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 w/ Rev. Todd Lovell
Pastor at The Vine of Northwest Arkansas
What is the mission of The Vine of NWA? The mission of The Vine of NWA is “to live lives of holy purpose by loving God, loving others, and making disciples of Jesus Christ.” This mission has gone through several iterations and is continually being refined as I meet...
A Thanksgiving Pivot
2020 has been such a train wreck that any words I write will fail to communicate what it’s been like. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions, killed hundreds of thousands, and is surging. Life has been turned upside down, the economy is in freefall, and families...
Methodist Family Health Seeks Secret Santas
The holidays are upon us, and even in the midst of the restrictions that come with the pandemic, Methodist Family Health is still committed to our mission of providing the best possible care to those who need our help. For us this season of giving, this means making...
Faith and Donation: The Time is Now
National Donor Sabbath is Nov. 13 - 15
Most churches teach regularly on financial stewardship and giving--it’s an essential spiritual discipline, as well as the lifeblood of any congregation. For three days in mid-November, faith communities throughout the United States will join to focus awareness and...
How To Worship During A Pandemic
Arkansas Churches Share Their Reopening Strategies During COVID
Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on UnsplashWhen the first confirmed case of COVID-19 appeared in Arkansas on March 11, 2020, churches across the Arkansas Conference, and Arkansans in general, wondered how this would change the way we worshipped for the next few weeks....
All In For Ingathering
Ingathering 2020 Divides Up the Work for Each District
Although plans were made for the annual Ingathering event to be held at the Arkansas Foodbank, as it has for the past few years, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic required new ideas to be put in action to ensure that Arkansas children and families don’t go hungry this...
The Faithful Frontline
I cannot tell you how many clients have come into my office and begun their session with the words, "When COVID hit!" COVID-19 has created an overwhelming need for physical, emotional and spiritual care. There is no doubt that people in the church are struggling right...
Q&A w/ Shanterra McBride
Keynote Speaker for 2020 Teaching Family Association Conference, Hosted by Methodist Family Health
The Teaching Family Association is an international association that works with children and adults who have experienced trauma, and have developed an effective model for working with these vulnerable groups. Each year, TFA hosts an annual conference where...
Making it Local
Our picture of what hunger looks like is shaped early in our lives. I was speaking to a pastor recently who told me, “I always knew that there were Africans who were going hungry. That point was always driven home because if I left any food on my plate, I’d be...
Donating Life
Two Arkansas Methodists Raise Awareness for Bone Marrow Registry
Rev. Corey Read donates her blood stem cells. The donations that Read made helped to save the life of a 3-year-old girl in New Jersey with acute anemia.When most people think of donating bone marrow, they probably conjure up memories from television or movie hospital...