Strategic Plan and Program Launch Update: 

In the past few weeks I’ve been working on the updates to the 2024 Strategic Plan with a redraft so committees can easily find their work/goals in the same document. The Innovation and Incubation Committee has the bulk of these goals; however, many other committees are working on their own. In listening to the leadership, it was also clear the Coordinating Team has some goals to work on as well.

Once the leadership of the presbytery gets together to solidify these goals at an August 24th mini-retreat with Ministry Architects, we will get this to you for approval as part of the October 2-3, 2026 presbytery meeting.  

One important insight into this work is the ownership that is needed for the strategic plan. This is something which will continue to evolve as the presbytery changes and grows our mission of: 

Inspiring and connecting congregations, equipping people of every generation to respond to God’s call, and fostering innovative expressions of ministry in a changing world.

The plan is for the leadership of committees along with staff and the entire Innovation and Incubation Committee to meet annually to revise the goals and present at every October meeting for presbytery conversation and buy-in. We need new ideas to continue to foster collaborative ministry which enlivens every part of our presbytery.  

Be on the lookout for new workshops, resources, and ways we as a presbytery can support our congregations and ministries.  

Again, if you have any questions about this work or have ideas to share please don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I’m here to listen and collaborate with you.  

Peace in Christ,  

Judi McMillan 

Interim Director of Strategic Planning and Program Launch

(revjudi98@gmail.com) 

The General Assembly accomplished a lot of work at the recent meeting in Milwaukee, WI. In this installment of updates from GA, I thought I would begin with some of the issues which seemed to make headlines outside of Milwaukee. There were lots of items of business addressed by the general assembly. From approving minutes of committees and synods, to approving seminary presidents, and approving new presidents at the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Foundation, and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. The assembly addressed the termination of world mission co-workers and tried to get “factual” explanations of what happened, and how the workers were informed of the decision. There was a lot of discussion pertaining to the restricted mission funds and ensuring those funds are only used in accordance with donor intentions. Several issues got more attention than others. Click here to see how I have addressed some of the more widely followed pieces of business.  

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.

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!

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.

Installation Service for Rev. Sharon Rees 

The Presbytery of Arkansas invites you to a Service of Installation for Rev. Sharon Rees of First Presbyterian Church in Jonesboro. The service will take place on Sunday, August 23 at 3 p.m., with a reception following. This service is a formal recognition of the leadership of Rev. Rees for the congregation at First Presbyterian Church-Jonesboro. It is a celebration of the opportunity to work together for the glory of God. Join us for this Holy Spirit-filled event! 

Rev. Jeff Kane Installed at Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines 

Members of the Presbytery of Arkansas joined the congregation of Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines in Hot Springs Village on Sunday, July 26, to celebrate the installation of Rev. Jeff Kane as pastor. Clergy colleagues, ruling elders, family, and friends gathered for the joyful service of worship. The Presbytery extends its congratulations to Rev. Kane and the congregation, with prayers for God's blessings as they begin their ministry together. 

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. 

World Communion Offering Grant Information

If you are a council of the church (session, presbytery, or synod) doing reconciliation ministry around racial justice, gender justice, peacemaking, global witness or ecumenical/interfaith relations may apply for a grant, even if you don’t receive the World Communion Offering.



Grant Timeline

Applications open: September 7, 2026

Application close: January 15, 2027

Award notification: March 2027

Grant Applications

Applications will use the PC(USA) grant management system and should take about 15 minutes to complete if you have the required documentation. Read the list of required documentation in the FAQs on our website.

You will need to create a username and password to access the PC(USA)’s grant management system to apply. More information about the application process will follow. 

Grant Awards

Grant recipients will be eligible to receive $500-$1000 and will be notified in March 2027. All grant funds, once received, are expected to be used within the next 12 months. 

Where to learn more about the World Communion Offering Grants

Make sure you update your preferences and check the box labeled World Communion Offering grants to receive the most up-to-date information and resources regarding the grants. 

Faith Formation Resource Grants - The first of two 2026 grants are now available from your Presbytery Resource Team! The purpose of these grants are 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 for a Faith Formation Resource Grant by the  September 30th deadline!

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.

Save the date! Upcoming meetings for the Presbytery

• 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.
• Innovation & Incubation Committee planning first Webinar August 20

Watch for details in future Updates.