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Connecting & Informing the Presbytery of Arkansas
July 18, 2024
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Busywork in the Midst of Summer - In a mid summer message from our General Presbyter, Stewart Smith, learn about:
- Comments on GA
- Youth Summer Trips
- The Transitional General Presbyter Search
- The Visioning Process with Ministry Architects
Click here to read the article.
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The Next Boundaries Training will take place August 27-28 - Our Book of Order requires that all pastors, including CREs, complete boundary training and you must turn in your proof of completing your training by August 31st. This training takes place over 2 days and is offered at NO COST to you. There are only 75 openings in each session and the next session won't take place until November, so click here and register today!
Your other option is to complete the Safe Gatherings “Clergy Ethics and Congregational Boundaries” course. This 2-hour, 7-module course addresses common predicaments posed by ministry life. A certificate of completion is presented upon successful passing of the final exam. You can complete this training at your own convenience, but it will cost you $29. Click here to register.
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New 2025 Benefits Decision-Making Resources - The 2025 Benefits Plan is designed to promote flexibility and choice for congregations and their pastoral leadership. In August, congregations will start submitting their Employer Agreements to confirm the benefits offered to ministers and staff in 2025. To help make the decisions that best meet their benefits needs in 2025, Board of Pensions is available to answer questions and help guide faithful decision-making. Click here and explore these learning resources.
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Do you know someone who has the right combination of gifts and calling to serve on one of the presbytery committees or ministries? Well, it is Nominations season in the Presbytery of Arkansas and we are looking for more than a few good Presbyterians to help lead our ministries into the next chapter of our life together.
Do you feel called to serve Christ in a new way? The Presbytery of Arkansas needs volunteer leaders with wide-ranging gifts and skills. There are positions open on all committees and ministries. Click here to review the 2024 Nominations Form for information on open positions and the skills needed for each. This form can also be found at presbyark.org/Resources/Presbytery Documents.
With a little help from you, the Committee on Nominations will put together a slate of candidates for the October presbytery meeting and before you can say "BINGO!" we will be off and running in the new year with the class of 2027!
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Support Group for Presbytery Clergy - Rebecca Spooner has openings in her monthly virtual/in-person blended Support Group for clergy. The next group starts August 9th and is from Noon to 2pm. You may use your six Presbytery of Arkansas free counseling sessions for these groups and, if you have insurance through the Board of Pensions, you may use your Employee Assistance Program.
The tentative dates for fall are: September 13th, October 11th, November 8th, December 13th.
Click here to see their latest Instagram post. Contact Rebecca Spooner to join.
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Presbytery of Arkansas Honduras Mission Trip, March 15-22, 2025 - Well-behaved children/youth age 10+ with a parent or adult, college students, and adults are invited. (Yes, adults must be well-behaved too) High physical ability and Spanish-speaking skills are NOT required. Attending Orientation meetings is required to prepare participants. 18 people or less will be selected. The estimated participant cost is $1,400-$1,700, and many churches offer scholarships.
- Apply for a Passport now, if needed.
- An informational meeting will be on Zoom at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov 7, 2024.
- Applications are due on Dec. 1, 2024.
- Funds are due Feb. 1, 2025.
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Applications are available online or within this Honduras Mission Trip Application packet which is also packed with additional info.
Leigh Woodruff, of First United Presbyterian Church, has been directing AR Presbytery mission trips for the past 10 years. Contact Leigh at (479) 601-1437 or by e-mail, leighwoodruff83@gmail.com, if you have any questions.
Click here to watch the video of the 2024 mission trip.
Please share this information with your church. Post on your website, social media, bulletin inserts, newsletters - any way your members engage. We want everyone informed and invited. Use whatever is best for your church.
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A New Cohort Opportunity! Your congregation is committed to living out the counter-cultural values of Jesus Christ, but how is that commitment changing the behaviors and culture in your community?
Preaching for Change is a 2 year initiative that accompanies congregational leaders as they seek to embody antiracist practices as a way of being. Through the transformative work of worship, these practices have the potential to be a catalyst for change that leads towards liberation. Click here to learn all about this opportunity. Please note, this is not just for pastors, but for CREs, Educators, and Ruling Elders as well.
Applications to form a cohort are due on July 31. If you are interested in learning more about this initiative and the possibility of working alongside other leaders in the Presbytery of Arkansas, contact LeAnn Hodges, the Coordinator for the Preaching for Change Initiative or Julie Price.
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Spiritual Practices Retreat - Gilmont Camp and Conference Center invites you to their Spiritual Practices Retreat on September 13-15. The event will feature Rev. Dr. Karl Travis speaking on his book "God's Gift of Generosity". Click here to watch a short video about the event.
Click here for more information and to register via the Gilmont website.
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Adultquake '24 - Are you looking for a weekend of rest and renewal with other adults at camp? Are you a church leader who needs a Thursday - Saturday Sabbath event? Are you a grown-up Arkansas Presby kid who is missing your YouthQuake days?? Then we have a retreat for you!
Join us November 8-11 for a restful weekend. Thursday evening will be an optional add-on for anyone who needs to be back for their Sunday gigs. Our leadership is packed with amazing familiar faces in the Presbytery of Arkansas. We will hear keynotes from Rev. Anne Russ, be led in worship by Rev. Julianna and Rev. Alice Whitson, and Rev. Jeremy Wilhelmi will lead us in camp songs and singing of all sorts.
Registration is open now! Click Adultquake to register. upon codes available (including young adults), if you need financial assistance. Please contact Sarah Leer for a code.
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Stewardship Kaleidoscope will be held this year from Sept. 23-25 in Portland, Oregon. This annual conference is for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity. It will be offered in person in Portland, with an alternate, online attendance option being offered for those who prefer to participate virtually.
Click here to learn more and register.
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Youthquake 2024! Youth in grades 6 through 12 are invited to attend YouthQuake on September 13-15, 2024! This youth conference is a Presbytery of Arkansas tradition and a highlight of the year. Youth can expect time in small groups, worship, a keynote speaker, music, and games all at our beloved Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, AR.
Click here to learn more and register!
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Social Media 101, An Online FREE Workshop! The Presbytery's Resource Team has hired media specialist Christen Kinard to lead an online workshop on September 26 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. This is your opportunity to bring along other people from your congregation that might be interested in learning the basics of building your church's social media presence and why this is so important for reaching people. This workshop will demystify social media platforms and teach you how to use them most effectively in connecting with your congregation and beyond.
Click here today and register!
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Kirk of the Hills in Fairfield Bay, AR is seeking a part-time interim pastor or CRE for 20 hours per week or as contractually agreed. He/She will be responsible for Sunday morning sermon and worship service including bulletin content, administrating sacraments, conducting baptisms, weddings and funerals as well as moderating Session once per month plus three or four special holiday services per year.
A Beautiful, debt-free church with 35 members in a community surrounded by the forest on the north shore of Greers Ferry Lake. If you like outdoor activities, you will love Fairfield Bay. It is a recreational resort in central Arkansas of mostly full-time retired, and part-time working residents from different areas of the country. The cost of living is surprisingly low with amenities and services that exceed those in most communities of 2,100 population. Salary $32,000 - $50,000.
For more information, email resumes or requests to thekirk@artelco.com. Click here to see their Ministry Discernment Profile. More about our church can be seen on their website at presbyteriankirkofthehills.com.
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Building Up A New World: Congregational Organizing for Transformative Impact - Interested in exploring the ways that a church functions as an organizing body? Grab a copy of Building Up A New World and check out a few recorded webinars from PRC (Practical Resources for Churches). If you are super busy, you can watch the webinars at 1.75 speed while you make dinner, fold laundry, or what have you.
Click here to view How Community Organizing Practices Can Strengthen Congregational Life
Click here to view How Broad Based Community Organizing Might Transform the Church
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Wednesday, 7/17-21, Montreat Middle School Conference
Saturday, 7/21-27, Montreat Youth Conference
Tuesday, 7/23, 10:00 AM Staff Meeting
Thursday, 7/25, 2:00 PM, Mission of the Church
Tuesday, 7/30, 10:00 AM, Staff Meeting
Click here to see the entire Presbytery calendar.
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The next Update will be published August 1. Send information for that publication to Julie Price by Tuesday afternoon, July 30. | |
Presbytery of Arkansas
9221 N. Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-663-2424
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