Advertise on podcast: Sunspots

In this Pentecost sermon, SPDR Director Rev. Libby Janes reflects on how the Holy Spirit enables people not merely to hear words but to truly understand one another across cultures, languages, and experiences. Drawing on personal stories of international friendships, seminary life, and worship, she emphasizes that the language of faith is ultimately the language of love—a love that calls us to listen deeply, honor the languages and stories of others, and embrace the “disturbing certainty of hope” that God is at work bringing diverse people together in Christ.   Watch the original video from Covenant's website here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es62KWMTqF4

In this episode of Sunspots, Mary Megan Schnittger, Director of Youth Ministry at Northwoods Presbyterian Church In Houston and Travis Dunmire, 2026 Synod Youth Workshop Planning Team member, share their experiences with Synod Youth Workshop, the beloved summer youth event held at the University of Tulsa. Together, they reflect on the life-changing impact of small groups, youth-led worship, lifelong friendships, and the joyful spirit that makes SYW feel like “a little slice of heaven.” Travis also gives listeners an inside look at serving on this year’s Planning Team, helping shape the camp’s Star Wars-inspired theme, “May the Lord Be With You,” while discussing how the conference has deepened his faith and leadership journey.

What does it look like to “love your neighbors” in the immigrant community here in our Synod? Listen in as Kristy Rodgers visits with community organizers, Sandra Avalos Araiza and Angee Andrade, as well as Rev. George Mason and Commissioned Pastor Armel Crocker about the ongoing efforts to support the immigrant community at the ICE facility in Dallas. There are also things you can do to prepare your congregation and community to assist our brothers and sisters in Christ facing fearful and challenging times. Please also check out the links for more helpful information! @lacolectivantx on Instagram - Grassroots community organizing providing collective care & on-the-ground mutual-aid for families separated by ICE at the Dallas field office. https://www.instagram.com/lacolectivantx https://givebutter.com/dtxbridge - Funding that will support community members in need of financial assistance for immediate needs after separation from ICE at local Field Office. https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/O7B6E6Y/ - Field office support to feed those who show up to their appointments without having had any breakfast. A quick bite to stabilize blood sugar has made a huge difference to folks. However, many of the volunteers don't have the time or resources to show up each morning with food for everyone. This is how you can help us out! https://tinyurl.com/25c8zkd9 - Dallas Respite Center Interest Form https://www.cleardfw.org https://faithcommons.org https://afsc.org

Ministry for our immigrant neighbors is happening in North Texas and you can help! Listen in for an invitation from Armel Crocker to join an ongoing interfaith effort at the Dallas ICE facility, and keep your eyes open for a broader conversation coming soon! Ways You Can Help Our Immigrant Neighbors in Dallas: https://tinyurl.com/39ps7kka CLEAR DFW Website: https://www.cleardfw.org/

Libby Janes views her role as SPDR Director as a call to ministry. When she preaches, she hopes to meet people where they are, hold communities' experiences of grief with gentleness, and point to the presence of God with us, through every moment of our lives. This sermon "Take Courage" on Haggai 1:15b-2:9 tells the story of the people of Jerusalem, who have returned from exile in Babylon 18 years before. The people are encouraged by God through the prophet Haggai to take courage, and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, for God is already with them. Presented at First Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX on November 9, 2025

On this episode of Sunspots, we talk with Libby Janes, the new Director of the Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery. We find out about her deep roots in the Presbyterian Church, her background in social work and ministry, and her experiences ranging from youth mission trips to serving as a cardiology social worker in New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Libby shares how these diverse experiences shaped her call to ministry and led her to this role, which blends her passions for social work, service, and faith. She also talks about her personal life—her husband Jesse, their love of camping and board games, and her path toward ordination.

On this episode of Sunspots, Kathy Lee Cornell interview Rev. Philip Blackburn about his work with the Town Square Collaborative, a program at the University of the Ozarks that supports rural congregations, pastors, and communities.  Blackburn shares his journey from urban ministry to focusing on rural churches, highlighting the isolation these congregations often feel and the lack of tailored resources for them.  Funded through multiple Lilly Endowment grants, the Collaborative provides training, support, and community for rural leaders, emphasizing flexibility, local context, and empowering ruling elders who often fill pastoral roles. They stress that rural churches, though small and under-resourced, are vital community anchors with unique potential to address justice issues like healthcare, food insecurity, and social services.  The conversation celebrates creative, small-scale ministries, encourages partnerships with larger churches and nonprofits, and points toward ongoing efforts like the Rural Ideas Conference to build networks, share resources, and strengthen rural ministry. Find the Town Square Collaborative website at: https://townsquareco.org

Episode 5 of 5 in the Welcoming the Stranger series Immigration affects ALL of us: our individual and communal histories, as well as our current realities. Scripture is clear on our responsibilities to welcome the stranger(s) because we have all been strangers. In this final episode of this series, Rev. Marta Pumroy and Kristy Rodgers talk about what’s happening at the border now and what we, as individuals and communities of faith can do to bring the truth and love of God into both the narrative and our actions.   This series was brought forward by the Synod Network for Dismantling Racism. You can learn more about N4DR on their website at N4DR.org. Tres Rios Border Foundation, affiliated with Tres Rios Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas—just feet from the U.S.–Mexico border. Its mission is to inspire, equip, and connect  congregations “on both sides” of the border and beyond, fostering narrative change, systems change, and personal transformation around immigration and migration. Find out more at https://www.tresriosborderfoundation.org/home An additional resource from the organization Women of Welcome entitled Using Your Voice: For Our Immigrant Neighborcan be found by CLICKING HERE. Women of Welcome is the group that provided the framework for the Soul Training study, “What the Bible Says About Immigration” conducted with members from throughout the Synod last Spring. Look for the ‘Bartlesville Immigration Bible Study’ episode of this podcast.

Episode 4 of 5 in the Welcoming the Stranger series As a student at Lyon College, Allison Mundy went to El Paso for a Border Encounter as part of the Synod’s Imagine event in 2019. A few years later, as she prepared to graduate from Med school, Allison talked with Kristy Rodgers about that experience and the ways it has shaped her life and ministry since. Be encouraged and inspired!   This series was brought forward by the Synod Network for Dismantling Racism. You can learn more about N4DR on their website at N4DR.org. Tres Rios Border Foundation, affiliated with Tres Rios Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas—just feet from the U.S.–Mexico border. Its mission is to inspire, equip, and connect  congregations “on both sides” of the border and beyond, fostering narrative change, systems change, and personal transformation around immigration and migration. Find out more at https://www.tresriosborderfoundation.org/home An additional resource from the organization Women of Welcome entitled Using Your Voice: For Our Immigrant Neighborcan be found by CLICKING HERE. Women of Welcome is the group that provided the framework for the Soul Training study, “What the Bible Says About Immigration” conducted with members from throughout the Synod last Spring. Look for the ‘Bartlesville Immigration Bible Study’ episode of this podcast.

Episode 3 of 5 in the Welcoming the Stranger series The largest part of the US-Mexico border (1254 miles) lies in the state of Texas. In this episode, Rev. Tim Blodgett, Rev. Lynne Hargrove, and Rev. Charlie Smith, presbytery leaders in our Synod, talk with Kristy Rodgers about their visits to the border and if/how immigration issues affect congregations and presbytery ministry in their areas.   This series was brought forward by the Synod Network for Dismantling Racism. You can learn more about N4DR on their website at N4DR.org. Tres Rios Border Foundation, affiliated with Tres Rios Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas—just feet from the U.S.–Mexico border. Its mission is to inspire, equip, and connect  congregations “on both sides” of the border and beyond, fostering narrative change, systems change, and personal transformation around immigration and migration. Find out more at https://www.tresriosborderfoundation.org/home An additional resource from the organization Women of Welcome entitled Using Your Voice: For Our Immigrant Neighborcan be found by CLICKING HERE. Women of Welcome is the group that provided the framework for the Soul Training study, “What the Bible Says About Immigration” conducted with members from throughout the Synod last Spring. Look for the ‘Bartlesville Immigration Bible Study’ episode of this podcast.

Episode 2 of 5 in the Welcoming the Stranger series As a young girl, Lynn Hargrove grew up in El Paso, Texas, long before she became the general presbyter for The Presbytery of New Covenant.  Listen in on this conversation with Border Ministry Coordinator Marta Pumroy about what she remembers of the past as we compare it to the current situation on the US/Mexico border.   This series was brought forward by the Synod Network for Dismantling Racism. You can learn more about N4DR on their website at N4DR.org. Tres Rios Border Foundation, affiliated with Tres Rios Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas—just feet from the U.S.–Mexico border. Its mission is to inspire, equip, and connect  congregations “on both sides” of the border and beyond, fostering narrative change, systems change, and personal transformation around immigration and migration. Find out more at https://www.tresriosborderfoundation.org/home An additional resource from the organization Women of Welcome entitled Using Your Voice: For Our Immigrant Neighborcan be found by CLICKING HERE. Women of Welcome is the group that provided the framework for the Soul Training study, “What the Bible Says About Immigration” conducted with members from throughout the Synod last Spring. Look for the ‘Bartlesville Immigration Bible Study’ episode of this podcast.  Find out about the Dallas Women of Welcome Proximity Event on Thursday, August 14 at Preston Trail Community Church by CLICKING HERE.

Episode 1 of 5 in the Welcoming the Stranger series Tres Rios Border Foundation partner liaison, John Nelsen, shares the history behind border ministry in the El Paso/Juarez region. In this conversation with Border Ministry Coordinator Marta Pumroy, John shares the current work that Tres Rios does in partnership with hospitality sites in the area focusing on changes that have happened in 2025.    This series was brought forward by the Synod Network for Dismantling Racism. You can learn more about N4DR on their website at N4DR.org. Tres Rios Border Foundation, affiliated with Tres Rios Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas—just feet from the U.S.–Mexico border. Its mission is to inspire, equip, and connect  congregations “on both sides” of the border and beyond, fostering narrative change, systems change, and personal transformation around immigration and migration. Find out more at https://www.tresriosborderfoundation.org/home An additional resource from the organization Women of Welcome entitled Using Your Voice: For Our Immigrant Neighborcan be found by CLICKING HERE. Women of Welcome is the group that provided the framework for the Soul Training study, “What the Bible Says About Immigration” conducted with members from throughout the Synod last Spring. Look for the ‘Bartlesville Immigration Bible Study’ episode of this podcast.  Find out about the Dallas Women of Welcome Proximity Event on Thursday, August 14 at Preston Trail Community Church by CLICKING HERE.

Emotional Spiritual Care - Texas Hill Country Flooding with Kathy Riley and John Cheek SPDR continues to coordinate with and support all those involved with the Texas Hill Country Flooding relief efforts. Leaders from Mission Presbytery, First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance offer the following updates and resources.  Tim Hutchon, President and CEO of Mo Ranch has also provided the following update - Click HERE for the Facebook video. Read more on how to help at: https://www.synodsun.org/post/responding-to-the-hill-country-flooding Please keep all impacted by these events in your prayers, especially as the response transitions to long term recovery. Your continued prayers and support will be needed for years to come.

FPC/Kerrville Flooding Response Update with Jasiel Hernandez Garcia SPDR continues to coordinate with and support all those involved with the Texas Hill Country Flooding relief efforts. Leaders from Mission Presbytery, First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance offer the following updates and resources.  Tim Hutchon, President and CEO of Mo Ranch has also provided the following update - Click HERE for the Facebook video. Read more on how to help at: https://www.synodsun.org/post/responding-to-the-hill-country-flooding Please keep all impacted by these events in your prayers, especially as the response transitions to long term recovery. Your continued prayers and support will be needed for years to come.

Hill Country Flooding Update with Kathy Lee-Cornell, Bobby Musengwa, Laurie Palmer, and Kathy Riley SPDR continues to coordinate with and support all those involved with the Texas Hill Country Flooding relief efforts. Leaders from Mission Presbytery, First Presbyterian Church in Kerrville, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance offer the following updates and resources.  Tim Hutchon, President and CEO of Mo Ranch has also provided the following update - Click HERE for the Facebook video. Read more on how to help at: https://www.synodsun.org/post/responding-to-the-hill-country-flooding Please keep all impacted by these events in your prayers, especially as the response transitions to long term recovery. Your continued prayers and support will be needed for years to come.