For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39, NRSV 

As we approach Sunday, just days after the U.S. Election, we find ourselves once again in a moment of national reflection and response. Elections inevitably bring with them a mix of emotions—hope, anxiety, disappointment, and relief—and our congregations will likely carry all of these and more into our sanctuaries this weekend. In moments like these, we are reminded that the church is uniquely called to be a community where Christ’s love can hold us together even... Read more

A Special Thank You to our host church, Trinity/LR, as well as all the planners and volunteers that made the 157th meeting go so well.

• Watch the Video Recap of the Meeting
• A Special Thank You From Stewart Smith
• If you participated in the meeting, but haven't filled out the survey, please take a moment and do it now.
• Jocelyn Wildwright reminded us how important the Visioning Survey is to the work of their team and to the presbytery staff. If your church has not completed their survey, please do it today!

Don't Forget To Complete Your Church's Visioning Survey! The Strategic Planning Leadership Team and the presbytery staff needs one person in each church to complete this survey . 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 the Synod of the Sun at no cost to you.

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

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.  

Presbytery of Arkansas College Students -

The Montreat College Conference Registration is Open to YOU! You are going to need to act quickly to get your spot reserved. Rob and Kristi Button plan to go to support the students. Lodging should be in our normal Reynolds Lodge. The DEADLINE TO CLAIM YOUR SPOT IS NOVEMBER 20th- Money sent and info emailed on or before.

We are very optimistic we can fly this year (this is more necessary this year due to the closure of I40 after flooding). You need to reserve all day on the 2nd and 5th and times will be released as soon as we book. The due date for your money and information is November 20th. Venmo $250 to the UCM Venmo (and we will send it on to Presbytery and Montreat) @UCM-UofA (thumbnail is a picture of our building and trees).

We plan to depart on January 2nd and return on Jan 5th - depart from and return to XNA airport.

What we need to book the flight: (email ucmkristi@gmail.com with this info by the 20th)

Full Name, as on your ID

DOB

gender, as on your ID

State of Residence

TKN, if you have one. (Known Traveler Number- for those who are not sure what it is)

Text or email Kristi Button with questions- 479-409-4804 or ucmkristi@gmail.com.

Looking For Relief From Your Student Loan Debt?

The Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) have partnered with PeopleJoy to help church workers, staff serving PCUSA related institutions, and students in preparation for ministry qualify for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Watch their webinar on November 12. Click here to learn more.

APCE 2025 Registration Early Bird Savings - 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. Register by November 14 and save up to $50!

Click here to learn more and register.

The Mission of the Church Committee has some funds available by application to help with:



1. Travel to or participation in a mission trip (domestic or international), and
2. International Mission Initiatives.

Activities for which funds are requested must be completed by December 31, 2024. Funding available for either is unlikely to exceed $1000. Applications should indicate which type of activity you are pursuing and provide: (a) a description of the activity or activities for which funds are desired; (b) the missional goals of the activity; (c) total budget, amount requested from MOC, and how remainder will be funded; (c) beginning and ending dates of the activity. Send applications to MOC Moderator Peg Falls-Corbitt at fallscorbitt@hendrix.edu no later than Dec. 6th.

The MOC will also consider applications for small (e.g. under $500) Mission Initiative Grants for outreach to vulnerable populations that will be carried out prior to December 31, 2024. Click here for application guidelines and requirement. Send applications to: MOC Moderator Peg Falls-Corbitt a fallscorbitt@hendrix.edu no later than Dec. 6th.

Are You Responsible For Your Church's Newsletter?

I recently read an article called The Best Piece of Advice I Ever Got About Newsletters by Dan Oshinsky who runs the Inbox Collective.

Here’s a big take away: Consistency is key. People like to know when they can expect to see your newsletter. Really. They look forward to it. But you have to make it worth their while to read it. Read More...

Does Your Church Have Good Hospitality Practices? I want to highlight an upcoming webinar from PRC (Practical Resources for Churches) on The Art of Hospitality that will take place Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:00pm.

Engaging worship and intentional follow-up are important, but what compels guests to return to our churches is the warmth of our welcome and hospitality that goes beyond their expectations. Learn time-tested methods for creating a culture that delivers exceptional guest experiences and practical, effective tips and tools that can be used in churches of any size.

Hurricane Helene Update.

• Click here to read the update from the president of the Montreat Conference Center.
• Click here to read the PDA update.
• If your congregation is looking for ways to help, supplies for Cleanup buckets and hygene kits are running low. Contact the DAC (Disaster Assistance Center) at Ferncliff about delivery.
• Click here to support PDA’s urgent efforts to aid the victims and survivors