“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake...though its waters roar and foam...” Psalm 46:1–2 (NRSV)

Dear friends in Christ,

Like so many of you, my heart is heavy in the wake of the tragic flooding that struck the Texas Hill Country in the early morning hours of July 4. The loss is staggering—more than 100 people, including 28 children, have been confirmed dead, and at least 160 others remain missing. While this disaster did not occur within our bounds here in Arkansas, I know that many of us feel a personal connection to the region and to those who are suffering.

Many in our Presbytery have cherished memories of time spent at Mo-Ranch, the beloved Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center nestled in the heart of the Hill Country. It is a sacred place for so many, where faith has deepened, friendships have grown, and lives have been transformed. For those who have walked those trails, swam in that river, and sung around those campfires, this news hits close to home. We may know people who live in the affected areas, who have lost loved ones, or who are still waiting for news of those missing. Continue Reading...

The Book of Order requires Boundary Training for members of church sessions at least every three years. More important than the requirement, however, is that Boundary Training provides an opportunity for meaningful conversations within sessions about how churches can create safe, welcoming, and transparent communities.



The PRC (Practical Resources for Churches) has created a series of free and short (no more than 15 minutes) video modules on a variety of topics that, together, fulfill a session's Boundary Training requirement and open the door to discussion. The link to these videos can also be found at the bottom of the homepage at presbyark.org.

Help Shape the Future of Our Presbytery - The Nominations Committee is prayerfully at work, shaping the 2025 leadership teams and beginning the search for a new class of committee members. This is a season of possibility, and maybe—just maybe—you're feeling a nudge to be part of something meaningful.

Is God calling you to serve? Or do you know someone in your congregation whose gifts and spirit would be a blessing to our presbytery? Take a moment to look around—who among you has a heart for ministry, leadership, or connection? Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant presbytery. It starts with people like you. 

Want to be more involved in leadership and the Presbytery's youth ministry? Apply to be part of the Youth A-Team! 

The A-Team provides an opportunity for youth (grades 9-12) and adults to help plan events and take on a leadership role in shaping the Presbytery's youth ministry. In the Presbytery of Arkansas, youth ministry is a place where youth and adults learn more about their faith together, while treating each other with respect and kindness. We believe that God's grace and love is abundant and we hope your youth will want to be part of the journey ahead! Applications are due October 15th. For more info contact Sarah Leer (arpres.ateam@gmail.com) 

and check out the application here! 

The Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Women's (PW) Gathering is now accepting registrations!

When: July 24 - 26

Where: First United Presbyterian Church, Fayetteville.

Click below for the schedule and registration.

Austin Seminary is offering two in-person Preaching Workshops on August 29 and 30th. You may register for one or both workshops.

• Preaching from the Heart in Conflicted Times: Comfort the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable will be led by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel, Associate Professor at Austin Friday, August 29 from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM in Wright Hall. Lunch is included. Register Here.

• Show, Don't (Just) Tell! Fiction Writing Strategies for Sermons will be led by Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie, Professor of Preaching & Worship at the Perkins Center for Preaching Excellence at SMU on Saturday, August 30th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Wright Hall. It's free and open to all preachers - new and seasoned, lay and ordained. The workshop will be based on insights from Dr. McKenzie’s book Making a Scene in the Pulpit: Vivid Preaching for Visual Listeners and Novel Preaching: Tips from Top Writers on Crafting Creative Sermons. Participants will need to read the book to be prepared for the workshop. Lunch is also included as part of the workshop. Register Here.

The next Arkansas Pilgrimage will take place September 4-7 at Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center. Presbyterian Pilgrimage is a purposefully designed program for supporting individual faith renewal and growth. Pilgrimage is a short course in living the Christian faith and is designed to provide a framework for living as Christians in the local church and the world. It is a three-day weekend retreat filled with short talks, music, fellowship, small group discussions and much more. Weekends are led by lay men and women, with the participation and spiritual guidance of ordained Presbyterian Teaching Elders.

NEW DOLLARS/NEW PARTNERS is a training program to provide resources to help congregations manage and make the most of their buildings, form new relationships in their communities, and raise funds from new sources. The program is intended for congregational teams, including one clergy person and two or three lay leaders. All team members participate in a combination of virtual and in-person sessions. A new national cohort will run from September to November 2025, with two online sessions and a full day in-person session in Philadelphia, PA.

Calling All 1001 NWC Leaders - On October 13 - 16, 2025, 1001 NWC invites you to rest and renew at their national gathering in Estes Park, CO. Let the beauty of the mountains inspire you. Let times of worship renew you. Let the time spent with your friends in this movement encourage you. Believing that the best resource in 1001 is each other, they have created a schedule that balances resources and allows for rest and renewal, as well as collaboration and fellowship.

Presbyterian Older Adults Ministry Network Conference – On September 17 - 19, 2025 in Boulder, CO, join ministry leaders, chaplains, and lay leaders for fresh insights on older adult ministry. Be inspired by new ideas and leave equipped to deepen your spiritual connection while serving older adults in your community. The workshops will address the evolving challenges faced by older adults and caregivers.

Read this article and learn more!



Apply for a scholarship to attend by July 16th!

Mission of The Church Grants - The deadline for this year's second round of MOC grants is Tuesday, July 15. Dream big about the mission work your church/Presbyterian organization might undertake this year and let the MOC help you realize your dream by awarding you a grant of up to $1,500.

Click below for information about registering. Direct questions to committee moderator, Peg Falls-Corbitt and click below to learn more and apply for the grant by the July 15 deadline!

Opportunities in Older Adult Ministry Grants - If you are looking for funding to jump start a new older adult ministry or to strengthen an existing activity, POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) members are invited to apply for funds from their Opportunities in Older Adult Ministry Grants.

These $250 to $500 grants are designed to offer POAMN members an opportunity to initiate and build new older adult ministries, to re-imagine and re-shape existing programs, or to be innovative and experimental. Funds may be applied to a single event like a workshop or a recurring activity.

The Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions seeks to help members when they need it - so that together we, and our communities, can thrive. This is part of the BOP's holistic commitment to supporting those who serve the Church, so that every member is empowered to bring their fullest, most vibrant gifts to the ministries they serve. 

Your congregations’ ministers and staff may be eligible for a number of grants, each designed to support members’ holistic well-being. Grants for things like adoptions, housing suppliments, minister debt relief, and more are described in the link below.

PRC, Practical Resources for Churches, has something new for you this summer- a little video series called Use It Up! No frills, no budget, practical ways to reach into your supply closet and repurpose those random items that never seem to get used. Old washable paint, random foam stickers, faded construction paper, battered googly eyes- see how Elizabeth Christie uses them in ministry. Watch the first episode here or click the button below to see where the whole playlist will drop.

Church Insurance: What's At Risk? Kathy Lee-Cornell, the Synod's Disaster Relief Director, has written a very helpful article to help churches navigate the challenges many are now facing as insurance coverage becomes more difficult to maintain, let alone afford.

The article contains a list of Kathy's recommendations as well as links to the Presbytery of South Louisiana's (PSL) recent slide presentation on “Church Insurance Guidance and their insurance guide handout.