Connecting & Informing the Presbytery of Arkansas
April 7, 2022
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One of my most repeated sayings over the last couple of years is “It’s a very difficult time for the church.” The pandemic brought numerous challenges to the church related to how to continue to worship and “do ministry” in a safe manner. But it has also brought the opportunity to “re-think” how we “do ministry” in the future and how we need to reach people and meet the needs of people in ways we haven’t done in the past. As a result, it is fair to say that it is also a very difficult time for pastors and church leaders. How we navigate these challenging times places many tensions in congregations and numerous pressures on our pastors and leaders.
Dr. Tod Bolsinger, PCUSA pastor and Senior Congregational Strategist and Associate Professor of Leadership Formation is working to help congregations and church leaders navigate these challenging times for the church. He will be our guest speaker via Zoom at the upcoming June meeting (June 5) of the Presbytery of Arkansas. Read more...
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The Presbytery of Arkansas is sponsoring a free webinar designed to help you get your financial house in order, create a retirement income plan, understand Social Security, and prepare for the unexpected. Whether we are 25 or 55, all of us need help planning for our future.
Join Fidelity Consultant Dan McCarthy on Tuesday, April 12 at 12:00 noon for a free 30-minute, interactive, virtual presentation on important things to consider — before you retire — that may impact or influence your financial decisions.
As a bonus, if you have medical coverage through the Board of Pensions, you can earn 25 Call to Health points for participating. Following the presentation, Dan will be available to answer your general questions. You can also schedule a complimentary, one-on-one consultation with Dan to discuss your unique circumstances.
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Stations of the Cross Mountain Hike |
Ferncliff's Stations of the Cross Mountain Hike offers folks an opportunity to prepare for Holy Week and Easter by journeying to the cross with Jesus. Along the trail heading up Matthew Mountain are pieces of visual art reflecting on the biblical account of the last days and hours of Jesus' life. Hikers will pick up a guidebook upon arriving that will guide them through the scripture passages and the visual art they encounter.
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Future Of The Church Grant
April 15 Deadline!
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The Future of the Church committee invites you to apply for a grant for 2022. These grants are intended to be aides for forward-thinking ideas and activities. The ways that churches have used these grants are as varied as the churches themselves are: make your church visible in the community, hire a consultant to work with you on ideas and visioning, purchase technology to expand your reach virtually, update a tired and dated website. Click here to watch a video showing how several of our churches have used their grant money.
Here is a link to fill out the grant application online. Click here to find the grant information on the Presbytery’s website (Resources/Presbytery Documents/Future of the Church). If you have questions, email: Carol Clark at cbclark05@aol.com or Steven Kurtz, chair of the Future of the Church Committee at stevendkurtz@gmail.com. Or call Carol Clark at 501-563-6279.
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Reimagining The Church as a Hub For Connection, A Workshop |
Churches could play a major role in addressing what has been called an epidemic of social isolation. Living connected to others is central to the church’s purpose. Coming out of the pandemic, churches can reimagine how it could help people to deepen their relationships and broaden their circle of connections.
Join the Presbytery of Arkansas and the Resource Team on Wednesday, April 27 from 10:30am to 12:00 noon for an online workshop that helps us address issues of connection as presenters Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh of Connect Church and Community lead us in a workshop where they will introduce strategies to equip church members to:
- connect with the community in new ways
- build new relationships with neighbors
- create programming to help end social isolation
- and cultivate relationships with people who are different from them
Click here to learn more and register. This online workshop will not be recorded.
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Mission Possible 2022 Recap |
Last weekend, our youth had a wonderful time gathering for the Youth A-Team's first ever Mission: Possible! The weekend's service retreat took us to Mana House and Mt. Nebo. We loved serving the Russellville community!
Thanks to Central Presbyterian in Russellville for hosting us and for all the adult and high school leader corps who volunteered to make this weekend possible!
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Let's Play Ball
The Naturals Way!
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Save the date of June 15 for Presbyterian night at the ballpark. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals play the Arkansas Travelers at 7:05pm at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. We have been given the honor of having a combined Presbyterian choir sing the National Anthem on the field before the first pitch. If anyone in your church would like to attend and/or sing, please coordinate within your congregation so that we can organize our block seating and our combined choir. We encourage church members to wear their church t-shirt if they have one, or some other Presbyterian t-shirt (Ferncilff, PDA, etc) if available.
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Let's Play Ball The Travelers Way |
Friday night, June 10 we will be heading to Dickey-Stephens Stadium in Little Rock for a ballpark dinner and to watch the Arkansas Travelers play.
Our next Update will have details and registration information so you can take part in this fun Presbytery of Arkansas night at the ballfield!
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Not Done Yet: Reaching and Keeping Unchurched Emerging Adults |
“Nones” claim no religion. “Dones” have become disillusioned and left the church. Research shows many young adults are landing in one of these camps, but that’s not the end of the story. Many emerging adults, ages eighteen to thirty-three, are tossing aside the none and done labels and are instead embracing a transformative Christian faith.
Therefore Go Ministries is sponsoring a free online event with Dr. Beth Seversen, author of Not Done Yet: Reaching and Keeping Unchurched Emerging Adults on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:00pm CT for a conversation focused on best practices for the church as we seek to connect with emerging adults. Beth will share some of her research and there will be time for questions.
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Ferncliff's Family Retreat Weekend |
Join us for Family Retreat Weekend at Ferncliff, July 22nd-24th! Perfect for families of all shapes and sizes. This weekend retreat is a great way to get outside, spend time with your family, meet other folks, and experience the fun of camp your way. With a flexible schedule of activities, comfortable hotel-style lodging, and delicious meals in the dining hall, Family Retreat Weekend is one retreat you don't want to miss!
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Confirmation for the Matthew 25 Congregation |
In the spirit of Matthew 25:31-46, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seeks to act boldly and compassionately to serve people who are hungry, oppressed, imprisoned and poor, showing God’s love, justice and mercy. In so doing, congregations will enliven their shared faith, shared worship and shared outreach in a biblical response to the compassionate justice of God.
Commissioned to Change the World: Confirmation for the Matthew 25 Congregation, written by Mark D. Hinds, marries adolescent confirmation with the theological focus of “serving the least of these.” The curriculum affirms teenagers as God’s beloved children, anointed for ministry in the context of a covenant community of mutual encouragement and accountability.
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Around the Table:
Design a Summer Series on the Faith Practices
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Join Worship Ministries’ Katie Roelefs and Faith Formation Ministries’ (Christian Reformed Church) Karen DeBoer (Practical Resources for Churches) as they introduce you to a new series of interactive and intergenerational ideas and resources which you can use to build your own worship service(s) or mid-week gathering(s) on the faith practices of Prayer, Celebrating, Listening, Wonder, Service, and Remembering. Register to join us virtually Wednesday April 27 at 12:00pm CT.
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Presbytery of Arkansas
9221 N. Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72227
501-663-2424
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