Sunspots

On this episode, we talk with Nanette Cagney, Commissioned Lay Pastor at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Lake Charles, LA. In the past 12 months, Lake Charles has endured three hurricanes (two direct hits), COVID, and then a paralyzing ice storm. Through it all, St. Andrew Church has been a community leader, forming partnerships to help the city's most vulnerable, while operating wherever they can and also repairing uninhabitable homes and buildings. Nanette also talks about the future of the Commissioned Pastors Network of the Synod and future plans of previously cancelled events.

http://www.standrewpres.com

https://www.synodsun.org/commissioned-pastors

On this episode of SunSpots, we hear a "Good News Story" about how two students from Lyon College who participated in a border ministry event responded by dedicating their lives to serving others

Today we're talking about the work of the synod Network for Dismantling Racism with Kristy Rodgers, Natarsha Sanders, Rev. Kyle Walker.

Website: www.N4DR.org
Facebook: here
Twitter: @N4DR_AntiRacist

Find Natarsha Sanders at Centering the Sacred

A visit with Lisa Almon, Moderator of HMMN, and Rev. Jesse Gonzalez, Secretary, about the work and future of HMMN.

The Hispanic Ministries Mission Network (HMMN) is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) recognized as a Network of the Synod of the Sun to promote the development of a strong community among the Hispanic/Latino churches and people withing the bounds of the Synod of the Sun and its 11 Presbyteries / La Red de Ministerios Hispanos de Misión (HMMN) es parte de la Iglesia Presbiteriana (USA) reconocida como Red de Misión del Sínodo del Sol para promover una comunidad fuerte entre las Iglesias y el pueblo Hispano/Latino dentro de los límites del Sínodo del Sol y sus 11 Presbiterios.

Find HMMN on Facebook.
Find HMMN on the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary website. 

A conversation with Presbytery leaders after the events of January 6th, 2021. 
Guests are
Rev. Hailey Malcolm, Pastoral Presbyter in Tres Rios Presbytery
Rev. Dr. Charlie Smith, Interim Presbytery Pastor in Indian Nations Presbytery
Rev. Lynne Hargrove, General Presbyter in Presbytery of New Covenant

What does it look like to be in relationship with people that we clearly don’t agree with – how do we hold on to, or even build relationships that aren’t dependent upon listening defined as “agreeing with” someone on the issues. 

How can mid-council leaders help facilitate conversations?
We didn't come up with any answers. . . but we'll keep talking!

Martha Kinard, President of the Board for NEW Day, discusses how this ministry - to feed the transitional youth of Arlington, TX - started out of Grace Presbyterian Church of Arlington, TX; how partnerships with other churches developed; and how much there is yet to be done. 

www.newdayarlington.org

Martha Kinard, Ruling Elder
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: newdayarlington
Twitter: @newdayarlington
(682) 238-0338

Rev. Elana Keppel Levy  and Rev. Lucus Levy Keppel are co-pastors of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Bixby, OK.

Partners in life and in ministry, they both have a background in theatre and a passion for making the gospel come to life. Read "Keeping it Light", the story of a collaboration of pastors from all over the country to create an 18-minute video retelling of the Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids (Matt. 25: 1-13)

Check out SoMuchBible for Elana's offerings of resources like plays, music, word studies and lessons. 

Tim began his career in Los Angeles, California in Nonprofit Management and Fundraising, but eventually felt called to pastoral ministry and moved to Austin, Texas to study at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. After graduating Tim wanted to return to the border and found a church in El Paso, Texas where he is co-pastor at University Presbyterian Church.
Tim is a board member and partner in ministry with Pasos de Fe, a community center, shelter and fluid mission in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

Follow Pasos de Fe on Facebook here.

Donations  should be directed with a note about the gift going to Pasos de Fe y Esperanza and sent to:
Tres Rios Presbytery
1201 W Wall St
Midland, TX 79701

Rev. Tim Gray, Co-Pastor
University Presbyterian Church
Mobile: 915-308-3781
[email protected]
www.upcelp.org

Tim is a seventh generation Michigander who moved to the great State of Texas a quarter century ago shortly after marrying an eighth generation Texan. 

He and Cynthia met at Louisville Seminary and have almost finished raising three kids. He received his doctorate in mission from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. All of his pastorates have been in Texas - from the Rio Grande to the Metroplex and Northeast Texas and now at St. Paul Presbyterian Church in San Angelo for 13 years next March. 

St. Paul has been deeply involved in community ministry for decades, starting the homeless programs, the first 12 step and drug treatment programs in the Concho valley, resettling four waves of refugees, and feeding the community for more than 30 years.

A "Good News" about an unlikely but timely relationship in times of natural disaster, written by Rev. Matt Curry.
See  more stories here, or at www.synodsun.org