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