The Arkansas United Methodist is the twice-monthly newsletter of the Arkansas Conference that reaches more than 5,000 Arkansas Methodists across our state. Every other week, you’ll receive a newsletter in your inbox packed full of stories from around the Conference, and commentaries from the Bishop, the AUM Editor, clergy, laity and more!
Our goal is to bring hope and inspiration through stories of discipleship. Join us as we share the Good News!
Q&A with Bailey Thomas
Tell me about yourself: Where you’re from, where you live now, where you went to school, your previous jobs, etc. I was born and raised in Beebe and graduated high school there. I received a Biology degree from Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, AR. After...
Background Noise
I have this thing about TVs. And truth be told, I’ve had it for as long as I can remember. I became aware of it when we got our first color TV (a Curtis Mathes) the day before the very first Super Bowl more than 50 years ago.
Thank You
A Final Word from the Editor
I thought a lot about what I would write for my last From the Editor column.
Yes, you read that correctly, this will be my last time writing a From the Editor column as the Digital Content Editor for the Arkansas Conference. I have found a new career opportunity in Arkansas, and have decided to end my time here at the Conference office in order to pursue a new adventure.
Young Leaders Engage in Service and Civil Rights Learning at 2021 Hendrix Youth Institute
Young leaders in the Hendrix Youth Institute is an annual service trip for Hendrix students. One of the stops on this year's trip was in Birmingham, Alabama to assist low-income residents in that area.My journal on June 28, 2021 read: “Thirty-six hours out from the...
Sustaining A Summer Camp During A Pandemic
A Q&A with Camp Tanako Executive Director Kayla Hardage on the struggles and successes of camping ministries in 2021
Camp Tanako. Photo by Casey Crocker.Camp Tanako Executive Director Kayla Hardage had to battle a global pandemic once again this year in order to make a safe and fun environment for campers to enjoy the beautiful, serene setting at camp Tanako. She shares with us some...
District Superintendents Craft New Fall Mission Strategy for Arkansas Conference
The way churches do ministry is constantly changing and adapting to the world around it, and for the District Superintendents of the Arkansas Conference, that means applying new strategies for reaching people with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
ARUMC Churches Boast High Vaccination Rates
Arkansas congregations turn to vaccines to keep their communities safe
As the Delta Variant continues to move through Arkansas, more and more United Methodist Churches are turning to one of three recommended vaccines to help prevent the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in their communities.
The Evidence of Love
Churches Show Love In Different Ways As Students Return to Classrooms
Photo by Inga Shcheglova on UnsplashAs I was looking through the books given through Giving Books for Love, one of my all-time favorites caught my eye: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Written in 1922, the book tells the tale of a stuffed toy learning about...
Camden FUMC Teams Up With Community to Encourage Vaccinations
With the Delta variant of COVID-19 on the rise in all 50 states, and vaccine rates moving at a meager pace in most places, churches are now turning to incentives to get more people vaccinated in their communities.
It’s Not Always About Winning
The 2020 Tokyo Olympics ended on August 8, 2021, after more than two weeks of intense competition from the world’s greatest athletes. Technically though, it was the 2021 Tokyo Olympics because of a yearlong delay thanks to COVID-19, and the virus’s presence in this year’s games was heavy on the minds of everyone involved, from athletes to organizers of the games, to everyone watching at home.