"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5

Friends, I am thrilled to join you as the Transitional General Presbyter. My move to Little Rock is underway, and I can't wait to fully settle in and immerse myself in the life of the Presbytery of Arkansas.

I have been deeply impressed by the passion, dedication, and faith of the people and congregations of this wonderful presbytery. It is a great gift to be part of this community, and I look forward to partnering with each of you to face the unique challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the coming 15-18 months. Together, I believe we can cultivate strong, vital congregations, foster deeper connections, and build a vibrant Presbyterian presence across Arkansas.

I am eager to get to know you, listen to your stories, and serve alongside you as we embody the gospel and extend Christ’s love in our communities.

With gratitude and hope,

Rev. Jim Poinsett

Register for the October 25-26 Meeting! Registration is now open for the 157th meeting that will take place at Trinity in Little Rock. Please note:

• Register soon as there are deadlines for lunch & childcare.
• There is a PGA tournament in Little Rock that weekend, so make your hotel reservations soon!
• There is a pre-presbytery mission project, read the article below.

Click here today and register!

Pre-Presbytery Workshop Planned - Please join us for an optional pre-presbytery bed building event with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) from 4:00-6:00 pm on Trinity's porch!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a national volunteer-led organization dedicated to building beds for children who do not have beds of their own. Ferncliff is the home base for the newly-formed Little Rock chapter of SHP. Our Friday evening worship offering will go to support this organization.

Spaces are limited to the first 20 volunteers, so don't wait to sign up! Volunteers will also need to fill out the organization's volunteer registration form.

Don't Forget To Review! Friday, October 4th is your your deadline for reviewing Employer Agreements for 2025 benefits. Each congregations’ designated representative needs to log in to Benefits Connect to review their Employer Agreement. 

• August 2024 Update from Board of Pensions, Kevin Keaton
• A New Benefits Plan to Serve the Changing Church 
• Congregational Guide to Benefits for the Changing Church 

Visioning Survey - The Strategic Planning Leadership Team and the presbytery staff needs one person in each church to complete this survey ASAP. Only one person, the pastor/CRE, Clerk of Session, or church administrator needs to fill it out.

If you have any questions, contact Julie Price, Presbytery Connector. If any of the information you list changes after you complete the survey, just contact Julie and she can update your responses.

We really appreciate the time you take to do this. Please know that this information will help the Presbytery serve you better. Thank you!

January 1 Deadline to Get Boundaries Training -

You are required to participate in this training if: 

• You are a Minister, Commissioned Ruling Elder, or Certified Christian Educator currently serving a congregation, 
• You are an At-large or Retired Member of the Presbytery,
• You are serving in a validated ministry, supplying a congregation, or are on the Pulpit Supply list, or
• You are an Inquirer or Candidate.

Click here to register through Synod of the Sun. The next training is October 30-31. (no cost/only 40 per class).

Click here to register for the Safe Gatherings training (your cost, $29).

Presbytery Advent Webinar scheduled for Wednesday, October 16 at 11:00 AM. Julie Price, Presbytery Connector, will share resources and ideas. She also wants people who attend to share resources, ideas, and evaluations of resources they have used in the past. 

The webinar will take place on the Presbytery's Zoom account, but Click Here to register and you will receive email reminders with the link.

ADULTQUAKE '24 - Need a retreat where you can enjoy camp activities, singing by the campfire and more? Well, come and be a part of the very first ADULTQUAKE, November 8-10 at Ferncliff ... a Sabbath retreat just for adults! Sample Schedule can be found here! 

• What can you expect? You will enjoy camp activities, games, s'mores, small group discussions, energizers, songs, time by the fire, Sabbath time, and meeting new folks from around our Presbytery. Our theme is Sabbath, Rest, and Renewal, so there will be plenty of hang out time too. 
• Who will lead us? We have wonderful leadership lined up: keynote speaker, Rev. Anne Russ, music led by Rev. Jeremy Wilhelmi, and worship led by Rev. Julianna Whitson.
• What if I work for a church? For our clergy, CREs and church workers who can't stay through Sunday morning, we have an optional Thursday night start (Nov. 7).
• Coupon codes: We have coupon codes if finances are a barrier. We also specifically have coupon codes for Young Adults. 
• Commuter Rate: Aren't able to make it for the whole weekend? Thanks to the awesome Ferncliff staff, we have a commuter rate!
• Register by November 1st: Click here

Are you a Ruling Elder (and remember, once an elder, always an elder) who does a little extra around your church? Is your congregation piecing things together between pastors, or supporting someone who is part-time? Are you a Ruling Elder who simply wants to learn as much as you can about church and faith? If any of these descriptions fit, then R.E.M. is for you. R.E.M. (aka Ruling Elders in Ministry), is a weekend offering from the Thriving in Rural Ministry at the University of the Ozarks. Formerly known as the Elders’ Retreat, R.E.M. will support Ruling Elders in better understanding some of the basic tasks of ministry. Offered three times/year, these weekends will help you consider how to write a sermon, officiate at the Lord’s Table, better care for your congregations, plan and lead worship, and much more. Our next gathering is at the University of the Ozarks November 15-17. We will begin with dinner on the 15th and wrap up with lunch on the 17th. At this gathering we will talk about pastoral care and worship planning. We will also be joined by Dr. Beth McCaw, Dean at the University of Dubuque seminary. Dr. McCaw will talk to us about helping congregations be less pastor-centric. She will also have information about Dubuque’s excellent Commissioned Ruling Elder courses. 

This event is completely free, and all expenses including meals and lodging will be paid by the Thriving in Rural Ministry program at the University of the Ozarks. Attendance will be capped at 40 participants. Participants will receive a detailed schedule for the weekend prior to arrival. If you have questions, please contact program director Phillip Blackburn at pblackburn@ozarks.edu. To register, simply click the link. Thanks for all that you do and we look forward to seeing you in November.  

APCE 2025 Registration Now Open - This year's annual event, entitled Wrestling with God and Church Toward A More Beloved Community, will take place January 29 - February 1 at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN.

Click here to learn more and register.

Hurricane Helene Update - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has produced Hurricane Helene updates on PDA response in two of the presbyteries impacted by the dangerous Category 4 storm that hammered the Southeastern US starting on September 26, 2024. Listen and learn ways that PDA is responding and ways that you can give to support the response:

Update 1: Tampa Bay Presbytery

Update 2: Presbytery of Western North Carolina

Click here to support PDA’s urgent efforts to aid the victims and survivors of Hurricane Helene.

60th Anniversary & Big Reunion Celebration – On October 11 & 12, 2024, United Campus Ministry (UCM) at the U of A will gather with fellow alumni, former campus ministers, and friends, to honor 60 years of ministry in the UCM building. Additionally, they are celebrating the 2022 listing of the UCM building on the National Historic Register.

There will be a brunch, campus tours, a reception, dinner celebration, and more. Click here to reserve your spot!

Clabaugh Lecture Series - You are all invited to attend the 2024 Clabaugh lecture series at First in Bentonville, October 20-21. This year's series, Creation Care For Our Living Planet, will feature Dr. Richard L. Lindroth.

To learn more about Dr. Lindroth and the series, click here.

Webinar on new older adult ministry resource, from the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN). On Thursday, October 10 at 1:00 pm learn about POAMN’s new online resource for older adult ministry leaders launched earlier this year. "Expressions of Older Adult Ministry” covers guiding principles for serving with older adults, a reformed theology framework, and a multitude of practical ideas you can implement in your context. Take a glimpse at the instructional videos, interviews with ministry leaders, and written materials available now. Explore the resources, meet others who are in ministry with older adults, and ask questions.

Miatta Wilson from the PCUSA Office of Christian Formation, POAMN's partner in creating the resource - will lead this conversation. Click here to register.

Lead(HER): Empowering Female Clergy - a Sharechurch conference, April 29-20, 2025, at Resurrection, A United Methodist Church in Leawood, KS. A new conference for women in Pastoral Leadership! Women face unique challenges and opportunities as leaders in the church. Join other women dedicated to addressing those challenges head-on while celebrating the invaluable gifts women bring to the table. Hear inspiring leaders (Including Nadia Bolz-Weber, Nancy Beach, Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright & more!) share their stories, while equipping you for the complexities of leadership in the church today. Deepen your skills through practical breakout sessions on setting boundaries, navigating conflict, balancing competing values, and more. Discover a supportive network of fellow clergywomen and forge lasting friendships in a safe space marked by diversity and inclusivity! Click here to register.