Wesley Woo spent years on the staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) During this time, he developed a keen interest in the work of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP), but because he was on staff, he could not serve on the committee.
The Rev. Jerome Bizimana knows the work of forgiveness is “never easy.” This is especially true in Rwanda where 23 years ago, in April 1994, hatred between Hutu and Tutsi tribal groups led to genocide and the death of more than 800,000 Rwandans. Although it has been more than two decades, the wounds are still very much alive.
Unbound, the online social justice journal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is getting a new editor. Henry Koenig Stone has been selected to helm the award-winning journal, sponsored by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP).
African American clergy gathered in Washington, D.C. today saying they are concerned about the political, racial, ethnic, economic and academic climate in America. The group held a news conference outside of the United Methodist Building, urging the new administration to take a second look at its policies and actions towards African Americans and other minority groups.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to revive the coal industry and closely scrutinize the previous administration’s Clean Power Act is being met with strong opposition among leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). While the president promises the action will create jobs, many say the executive order, signed last week, will set the country back years in environmental progress.
An estimated 80,000 people crowded the streets of Raleigh, North Carolina, over the weekend of February 11 to take part in the 11th annual Forward Together Moral March, led by the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II. Organizers say it was the largest crowd in the march’s history.
Each year, on a Sunday during Lent, Presbyterians take a day to celebrate the mission and ministry of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP). For nearly 50 years SDOP has helped poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged communities by establishing partnerships within those communities to address issues such as mass incarceration, labor and worker rights, clean water and natural resources, youth empowerment, and ending the exploitation of immigrants.
A decision by the U.S. House of Representatives to roll back a signature bi-partisan anti-corruption law has Presbyterians and other ecumenical groups concerned about the impact on poverty-stricken countries. Under the anti-corruption rule known as “Section 1504,” or the “Cardin-Lugar Anti-Corruption Provision,” oil and mining companies would be required to publish the payments they make to governments around the world.
Members of the national committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP), are meeting in Miami this weekend to welcome new members, determine vision for the organization and seek spiritual renewal.
Pastors from two Presbyterian churches in the New York metro area met with President-elect Trump in Trump Tower today, praying with him and raising justice issues they would like to see addressed in the new administration.
