Volume 34 /November 18, 2021
The Presbyark Update
Connecting & Informing the Presbytery of Arkansas
November 18, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving
The Presbytery staff will enjoy a Thanksgiving break starting Wednesday, November 24, at noon.  The Presbytery office will be closed all week as Stewart will take the week from Monday-Friday as a week of vacation.  The rest of the staff will be available by phone and email Monday-Wednesday at noon.  Their contact information can be found by clicking here.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Presbytery staff - Stewart, Kim, Carol, Julie, and Brianne!
Congratulations Rev. Brianne Christiansen!
Brianne Christiansen was ordained on November 7 at First Presbyterian Church in Missoula, MT. She is excited to live more fully into her role as Spiritual Care Director at The Village Senior Residence. 

A note from Brianne:
Thank you to all who joined the live-streamed service and who reached out to celebrate with me!
I love my AR Presby family! - Rev. Brianne
Click Here to Sign the Letter on
Racial Bias in Recent Policing Incident
The Matthew 25 Taskforce discussed a recent policing incident that happened to one of the African American young adults of AR Presbytery, Marion Andrew Humphrey, Jr. Marion, a law student at the University of Arkansas, was pulled over on August 2, 2020 in Russellville, Arkansas for changing his mind on which exit to take from Interstate 40 in Russellville. Based on the video of the traffic stop, Taskforce members believe the traffic stop and manner of the search that followed exemplify the implicit bias that people of color are subjected to on a daily basis, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The Taskforce agreed that a concrete action that members of our Presbytery can take now towards dismantling racism is to make our objections known to the Governor of Arkansas and the Director of Arkansas State Police Colonel Bill Bryant.

Click here to read the letter and learn how to sign.
Spread the News!!
NOW DUE NOV. 30!!

Do NOT let money get in the way of you going to a wonderful event.

SCRAPCE Scholarships available to the APCE Annual Event

Applications due Nov. 30 - Click here!
A-Team Summer Trip Week!
It's time to think about summer! Join us for Junior High Jubilee (July 2-7, 2022), Montreat Youth Conference (July 16-23, 2022), and Triennium Youth Conference (July 24-28, 2022)!

All the information you need about Youth A-Team summer trips 2022 is now posted here on the website

Registration for all trips is due by January 15, 2022. A $100 deposit is needed with registration to secure your spot. Register by December 20 to receive $50 off your trip!

For more information, contact Rev. Brianne Christiansen, Interim Director of Youth Ministries (brianne@presbyark.org)
Pastor/Church Professional Meeting
Join members of the Presbytery staff on Wednesday, December 1 at 10:00am as we take a deep breath before boarding the advent train. We'll also take time to share hopes and dreams for the new year in our congregations.

We will meet on the Presbytery zoom account. If you don't receive a reminder email with the link, contact Julie Price at 501-626-6477 or julietannerprice@gmail.com.
A Ferncliff Christmas
Experience the Nativity story in a whole new way!

Interactive Nativity Experience, Alternative Gift Market, Festive Food and Drink, & more!

Click here for more information.
The Director of Youth Ministries at Second Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Little Rock is a full-time position that will be filled by an energetic, creative person who is committed to living a Christ-centered life. The Director should possess strong leadership and interpersonal skills necessary to equip and nurture Gospel-centered relationships between youth, their families, and the greater community. Find out more and see the job description by clicking here.
Giving Tuesday is Coming!
Inspired by telethons of the past, the PC(USA) will be staging a virtual event on Giving Tuesday, November 30, with the theme, “We are the Church, together”. The virtual celebration will be hosted from multiple PC(USA) sites across the country - Asheville, Minneapolis, Louisville, Austin, and Los Angeles.

Click here for more information, to view the day's schedule, and to donate.
Clergy Renewal Program Grants
The Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary provide funds to congregations to support renewal leaves for their pastors. Congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to underwrite a renewal program for their pastor and for the pastor’s family, with up to $15,000 of those funds available to the congregation to help cover costs for ministerial supply while the pastor is away. Click here to read more.
Discerning A New Call?
This coming spring the 16-member General Assembly Nominating Committee will prepare its slate of new nominations and re-nominations for 29 boards, commission and committees for election by the 225th General Assembly meeting in June 2022. The Committee’s moderator, the Reverend Sonya McAuley-Allen, encourages those who may feel called or are questioning whether or not God may be calling them to elected service — people like you — to consider the possibility.

Interested persons should take time to review the list of entities listed on the nominations website to assist in their discernment. You will find information about the purpose, mission, mandate and work of each entity, as well as the gifts, skills and experience needed, and time commitments expected of members. Click here to learn more.

Presbytery of Arkansas
9221 N. Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-663-2424