University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation's "Feast Incarnate" was featured at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly Tuesday (Aug. 18).

The congregation submitted a video about the weekly meal and Bible study for persons with HIV/AIDS to the ELCA's video contest.  The UniLu segment was shown Tuesday morning when the Assembly also was introduced to the church's HIV/AIDS strategy.

The program was started more than 20 years ago, when persons with HIV/AIDS were often being turned away from the church. 

"We said no, that's not right, so we opened the doors and said 'Come in for dinner,'" says UniLu member Charlie Horn in the video. "That's one of the reasons why you see the china and you see the silverware, because they are in our home."

"We are putting our hands to work in what we feel is God's work in this community of West Philadelphia," another member says in the video.

• View the video here

The reason this ministry has survived over the years is that so many congregations from across the Delaware Valley have partnered with us: providing food and serving and cleaning up. We give thanks to God for the saints of:

• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Abington
• Saint Luke Lutheran Church, Devon
• Christ Lutheran Church, Upper Darby
• St. David Lutheran Church, NE Philadelphia
• The Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion, CC Philadelphia
• St. John Lutheran Church, Phoenixville
• The AIDS Awareness Network, SEPA Synod
• Fellowship Christian, Disciples of Christ, Philadelphia
• St. Matthew AME Church, Philadelphia
• Metropolitan Community Church, Philadelphia
• White Dog Cafe, Philadelphia
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Philadelphia
• St. Peter, Lafayette Hill
• Nueva Creacion Luterna, Philadelphia.
• Tabernacle Lutheran Church, Philadelphia
• Calvary Lutheran Church, West Chester
• The Philadelphia Chapter of Integrity
• Asbury Protestant Ministry, Drexel University
• Alpha Pi Omega, U of P

There also have been a number of congregations and institutions who have provided financial support for Feast Incarnate over the years, including:

• Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale
• St. Luke, Devon
• Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
• Lutheran Brotherhood

and contributions given in memory of:

Paul Scaer, Joan Wells, Carol Kvande, and Dick Klein.