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.

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. 

Calling all literacy champions! This fall, AR Kids Read is recruiting dedicated volunteer tutors to help students in grades 1st-3rd learn to read with confidence. Tutors commit just one hour a week (October–April), paired with the same two students in personalized sessions. No teaching experience is required. We provide the training and easy to follow lesson materials, activities, and books. You provide the time and mentorship that makes literacy come alive and young readers will thrive.Reach us by email at info@arkidsread.org or by phone at 501-244-2661.

Get Set: Start The New Programming Year Strong! Join children & family ministries, Elizabeth Christie in a PRC webinar as she chats about all the behind-the-scenes prep she does in the summer so she can hit the ground running come the end of August.

You'll look back at the last year to:

• assess what the strengths, needs, and wants are for your people, talk about how to structure and staff ministries so you meet and exceed best practices in child protection policies
• learn how to choose your curriculum and resources based on the data you already have (even if you didn't know you have that data)
• start an inventory of your physical, financial, and human resources
• and learn how to build in practices throughout the year so you do not burn out.

Participate live on June 19 at 1:00 PM or watch later on demand.

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.

Godly Play Virtual Summit - Join this one-day virtual summit on August 27.

The time together will feature:

• A Foundation Address from International Chair Jorge Sierra Candela and Executive Director Heather Ingersoll
• Two Story Circles
• 12 Workshops
• 3 Q & A sessions with trainers from around the globe
• 1 Social Hour to connect with other practitioners

The summit will feature a mix of presentations and live discussion. Live workshops will not be recorded. All registrants will have access to pre-recorded presentations for days following the summit.

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.

Electrify Everything! It is more crucial than ever to find ways to stop burning fossil fuels. We can do this by fully electrifying our homes, churches, and transportation. In this webinar, the Rev. Dr. Trisha Tull, a certified Electric Coach, will introduce the ins and outs of electrification and the benefits available for doing so.

Join the free webinar on Thursday, July 10 at 6:30 pm.

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.



Apply for a scholarship to attend by July 16th!

First Presbyterian of Bentonville invites applications for the position of organist/accompanist. This is a part-time position with an expected 8 to 10 hour per week commitment. Responsibilities include serving as the principal service musician, accompanying the choir and other ensembles as appropriate, and serving as primary organist/pianist for weddings and funerals. Ideally, the candidate will have organ proficiency and a strong keyboard background in various musical styles, and experience accompanying ensembles and musically supporting traditional worship services. This position works in collaboration with the Director of Music Ministry. Potential start date to be mutually negotiated, but preferably Summer or early Fall, 2025. Salary range is negotiable, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please send expressions of interest to the Director of Music Ministry, Daniel Fry, at dfry@fpcbentonville.org, or to the Chair of the Personnel Committee, Gary Smyth, at garylp07@yahoo.com. 

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!

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.

MWS Jim Freeman’s Installation service took place Sunday, May 18 at First Presbyterian in Batesville. His installation commission, from left to right, RE Barbara Callaway, Christian Educator Emeritus of Broadmoor PC, Shreveport, guest of the commission. IGP/MWS Jim Poinsette (guest), RE David Stricklin, Gerri Colman, RE and clerk, FPC Batesville, MWS Rebecca Spooner Baker, MWS Jim Freeman, MWS David Reed, MWS Ruskin Falls, RE Mike Szabo who moderated the commission, and MWS Sara Anne Berger.

We welcome Jim back to the Presbytery of Arkansas!

Presbyterian Night at The Naturals Game! On Wednesday evening, June 4th, Presbyterians gathered at the Arvest ballpark in Springdale to watch the NWA Naturals play the Wichita Wind Surge.

Participants enjoyed $1 hotdogs and many joined the Presbyterian choir led by Bentonville choir director, Dan Fry, in singing the National Anthem to kick off the game.

Click here to listen to the choir!

Montreat Youth Trip Recap - On Saturday, June 7th, vans were loaded up with 19 youth and 4 adults from the Presbytery of Arkansas heading for the hills of North Carolina to attend the Montreat High School Conference. Throughout the week, youth learned about where God is as they move from darkness into light. They sang songs, engaged in worship, and spent time in the beauty of the mountains. The Arkansas group enjoyed hiking the Lookout trail, rock-hopping, eating ice cream at The Huck, and spending time exploring Black Mountain.

Throughout the week the youth were reminded that God meets us where we're at, walks with us through the good and hard parts of our lives, and loves us as our truest most authentic selves. They ended their time together with a candlelight service where they were reminded that the light of Christ would go with them into the world as they left the mountain top.

The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Arkansas Presbyterian Cursillo/Pilgrimage was held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. This celebration was an opportunity for all Pilgrims to come together to celebrate this historic milestone. Attendance for the day’s event totaled 58, of which 54 were Pilgrims and 4 were guests. The 54 represented 33 attendees at their specific weekend. A slideshow of the day's event has been produced and can be viewed using this link. The next Pilgrimage is scheduled for September 4-7, 2025 at Ferncliff. Applications for the weekend can be found using this link along with other information.

Creation Care Summer Resources - Get ready to explore the wonders of God’s creation with a trio of playful and engaging resources—perfect for kids and the young at heart! This article includes three downloadable files packed with outdoor activities that invite discovery, curiosity, and a deeper connection with nature.

Planning a summer program? These ideas are a great launchpad! You might even create a take-home adventure pack for families to enjoy together. And if your church has a nature trail, why not place a few of the fun bookmarks at the start of the path to spark some wonder?

The Presbyterian Advocacy Hour brings together committed people of faith each month to fill your solar batteries up with information and ways to act on the most pressing issues. Join the monthly online gatherings each fourth Wednesday of the month - hosted by the Presbyterian Church (USA) - to discuss topics such as hunger, educations, and organizing. Registering will enable you to participate in and receive notes from all of the monthly meetings.