Volume 13 | January 7, 2021
The Presbyark Update
Keeping the Presbytery of Arkansas informed.
January 7, 2021
A Special Message From Stewart
We will always remember the events on the day of Epiphany in 2021. On a day when Christians focus on the manifestation of Jesus Christ and the light that he brought to the world, our nation experienced a day of darkness as an angry mob broke into the United States Capitol building when Congress was in the process of certifying the result of our recent presidential election. It was a bewildering day of darkness and despair in so many ways.  Click here for more.
Please Make Note!
As of January 1, General Presbyter Stewart Smith’s email address has changed. He is now using stewart@presbyark.org. Very soon, the old email address will be inoperable. Please change your contact information to the new address.  

There is an email scam going on associated witha fraudulent email address for Stewart.
Click here to read about the email scam so that you don't fall victum.
Sign Up Today!
The Synod of the Sun is offering this 4-part course dealing with Online Worship and Community-Building: During Covid and Beyond for church leaders - from pastors to communications mangers - to learn more easily and effectively to navigate their church's communications during the pandemic and beyond.

Click here to get full event details and to register.
Calling All Clerks and Moderators
There are just a few more weeks for Clerks of Session, or Moderators, to complete their annual Statistical Report. The last day to complete the report is Thursday, February 18, 2021. Please update your congregation’s membership numbers even if you don’t complete the rest of the report, which includes worship numbers (which is anyone’s guess this year), financial figures, and the numbers of members in each age group among other questions. The link to the reporting can be found here.

Please know that your Stated Clerk appreciates you! Thank you for all that you do for your congregation, your presbytery, and the PC(USA) denomination! And if you need assistance with anything please contact Stated Clerk Leslie Belden at 479.466.1061 or lesliebeld@aol.com. 
Youthquake: Sundays Together
Sundays Together are back for 2021! Note Jan 31, March 7, and the weekend of April 9-11 on your calendars! 

Registration is always due the 15th before the event, so Jan 31 registration is due Jan 15. To sign up Click Here.

If you are the youth contact person at your church, the Youth A-Team covets your feedback as we plan spring and summer for the Presbytery. Please take a moment to Open This Survey and complete it asap or email Brianne to set up a time to chat (brianne@presbyark.org). See you on January 31!
Lent & Easter 2021 Planning
It's less than six weeks until Ash Wednesday and then we begin a Lenten journey during a pandemic which seems, somehow, ironically appropriate. Yet, how do we help our distanced congregants experience this journey as well as an Easter celebration in the midst of covid?

I am seeking out all types of resources to help spark our imaginations in preparing for Lent/Easter 2021 and I will be updating This Resource List regularly. I am planning to have a zoom sharing/brainstorming session in a couple of weeks. Watch the Update and Presbyark Connect for more information. Contact Julie Price at 501-626-6477 or at julietannerprice@gmail.com with questions and comments.
Don't wait until the last minute this year to start working on your Call to Health points with the Board of Pensions. Click Here and log on today to save yourself stress and money.

Do you know someone who is pursuing or wants to pursue their MDiv and serve in the Presbyterian Church? Let them know the Synod of the Sun offers a scholarship for one full scholastic year. Click Here to learn more and find the application.
TAKE NOTE
January Meeting Change
This month there will only be two Pastor's Meetings. Please make a special note of these dates on your calendar - Friday, January 15 and Wednesday, January 27.

Join us at 10:00am on the Presbytery zoom link. You should receive an email reminder with the link, otherwise, please contact a staff member.

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