Sunspots

On this edition of Sunspots, we listen in on a conversation between Kristy Rodgers, 2022 Moderator of the Synod of the Sun and Brian Ellison, Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians.  As they talk about the upcoming Covenant Conversation to be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City on August 27th, they dig into the welcome that LGBTQIA+ persons likely don’t fe...

In light of the recent decision by the SCOTUS overturning Roe v Wade, guest host Rev. Elizabeth Brinegar talks with Rev. Natarsha Sanders and Rev. Sarah Leer about recognizing the thread of bondage that’s existed since the beginning of our nation. In understanding that "if you are not practicing your theology, you're not actually studying God", we are called to recognize the ‘long g...

On this episode of Sunspots, we proudly and officially welcome Rev. Kathy Lee-Cornell as the Director of the Synod Partnership for Disaster Response. Valerie interviews Kathy about her dreams for this new position and how she'll bring her experience as a pastor, social worker, and disaster site coordinator to this new position. You can read the full press release of her announcement HERE .

On this week’s episode of SunSpots, we’re going back to January of this year and we’re gonna listen to a Meditation presented by Synod Leader/Stated Clerk Valerie Young at the Called Synod Meeting. At this meeting, the Synod voted to become a partner in the Synod of the Sun Partnership for Disaster Recovery, or SPDR. Valerie talks about how the SPDR and its Director will be a resource for churches...

In part three of their continuing conversation, Sarah Leer, Natarsha Sanders, and guest host Elizabeth Brinegar explore the tension of when to be silent and when to use your voice. Using Proverbs 21:23 as a touchpoint, they talk about the how and when of speak out and when to listen deeply. Find their previous conversations, entitled The Educated Life and We Belong to Each Other, on your podcast a...

On this episode of Sunspots, we brought together Zoë Garry and Ezequiel Herrera, both of whom lead New Worshipping Communities in very different settings in the Synod of the Sun. Zoë Garry is the Director of NOLA Wesley, an affirming campus ministry for the students of Tulane and Loyola Universities in New Orleans, which includes The Labyrinth, a pay-as-you-are-able coffee shop. Ezequiel Herrera i...

This week's episode is a collection of poetry readings from her extensive collection of poems by Christianne Chase and musical adaptations of hymns and songs by pianist Brett N Wilenzick, both Ruling Elders from Cimarron Presbytery.   Please enjoy this inspirational and entertaining podcast from your friends at Sunspots!

Have you ever wondered about discernment—what it is and how to do it? Wondering what God is saying you today? Join Rev. Michael Vinson, a Teaching Elder in the Presbytery of Arkansas, and guest host Elizabeth Brinegar as they explore the themes of spiritual discernment and health.

What’s does it mean to belong to one another? Does it mean to invite someone or does it mean something more?  Join Sarah Leer, Natarsha Sanders, and guest host Elizabeth Brinegar as they explore these themes and more in part two of their conversation on the latest episode of Sunspots. Find their previous conversation, entitled The Educated Life , on your podcast application or go here to learn mor...

On this special episode of Sunspots, Synod Leader and Stated Clerk Valerie Young sits down with Rev. Rich Schempp, H.R. and former Executive Presbyter of Palo Duro Presbytery. Rich and his wife Carol have been Mission Co-workers at NOROC (New Opportunities for Romanian Orphan Children) in Tulcea, Romania. Because Tulcea is located on the Danube Delta, near the border with Ukraine, NOROC has been i...

On this episode of Sunspots, guest host Elizabeth Brinegar sits down with Sarah Leer and Natarsha Sanders to talk about our identity as honest and authentic children of God through the lens of Christian Education.

This week's episode is a Christmas gift of a Christmas poetry reading from her extensive collection of Christmas poems by Christianne Chase and musical adaptations of Christmas songs by pianist Brett N Wilenzick, both Ruling Elders at First Presbyterian Church in Enid, OK.   Please enjoy this inspirational and entertaining podcast from your friends at Sunspots!

Today, we’re talking with the Rev. Dr. Leah R. Hrachovec and her nine year old daughter Nora. They’re going to tell us a story about the children’s and youth program at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, OK.  Specifically, we’ll hear about Nora’s project with RIP Medical Debt, a project to eliminate medical debt in Oklahoma.     https://ripmedicaldebt.org https://www.stillwaterfpc.org

Today, we’re speaking with General Presbyter Rev. Stewart Smith from the Presbytery of Arkansas. Stewart is a lifelong Presbyterian who was born as a preacher’s kid in Charlotte, NC. He moved to Arkansas in the first grade and grew up in the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Forest City.  He graduated from Trinity University and after several years of work with Diamond Shamrock, he experience...

This podcast is a follow-up to our first podcast about the folks of the Presbytery of South Louisiana after Hurricane Ida. In that first podcast, Interim General Presbyter Richard Williams travelled to New Orleans over Labor Day weekend and interviewed some of the Presbyterians who are doing the work of helping their neighbors while also dealing with their own issues. In this follow-up podcast, Ri...

On this episode of Sunspots, Valerie sits down with Tim Blodgett, the General Presbyter for Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery. They talk about his role as GP (side note…he’s not Bishop), his learning about when to enter situations with churches, and how some really good things have come from the pandemic. They also talk about the Native American churches in Eastern Oklahoma and the Presbytery’s efforts...

This is a special episode of the Sunspots podcast, following up on what has happened in the Presbytery of South Louisiana after Hurricane Ida made landfall there.  Interim General Presbyter Richard Williams traveled to New Orleans over Labor Day weekend, to interview the faithful Presbyterians who are responding to their local communities in the aftermath of the hurricane. Not only did he find the...

On this episode of Sunspots, we talk with Lynn Hargrove, the General Presbyter and the Stated Clerk for administrative process for the Presbytery of New Covenant. Lynn has a rich history with and respect for the people of Southeast Texas… and it shows. Being on the Gulf of Mexico means there are natural disasters aplenty. We talk about some of that as well as expectations of pastors, that hot topi...

Valerie catches up with the Rev. Sallie Watson, General Presbyter to Mission Presbytery. Recorded before the Delta Variant gained speed - Sallie talks about what those adaptive churches are doing now, and what they'll need to continue to do and be. https://www.mission-presbytery.org/

We wanted to release this as a bonus episode, because it is a timely and important message. Valerie visits with the Rev. Carol Waters, part-time pastor, Spiritual Director, and Director of Chaplaincy for Graduate Theological Foundation. https://www.wovenokc.com/ https://gtfeducation.org/

On this episode of SunSpots, Valerie talks with the Rev. Charlie Smith, the Interim Presbytery Pastor for Indian Nations Presbytery. As a second career pastor, Charlie has served congregations all over the country. They talk about the difference between congregational and mid-council ministry, their Enneagram numbers, and some of the most exciting things coming out of central Oklahoma. For Valerie...

Valerie talks with the Rev. Scott Campbell, Executive Presbyter of Palo Duro Presbytery. Scott answered the call to ministry after a successful career in Human Resources. He has served as the pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Lubbock for 10 years, just down the hall from the presbytery office, where he now serves as the Executive Presbyter for Palo Duro Presbytery, all this WHILE working on h...

In this edition of SunSpots, we’re going back to November 14th of last year when the Network for Dismantling Racism hosted a conversation with activist, public theologian, and author Christena Cleveland, Ph. D. Today’s episode is from the afternoon session with Christena where she reflected on how the Church has responded (or not responded) to events like the Tulsa Race Massacre and what the Churc...

In this edition of SunSpots, we’re going back to November 14th of last year when the Network for Dismantling Racism hosted a conversation with activist, public theologian, and author Christena Cleveland, Ph. D. Today’s episode is from the afternoon session with Christena where she reflected on how the Church has responded (or not responded) to events like the Tulsa Race Massacre and what the Churc...

Today we visit with Tim Huchton the new President & CEO of Mo Ranch. https://www.moranch.org/ https://www.facebook.com/PresbyMoRanch tbhuchton@moranch.com