Volume 29 /September 2, 2021
The Presbyark Update
Keeping the Presbytery of Arkansas informed.
September 2, 2021
Small Church Vitality:
Designing for the new Norm
A Presbytery of Arkansas Workshop
Remember that Presbytery Survey you filled out a while back? Well the #1 topic that people overwhelmingly wanted help with was Small Church Vitality, so we are VERY excited to announce a new four part workshop called Small Church Vitality: Designing For The New Norm. Starting October 14 through January 13, on the second Thursday of each month, the group will meet from 11:00am until 12:30pm. Click here to read all about it and register. Rev. Deborah Wright (PCUSA) will be our leader and she has done some really exciting work in this area.

If you have questions, contact Julie Price at julietannerprice@gmail.com or at 501-626-6477.
Argenta Information & Dialogue Session
The Administrative Commission for 1st Presbyterian Church of North Little Rock would like to host an initial information sharing and dialogue session on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be on the presbytery zoom account. 

It is clear to the Administrative Commission that this property is a valuable asset for the presbytery. However, there are several possibilities as to how the presbytery can best utilize this asset to provide for future ministry. We have been working hard and have a lot to share and we value and welcome your input on September 23.  
Unified Mission Emphasis Grants Available
The Mission of the Church Committee is offering grants for “Ministry to the Most Vulnerable in our Society” to assist congregations of the Presbytery of Arkansas in proclaiming the love of Christ beyond their church’s walls. 

Click here for the guidelines for Funding. Contact Mary Shaw for more information at mlshaw0306@gmail.com
Mark Your Calendars:

The 148th Meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas will be October 8 - 9.

The meeting will be virtual.
Westover Hills Cotham Lecture Series
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine will be this year's speaker at the Cotham Lectures sponsored by Westover Hills church in Little Rock. The online only lectures will take place Sunday, September 12 and Monday, September 13. 
At noon on Monday, September 13, Dr. Levine will visit with all interested church professionals. If you would like to attend this luncheon meeting, click here to register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
To register for each of the other three online events and to learn more about the the speaker and her topic, click here.
Pastor/Church Professional Retreat
What: Pastor/Church Professional Retreat
Theme: Discovering God's Abundance: Experiencing Peace and Grounding in the New Normal
Dates: September 26 - 28
Location: Ferncliff
Cost: $150
Deadline to sign up: Friday, September 10

Click here for information and to register. Direct questions to Julie Price at julietannerprice@gmail.com.
Join us for Youthquake 2021,
September 24-26, 2021 at
Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center!
All 6th-12th graders, chaperones, and leaders are welcome! The event costs $150 per participant, and registration is due by 11:59 pm on Friday, September 10.

Payment must be paid in full Friday, September 17. Checks addressed to the Presbytery of Arkansas attn. Youthquake 2021 can be sent to 9221 N Rodney Parham Rd, Little Rock, AR 72227. Digital payments can be made through the “GIVE” button on our home page. Please select “Youthquake, etc.” when submitting payment.

Click here for more information and Updated Covid safety precautions.
Hurricane Ida: How You Can Help
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is using account DR000169 for a response for Hurricane Ida relief. Click here for the online giving page, which also has information on how to give by phone or mail.

If you or your church would prefer to donate to the effort specifically in the Presbytery of South Louisiana, click here, then find CLICK HERE TO GIVE on the website banner.

This past Monday at noon, PDA gave a quick update on “Between Two Pulpits,” a Facebook live program from the office of Special Offerings. Click here to listen to the recording.
Learning From Luther
Phil Butin, Co-Pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, and former Professor of Theology and President at San Francisco Theological Seminary, will be offering a Zoom class on September 10, 17, and 24 on the role of Martin Luther in the Protestant Reformation. This learning opportunity is being offered through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of the University of Arkansas. The class will be held live via Zoom with discussion from 1:30-3:30 on three successive Fridays: September 10, 17, and 24.

Click here for The full OLLI catalogue. Click here to enroll, and enter “Butin, Philip”.
Deacon Ministries Webinar
Deacons are one of three ordained positions within Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations, and yet the ways deacons lead are as varied as the worshiping communities they belong to.
As part of the Office of the General Assembly’s Year of Leadership Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons, a webinar at 7 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 16 will discuss different forms of deacon ministry and the connection between discipleship and deacons. As part of a commitment to provide live interpretation, webinar attendees need to register for the session by Sept. 8. Click here for more information and registration.
Retired Pastor's Meeting
Retired Pastors, please join members of the Presbytery staff for an hour of sharing on Friday, September 10 at 10:00am on the Presbytery zoom.

If you do not receive an email on September 9 with the zoom link, please contact Julie Price at julietannerprice@gmail.com.
Hybrid Church Workshop Full
Registration is officially closed. We have 20 churches registered for the Hybrid Church workshop that will run the next three Thursdays, September 9, 16, and 23, from 10:00 until 11:30am each week.

Everyone we received an email for should receive an email from our leader, Christen Kinard, with pre-workshop information and a link to join. If you do not receive the email, contact Julie Price at julietannerprice@gmail.com.
8 Habits For Evangelism
A New PC(USA) Ministry Resource
The PC(USA) has created a resource which provides structured lessons for each of the eight identified habits of evangelism — justice, radical welcome, worship, sacraments, prayer, fellowship, teaching and generosity (8 lessons for individuals and groups)
  • Click here for the FREE Download.
  • Click here to learn about and register for the free webinars that accompany each habit each Wednesday, Sept 8-Oct 27 from 2:00-3:00pm CT.
  • REvangelism: 8 Habits of Evangelism, October 1-3, 2021 conference at Montreat based on the new PCUSA 8 Habits of Evangelism, $100.

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