Tropical Storm Barry Update
As Tropical Storm Barry threatens the gulf coast, please join us in prayer for those that have already been affected by heavy rainfall and flooding. UMCOR is in close communication with disaster response coordinators in the region. As we continue to monitor the progress of the storm and its potential impact, we will share ways […]
Historic River Flooding Devastates Communities Across Arkansas
In late May 2019, the Arkansas River rose to historically high levels due to heavy rainfall and the release of swollen reservoirs upstream in neighboring Kansas and Oklahoma. In many parts of the state, decades-old river records were broken, including a 1945 record set in Van Buren, and a Morrilton record from 1927. The Arkansas […]
Making Brighter Days for Arkansas’s Abandoned, Abused, Neglected Children
contributed by Kelli Reep, Director of Communications, Methodist Family Health For 120 years, Methodist Family Health has been ministering to the state’s abandoned, abused, and neglected children and their families. Our genesis was at the Arkansas Methodist Orphanage, which was established in a two-story framed house on three lots in downtown Little Rock. Its purpose […]
Vacation Bible School Kicks Off Across the Conference
Vacation Bible School season is in full swing, and United Methodist Church’s across Arkansas are hosting fun-filled weeks of games, crafts, songs, and learning about the love of Christ. This year, many churches chose the Roar VBS program, which is described as an “epic African adventure engages the whole herd. At Roar, kids explore God’s […]
Nancy Wood Scholarship Recipient to Attend Dillard University in the Fall
Paulina Webber, a member of Wesley Chapel UMC in Little Rock has been named the 2019-20 Nancy McDonald Wood Scholarship recipient. Mrs. Wood and her daughter, Bryn Bagwell, announced the award during the Palm Sunday church service. The daughter of Mrs. Jo Webber, Paulina will receive $5,000 toward her freshman enrollment at Dillard University in […]
The Method to Becoming a Scholar
contributed by Deena Hamilton Because this conference invested in me, I was able to learn from some of the world’s greatest pastors and theologians. Their influence expanded my understanding of how to implement the Holy Club questions in the local church through a postmodern lens. Once I began to magnify my understanding of bridging theology […]
Remembering Ken
contributed by Britt Skarda, Senior Pastor of Pulaski Heights UMC Upon my arrival as the new senior pastor at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in 2010, I received a bonus very few clergy can claim; I was blessed to serve a congregation with its own bishop in residence, Kenneth W. Hicks. Bishop Hicks began his […]
When Communities Come Together
This past month has really gotten me thinking about the importance of community. As many of you are aware, Arkansas was hit with a number of natural disasters in June: from the Arkansas River flooding that displaced thousands of people to heavy rains, high winds, and tornado damage that made an already bad situation even […]
General Conference 2020 Petition Submission Process Opens
NASHVILLE, TENN. — Petitions for consideration by the 2020 General Conference may be submitted to the Petitions Secretary now through September 18, 2019. According to church law, “Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church may petition the General Conference…”. Detailed instructions for submitting a petition are available on the General […]
Obituary for Lila Elaine Hicks
Lila Elaine Hicks was born in Scottsbluff, NE, March 30, 1926 and died June 29, 2019, at her home in Little Rock, AR. Elaine was pre-deceased by her husband, Bishop Kenneth Hicks, and son-in-law, Wayne Gottschalk. Her survivors are daughters Debra Gottschalk of Topeka, KS, Linda Hicks of Cabot AR, granddaughter Dr. Kiley Gottschalk (Oren […]