Self-Development of People, a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is celebrating its 40th anniversary by acting on its mission of “People Investing in People.”
SDOP is sponsoring a T-shirt design contest that will provide college scholarship money to the winner. Presbyterian youth and young adults in ninth grade through their fourth year of college are invited to enter the contest, which will award a $2,000 scholarship for the college or higher educational institution of the winner’s choice.
SDOP is a ministry that demonstrates God’s justice and wholeness, especially among the economically poor and oppressed, by partnering with them for projects that seek to improve their lives and communities.
SDOP projects funded through the years have ranged from small agricultural cooperatives in rural communities, to empowering young people from low-income neighborhoods, to supporting a cooperative of African-American women who support themselves by selling pecans through the mail.
In the past 40 years, thanks to the compassion and generosity of Presbyterians, SDOP has awarded more than $95 million to communities of economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people in 68 countries — affirming God’s concern for people. SDOP’s primary funding source is the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, which is collected by the PC (USA) during the Lenten and Easter seasons.
The T-shirt design should somehow depict the mission and work of SDOP, which is “People Investing in People.” SDOP’s mission statement:
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 who are seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression and injustice.
The T-shirts will be used to promote SDOP visibility among young adults including at youth-related events like the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, as discussion starters among college students and the broader community, at community presentations and within PCUSA communities.
The dimensions for the digital image are a maximum size of 11x11, minimum DPI 300. JPG, EPS, or PDF formats only. Electronic files of the T-shirt designs must be received by 11:59 p.m. on August 31.
Learn more about SDOP and the contest online or via e-mail.
Margaret Mwale is associate for community relations with SDOP.