Connecting & Informing the Presbytery of Arkansas
March 16, 2023
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Carol Clark Resigning From Presbytery Staff |
I am writing to give you my letter of resignation as Presbytery “Builder”, effective on April 30, 2023. I was introduced as staff at the March 2020 Presbytery meeting (days only before we shut down for COVID). As I ponder the 3 years I’ve spent in the position, I have learned a lot, made some good connections and hopefully been of assistance and encouragement to some of our congregations, ministers and members in this strange and challenging time in the life of our Presbytery and of the wider church. Click here to read more.
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General Presbyter Vacation – March 20-25 |
General Presbyter Stewart Smith will be on vacation during the week of Spring Break (March 20-24).
If you need assistance with something during the week, please contact one of the other staff members. Stewart will be back on Monday, March 27
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Recap of the 152nd Meeting |
To find out what you missed at the 152nd Meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas, click here and read the recap.
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Mission: Possible Registration Open |
Mission: Possible is a Junior High spring retreat centered around service. This year we're returning to Russellville! Come stay at Central Pres, serve with your friends, and hang out with cool students from around the state!
Who can attend:
- Student Participants (6th-9th Grade)
- Leader Corps (10th-12th Grade & College Students)
- Adult Chaperones
Event Schedule:
- Friday April 14 - Evening fun at Central Pres in Russellville
- Saturday April 15 - Day of Service Projects ending in an Evening Cookout
- Sunday April 16 - Breakfast and Morning Worship, Event wraps up at 9am
Event Cost and Registration Dates: Wednesday, April 5
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The event costs $30 per participant, and registration is due by Wednesday, April 5. Click here and pay using the green button at the top of that page.
- $15 scholarships are available from the Presbytery of Arkansas. Requests will be processed on a first-come basis. Email Brianne for more info.
- We ask that you bring one chaperone for every 5 students (extra chaperones are certainly encouraged). You are welcome to share chaperones with another church if needed!
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Youth A-Team Summer Trip Update |
We are happy to share that our 2023 Montreat trip is full!
Presby+ is almost full as well! We only have 3 spots left for male-identifying students. If you or a student from your church is interested, please register asap.
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Around The Presbytery
First, Ft Smith
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The Changing Lanes Program at First Presbyterian of Fort Smith helped put the smile on the face of this young woman who can now travel to work and around town in a powder blue gently used car. Poor access to transportation is a key issue for people who are struggling to get back on their feet and deal with tough economic realities. Through a partnership with First National Bank, as well as local car dealers, this program is able to offer low-income clients access to fair car loans. How wonderful to see such a creative ministry which builds on local partnerships! |
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Reminder: The Resource Center is Out of Order |
Just a reminder that our Presbytery office flooded during the extremely cold weather we experienced at the end of 2022. Due to issues beyond our control, we still have not been able to complete repairs or get access to currently stored resources to see what kind of shape they are in. At this time, we are unable to tell you when or if we will be able to supply resource requests.
You can find suggestions for resources in many areas of interest, some online, both free and for purchase on our Ministry Resource pages at presbyark.org. Click here to peruse.
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Resources For Small Churches |
At least 75% of our congregations would be considered "small churches", with less that 100 members. This is why a large percentage of our Presbytery resourcing and programing is geared specifically for the small church.
For instance, we invited Deborah Wright of Pneumatrix as our Theological speaker at the 148th Meeting of the Presbytery (click here to watch) followed up by four workshops she led called Small Church Vitality which 25 churches around the Presbytery participated in.
Currently there are a number of small churches participating in the Thriving in Rural Ministry program supported through a Lily Grant obtained by College of the Ozarks. That same grant program is hosting a Rural Leadership Education retreat for elders in rural and small congregations in the Presbytery of Arkansas, May 19-21. For more information on either of these programs, contact program director Phil Blackburn at pblackburn@ozarks.edu.
You can also click on the Presbytery website's Ministry Resource Small Church page where you will find webinars, podcasts, articles, resource pages, and suggested books specifically dealing with the small church.
If you can't find what you need or have suggestions on speakers or topics to help your small church, please contact Julie Price (julietannerprice@gmail.com).
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Future of The Church Grants |
It's that time again. The Future of the Church committee is ready to receive grant applications to help your congregation step out with new initiatives into your community, to make your congregation more visible to others, to invite others to come know about Jesus Christ and to creatively extend the grace of Jesus Christ.
Through the years, the Future of the Church Committee has awarded grants of up to $5000 for all kinds of ministries: technological help to find modern ways of outreach with websites or social media, community gardens which benefit local food banks, community events for children, seniors, single moms, or medical personnel/first responders in the area. The picture is from one of the "Conversations that Matter" events in First Bentonville. Please note that the grants are not for property needs.
Be sure to stop by the Future of the Church table at the Presbytery meeting as we offer a 'first come/first serve' book grab from a variety of books that stress areas for church vitality or outreach. There you will also find a list of previous grants and some suggestions for ways to think about bringing new ministry to your congregation. Click here for the guidelines and application. Applications are being accepted through April 15.
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Mission of The Church Grants |
The Mission of the Church Committee is now accepting applications for the first round of Mission Initiative grants. The purpose of these grants is to assist congregations and ministries of the Presbytery of Arkansas in proclaiming the love of Christ beyond their walls. Our goal is to help empower congregations in their efforts to extend the love of Christ by serving and walking alongside the most vulnerable in our communities.
So, you see the needs and you have a dream, a plan for helping, for serving, but you don't have enough funds to carry it out. Then click here for our guidelines and application requirements. Applications for the first round of grants are due by April 15. (There will be two later rounds with deadlines of July 15 and October 15 as funds allow).
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Four Things About
The Generational Report From Giving USA
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Millenial? Gen Z? What's your guess?
Let’s cut straight to the chase: I’m a Boomer. There’s not much I can do about it since I was born between 1946 through 1964 (sigh). That’s life. Boomers are, however, OK in my book.
While I’m at it, there are other generations too:
- Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980
- Millenials, born between 1981and 1996
- Gen Z, born between 1997 through 2012
- And of course, there are still many in the Silent Generation, born between 1928 through 1945.
The most recent Giving USA Special Report: Giving by Generation, does not take into account giving by the Silent Generation. It focuses instead on giving by Gen Z, Millenials, Gen X, and Boomers.
Here are a few highlights from that report of interest to faith communities: Click here.
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Join The Presbyterian Women’s
Justice & Peace Book Discussion Group
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Marilyn Stone, vice moderator of the Presbyterian Women, invites women all over the country to be a part of the 2023 online Justice and Peace book discussions.
Click here to read more and learn how to participate.
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Presbytery of Arkansas
9221 N. Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-663-2424
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