Volume 17 | March 4, 2021
The Presbyark Update
Keeping the Presbytery of Arkansas informed.
March 4, 2021
146th Meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas
March 5 - 6, 2021
Everyone is invited to attend the 146th meeting of the Presbytery of Arkansas which will utilize Zoom technology.  Click here for details.
Winter Storm Damage
We had several congregations in the presbytery report damage from the recent winter storm. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has requested that “church damage requests” be funneled through the Presbytery office and that they be submitted by March 18.  They have a limited amount of funds and will rely on Presbytery leadership to identify the most urgent needs.  
 
Our local Disaster Preparedness and Response Sub-committee will be using its reserve funds to supplement the assistance from the national PDA office.   We will try to offer something to all congregations that request assistance.  
 
For congregations that would like to request financial assistance from the winter storms, please contact General Presbyter Stewart Smith by Monday, March 15.  It would help us to know each congregation’s “out of pocket” expenses from the event.  For those whose repairs are not yet complete, please give an estimate and let us know of the deductible on your insurance policy. 
 
Stewart can be reached by office phone at 501-663-2424, by text at 479-466-0195 or by email at stewart@presbyark.org
Presbytery Profiles
Stated Clerk, Leslie Belden, took a very round-about road that landed her in this job. Read about how Leslie became the Presbytery of Arkansas Stated Clerk and what her position involes.

Click here to read the article.
Pastor/Church Professional Meetings:
New Look, New Time
Take note of the two March meetings which will both take place on the Presbytery's Zoom account:

Friday, March 12th at 10am for our retired pastors

Thursday, March 18th at 10am for all Pastors/Church Professionals where our topic will be "What will our post-Covid congregations will look like?"

Cover from a book by Tom Rainer.
Matthew 25 Challenge
The Youth A-Team is challenging the Presbytery youth and YA’s to collectively donate $1,200 to the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering! This offering is collected nation-wide and supports the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People. 

How do you participate?
1- Collect donations from your group for the One Great Hour of Sharing offering throughout the season of Lent.
2- All donations will be handled through your church. 
3- Report your group collections by clicking this link.

Join us for the Matthew 25 Challenge!
Don't Miss This Easter Planning Webinar!
At our Lenten Forum a few weeks ago, we talked about having an Easter brainstorming webinar, BUT, I watched a webinar last week sponsored by Amplify Media that did a such a great job that now I highly recommend everyone click here and watch this one. The panelist talk about worship and programming ideas for all sizes of churches.

Access a list of other resources to help spark your imaginations in planning for Lent/Easter 2021. This Resource List is updated regularly.

Contact Julie Price at 501-626-6477 or julietannerprice@gmail.com with questions and comments.
A New Training Resource for Ruling Elders and Deacons
The PC(USA) has created a new training resource for ruling elders and deacons. "Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions" is the first initiative launched as part of the Church’s Year of Leader Formation. The free multi-session resource is offered through EQUIP, the Church’s online training platform. 

Click here to learn more.

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