Connecting & Informing the Presbytery of Arkansas
February 16, 2023
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The 152nd Meeting of the
Presbytery of Arkansas
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We are about two weeks away from our first Presbytery meeting of 2023. We will come together at Lyon College on Friday evening, March 3 and gather in the historic Brown Chapel.
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Registration (Click here)
- Meals
- Lodging
- Childcare
- Packets
- and more!
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We're Listening: The Amendments |
Last week our Stated Clerk, Blake Brinegar led a webinar where he discussed the Proposed Amendments to the Book of Order. He introduced and familiarized us with the amendments, shared how votes have been going in other Presbyteries as well as issues of dissension he has been hearing about and answered questions.
If you did not attend this webinar, it would be very helpful for everyone to watch it before the March meeting of the Presbytery. Click here to watch the one hour and 15 minute recording.
There are 33 amendments coming before the Presbytery to vote on. If you are interested, here is the lengthy, 133 page, Book of Proposed Amendments. Don’t worry, the last half of the book is a complete rewrite of The Rules for Discipline, and several of the amendments are pretty straightforward.
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Thursday, February 23 at 1:00pm on the Presbytery's zoom, you are invited to an event that will be more than just a discussion on the book Invitation to Retreat. In fact, you don't have to read the book to all, promise to read the book or do anything other than show up. There will be some quiet time for reflection, some time for us to share with each other and a time to think a little bit about some of the ways of rest that are offered to us in our lives of faith. Click here to have the link to join sent to you.
Come, and let's rest a while together. Carol (Clark)
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If any of you have had mail sent to the Presbytery office returned, please contact General Presbyter Stewart Smith. (501-663-2424 or stewart@presbyark.org)
We leased a temporary post office box and are attempting to forward the mail to the new box. We are now receiving mail in the P.O. Box, but I believe we missed a full week of mail around the middle of January. If you sent checks or other mail around that time, and checks haven’t cleared or you haven’t received a response, please contact us and let us know.
Mail can continue to be sent to the presbytery address at 9221 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, AR 72212.
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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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Youth @ Presbytery
Register HERE by Friday, February 24!
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Support PDA’s response to the
earthquake in Syria and Turkey
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The scale of the disaster facing Syria and Turkey after the Feb. 6 earthquake is becoming clearer. The 7.8-magnitude quake and its aftershocks have left more than 41,000 people dead and thousands more injured; these numbers will rise as search and rescue continues. Buildings have been reduced to rubble, and roads and bridges have been severely damaged, resulting in dangerous conditions for first responders. In some places, such as Aleppo, this destruction is compounding the damage of the now 11-year war in Syria.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through long-standing partners in Syria, in addition to ACT Alliance members in Syria and Turkey, all of whom are already on the ground. PDA will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for building and resilience.
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Presbyterian Outlook has created a free Ash Wednesday liturgy for pastors and lay leaders who welcome liturgical aids or outlines as well as suggested prayers or themes for preaching and reflection.
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Bridge Builders Spring Reading Group |
Bridge Builders Reading Group (BBRG), an ecumenical, interfaith group, will hold its Spring 2023 series of discussions on Tuesdays, March 7, 14, 21, and 28, 6:30-8:30pm. Meetings will be both by Zoom and in person, at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, 6400 Kavanaugh, Little Rock 72207.
In order for the book study to be successful, participants will need to be open, vulnerable and express their deepest feelings -- without worrying about feeling attacked. We provide a safe space for any ideas and thoughts — from anyone.
Yours faithfully, Bridge Builders Planning Team, Dr. Joel Anderson, Rev. Dr. Bill Branch, Liz Branch, Dr. Wynona Bryant-Williams, Rev. Carol-Ann Blow, Rev./Judge Marion Humphrey, and David Murray
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Update Your Pastor Information |
Just a friendly reminder if your pastor received an increase in compensation, it is necessary to report this to the Board of Pensions. There is also a form on the presbytery website under Presbytery Documents, titled Compensation Report which needs to be filled out and returned to the Presbytery Office. The Presbytery does not notify the Board of Pensions about changes in Terms of Call, and the Board of Pensions does not inform the Presbytery of changes in Terms of Call either. These are two separate processes. Not notifying the Board of Pensions of changes to Terms of Call can have detrimental effects on one’s pension, and other benefits.
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- Friday-Sunday 2/17-19 Collegequake @ Fernclifff
- Tuesday 2/21 10:00am Staff Meeting
- Thursday 2/23 1:00pm Invitation To Retreat Zoom Discussion
- Tuesday 2/28 10:00am Staff Meeting
- Friday-Saturday 3/3-4 Presbytery Meeting & Youth @ Presbytery
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Presbytery of Arkansas
9221 N. Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-663-2424
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