SAVE THE DATE!

The 161st meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas!

March 13-14, 2026

The University of the Ozarks at Clarksville

Due to some remodeling issues, hotel space is limited in Clarksville, so book your rooms ASAP using this information sheet from the UofO.

Winter Storm Preparedness, a message from our SPDR, Libby James:

Please take care to be sure your homes and church buildings are winter ready. This weekend, we are expecting freezing temperatures and precipitation around all of our Synod. Meteorologists are noting similarities to the 2021 Winter Storm Uri. See the attached images from a meteorologist who presented during a VOAD meeting today. Some northern areas in our Synod are anticipating over 8 inches of snow!

Here are important winter readiness suggestions from the Synod of the Sun Partnership for Disaster Recovery: Click to read.

IMPORTANT reminders for the new year:

• The 2026 Pastor Compensation Forms are available on the presbytery website. They can be found on the presbytery website, under about us/presbytery resources/stated clerk. This form is intended not only for Ministers of Word and Sacrament, but also for Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs). Completed forms can be emailed to revbrinegar@gmail.com. Please get these forms in by March 20th.
• Annual Statistical Reporting - The portal is now open for churches to begin filling out their annual statistical reports and it 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.
• Boundaries Training is required every three years, for Ministers of Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Ruling Elders, and Certified Christian Educators. At each presbytery meeting a part of the Stated Clerk’s Report will include a list of who needs to retake boundaries training in 2026, to help remind those who are in need of taking the training again. The safe gatherings’ clergy-ethics course is included. The cost for the class is $29.
• 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.

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. At this gathering, we'll consider how we proclaim as churches, and how that proclamation invites and welcomes folks into our congregations.

Starting at 6p.m. on Friday, we’ll have dinner in the Rogers Conference Center at University of the Ozarks, and hear from the Rev. Lindy Vogado from 2nd Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, about welcoming and belonging. Then beginning Saturday at 8a.m. in the Town Square Collaborative House at 500 W. Buchanan St, Clarksville, we'll have Town Square Collaborative program assistant, Amanda Demoret, and student intern, Jalissa Hollingsworth, leading a workshop on social media 101 for churches. After lunch we'll have Rev. Sara Anne Berger, the assistant director of Town Square Collaborative, leading a workshop about "the why and the what" of our proclamation as individual churches of Jesus Christ.

Registration closes on February 4th, so use the link below and sign up soon! We look forward to seeing you February 20-21 at the University of the Ozarks!

Last Minute Honduras Trip Openings!

Due to various life circumstances, there are now six openings for the 2026 Honduras Mission Team. The trip will take place March 21 though 28 during the 2026 springbreak.

Orientations via Zoom will be held in January and February. If you interested, apply ASAP using the application button below. Click here for more information or contact Leigh Woodruff at (479) 601-1437.

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.

Registration is now open for Lead(HER) 2026: Empowering Female Clergy, happening April 20-22, 2026, at Resurrection, a United Methodist Church in Leawood, Kansas.

Lead(HER) brings together female clergy from across denominations for two and a half days of worship, practical skill-building, and authentic community. The expanded 2026 format includes Monday evening through Wednesday afternoon programming, responding to attendee feedback emphasizing the importance of connecting and networking among clergywomen.



"For women, by women. Celebrating women. Healing women. Strengthening and encouraging women in their leadership, their ministry, and their lives,” organizers said of Lead(HER).

All Commissioned Ruling Elders and small church leaders are invited to attend this Synod conference at Camp Gilmont in Gilmer Texas on April 6-10. This will be an opportunity for us to gather with others throughout the Synod of the Sun in similar roles. It will also be a chance to refresh and renew and experience the glory of God following the busy Easter and Lenten seasons.

Save the date and watch for more details!

2026 Older Adult Ministry Conference sponsored by POAMN (Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network) will take place September 16-17 in Knoxville, TN. This annual conference will be an inspiring gathering focused on spiritual depth, resilience, and continued fruitfulness—themes that matter deeply for leaders walking alongside older adults through seasons of transition.

Park Hill Presbyterian in North Little Rock was delighted to host a stuffing party for Ridge Road Elementary in December. Each student at the school was given a stocking holding two pairs of socks and food items for Christmas. We stuffed over 500 stockings in total!

Peacemaking Dollars at Work Across Our State

One of the gifts of our connectional church is the way compassion can ripple outward, touching lives far beyond our own walls. Recently, the Mission of the Church Committee had Peacemaking funds to share and sought to direct them toward ministries across our state that are already being supported by our local congregations.

At the recommendation of First Presbyterian Church of Jonesboro, a gift of $2,000 was made to the NEA Family Crisis Center in Jonesboro, a ministry offering hope, safety, and support to individuals and families in times of crisis.

Pictured above is Ruling Elder Patty Minga (right) presenting the check to NEA Family Crisis Center staff member Sherri Cothern (left), a visible reminder that peacemaking is not just an idea we talk about, but a commitment we live out together through generosity, partnership, and care for our neighbors.

Presbytery Organization Honored at Presbyterians for Earth Care Annual Gathering 

Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) recognized two individuals and one congregation/organization for their exceptional environmental achievements at PEC’s virtual Annual Gathering on January 11. Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light (AIPL) was presented with the Restoring Creation Award for working in community gardens and backyard gardens for more than a decade. 

AIPL provides 13,725 pounds of nutritious fresh produce and other food items to food pantries and no cost markets. A total of 43,300 pounds of organic matter was diverted from landfills over a 2-year period. AIPL is reaching even more people in more low-wealth communities by awarding ten $2000 grants.

AIPL has involved a total of 74 interns, trainers, and students and has engaged more than 22,000 people each year learning about growing some of their own food in sustainable ways. AIPL’s network of growers had 21 community garden locations, 7 new partners, and several small backyard gardens in low-wealth communities. AIPL interns also shared organic waste from its gardens with chickens at on-site coops and added organic matter to onsite compost bins.

Mission Initiative Grants - The deadline for this year's first of three rounds of MOC grants is April15. 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 April 15 deadline!

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 March 30th deadline!

Mission Trip Scholarships are available from the Mission of the Church committee. These scholarships are available to applicants who are affiliated with a church or ministry of AR Presbytery/PCUSA. 

Trinity Presbyterian in Little Rock is looking to hire a Part Time Youth Director. This 12 – 15 hour per week position would primarily be responsible for Sunday evening Youth activities, as well as some related administrative work and planning. It would be a great second job for someone wanting to supplement their income. If you know someone who might be interested in the position, please contact the Trinity Presbyterian Church Office by phone at (501) 868-584 or by email at Trintypreslr@gmail.com for more information and an application.

Lent Roundtable Resources - Recently, our Resource Team hosted a lively online Lent Roundtable, bringing together leaders eager to share ideas and inspiration for the season ahead. We were delighted to be joined by Jenna Campbell, a Certified Christian Educator and the 2023 APCE Educator of the Year.

During a rich and productive hour on Zoom, Jenna walked us through a slideshow filled with creative, thoughtful resources for Lent and Holy Week—ideas that sparked conversation and imagination throughout the group.

Julie also highlighted several offerings from our website’s Lent and Holy Week resource page, pointing participants to tools that can be easily adapted for a variety of congregational settings.

It was a wonderful time of learning, sharing, and encouragement as we prepare to walk the Lenten journey together.