I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19

Saturday’s Presbytery meeting at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center was more than just a gathering—it was a joyful, Spirit-filled reminder that we are a people standing on the threshold of something new.

Surrounded by the beauty of creation and the energy of summer just beginning, commissioners and guests came together for a day full of meaningful worship, laughter, connection, and forward-looking ministry. From the first hymn to the closing prayer, the day was infused with a sense of renewal and shared purpose.

The Book of Order now 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.

Our Presbytery's COM has approved these videos as

fulfilling this requirement of the Book of Order.

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. 

Just A Reminder:

• Don't forget that all ordained MWS members of the Presbytery of Arkansas and CREs serving congregations must get their 2025 Compensation reports turned in to Stated Clerk, Blake Brinegar, revbrinegar@gmail.com, ASAP!

• Some of you recently received phishing emails claiming to be from Jim Poinsett. Remember, if something looks suspicious, check that the email address is from jim@presbyark.org.

Rural Ideas Conference at the University of the Ozarks - This summer, Town Square Collaborative will launch the first annual Rural Ideas Conference. This inaugural 3-day event from July 16-18, 2025 is offered free of charge through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment for Religion. It will create a space which focuses exclusively on rural congregations and offers opportunities for leaders and congregants to share opportunities and challenges in a place designed uniquely for them. This ecumenical conference will remind us of our calling to be the Church of Jesus Christ and contextualize that identity in our small towns and rural areas. It will give congregations tools to better engage their communities. It will bring together leaders in rural church thought from around the country.

Politics and the Pulpit - What are the rules and regulations about “political activity” in churches or religious organizations? Is preaching on election topics okay? What about holding a voter registration event or driving folks to the polls? Is there a way to teach your members how to vote, without telling them “how to vote?” Join leaders from Texas Impact for a practical, action-oriented conversation about ways churches can play a role in democracy, without risking their nonprofit status or their credibility. Learn about the “Faith Votes” model, find toolkits and resources, hear stories of successful faith-based democracy-strengthening programs…and make your plan to step into the public square with confidence! Leaders for all states and contexts are encouraged to attend.

This roundtable is co-sponsored by Grace Presbytery and NEXT Church.

Tuesday, June 10 @ 6:30pm 

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.

Free, In-Person 1001 NWC accelerator is a training for leaders in the initial stages of starting a new worshiping community.

This program, held August 18-21 in Federal Way, WA, is facilitated by seasoned leaders who have a depth and breadth of wisdom and experience. Topics include creating and communicating your vision, sustainability, theological themes, measuring impact, building teams, developing leaders, and more.

One of the best outcomes of this program is becoming a part of a network of like-minded, creative leaders. Please contact the 1001 Associate for Training, Rev. Jeya So jeya.so@pcusa.org with any questions and concerns.

The Upside of Conflict: How Disagreement Can Fuel Growth, Trust, and Innovation - Many leaders long for peace — in their teams, their congregations, and their own hearts. But what if avoiding conflict is keeping us from the very growth God invites us into?

Join your friends at The Colossian Forum for a timely and hope-filled conversation on how engaging conflict with wisdom can lead to transformation.

🗓️ The webinar will take place on June 12 from 11:00 – 11:45 PM.

Faith Formation Resource 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 to learn more and apply for a Faith Formation Resource Grant by the June 30th deadline!

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!

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.

Presbyterian Night at The Travelers Game! On May 30th, the Friday night before the presbytery meeting at Ferncliff, 123 Presbyterians gathered at Dickey-Stephens ballpark in North Little Rock for dinner, a travelers baseball game and fireworks.

Much fun and laughter was had by all, old friends reconnected and new friendships began.

A New Day is Dawning For Veterinary Training in Arkansas! Join us as we break ground on the Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, June 12 at 10:00 am at I-57, exit 21, 300 Champions Dr. in Cabot.

This is more than a groundbreaking, it's the start of something big for Arkansas, for animals, for the future of veterinary medicine. Lyon College is a Presbyterian college supported by the Presbytery of Arkansas. For more information, contact communications@lyon.edu.

Rev. Cindy Saul is leaving Arkansas and she is giving away her pastor library. She has 10 boxes of books in excellent condition including commentaries, theology, pastoral care, and congregational development.

If you are interested or have questions, contact Cindy at 870-421-0881 or at cindysaul@gmail.com. Pick up in Mountain Home in June. 

Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery (SPDR): Is Your Church Ready? Recently, SPDR and leaders of Mission Presbytery gathered for a webinar and conversation around Church Disaster Readiness. You can watch this discussion and consider steps your congregation can take today as we approach Hurricane Season.

Christen Kinard is offering a new series of live, stand alone, online classes this summer. Each one is designed to address the conversations she's had most often with clients and colleagues this year—real-world challenges with practical solutions.

All classes are 90 minutes, offered Thursdays from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, and cost $45 per church or organization. You’re welcome to register for just one or all six. Every session will be recorded and shared with all registrants—so you can join live or watch on your own schedule.

Roots & Wings s a five-year grant awarded to Virginia Theological Seminary by Lilly Endowment, Inc. through the organization’s Nurturing Children in Worship and Prayer Initiative. Their leadership team has chosen to focus our work on empowering congregations to practice vibrant intergenerational worship because they believe that a worshipping assembly incarnates the fullness of the body of Christ when all bodies across all ages participate together.

Through their website, Building Faith,they share ideas, resources, and research findings.