Volume 147 August 20, 2026 | | |
Connecting & Informing the Presbytery of Arkansas
August 20, 2026
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We will be launching new tools on our website soon under the Innovation and Incubation Committee (I&I) that will include appreciative inquiry, holy conversations, deepening listening practices as well as some fun and encouraging team building exercises that we hope will be of use to you and your congregations. Please watch for a pre-presbytery workshop with Judi McMillan and Scott Pontier to showcase many of the offerings for congregations going through transitions or conversations about "what's next?" We do want this to be interactive and useful. Once we upload the tools, we will showcase a few tools at a time and how you can use/adapt them for your environment. Stay tuned!!
Peace in Christ,
Judi McMillan
Interim Director of Strategic Planning and Program Launch
((revjudi98@gmail.com) )
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The Nominating Committee continues to work to fill the various roles in the presbytery for the coming year. Nominations are still needed for a few key positions including:
Moderator of the Presbytery 2028 (Vice Moderator in 2027)
2 Committee on Ministry (must be Teaching or Ruling Elder)
2 Coordinating Team (must be Teaching or Ruling Elder)
1 Mission of the Church
2 Innovation and Incubation (must be Teaching or Ruling Elder)
The nomination committee ideally asks for multiple nominees for each position so they can balance geography, age, gender, etc. If someone thinks of multiple people for a role, please nominate them. The committee is always happy to have too many names!
Please use the button below to submit nominations or email kim@presbyark.org AND robertwilliamlowry@gmail.com
| | The Board of Pensions will be hosting their Thrive Seminar at Austin Seminary October 22-23, 2026. This seminar is intended for those pastors who are within 10 years of their 65th birthday. The purpose of this seminar is to help pastors have greater confidence that they are prepared for retirement. The registration for this event closes on October 2, 2026. The seminar requires 20 confirmed attendees before it is on for certain. You can get 50 Call to Health points for participating in Thrive. If you have further questions, feel free to contact Kevin Keaton by email at kkeaton@pensions.org or by phone 215-435-1301. | | |
The 2026 Clergy Compensation Forms are available on the presbytery website. They can be found under About Us/Presbytery Resources/Stated Clerk or by clicking the button below.
This form is intended not only for Ministers of Word and Sacrament, but also for Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs). If you haven't sent in your completed form yet, now is the time! These forms will comply with the denomination requirements and provide valuable information for churches in determining pastor compensation.
Completed forms can be emailed to revbrinegar@gmail.com.
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What is YouthQuake?
It's a weekend for youth (grades 6-12) that is full of games, worship, camp activities, discussions about faith, songs, and small group time—all at our beloved Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center!
Youthquake kicks off at 7pm on Friday, September 18th (make sure to eat dinner before you arrive!) and ends after breakfast and worship at 10am on Sunday, September 20th. The weekend will be filled with fellowship, faith, and fun as youth engage in small groups with people their age, large group worships and keynotes, and recreational activities, such as energizers and Silent Disco! Registration is now open, use the button below to sign up!
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SCRAPCE Annual Fall Event Video
Kristi Button is your connector to events to support educators in the Presbytery of Arkansas. The annual fall gathering of educators for our Synod region is coming up. Click the button below to see a video about the topic so you can begin to make your plans to attend in person or participate virtually. The event is September 29 and 30 at Austin Presbyterian Seminary (or online).
Our smaller region of the larger organization APCE (Association of Partners in Christian Education) is called SCRAPCE- South Central Region of APCE. This group provides resources to support the people who volunteer or work in Christian Education in your congregations.
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Arkansas Presbyterian Pilgrimage weekend is just around the corner. ARPP Weekend #39 is scheduled for September 24 to 27, 2026, at the Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock. The moderator for the weekend will be Patty Barnes from the Presbyterian Kirk of the Pines in Hot Springs Village. Patty has been actively involved in previous weekends and is working diligently in preparation for this event.
The Arkansas Presbyterian Pilgrimage is an opportunity to examine your life experiences, consider how you can use them to draw closer to our Creator, learn useful information, and enjoy new friendships, worship, fellowship, and nature's beauty at Ferncliff.
Registration for the weekend can be completed online at https://www.pilgrimage-arkansas.org/register.php or it can be downloaded, completed, and mailed. The deadline to register is Monday, September 13, 2026. Scholarships are available.
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2026 Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference:
Themed “Doing More in BaltiMORE,” the 2026 conference will be held live at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, Sept. 21-23. To enable broader participation, a virtual attendee registration option is again being offered. Early-bird pricing saves $50 per person off the regular registration rate for in-person attendees.
Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Episcopal Church, and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to ignite generosity in faith-based communities, give practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations, expand the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives, and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission. The 2026 conference will feature an exciting lineup of plenary speakers and preachers:
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Shane Claiborne, activist and bestselling author of “The Irresistible Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical” and other popular works
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Robert Hall, consultant and author of “This Land of Strangers: The Relationship Crisis That Imperils Home, Work, Politics and Faith”
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Bethany Peerbolte, an ordained PC(USA) minister known to many as the “TikTok Pastor”
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The Rt. Rev. Sarah K. Fisher, 9th Bishop of the Diocese of East Carolina, Kinston, North Carolina
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The Rev. Christopher M. Lee, Executive Presbyter, Grace Presbytery , Dallas, Texas.
In addition to experiencing diverse plenary sessions and worship opportunities, on-site conference participants will be able to choose from dozens of workshops. Virtual attendees will be able to attend livestreamed and recorded plenaries and worship, and will also have access to eight workshops, four of which will be available via livestream.
To register or find more information, click the button below.
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The Book of Order requires Leadership Training for elders every three years. More important than the requirement, however, is that Leadership Training provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations within sessions about how churches can create safe, welcoming, and transparent communities.
Our presbytery has been recommending the PRC (Practical Resources for Churches) video series of short video modules on a variety of topics. This year's list includes four new videos as well as suggestions for a number of online webinars. Click here to see the list.
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Stewpot Celebrates 50 Years
It was 50 years ago that Presbyterians started a soup kitchen in downtown Little Rock to offer a hot lunch "to all who enter." This ministry, now supported by multiple churches, has served over 1.2 million meals. Operated for 48 years out of the second floor of First Presbyterian Church in 2024 the ministry relocated to a first floor kitchen in a building it shares with the Salvation Army. Monday to Friday for 50 weeks of the year, meals are assembled by volunteer teams and shared with all who come by. Starting 2027, Stewpot will also serve a monthly meal at Providence Park, the tiny house community offering permanent housing for neighbors who have been chronically unhoused. The worship offering at the Presbytery of Arkansas Stated Meeting on October 2-3 will be donated in honor of Stewpot's 50th anniversary.
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Presbytery of Arkansas Second Annual Arkansas Women’s Book Retreat
The Arkansas Women’s Second Annual Book Retreat will be held at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center on October 13-15, 2026. The retreat is limited to 30 women – reserve your spot early.
Imagine three days nestled among the tall trees at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center – books in hand – with a circle of women who love to read and share just as much as you do. That’s exactly what awaits you at the Second Annual Arkansas Women’s Book Retreat for a midweek getaway you won’t want to miss.
Organized and led by Presbyterian women, this retreat is a gathering of hearts and minds. Whether you’re returning to renew old friendships or arriving for the very first time, you’ll find yourself at home in a warm, welcoming community of fellow readers and women of faith.
Over the course of our time together, we’ll dive into three books thoughtfully chosen by our book selection committee – one theology, one non-fiction, and one fiction – sparking rich conversations that linger long after the pages are turned. We’ll also make space for worship, quiet reflection, and plenty of fun. Come ready to be refreshed – body, mind, and spirit.
We encourage you to share your excitement about attending this retreat with other book-loving women in your congregation. For everyone, your registration is confirmed when the registrar, Candice, has received your form and check. Some financial assistance is available.
Registration & Pricing
Double occupancy (Recommended)- $180, shared room
Single occupancy- $250
We warmly encourage room sharing – it’s one of the best ways to spark the friendships that make this retreat so special!
Register & Contacts
Contact Candice Misenheimer, registrar, 501-749-1934 canmisen@gmail.com
Questions? Reach out to two of our founding retreat organizers:
Liz Branch, treasurer , 501-944-9743 erbranch@comcast.net
Catherine Lowry, 501-960-7676 colowry@gmail.com
Books for 2026:
Fiction: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Non-fiction/historical fiction: The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar
Theology: The Tears of Things: Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage by Richard Rohr
| | | Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery would like to let churches know how we can support our neighbors in South Texas after the July 2026 floods:
Plan A Mission Trip: Mo-Ranch is available to host volunteer groups at a discounted rate, who want to deploy out into Kerrville to support flood clean-up efforts! There is a very high need for muck & gut and debris clean-up volunteer groups! Let Libby Janes know if your church wants to organize a weekend or week-long mission trip to Kerrville and she would be happy to help coordinate with you.
Donate: If your church is looking to donate funds for disaster recovery, two great places are FPC Kerrville (https://www.fpckerrville.org/give): note "Flood Relief Fund" which gives direct support to flood survivors through their case management program. Or Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, designated to DR000191, note 'Texas Floods' (https://pcusa.org/donate/dr000191-disaster-relief-us-flooding).
Pray: Pray for your neighbors in South Texas who continue to recover from losses of life last year, and who are recovering now from new floods that destroyed homes and businesses, especially in Uvalde and Kerrville. Any notes of encouragement and prayers to FPC Uvalde and FPC Kerrville would be deeply appreciated.
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Upcoming Regional Stephen Ministries Learning Event Hosted at Dallas Church Offers Insights for Building a More Caring World
On Saturday, August 29, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Dallas will be hosting a regional, cross-denominational celebration and learning event by Stephen Ministries, the international Christian educational nonprofit best known for the Stephen Ministry system of lay caregiving.
The event, part of Stephen Ministries’ 50th anniversary tour, is open to the general public and features presentations on topics such as grief, what Jesus teaches us about empathy, caring for full-time caregivers, cancer ministry, expanding congregational care through Stephen Ministry, and how churches can help combat the mental health crisis. Stephen Ministries’ founder, Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, and other members of the organization’s teaching faculty will be speaking at the event.
Stephen Ministries was founded in 1975 by Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist. Over the half-century since, the organization’s resources have been used by tens of thousands of congregations worldwide, representing over 190 Christian denominations. Through Stephen Ministry in particular, more than 600,000 people have been trained as lay caregivers, and they in turn have provided care to millions of hurting people.
To mark fifty years of ministry, Stephen Ministries is conducting a nationwide tour of celebration and learning events. The tour began in St. Louis in August 2025 and will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027, with additional stops planned in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, Atlanta, San Diego, and more. The theme of the tour is “Building a More Caring World,” which reflects Stephen Ministries’ vision to help all people care and relate with greater compassion and excellence. In addition, Stephen Ministries is introducing a new initiative for helping congregations combat the mental health crisis.
“We’re so excited to welcome Dr. Haugk and the Stephen Ministries team,” says Micah Miller, senior pastor at Prince of Peace. “Our congregation has used and benefited from their resources for years, and we can’t wait for others in our community and region to learn from their staff’s decades of research and experience.”
The Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event hosted by Prince of Peace Lutheran Church will be held on Saturday, August 29, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. On-site check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. The cost is $15 per person, and a box lunch can be purchased for an additional $12. Spots are limited. For additional details or questions, call the Stephen Ministries office at (314) 428-2600.
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2026 Older Adult Ministry Conference sponsored by POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) will take place September 16-17 in Knoxville, TN. This annual conference will be an inspiring gathering focused on spiritual depth, resilience, and continued fruitfulness—themes that matter deeply for leaders walking alongside older adults through seasons of transition.
| | Grants, Scholarships, Apprenticeships | | |
Preparing to Apply for the World Communion Offering Grant
The PC(USA)’s Grant Management System
We are excited to share more details about the World Communion Offering Grants made possible by your faithful giving to the World Communion Offering. The PC(USA) utilizes an online grant management system to administer grants, and below are a few helpful tips and tricks to make the application process as easy as possible.
If you haven’t used the PC(USA)’s grant management system, Akoya GO, before, you will need to set up an account in order to apply for a grant.
The WCO Grant application is intentionally brief and focused on clarity. It should take about 15 minutes to fill out the grant application online once all required content and responses to questions have been collected.
Required Documents and Other Grant Stipulations
Gather all required documents in advance. You can find the list of required documents on our World Communion Offering Grant FAQs.
Additionally, applicants will agree to:
- Use funds as described in the application
- Share brief stories, images and/or reflections about the project’s impact for reporting and interpretation purposes
For all questions related to the World Communion Grant application, contact Marla Edwards at Marla.Edwards@pcusa.org.
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Faith Formation Resource Grants - The second of two 2026 grants are now available from your Presbytery Resource Team! The purpose of these grants is to provide seed money to support Presbytery of Arkansas congregations and ministries in creatively engaging their faith community in practices of faith formation, Christian education, spiritual growth, and discipleship. These grants of up to $500 are to help you create a new Faith Formational program in your church or community that you otherwise would not have been able to afford to do. Look at the needs around you. Is there a need for a Grief-care or Divorce-care program in your community? Maybe you feel your church would rally around a new men's, women's, or intergenerational program or event. Maybe your church doesn't have children, but it has the man-power to sponsor a community VBS.
Pray, dream, then click below and apply for a Faith Formation Resource Grant by the September 30th deadline!
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From the Office of Christian Formation: Updated Resource Page
Have you been looking for resources from the Office of Christian Formation? Click the button below to see the newly updated resource page listed by topic.
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Robert Williamson has a great podcast on the narrative lectionary that would be worth checking out. He is a Bible scholar and member of our presbytery.
BibleWorm:
https://www.biblewormpodcast.com/
It can be found on all the major platforms, and there is a search feature so folks can find the podcast on the scripture they need even if they aren’t following the narrative lectionary.
| | | | Looking for Podcasts that are Insightful and make you think?
Podcasts are not a passing phase they are a great way to expand your horizons, think about a topic in a different way and best of all, can introduce you to new ideas about God! The PC(USA) offers a number of podcasts for those just sticking a toe into the podcast world. Follow the prompt below for podcasts on everything from "A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast" to "Around the Table".
Interested in a take from other denominations? Check out Luther Seminary's Working Preacher for podcasts and discussions, not sermons, on that week's Revised Common Lectionary Scripture.
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Practical Resources for Churches
The PRC offers practical solutions to real world challenges, help you connect with your church the way you want, and covers a broad spectrum of topics from church growth to individual faith formation. Click on the circle to visit their site resources, and register for the listed upcoming webinars below
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COPM Zoom Meeting Saturday, August 22·10:00-12 pm
- Strategic Plan Meeting Westover Hills in Little Rock August 24 6-9 pm
- CT Zoom Meeting Monday, August 31 4:00 - 5pm
Click here to see the entire Presbytery calendar.
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Save the date! Upcoming meeting for the Presbytery
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The Coordinating and Meeting Planning Teams have met and plans have begun for our fall Presbytery of Arkansas Stated Meeting to be held on October 2-3, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Springdale.
Save the date on your calendars.
Watch for details in future Updates.
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The next update will be published September 3.
Send information for that publication to update@presbyark.org
by Monday, August 31, 2026.
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Presbytery of Arkansas
9221 N. Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-663-2424
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