Update from the Search Committee - As we wind down 2025, the search committee for our new presbytery leadership has been busy reading PDP’s (formerly PIF’s) and reaching out to potential candidates referred to us by friends of the presbytery.

So far, we have reviewed dozens of candidates’ credentials for both positions and sought supplemental material from those we feel may be viable candidates down the road. Currently we are in the process of receiving and reviewing those supplemental materials in hope of having a list of viable candidates for interviews in the first part of the new year.

As we have moved through this process, we have been navigating the same issues facing PNCs on the congregational level; a smaller pool of candidates, the challenge of attracting candidates with the career of a working spouse to consider, prejudgments on living in Arkansas, etc. Nonetheless, we have also had a glimpse into the depth of commitment to Christ’s church that exists in our denomination. We are blessed with many able leaders and leaders-to-be. Our work in the new year is to find the two who can help shepherd the Presbytery of Arkansas into our next chapter.

We are deeply grateful for your prayers and encouragement. We are confident that the Spirit is alive and at work in our work on behalf of our shared ministry.

-TE Robert Wm Lowry on behalf of the committee

A new year is right around the corner. Here are a few reminders:

• Year-End Giving: Churches, please remember to get your 2025 benevolences into the Presbytery office no later than January 9, 2026 to be counted for 2025. Please note if it's for 2025 or 2026 so we can credit accordingly.
• Annual Statistical Reporting - The portal will open for churches to begin filling out their annual statistical reports on January 2 and will close on February 13. It is important that we fill these forms out as they impact the number of commissioners we have to General Assembly and help the denomination form an accurate picture of the landscape of the denomination. If you need your id or your password, please let Kim Palmer know and she can assist you with that.
• The Pentecost and Peacemaking offerings are going away this year. Any donations to those offerings received by us after December 31, 2025 will go to Christmas Joy or World Communion for 2026.
• 2026 prayer list for congregations can be found on presbyark.org under Resources/Presbytery Documents/Stated Clerk/2026 Prayer List for Congregations or by clicking here.
• New 2026 Clerks of Session: if you will have a new clerk in 2026, please let Kim or Julie know so they can keep our directory updated.
• 2026 Presbytery Meeting Dates - Mark Your Calendar! All three meetings will be in-person, March 13-14/U of O Clarksville, June 13/First Conway, October 2-3/First Springdale.

Risk Management & Insurance Roundtable Recap - On Dec 8, Preston Kelso from James Greene Insurance presented a discussion at the presbytery office about the rising cost of church insurance, and ways to address it. Basically, the discussion surrounded ways to mitigate risk, make a congregation look more attractive to an insurance company, and how to prepare for the rising cost of insurance. I want to first address a couple of things which have led to the rising cost of insurance.

Church insurance has been undervalued for years. What once was primarily a way to rebuild a church after a fire, has become a way for some churches to get a new roof. Since 2020 there have been larger and more frequent losses in terms of dollars. Along with this, new risks are popping up where they previously didn’t exist. As changes in weather patterns continue, what once was not a concern for a church in a specific region now is. Preston also addressed events around the world can affect local rates, partly because of the intertwining of insurance companies. So, what can we do? Read more...

A Lent Roundtable Faith Formations Gathering will take place Wednesday, January 14 at 11:30 am, on the presbytery Zoom.

If you are paid staff or a volunteer over Faith Formation for any and all ages, join us to brainstorm ideas making the Lenten season more impactful for your congregation.

If you are rotating new onto this position, please let Julie Price know to add you to her email list.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

Presbytery of Arkansas + Presbytery of the Pines Confirmation Retreat

February 13-15, 2026 @ Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center   



Are you a small church who has a few youth who haven't been through Confirmation? Did COVID or a staff transition interrupt your Confirmation rotation? Do you have youth who would like to connect with others in your Presbytery as they go through your church’s Confirmation process? Well, you are in luck! 

In order to better support our congregations, the Presbytery of Arkansas and the Presbytery of the Pines are offering a joint Confirmation opportunity for youth grades 7-12 for churches throughout our Presbyteries. This Confirmation model is a Retreat weekend; youth will then be confirmed in their own congregations. We will check-in with the individual churches in order to make sure the youth have support as they move through the process.

We will begin the retreat around 7 pm on February 13th and end by noon on February 15th, Register here by February 1st.

Due to the generosity of our ministry partners at Ferncliff, this event is free! 

Questions? Contact Sarah Leer, Transitional Youth and Young Adult Developer (arpres.ateam@gmail.com) or Rev. Julia Farrell (juliapinespres@gmail.com)

Ruling Elders of Presbytery of Arkansas, you are invited to the Ruling Elders in Ministry (REM) event, on February 20-21, at University of the Ozarks in Clarksville!

At this REM gathering we'll be broadly thinking about "The Proclamation of the Gospel", and specifically about proclamation--about how we proclaim as churches, and how that proclamation invites and welcomes folks into our congregations. We'll have the Rev. Lindy Vogado from 2nd Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, to present about welcoming and belonging, on Friday night; and then Saturday, we'll have Town Square Collaborative program assistant, Amanda Demoret, and student intern, Jalissa Hollingsworth, leading a workshop on Social Media 101 for churches, and Rev. Sara Anne Berger, the assistant director of Town Square Collaborative, will lead a workshop about our unique proclamation as individual churches of Jesus Christ.



Registration will open in January, and we hope ruling elders from churches across Arkansas will join us!

International Nonprofit Stephen Ministries Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Launches National Tour - St. Louis, MO—Stephen Ministries, the international nonprofit Christian educational organization based in St. Louis and best known for the Stephen Ministry system of lay caregiving, is celebrating its fiftieth year in ministry with a nationwide 50th Anniversary Tour.

Stephen Ministries began in 1975 when Dr. Kenneth C. Haugk, a pastor and clinical psychologist, trained nine members of his St. Louis congregation as “Stephen Ministers” to assist him in providing emotional and spiritual care to people in the congregation and community. Over the half-century since, Stephen Ministries’ resources have reached tens of thousands of congregations representing over 190 Christian denominations in 31 countries worldwide, as well as organizations such as retirement communities, correctional facilities, hospitals, and college campus ministries. Read more...

APCE 2026 Annual Event - Registration is now open for APCE's Annual conference! This year's event, entitled Bridging the Gap: Love God, Love Self, Love Neighbors, will take place in Fred Roger's neighborhood, Pittsburgh, PA, on January 21-24, 2026. It will feature a number of well known names, such as Rev. Theresa Cho (conference preacher), Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana, and more.

Click here to learn more!

Luminosity Conference, March 9-11 in Orlando. The Presbyterian Foundation’s first-ever Church Leadership Conference is a transformative gathering designed to inspire and equip pastors and church leaders to meet the challenges of today’s world. Centered on innovation, inspiration, and illumination, the conference offers participants the opportunity to explore fresh perspectives, rekindle passion for ministry, and discover new strategies for purposeful leadership. Through dynamic sessions, compelling speakers, and meaningful connections, the Presbyterian Foundation seeks to spark growth and lasting impact that will extend well beyond the event itself.

When Did I See You Hungry? After making calls to our congregations, we noticed that the hunger crisis is reaching epidemic proportions and many of our congregations are taking new and innovative steps in reaching out to their neighbors.

To aid in the work you are doing, the Presbytery’s Disaster Preparedness & Response Subcommittee is requesting churches submit this simple two-part request form for grant funding to address hunger issues in your community.

On the form, request an amount not to exceed $1,000. Suggestions to briefly describe how you will use these funds to help those with food insecurity might be:

• Food pantry at church
• Food Bank
• Hot meals in collaboration with another church
• Food box outside church
• School backpack program or pantry
• Support for furloughed Federal employees
• Gift cards for those requesting assistance

We anticipate awards being made within the next two weeks. Blessings to you for the work that you are doing in your congregations and your communities.

Topical List of Contemporary Songs

In this ongoing series Paul Ryan, Worship Pastor at Calvin University, provides lists of the “top ten” contemporary songs around a particular theme. These songs represent a variety of genres but are all suited for congregations. So far themes covered include Listening, Life, Creation, and Praise.

Check out the right-hand margin on the site to find more resources similiar to this.

FREE Resources for Your Church! Who doesn’t love getting something for free—especially when the budget is stretched thin? We’ve rounded up a fantastic list of online programs and tools your church can use at no cost.



Some resources, like Canva Pro and Google Workspace, simply require proof of 501(c)(3) status. Others are completely free with no strings attached.

Take a look and discover new ways to boost your church’s online presence, streamline your work, and spark creativity—all without spending a dime. Dive in and level up your ministry’s digital game today!