Self-Development of People

grant applications posted online

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website notes: "Self-Development of People is a ministry that affirms God's concern for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling. We participate in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression and injustice." The Synod of Lakes and Prairies maintains its own Self Development of People Committee and in the past year has supported the efforts of immigrant communities to assimilate to local life and work. More information about Self-Development of People can be found at "Empowerment." Contact information and grant applications from the synod's SDOP committee can be found at "Self Development."

McDonald talks about covenants; COM/CPM handouts, presentation slides online

Covenants are the "bond that holds us together," Carol McDonald (right) reminded the attendees at the Synod of Lakes and Prairies' COM/CPM Leadership Conference last month at the Mt. Olivet Conference and Retreat Center near Farmington, Minn. And she reminded attendees, too, that covenants help them "remember how much you have loved each other from the beginning." McDonald, who has served more than 40 years in ministry and retired last summer after 25 years in the Synod of Lincoln Trails, most recently as that synod's executive, has extensive experience in the area of leadership and nurture. The complete story about McDonald's presentation can be found at "Covenants." A complete set of handouts and presentation slides from plenary sessions and workshops at the conference are at "Materials."

Black History Month commemorated

with stories of young leaders

In honor of African-American History Month, Racial Ethnic & Women's Ministries is collaborating with the Rev. Tawnya Denise Anderson, pastor at Unity Presbyterian Church in Temple Hills, Md., to lift up stories of young African-American leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Anderson's first post features the Rev. Kerri Allen (above), a PC(USA) teaching elder and a native of St. Paul, Minn. Allen is currently pursuing a doctorate Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago. The interview with Allen can be found at "Kerri Allen." Anderson's second post features the Rev. Jerrod Lowry, a teaching elder in the Presbytery of Utah, and that story is at "Jerrod Lowry." The third piece features the Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy, pastor at Chestnut Street Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, N.C., and that story is at "Whitney Fauntleroy."

Synod continues to offer grants

to collegiate ministry efforts

The Synod of Lakes and Prairies, continuing its long-standing commitment to collegiate ministry, offers short-term funds to help established ministries become self-sustaining and seed money for new ministry initiatives of established ministries. There are also opportunities for leadership development grants and mini-grants for fall- or spring-break activities. Details, grant applications and contact information are at "Collegiate Ministries."

Hillcrest's 'Reflections in the Park'

draws more than 47,000