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!
Look Beneath the Glitter
The contrast is striking. On the one hand, there is the glitter of Christmas, which often goes up early in November (sometimes even in October!) and starts coming down the day after Christmas because people are ready to move on. Sadly, however, no amount of glitter...
This Little Light of Mine
New parents usually rely on a steady stream of visitors after having a baby. Without that support and interaction during COVID, parents have struggled with feeling more isolated than usual. After having another baby during the pandemic, Cara Chapman, Director of Music...
How Your Church or Ministry Can Prepare Mental Health Resources This Holiday Season
This holiday season, 200K More Reasons wants to help congregations develop and promote ministry models that increase family stability. For families experiencing poverty and food insecurity, the holidays exacerbate stresses around having food on the table, providing...
Thanks Giving Is a Way of Living
I love Thanksgiving for more sentimental reasons than you possibly care about. That’s why I’ve decided not to bore you with my ‘Top Ten Favorite Things about Thanksgiving’ list this year. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to talk about Thanksgiving. I am. Well, sort...
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.