The Presbytery office

will be closed for the holidays from Friday, December 22 through Monday, January 1

An impending new year is often a time of reflection, looking back over the year that is passing and looking forward to a new year that is soon to begin. 2023 began with chaos in the presbytery office. A burst pipe flooded the office right before the year began. Every piece of furniture, every file, every book, every item was boxed and transported to a warehouse for over six months. And in July, almost every item was brought back – in over 1,200 boxes. Many of the boxes and files have been unpacked, but many still remain. The event has greatly impacted the work of the presbytery staff. Read more...

Yearend Giving - We ask that the final checks for 2023 and the first checks for 2024 are clearly marked (either on the check or the remittance form) for which calendar year they should be applied. Some congregations send checks at the beginning of the month and some send at the end of the month. In the office during this time of the year, we typically receive checks for both calendar years at the same time. Thank you for your contributions and helping us with our year-end reports!

Annual Statistical Reports - As the end of the year approaches, so does the request for Annual Statistical Reports. Churches will be able to submit the Church Statistics on Dec. 1, 2023. The last day for churches to submit Statistical reports will be Feb. 8, 2024. If you do not remember your username or your password, you may contact Kim Palmer or Blake Brinegar who can assist you with the needed information. When you are ready to submit your statistics, you can do so by going to Church Statistics Login.



Arkansas Presbyterian Pilgrimage #36 spring weekend dates have been set for April 18 thru 21, 2024 at Ferncliff. Co-Moderators James Burks and Peg David are encouraging all congregations to consider sending some of your church leaders (lay and clergy) who have reached or are close to their “burn-out” to attend a weekend. The results from attending a weekend vary, but generally those who attend are renewed, refreshed, and ready-to-get-busy in their home churches with a revitalized vision of being the hands and feet of Christ. Click here to submit and online application. The deadline to register is April 7, 2024. 



ARPP #36 is partially supported by the Synod of the Sun.

We have had a wonderful 2023 full of Presbytery youth events, and we look forward to 2024 and all it holds for us. We know families and church leaders are already planning their summer camps and trips, therefore, we wanted to give you a 2024 Save the Date to aid in the planning process. We will be sharing more information about each of these events such as registration info, costs, and additional details in mid-January. For now, mark your calendars and get ready for a year full of service, worship, recreation, road trips, and connectional ministry. 

The Presbytery of Arkansas Stories will also continue in 2024, so keep an eye out for those stories and everyone's favorite throwback photos. If you would like to contribute to offsetting the cost of these events and making them more accessible for youth around our state, please consider donating here and giving to  "Montreat," "Jr. High Summer Trip," or "Youth Retreat-Quake, YAP, A-Team, etc."

Happy Advent and thank you for supporting our youth ministry! Sarah

Planning For Our Future. We value the future of the Presbytery of Arkansas, and we are committed to building a sustainable and strategic ministry that is going to have a deep impact; therefore, we want to develop a game plan together and we have invited Ministry Architects to join us in helping to develop this plan. If you have not shared your thoughts in a listening session, we invite you to complete this digital survey. Please complete it by January 22. After spending time in listening groups, and reading survey responses, the Ministry Architects team will write a report, sharing with us what they’ve heard – including assets, challenges – and where it seems that God might be taking us next.

Sign up for Clergy Support Group at Wellspring Renewal Center. Attend virtually or in person. We meet monthly on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. Cost is $60/group, which is often covered by insurance and/or free sessions provided to Presbyterian Clergy, Lay Pastors and Certified Educators through the Presbytery. This group is private and confidential. Typical topics include: stress management and self-care, family systems (Family of Origin and the Congregation), Conflict Management, Personal Challenges, Boundaries, etc. E-mail Rebecca Spooner if you are interested.

Survey for Churches to determine their carbon footprint. Congregations, presbyteries and synods have a new opportunity to help the planet by participating in an effort to reduce the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s carbon footprint. The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) is urging them to take the Energy Use and Carbon Footprint Survey, which is available online and takes just 10 to 15 minutes to fill out once the required material has been gathered. Click here for the survey and more information.

Claim Your Free Resources Today Before They Are Gone! The remaining resources from the Resource Center will stay on the shelves until after the first of the year for you to come peruse and claim for your own. Sometime in January, what is left will be disposed of. Click here to see pictures from several weeks ago. Many of these books are still on the shelves, but be aware that some have been claimed. Contact Julie Price with questions.

The University of the Ozarks received a second Lilly Grant for $966,099 to help establish the Thriving Rural Congregations Program to support rural Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations within the Presbytery of Arkansas. The aim of the initiative is to encourage the flourishing of congregations by helping them deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with each other, and contribute to the vitality of their communities and the world. Click here to read more.