Getting to know our Arkansas United Methodists: Dr. Charles Donaldson
For the first time in its history, the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) has selected Little Rock, Arkansas, as the host city for its annual conference, scheduled for June 4–7, 2026. This landmark event underscores ACGA’s grassroots efforts to empower, build, enhance, and sustain gardens through education and collaboration. This year’s conference theme, “Pathways to […]
Getting to Know Our Arkansas United Methodists: Rush Harding of First UMC, Little Rock
Question: Can you share a bit about your personal faith journey and how you came to be involved with the United Methodist Church? Rush Harding: I grew up in the Delta community of Clarendon, Arkansas. My family always attended the First United Methodist Church in Clarendon. To this day, it is a beautiful, vibrant church. My parents were […]
Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church Launches New Identity Campaign
Following Jesus, Loving People, Sharing Grace shares the core of Arkansas’s United Methodists LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (August 28, 2025) – Bishop Laura Merrill recently announced a new integrated communications campaign to allow Arkansas’ United Methodists to share their identity, marked with unity and diversity, as followers of Jesus Christ. The “Following Jesus, Loving Others, Sharing […]
New Roles in the Arkansas Conference Beginning July 1, 2025
Day Davis has been named the new Communication Specialist for the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. Day will lead the charge in shaping and sharing the voice of the Conference with seekers, members, and leaders across Arkansas. Day will oversee the development and execution of strategic communication plans that align with the mission […]
Sharing Grace
Over the last twelve months, the Extended Cabinet, Directors, and Leadership Table of the Arkansas Conference have worked with Bishop Laura Merrill to develop a new mission statement to guide the Arkansas Conference into a hope-filled, grace-filled, joy-filled future. After much prayer and discernment, today we are ready to share with you the results of […]
Loving People
Over the last twelve months, the Extended Cabinet, Directors, and Leadership Table of the Arkansas Conference have worked with Bishop Laura Merrill to develop a new mission statement to guide the Arkansas Conference into a hope-filled, grace-filled, joy-filled future. After much prayer and discernment, today we are ready to share with you the results of […]
Recent Ruling by Judicial Council
According to a recent decision made by the United Methodist Judicial Council (the highest judicial body of The United Methodist Church), local church boards cannot prevent pastors from conducting same sex marriages within the church building. See the UMNews story here. This decision clarifies a previous ruling by the Judicial Council, made on the last […]
Following Jesus
Over the last twelve months, the Extended Cabinet, Directors, and Leadership Table of the Arkansas Conference have worked with Bishop Laura Merrill to develop a new mission statement to guide the Arkansas Conference into a hope-filled, grace-filled, joy-filled future. After much prayer and discernment, today we are ready to share with you the results of […]
The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas Awards $110,100 in Grants
The Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church is incredibly blessed by the generous grants The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas has awarded during its first quarter of giving. The Emerging Partnership Grant ($50,100) is a pilot ministry for clergy to aid in the discernment, planning, and implementation of new partnerships. This grant provides online leadership coaching […]
New ARUMC EarthKeepers Named
The Global Ministries EarthKeepers program trains and supports United Methodist laity and clergy to address local environmental concerns and the systemic structures that give rise to those concerns. It is a response to the call to practice social and environmental holiness in the Council of Bishops’ 2009 document, “God’s Renewed Creation: A Call to Hope […]