In September, your Presbytery Connector, Julie Price, will travel to six locations around the state to help your church leadership with their Advent planning. She will share resources and ideas and feed you lunch during the two hour sessions.

Click here to read more, choose your date/location, and register. Make sure you click the submit button after completing your registration or it will not process.

Please note the registration deadlines, we want to make sure we have a lunch for everyone!

Youth in grades 6th-12th are invited to Youthquake, September 15-17, 2023! This youth conference is a Presbytery of Arkansas tradition and a highlight of the year. Youth can expect time in small groups, worship, a keynote speaker, music, games, and a silent disco all at our beloved Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, AR.

Event Costs and Registration Dates:

• The event costs $190 per participant, and registration is due by 7 pm on Friday, September 8th.
• We have a limited number of discount codes through the Presbytery of Arkansas for those who need financial assistance. Contact Sarah at arpres.ateam@gmail.com for the code. 
• Adult to youth ratio for this event is 1 adult to 8 youth. Adults will be asked to give permission for a background check to be run prior to the event. 
• If you are a young adult 18-23 years old, you are eligible to serve as LeaderCorps. Cost for LeaderCorps is $190 per person; if finances are a barrier, contact Sarah (arpres.ateam@gmail.com).

Click here to register. Direct questions to Sarah Leer, Transitional Youth & Young Adult Developer, at arpres.ateam@gmail.com.

The photo of an empty office is proof that the approximate 1,200 boxes have all been sorted through and distributed to their proper locations!! That office was filled almost wall to wall with boxes stacked 5 high! Furniture has been delivered and assembled for two of the offices (Stewart’s and Kim’s). File cabinets and bookshelves are in place as we begin the task of filling them. The photo of boxes close to the conference table are just some of the many boxes of materials from the Resource Center.

We have already filled a dumpster of obsolete and discarded items. Thanks to Ferncliff and “Boxanne” (the Disaster Assistance Center large truck) the paper and empty boxes have been removed. There is room to move around, and it is closer to becoming a functional office space once again.

Our focus will turn in September to preparing for the upcoming meeting of Presbytery, which will be held at Westover Hills in Little Rock on October 6^th and 7^th.  

I look forward to seeing many of you in Little Rock in October!! Stewart

Arkansas Ministry Colleagues,

I am working on a Pastoral Study Project grant through the Louisville Institute studying PCUSA women serving in part-time ministry contexts. If you are a female Teaching Elder serving in a part-time ministry position, would you be willing to spend an hour with me sharing your story?

There is no “one size fits all” for part-time ministry. Therefore, if you are contracted in a part-time position, yes, I’m interested in talking with you!

I am dedicating the week of 8/21-8/25-9/1 as “grant week,” with a lot of flexibility in my schedule. You can book online for Wednesdays and Fridays by clicking on this form or contact me directly for other days and times as susan@diakonossolutions.com.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions or are curious about the research!

Blessings,

Rev. Dr. Susan Rose

Arkansas Presbyterian Pilgrimage weekend #35 is excited to invite those who are weary, burnt-out, or seeking Spiritual renewal to join us for a weekend of worship, study, discussions and singing beginning on October 26-29, 2023. Weekends are led by Laity with Presbyterian clergy and is open to all denominations. ARPP #35 will be moderated by Pat Gill (Faith PC, Horseshoe Bend) and Ron David (Mt. Vernon PC, Pea Ridge) and a staff of volunteers for the weekend.

Click here for more information and registration. The registration deadline is October 16, 2023. Scholarship assistance is available.

Bread for the Journey is a week-long gathering, October 23-27, for those engaged in pastoral ministry in the church. Participants benefit from the specific conference track that they choose and from crossing paths and rubbing elbows with other colleagues who may be at Mo-Ranch for different reasons — but who are looking to benefit from extended time with friends in ministry.

Click here to learn more.

The Honduras Ministry Subcommittee of the Presbytery is working to ensure the word about next year's Spring Break trip reaches anyone interested. This is an Arkansas Presbytery Mission Trip, March 16-23, 2024.

Well-behaved children/youth age 10+ with a parent or adult, college students, and adults are invited. (Yes, adults must be well-behaved too) High physical ability and Spanish-speaking skills are not required. Attending Orientation meetings are required to prepare participants, and not everyone who applies will be selected. The estimated cost is $1,200-$1,500, and many churches offer scholarships.  

An informational meeting will be on Zoom at 7 pm on Nov 9, 2023. Applications are due on Dec. 1, 2023.

Click here for the application form which also contains lots of details.

SCRAPCE Fall 2023 Event – September 25-27 Shifting from Many Ages in Worship to Worship for All Ages

Join onsite or online.

· Learning from soft space gone wrong

· Reimagining intergenerational ministry

· Preparing worship that actively engages and equally values all ages

Click here for more info and registration.

The scholarship application is now open!

For persons serving a PC(USA) church in the Synod of the Sun, the scholarship will cover

100% ($125) for in-person participants or 50% ($25) for online participants.

Priority will be given to:

* First-time participants in a SCRAPCE Fall Event

* First-time recipient of any SCRAPCE scholarship

* Regional and Ethnic diversity

Applications are due by September 11, 2023, Click here.

Hello Friends,

Isn't God's creation amazing?! We are so lucky to live in the natural state and have a place like Ferncliff to connect with the natural world. That's why Ferncliff is preparing to host individuals, families and church groups for the historic total solar eclipse that is taking place in Central Arkansas on April 8th, 2024. We would like to extend an invitation to all Presbyterians and their families and friends to experience the eclipse at Ferncliff. We are partnering with the Office of Christian Formation of the Presbyterian Mission Agency to hold a 4 day/3 night (Sat-Tues) intergenerational creation care focused event culminating with the total solar eclipse. All meals will be provided and family friendly activities will be offered by Ferncliff staff. If you would like to learn more or register click here. 

We are hoping that this gives Presbyterian individuals, families and groups in Arkansas and all across the country a place to come and relax and reflect on our connection to Creation and experience the wonder of a total solar eclipse. We'd love to host you!



Joel Gill, Ferncliff Executive Director