATTers plan Candlelight Memorial next...

Another productive monthly CHATT meeting!

TB Day 2017

CHATT led a number of TB Day activities at the Cathedral, including the prayers for people living with and affected by TB during our Sunday service, featuring 'TB Proof' posters on the pillars of the Cathedral, wearing striking tshirts produced by the Treatment Action Campaign and distributing leaflets and tissues to Cathedral members.

Our monthly Saturday meetings

 

Every second Saturday of the month, at 9am, CHATTers meet at the Cathedral. It's a special time - not only do we do practical planning of our activities, but we also pray, share stories and learn from one another. All are welcome always! 

This Saturday we discussed our key upcoming activities: participation in the Cathedral's Vestry Meeting (March), TB Day (March), Candlelight Memorial Day (May), a CHATT review meeting (June), a high tea (August) and World AIDS Day (December). Excited about the year ahead!

It's 2017 already!

This weekend - Saturday 28 January 2017 - CHATTers met at Greenpoint Park for a picnic to celebrate 2016 and to mark the start of the new year and new activities ahead!

We had a discussion about the Water Justice Conference, which is led by the Care Creation team and is taking place 22-24 March at the Cathedral. CHATT looks forward to supporting the Care Creation team's activities and to contributing to making the Water Justice Conference a success #justwater17

Pearl's birthday - hip hip, HOORAY!

This month we celebrate Pearl's birthday! Pearl is an incredible member of CHATT - fun, creative, giving, warm and so caring. We love and appreciate you so much Pearl for all you do for us in the Cathedral and for all you do for people living with and affected by HIV in the Cape Town community.

Another happy CHATT meeting

Every second Saturday of the month, at 9am, at St. George's Cathedral, we meet as a CHATT family to check in on one another, share stories, learn about the latest developments in HIV and plan the activities we do in-between meetings. Here is a pic from another happy Saturday CHATT meeting : )

Picnic on Signal Hill

CHATTers enjoyed a really nice picnic on Signal Hill. Yummy pizza, German breads, marmalade and tea for brunch. Great conversation and brave paragliders jumping off the hill. A beautiful day!!

World AIDS Day 2015

A very happy World AIDS Day at St. George's Cathedral- CHATT and carers from the Oasis Centre in Cape Town on 28 November 2015 :)

CHATTers at Cavendish Book Fair

CHATT members enjoyed helping out the Cathedral Book & Bric-a-Brac Shop at this year's Cavendish Book Fair. The Bookshop raises significant funds, which support Cathedral ministries and community outreach.

In addition to assisting in tidying and selling books, the book fair is also an excellent opportunity to get to know and buy interesting books and to catch up with Pat and friends over a nice cappuccino!

A spectacular night of music!

On Friday 28 August, the Fikelela AIDS Project and St. George's Cathedral HIV/AIDS Task Team hosted a beautiful night of music. Four big bands - Rondebosch Boys' Preparatory School Jazz Band, SACS Big Band, SACS Junior Jazz Band and SACS Concert Band - filled the Cathedral with incredible music.

The event raised 21,000 Rands for Zonnebloem Cottage. The children's home cares for six children - all aspects of their lives.

The evening was a real celebration of youth talent and music!

 

"An injury to one is an injury to all" - Women's Day at St. George's Cathedral

Upon CHATT and the Cathedral's request, Fr. Rowan Smith preached at our Cathedral on Women's Day (9 August). Fr. Rowan reminded us why we mark Women's Day and talked about the diverse and united group of women who marched in 1956 for equality and against discrimination.

Powerful quotes from Fr. Rowan's talk:

• In 2015, women still are not safe to walk without harassment and abuse.
• We must speak out against patriarchy, including in our own church.
• If we are talking about human dignity and human rights, it is wrong to exclude women from ministry. Their call comes from Jesus.
• As Christians, our task is to contribute to God's world of justice, truth and love.
• We are called daily to transform our communities. Everyday is an opportunity to show God's love.

Thank you Fr. Rowan for the reminder that 'an injury to one is an injury to all' and for challenging us to confront stigma and discrimination in our Cathedral and city.

A colourful review meeting!

The CHATT family held a review workshop on Saturday 13 June at Little Streams in Constantia. This is an event that CHATT organises every two years to reflect on how we are doing as a team and to look ahead for the next two years.

This year, CHATT decided to stick with our aim of addressing HIV-related stigma, which continues to be a real issue in our community. We spent time together discussing practical ways to tackle stigma in our Cathedral and wider Cape Town community.

Here are some pics from beautiful Little Streams and from a special morning together:

 

Candlelight Memorial: 'Supporting the Future'

Currently, we are not meeting the needs of people living with HIV, with many facing lack of access to treatment, care and support. Many are also facing discrimination and criminalisation. The theme for Candlelight Memorial this year was ‘Supporting the future’. Members of St. George's Cathedral joined thousands of people around the world in remembering people who have died of HIV, celebrating the lives of people living with HIV and praying for a sustainable HIV response.

Carers' Retreat 2015

On 8 – 10 May 2015, CHATT held a Carers’ Retreat at St. Raphael’s Retreat House in Faure with carers from Heaven’s Nest, St. Michael’s and St. George’s children homes. The carers work with children who are vulnerable and displaced. Many of the children are living with or affected by HIV. Several CHATT members joined the retreat and enjoyed activities, games, reflections and time with the carers. Father Raphael Mxolisi of St. George’s Cathedral led a special service on 10 May with the carers.

It is so important to care for the Carers, as without rest, they cannot continue giving the 110% they do every day to the children in their care, as well as their own families.