Mend with Jodi Spargur

What does it mean to repair something that has been broken? Where do we begin when the harm is larger than any one of us? And what if reconciliation is less about finding the right answer and more about learning how to be in right relationship? In this opening episode of Season 8, we welcome Jodi Spargur to Rector’s Cupboard to talk about her book, Mend: An Invitation from Jesus to Return to Land-Based Repair. This conversation was recorded earlier this summer as part of a live outdoor gathering. Jodi invites us into a conversation about relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the legacy of colonization, and the difficult but necessary work of repair. What does it mean to move beyond guilt, defensiveness, or the desire to simply “fix” something? How might we learn to listen, receive, and participate in the long work of mending? We also talk about faith, land, community, and the ways hopeful theology might help us approach difficult conversations—not by pretending that the harm isn't real, but by believing that repair and new relationships are possible. It's a thoughtful and hopeful conversation about learning to stay present, take responsibility, and ask what it might mean to move toward one another. We hope you enjoy the conversation. References We referred to a lot of things this episode. Here are the links relevant to our conversation with Jodi: Bear Barnetson, Mend cover artist, check out Bear’s work on Instagram (@sus_cho_art) Red Clover The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada You can find out more information and register for our 2026 Fall Conference here. If you'd like to listen to past episodes with all of our conference presenters you can find them here: André Gagné “Charismatic Christianity and American Politics with Dr. André Gagné” – September 12, 2025 Angela Reitsma Bick “Blessed are the Undone with Angela Reitsma Bick” – June 27, 2025 Ken Best “I Get to Be Alive with Ken Best” – June 19, 2026 David Goa Episodes (there are lots) “Revival and Reflection, a Conversation with David Goa” – January 9, 2026 “Hope Instead of Fundamentalism with David Goa” 3 Part Series, June 2025 “The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with David Goa” – April 26, 2024 “A Visit with David Goa” – February 16, 2024 “Inquisition and Hopeful Theology; A Conversation about Ivan Illich with David Goa” – June 10, 2022 “The Church In-Between Times: A Conversation with David Goa” 7 Part Series – January 2022 “Sunny Boy with David Goa” December 4, 2020 “Most People are Better than their Theology with David Goa” – January 30, 2020 Susan Alexander “Poetry, Loss, and Hope with Susan Alexander” – February 26, 2021