wfn.org | SDOP marks 30 years of helping the poor

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org>]

Note #7115 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

1-April-2002
02129

SDOP marks 30 years of helping the poor

April 14 designated Self-Development of People Sunday in PC(USA)

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - For more than 30 years, Presbyterians have helped poor and oppressed people worldwide through the Self-Development of People (SDOP) program.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is celebrating SDOP's ministry by encouraging congregations to proclaim Sunday, April 14, Self-Development of People Sunday.

"The thing that I think is important is that people in congregations know ... that this is not a ministry out there, that someone else is doing," said the Rev. Fredric T. Walls, SDOP's director. 

"By the congregations celebrating Self-Development of People Sunday, it helps them (realize) that they are involved in that ministry."

SDOP, funded primarily through the One Great Hour 
of Sharing offering, enables members and non-members of the PC(USA) to establish partnerships with poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people providing small grants for self-help projects.

SDOP officials are providing three primary resources for the celebration: 

* A resource guide containing wide-ranging materials that can be used before, during and after April 14, including information about SDOP, relevant Scripture references and 25 suggestions for observing SDOP Sunday. For free copies, call the Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS) at 1-800-524-2612 and request item number 74350-00-005. 

* A free bulletin insert that can be ordered in packets of 50 through PDS. Ask for item number 74350-02-001.

* A litany for worship and an SDOP hymn to be used in April 14 worship services. They were mailed recently to PC(USA) churches and may be photocopied.

For more information about SDOP, visit its Web site: www.pcusa.org/sdop.  
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