COB statement on violence in Nigeria
To the people of the United Methodist Church: Grace and Peace from Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten, our savior and Prince of Peace. In this season of Advent, The Council of Bishops calls all United Methodists to pray after the Bwoi United Methodist Church in Bunkabu, Nigeria, was attacked in its building. Three United Methodists […]
Obituary – Dr. J. Earl “Judge” Coker
Dr. J. Earl “Judge” Coker, Jr., age 75 of Malvern, died on Sunday morning, December 15, 2024, at his home. He was born on April 6, 1949, in Bearden, Tennessee, to the late John Earl Coker, Sr. and Nancy Key Coker. Reared and receiving his early education in Bearden, he completed his formal education at […]
Obituary – Gayailia Low McSpadden Story
Gayailia Low McSpadden Story, 93, passed from this life on December 10, 2024. Gayailia was born June 23, 1931, to Elsie Harmon Low and Jesse Thomas “Carl” Low at the big house at Limedale Quarry near Bethesda in Independence County. She is pre-deceased by her parents; a sister, Eva Jeanette Low; a brother, Billy Joe […]
Obituary – Betty Sue Dillard
Betty Sue Dillard was escorted to Heaven in the arms of her Savior, Jesus, on December 4, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Betty Sue was born on July 21,1928 to Jennings Bryan Elam and Allene Hunter Elam. She leaves the following legacy of love: daughters, Kathy and husband Dowell Conley of Blytheville, AR; Diane […]
Mena First UMC provides warmth to friends and neighbors
written by Ferroll Taylor Mena First United Methodist Church opened its doors to the community following the city’s Christmas parade on Friday, December 6. The congregation offered warmth, cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, and fellowship for over 200 friends and neighbors who were among those attending the Mena Christmas Lighting Festival in Janssen Park following the […]
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 […]
Black Church Summit
written by Rev. LaToya Shepherd, Black Church Summit planning team member The Black clergy and laity of the Arkansas Conference were invited by Bishop Laura Merrill and Rev. Dr. Ulysses Washington to gather at the Black Church Summit on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The summit was held at Highland Valley United Methodist Church in Little […]
Bake Sales Rule!
St. Paul UMC in Little Rock recently hosted a community bake sale that benefitted their giving box and free food refrigerator. They raised over $600 and plan to spend it all on food for hungry neighborhood friends this holiday. The few baked items that were left were also put in the refrigerator and were picked up […]
The Connecting Link: A Licensed Local Pastor’s Journey
written by Rev. Peaches Smith An anchor connects a vessel to the bed of a body of water, keeping it steady amid wind and current. In life, we face storms—thunder, hurricanes, fires, and more. Yet, there’s peace when anchored in Jesus. Think of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, over 1,000 feet long and weighing over 100,000 […]
Obituary – Rev. Ralph E. Hemund
Rev. Ralph E. Hemund, age 95, of Glenwood, died Monday, November 25, 2024. He was born on June 13, 1929, at Elkhart, Indiana, the son of Albert and Rhea Hemund. On June 13, 1948, he was married to Alice Zinn Hemund. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; his sons, John Hemund […]