Church of Scotland congregations held simple soup and sandwich lunches after their services today to highlight the HIV/Aids pandemic and the stigma faced by sufferers on their doorstep.

More than 250 churches were expected to take part in the Church's "Souper Sunday" initiative.

In addition to churches in Scotland, congregations in London, Sri Lanka and Israel also joined in.

Proceeds from the lunches will go towards the Church's HIV/Aids Project, which works through partners in Scotland and around the world to support sufferers and prevent the spread of the virus.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Bill Hewitt, said: "By equipping parish leaders at local, regional and national levels, we hope congregations can better understand the issues around HIV in Scotland and would allow the church to care and support more effectively."

UNAIDS estimates that 33.4 million are infected with the virus worldwide, up from 33 million in 2007, while new infections have dropped 17 per cent in the last eight years.

The Church of Scotland said discrimination and stigmatisation towards HIV sufferers remained a real challenge not only abroad, but also within Scotland. According to a HIV stigma index published last month, almost two-thirds of people with HIV and Aids in the UK were found to have low self-esteem, while a quarter admitted to feeling suicidal.

Rev Hewitt said he hoped Souper Sunday would awaken people to the plight of HIV sufferers closer to home.

"Churches overseas have already begun to realise the pivotal role they can play in their own communities in the areas of education, counselling, care and support, and I hope that the Kirk can begin to grapple with this," he said.

"While congregations are always generous in supporting work abroad, there may still be a lack of awareness about what lies on our own doorstep."