Clerk of Session Training with Stated Clerk Blake Brinegar - Several clerks have indicated some interest in clerk training. If you are a clerk and are interested in some training, please let me know. Once I gauge the interest, we can determine if the training will be on Zoom or in person. Ideally, there will be both. If there is enough interest in an area of the presbytery, I would like to do in-person training, so recruit in your area of the presbytery. If you are interested in clerk training, please let me know at revbrinegar@gmail.com.  

A Jobs Page is now available on the Presbytery website! Presbyark.org now has a place for you to post your church's position openings for pastor, educator, musician, administrator, etc. Whether your opening is part-time or full-time, in-person or remote, the Jobs page is here to help you!

If your job description is online, send me the URL. If you don't have a website where it's listed, then send me your job description, and I will put it on a webpage and send you the URL to share on your Facebook page, email to people, or whatever. If your church has a logo, graphic, or photo, please include it as well. Send your information to Julie Price, your Presbytery Connector.

Attention: Benefits Connect Action Needed - Attention all members of the Benefits plan of the Board of Pensions! You need to reestablish your account on Benefits Connect right away. The platform has been updated and, as a result, it is mandatory for every member of the plan to reestablish an account. Please note that you should not use your old password in the new setup.

1. Click this link to register.
2. Select Member.
3. The next screen has two large blocks for email and password. Below those boxes, click the small hyperlink that says "I am a New Member" and proceed from there.
4. Follow the prompts to register, using your email address as your user ID.

Visioning Summit, April 15 at Ferncliff - The staff of Ministry Architects will make their first on-site visit to the presbytery on April 15 to engage with us in a Visioning Summit. The assessment work has been completed and they will now lead us in a process of strategic planning and visioning for the next 14 months. This summit is designed for the Strategic Planning Implementation Team elected at our October Presbytery meeting, the Presbytery staff, Committee Moderators and those serving on our presbytery committees. We will also have room to accommodate a limited number of extra people not currently serving on committees that are interested in participating. 

The Summit will be held on April 15 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the PAC Building (the old dining hall across from Brown Lodge and Conference Room). Lunch will be provided. For those traveling from a long distance, there are a limited number of rooms available at Ferncliff. Click here to register for the event. If you have questions about the event, please contact General Presbyter Stewart Smith at 501-663-2424.  

Click here to see the Ministry Architect's slide presentation from the 155th meeting.

Mission Possible - Calling all Junior High/Middle School youth! The Presbytery is excited to offer a weekend of mission and service in Mena and Hot Springs April 19-21. Our ministry partners in Mena are organizing various mission projects throughout the day and our ministry partners in Hot Springs will host the group. We will be serving our neighbors, exploring Hot Springs, playing games, and of course, hanging out with other folks from around the Presbytery. Financial assistance for youth is available, so do not let cost be a barrier! Click here and register by April 8th. 

Questions? Contact Sarah: arpres.ateam@gmail.com

Church Marketing Workshop: Persuasive Promotion offers a step-by-step proven process to increase attendance at church events. This workshop, presented by Rev. John Arnold (1st Rogers) on Thursday, April 18 at 1:00 pm, is for busy church leaders who promote their church events, but are frustrated with seeing a limited response to their efforts. You'll learn a step-by-step process empowering you to be more persuasive in your promotional efforts. Plus, you'll receive templates and resources to make creating great promotional campaigns quickly and easily. Click here to register.

The Presbytery of Arkansas At the Ball Games! Everyone is invited to join staff members in attending ball games in both Springdale and North Little Rock. On Friday night, May 31, we will be at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark watching the Travelers take on Amarillo. On Wednesday night, June 5, we will be at Arvest Ballpark rooting for the Naturals as they play Wichita.

Save the dates and watch for more information and registration forms in the next few weeks!

Apply to be a YAV! Engage in a year of service for a lifetime of change!

Apply for the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) Program - Presbyterian Church (USA) today. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation. Alongside this work, volunteers explore the meaning of their Christian faith and accountability to their neighbors in the community with peers and mentors.

Click here to learn more.

Confirmation Retreat 2024 Recap - A wonderful weekend was had by all at our Presbytery Confirmation Retreat March 8-10, 2024. Thirteen (13!!) youth from five different congregations around the Presbytery participated. Rev. Grant Wildwright (FPC Benton) and Dr. Sarah Leer (Presbytery staff) led the retreat at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. A Huge "Thank You" to Ferncliff for their partnership and hospitality!

Over the weekend, we talked about spiritual gifts, creeds and confessions, Read more...

UCM Bike-A-Thon 2024 - Each year for the past eight years, even in super creative and social distancing ways during the pandemic, United Campus Ministry students have led a Bike-A-Thon Fundraiser for the ministry they love!

Join the annual UCM Bike-A-Thon to raise money for the ministry. To participate you may join the group ride on April 27, ride on your own schedule, or creatively cover the miles any way you’d like walk: run, bike or sleep in (ghost ride). We ask that you please ride 14 miles (or as many as you’d like) and raise at least $300 for the ministry by getting 10 or more sponsors to each give a $30 donation. We understand that this is a challenging economic time but believe that we have broken this into a manageable amount. All donations above and beyond are welcome. Also please invite your friends and family to participate with you. Contact Kristi Button for more details. If you are not able to participate by gathering sponsors, but still want an opportunity to support a student in their ride, please follow this link.

Honduras Trip 2024 is taking place this week! - Pictured left is our Presbytery of Arkansas Mission Group taking a break and enjoying the view. If you would like to see more photos, go to our Presbyark Connect Facebook group where updates are being posted.