Retired Local Pastor Letter
Dear Colleagues in Christ, We pray that this letter finds you well and that you continue to be fruitful in your local churches. Your ministry makes a real difference in serving people in some of our most vulnerable communities, and for that we are grateful. The Board of Ordained Ministry has formed a Local Pastor […]
Bishop Merrill Announces Conference Staff Role Changes for 2025-2026
Bishop Laura Merrill is announcing the appointment of Rev. Judy Rudd to the position of Assistant to the Bishop, effective July 1, 2025. In addition, she is naming Amy Ezell as Director of Connectional Ministries (DCM), also effective July 1. Rudd and Ezell will work cooperatively to fill the roles held by Rev. Jim Polk, […]
Salem Camp Meeting Continues Tradition
written by Denise Willoughby The historic Salem Camp Meeting is celebrating 158 years! Methodists and the surrounding community have continually gathered at the Salem Campground (located at 1647 Salem Road in Benton) for spiritual renewal almost every year since 1867. Only two events have kept Salem Camp Meeting from being continuous – the Civil War […]
Rev. Dr. Ron Bell to lead powerful learning sessions at Annual Conference
written by James Sawyer During this year’s Annual Conference, we are excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Ron Bell to lead a powerful series of learning sessions, marking the official launch of the Healthy Church Academy, a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip local churches with the tools to build healthy, collaborative relationships between laity and clergy. […]
United in Purpose: Assembly of Lay Leaders, August 9
written by James Sawyer On Saturday, August 9, lay leaders from across the Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conferences will come together at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church in Little Rock for a day of connection, learning, and spiritual renewal at the Assembly of Lay Leaders. This year’s theme, “United in Purpose,” reflects a […]
Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder and Gayle McKuin Fiser Celebrate Release of New Book
The Upper Room is celebrating the August release of “New Tricks: How Pet Ministry Can Transform Faith Communities and Change Lives,” written by Rev. Betsy Singleton Snyder, pastor of Pinnacle View UMC, and Gayle McKuin Fiser, community pet ministry coordinator at Pinnacle View UMC. The book has three parts: how pets make us better people, how […]
Project Transformation Summer Day Camp for Elementary Students Now Accepting Campers in LR, Pine Bluff
Organization Seeking Volunteers to Read, Provide Meals LITTLE ROCK, AR (May 20, 2025) – Project Transformation Arkansas, a chapter of Project Transformation National, is a nonprofit organization partnering with local United Methodist Churches to provide a safe, nurturing, fun summer day camp experience to students in first through sixth grades. This year, Project Transformation has two campuses in Arkansas – Lakeside United Methodist Church […]
Rogers, Shepherd Selected for MFA Seminary Scholarships
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 21, 2025)—The Methodist Foundation for Arkansas has selected Grace Rogers and LaToya Shepherd as 2025 Seminary Scholars. The MFA Seminary Scholarships will cover the full tuition of the United Methodist seminaries at which they are enrolled. Every MFA Seminary Scholarship recipient signs a covenant agreement committing to serve two years under […]
Insurance Grant Award information
Dear Church Leaders, In response to the Conference Trustees’ announcement of available grant funding to help subsidize rising property and liability insurance premiums, nearly 200 churches applied for assistance. Collectively, these churches reported premium increases totaling nearly $1,125,000. Due to the overwhelming number of requests, the Trustees have allocated an additional $250,000 in reserve funds, […]
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 […]