National and Presbytery of the James SDOP to host series of social justice events Oct. 3 in Chester, Virginia
By Margaret Mwale
Presbyterian Committee on Self-Development of People
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) and the Presbytery of the James will jointly host a series of in-person social justice events Thursday, Oct. 3, in Chester, Virginia. Self-Development of People works with grassroots groups across the U.S. and globally to form partnerships with oppressed and disadvantaged people to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
Both of the following events include a complimentary meal:
Luncheon & “Get to Know the Presbyterian National Self-Development of People Committee and How Partnering With it Can Benefit Your Community!” – perfect for Presbyterian clergy, peace & justice or mission committee members, youth and young adults, and anyone interested in economic and social justice issues. Thursday, Oct. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Community Grants Workshop – for grassroots groups seeking funding for community initiated, led and controlled projects. Thursday, Oct. 3, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Registration is recommended. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend either event. View flyer
SDOP funds projects that are community initiated, led and controlled at the mid council (i.e. synod and presbytery) levels and at the national level. There are about 30 mid council SDOP committees nationwide, including the Presbytery of the James (POJ) SDOP Committee chaired by Lamar Lockhart. The National SDOP through its South Task Force is excited to partner with the POJ SDOP committee to jointly host the above events.
South Task Force Co-Chair, Dr. Phyllis Sanders, who along with other national committee members and staff will be at the event, believes "Self-Development of People (SDOP) embodies the essence of Matthew 22:37- 40: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Through its work, SDOP brings that commandment to life by channeling God's love into meaningful action. By providing grants to individuals and organizations dedicated to justice and meeting basic needs, SDOP transforms communities with a spirit of compassion and generosity, truly making it a “beautiful day in the neighborhood.”
One of the groups the Presbytery of the James SDOP Committee previously awarded a grant to is the “Empowering Young Leaders” (EYL) project. According to group members, project members seek to have a greater impact on the lives of others while enhancing their own leadership skills and giving back to their community through civic engagement. EYL is a program developed by United to Empower (UTE), a nonprofit organization founded in 2016 that was created by a group of caring adult volunteers who wanted to serve individuals 18 years old and younger who reside in underserved, rural communities in Southeastern Virginia. EYL seeks to educate, enhance and empower the lives of youth and to help them to become leaders in the communities that they live in.
Youth are given opportunities to be “their own voice.” They’re responsible for being their own advocates, offering their perspective to identified needs and then helping to create solutions to problems. Youth become decision makers who are resources instead of mere recipients of services. EYL’s success epitomizes what Rev. Gail Porter Nelson, Co-Chair of the South Task Force, believes: “Self-Development of People is a life-giving ministry that enables the recipients to provide for themselves and their families, which gives them a sense of pride in owning something that benefits their communities as well.”
SDOP’s primary funding source is the One Great Hour of Sharing offering <https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/oghs/> collected by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), primarily during the Lenten and Easter seasons.
For more information about SDOP, visit www.pcusa.org/sdop