compassion peace and justice

Kenyan peacemaker to visit U.S. this fall

Phares Nyaga Mithamo, an ordained Elder of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA), will speak to U.S. congregations and organizations this fall as part of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s 2017 International Peacemakers series.

SDOP disburses nearly $90,000 for self-help projects

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) approved grants totaling $89,800 to fund five self-help projects in the United States and one in Belize. The national committee met recently to approve funding made possible through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering.

Presbyterian Peacemaker from Myanmar will speak in U.S. this fall

With a population of more than 60 million people, Myanmar (Burma) is a country rich in natural and mineral resources, but its citizens are some of the poorest in the world. The Rev. Pek Muan Cuang, an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM), will speak to U.S. congregations and organizations this fall as part of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program’s 2017 International Peacemakers series.

Volunteers still needed in the Carolinas from 2015/2016 flooding

In October 2015, the South Carolina coastline was pummeled by heavy rains and flooding. A year later, Hurricane Matthew caused havoc in North Carolina damaging thousands of homes and businesses. But despite immediate response by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and a number of other agencies, the need for clean up and repair continues in both states.

Office of Public Witness calls on Presbyterians to participate in fall event in Washington

The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Office of Public Witness is calling on Presbyterians across the denomination to come to Washington D.C. this fall to speak out on the proposed federal budget. Church members, presbyteries and synods are being asked to gather on September 12 for a budget briefing, press conference and a visit to congressional offices.

Advocates gather around threats to family farmers and other Iowans

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) hosts its annual convention tomorrow and expects nearly 1,000 people from across the state to share concerns facing family farms. CCI was organized in 1975 when a handful of clergy began working on housing, crime and safety, and other urban concerns. When the 1980s Farm Crisis hit, they expanded the work throughout rural Iowa to support farmers by helping them obtain nearly $37 million in desperately needed credit. The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) supported that work financially for a number of years.

Washington nonprofit shows strength in empowering low-income housing residents

Low income residents and immigrant communities in the Washington, D.C. area are getting help from a local non-profit, supported in part by the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People. ONE DC is working to improve social and economic equity by organizing, training and educating housing residents in Shaw and the District.

Helping people help themselves keeps one volunteer inspired and motivated

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.