For Rebecca Reyes, the work never ends. The retired Presbyterian pastor has put a lifetime into working for the denomination by pastoring a church, working as a campus minister and leading Latino health services at Duke University Hospital. A fourth-generation Presbyterian, Reyes was the first Hispanic woman ordained by the denomination.
The National Committee of the Self-Development of People wrapped up its first meeting of the year by voting to re-configure some of the processes of completing its work. Reduced giving and the retirements of nearly half the SDOP staff in 2016 have prompted the committee to make changes to better meet the needs of communities seeking assistance.
In the first full day of their meeting last week, members of the National Committee on the Self-Development of People threw the word “new” around quite often. During an opening Bible study, SDOP Coordinator Alonzo Johnson and Committee Chair Rebecca Reyes referred to Isaiah 43:16-21. In the scripture, God speaks of not dwelling on the past, but instructs followers to move forward.
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.
For Rebecca Reyes, the work never ends. The now-retired Presbyterian pastor has put a lifetime into working for the denomination whether pastoring a church, working as a campus minister, or leading Latino health services at Duke University Hospital. A fourth generation Presbyterian, Reyes was the first Hispanic woman ordained by the denomination.
Business is looking good for a group of Somali refugee women seeking to support their families in Columbus, Ohio. The group is part of the Capital Park Women’s Empowerment Project, working to give low income women an opportunity to forge their own path and market their business.
He’s only been on the job three months, but the Rev. Alonzo Johnson is already deep into the work of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People. For the past two years, Johnson served as mission associate with the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.
In 2010, Presbyterian Self-Development of People selected Belize as a focus country as a part of the new international funding strategy. After the first visits to the country, in 2011… Read more »
Three Presbyterian organizations work together to help people in Sierra Leone, Liberia By Cynthia White, Former SDOP Coordinator Editor’s note: Cynthia White served as coordinator of SDOP prior to her retirement… Read more »