Salem UMC: Sending Kids to Camp Tanako with Home-Made Rolls
The Children and Youth ministry at Salem UMC in Benton is already thinking ahead to warmer summer months, where approximately 10 youth and children from the church will attend summer camp at Camp Tanako. Beginning around Thanksgiving and through Christmas, the youth and children of the church made homemade yeast rolls as fundraiser with the […]
LAITY SPOTLIGHT: Q&A With Harold Hughes, Member of the General Board of Church and Society Supporting Human Relations Sunday
As we prepare for Human Relations Sunday (January 18), which is a United Methodist Special Sunday for giving, we would be remiss without also celebrating Harold Hughes, a lay person (Quapaw Quarter UMC) who also serves on the General Board of Church and Society, which determines how the grants are awarded from the funds collected […]
General Board of Global Ministries Awards Arkansas Churches Emergency Feeding Grants
As Arkansans are still reeling from the effects of the longest federal shutdown in American history, the General Board of Global Ministries has awarded grants to some ARUMC feeding ministries to provide support during this time, when keeping food on the table is becoming increasingly difficult. Rev. Paul Marshall, who is the pastor of Hays […]
Laity in Leadership: Mary Lewis Dassinger, Nine Years of Service to the ARUMC
*Writer’s note: On December 31, 2025, Mary Lewis Dassinger will be leaving her position as Outreach Specialist on staff of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Please reach out to her at mdassinger@arumc.org to send her your well wishes on her new journey ahead. And you may send cards to Mary Lewis Dassinger […]
A Christmas List of Books by Arkansas United Methodist Pastors
During the last year(s), several of our ARUMC clergy have written devotions, papers, studies, and stories in book form, each a blessing in its own way. We want to celebrate our clergy who have shared pieces of their spiritual life with us and encourage you to consider adding these books to your Christmas list for […]
Bay UMC Young Adult Sunday
Compiled by Amy Ezell and Rev. Pamela Lamb Two years ago, a simple idea turned into a movement. By asking her older adult members of Bay UMC to share the names of their current unchurched family members and friends, Pastor Pamela Lamb wrote letters of invitation to young adults (20–40ish) to attend church for just […]
UMC Bishops Finish Canvassing of Amendments: All Four Ratified
By Amy Ezell “I rejoice this day at the news that the Holy Spirit has moved, and United Methodists have voted! In our worldwide connectional relationships, we have agreed to move away from an old story and into the horizon of a new day. I pray that the Reign of God will be reflected in […]
Q&A with Roy and Shelley Lee, ARUMC Co-Coordinators for Volunteers in Mission and Disaster Response
Can you share a bit about your background and involvement in the church? Shelley is a lifelong UM; Roy joined soon after we married. The usual activities – VBS, decorating for Christmas, chili suppers, United Women in Faith, every board, every committee. All in McCrory until 1998, then Cabot, Booneville, Jacksonville, back to McCrory, then […]
ARUMC Food Pantries and Childcare Centers Conversations
As Arkansas continues to brace for the mass effects of the government shutdown, your Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church is creating space for conversations, collaborations, learning, and prayer so we can continue addressing food insecurity and offering childcare ministry to thousands of families in Arkansas. As of October 30, the government has said […]
Q&A with Karen Henery, Central District Lay Leader and member of Henderson UMC, Little Rock
Can you share a bit about your faith journey and how you came to be a part of the United Methodist Church? Although I grew up in the church, faith wasn’t always the center of my life. In early adulthood, I found myself searching for a spiritual home—one rooted in grace and welcoming to all. […]