Sunspots
Sunspots are highlights of the many ministries and missions happening on the surface of the Sun – That is, the Synod of the Sun. A region of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with ALOT of dynamic and hopeful ministry happening in the name of Jesus Christ. We are Presbyterians in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Sunspots can be anything from small congregational ministries, regional networks to international missions. They are caused by the interactions with the Holy Spirit. Like the cap on a soda bottle: shake it up, and you can generate a big eruption! Sunspots occur over the 11 presbyteries in the synod with intense Holy Spirit activity, and when that energy is released, solar flares and big impact can erupt from Sunspots. We pray that you will find inspiration, resources, community and connection in the Sun.
Episodes
79 episodes
Hello Tammy!
On this episode of Sunspots, we meet Tammy Stepka. Tammy is known by the folks at Grace Presbytery as the Office & Ministry Coordinator. In the Synod of the Sun we are getting to know Tammy as our new Interim Administrative Assistant. Tammy...
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22:42
Immigration and Border Ministry Conversations - Allison Mundy
In a conversation with guest host Kristy Rodgers, medical student Allison Mundy shares how a 2019 border encounter trip organized by the Synod of the Sun profoundly shaped her views on immigration. Motivated by Lyon College’s focus on service, ...
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Season 4
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Episode 17
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19:27
A Return to Solar Under the Sun
On this episode of Sunspots, we talk with Elizabeth Brinegar, Teaching Elder from the Presbytery of Arkansas and the returning Director of Operations for Solar Under the Sun.Elizabeth is a familiar face in the Synod, having served six years...
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22:04
Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Today
On this episode of Sunspots, we talk with Lisa Almon, Co-Moderator of the Hispanic Mission Ministry Network and hear about the Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today workshops. Lisa talks about how there was a need for training Commissioned Pastor...
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32:37
An American Girl who became Dutch by Way of Spain
On this episode of Sunspots, we talk with Lindsay Freeman-McCarthy, Communications Contractor for the Synod. Lindsay is a 12th generation Presbyterian and daughter to two Presbyterian ministers. She’s an ordained Presbyterian Deacon and Ruling ...
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Season 4
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Episode 14
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31:24
Bartlesville Immigration Bible Study
On this episode of Sunspots, we talk with Kristy Rodgers, who is a Commissioned Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Bartlesville Director of Family Ministry. Moderator 2022 and Coordinating Team Chair 2023. Also with us is Rev. Jennifer Gran...
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Season 4
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Episode 13
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24:46
Souperbowl of Caring SMACKDOWN!
On today’s episode, we have a conversation with Neil McKown, Director of Student Ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX and the self-appointed Commissioner for the Souperbowl of Caring Smackdown in Mission Presbyter...
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21:21
Tres Rios Safety and Crisis Response
Today's episode features two Ruling Elders from Tres Rios Presbytery. If you are not familiar with Tres Rios Presbytery, it is a group of congregations and ministries located in the westernmost portion of Texas, and it’s known as Tres Rios beca...
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Season 4
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Episode 11
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51:12
Hurricane Preparedness Webinar
This is a recording of a Hurricane Preparedness Webinar and Table Top exercise that the Synod hosted on July 11, 2024, just four days after Hurricane Beryl made landfall on the coast of Texas. Earlier this year, many forecasters predicted that ...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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1:30:05
Disaster Partnership Conversations - Arkansas Tornado Recovery: One Year Later (Part 3 of a 3-Part Podcast Series)
Our latest Sunspot’s Disaster Partnership Conversation podcast features a three-part series, highlighting the tornado recovery efforts across the Presbytery of Arkansas. On March 31, 2023, a high-end EF3 tornado hit Central Arkansas, damaging a...
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30:50
Disaster Partnership Conversations - Arkansas Tornado Recovery: One Year Later (Part 2 of a 3-Part Podcast Series)
Our latest Sunspot’s Disaster Partnership Conversation podcast features a three-part series, highlighting the tornado recovery efforts across the Presbytery of Arkansas. On March 31, 2023, a high-end EF3 tornado hit Central Arkansas, damaging a...
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30:45
Disaster Partnership Conversations - Arkansas Tornado Recovery: One Year Later (Part 1 of a 3-Part Podcast Series)
Our latest Sunspot’s Disaster Partnership Conversation podcast features a three-part series, highlighting the tornado recovery efforts across the Presbytery of Arkansas. On March 31, 2023, a high-end EF3 tornado hit Central Arkansas, damaging a...
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42:34
Introducing Mitch Miller
On today’s episode, we have a conversation with the Rev. Mitchell Miller, who was unanimously elected at the Spring 2024 Stated Meeting as the new Synod Leader/Stated Clerk of Synod of the Sun. Interviewing Mitch is Rev. Elizabeth ...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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41:47
Disaster Partnership Conversations: Recovering Oklahomans
Today’s episode is all about volunteering and disaster recovery. Kathy joined a mission trip with a group of Presbyterians from Iowa as they as they work on storm damaged homes in Eastern Oklahoma. For this podcast, Kathy spoke with the group l...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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41:30
Living in Liminal Space: October 7 and Israel's War on Gaza
On this episode of Sunspots, we continue the series of Living in Liminal Space but expanding it from the church setting to a global context. Bridge Interim Synod Leader/Stated Clerk Steve Shive welcomes his twin brother Ronald Shive to the conv...
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37:53
Disaster Partnership Conversations: Transforming Donations to Disaster Recovery & Resiliency - Part 2
Today's episode is part two of a two-part episode of a Sunspots’ Disaster Partnership Conversation. This episode features Jim Kirk, who serves as the Associate for Disaster Response in the U.S. for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Michelle...
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30:49
Disaster Partnership Conversations: Transforming Donations to Disaster Recovery & Resiliency - Part 1
Today's episode is part one of a two-part episode of a Sunspots’ Disaster Partnership Conversation. This episode features Jim Kirk, who serves as the Associate for Disaster Response in the U.S. for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Michelle...
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35:21
Liminal Space Conversations: Nikki Collins
On this episode of Sunspots, Bridge Interim Synod Leader and Stated Clerk Steve Shive talks with Nikki Collins, the Coordinator for 1001 New Worshiping Communities. Nikki Collins began serving as the Coordinator for 1001 New Worshi...
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27:14
White Privilege Conference Conversation - Part 2
This is part two of a two-part episode of Sunspots, featuring Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., Founder and Executive Director of The Privilege Institute, who talks about the upcoming White Privilege Conference that will be held on April 3-6 in Tulsa, OK. <...
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48:25
White Privilege Conference Conversation - Part 1
On this first of a two part episode of Sunspots, Dr. Eddie Moore Jr., Founder and Executive Director of The Privilege Institute, talks about the upcoming White Privilege Conference that will be held on April 3-6 in Tulsa, OK.
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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38:44
Living in Liminal Space: How is the Diminishing Impact of our Churches and the Death of Many Churches Affecting our Presbyteries and Churches Emotionally and Spiritually
On November 9th, Steve Shive welcomed Fran Hilton Shelton to Liminal Conversations. The focus of the conversation was “How is the Diminishing Impact of our Churches and the Death of many Churches Affecting our Presbyteries and Churches Emotiona...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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57:28
Living in Liminal Space: The Church's Vocation Found in Disaster Resilience
On October 28, Thomas Riggs welcomed fellow staff member Kathy Lee-Cornell, Director of the Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery. The focus of our conversation was "The Church's Vocation Found in Disaster Resilience".You ...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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51:55
Living in Liminal Space: What Christians Can Learn from the Spiritual but Not Religious
On October 12, Thomas Riggs welcomed Mike Clawson to Liminal Conversations. The focus of the conversation was “What Christians can learn from the Spiritual But Not Religious”Mike Clawson is the Administrator for Illuman, a non-profit fou...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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53:54
Disaster Partnership Conversations: Meet Kathy Broyard
How did a radio engineer end up transitioning into a career in disaster ministry? To find out, you’ll have to listen to this Sunspots Disaster Partnership Conversations episode and get to know a very special person named, Kathy Broyard.
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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39:15