Church Women United Easter Sew-in… Continues
For 43 years, a group of volunteers at Fisher Street United Methodist Church in Jonesboro and the surrounding areas have been providing Easter clothes for local school children. The project, originally called “Church Women United” was created in 1980 by a group of women. The name has since evolved to “Church Women United Easter Sew-in… […]
Safe Gatherings Update from Bishop Laura Merrill
March 15, 2023 Greetings in Christ’s name! As you may remember, with an overwhelming 97% vote in June 2022, the Arkansas Annual Conference adopted a new policy to create a protective environment in our churches for children, youth, and vulnerable adults and the volunteers who work with them. The adoption of this policy replaced the […]
Obituary – Rev. Stephen Anderson
Stephen Anderson, age 69, of Drummonds, passed away on Friday, March 10, at Methodist North Hospital. He was born in Dallas, Texas to the late James D. Anderson and Peggy Lorice Smith Anderson. Growing up in Dallas, Stephen attended T. G. Terry Elementary School, W. H. Atwell Jr. High School, and graduated from David W. […]
Bishop Merrill appoints Rev. Britt Skarda as interim pastor at Jonesboro First UMC
Bishop Laura Merrill has announced her intention to appoint Rev. Britt Skarda as interim pastor for Jonesboro First United Methodist Church, effective March 15 through June 30, 2023. “First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro has experienced great challenges in the past months, and I am grateful for Rev. Skarda’s willingness to serve at this time. […]
Shelley Lee, Central District Response Coordinator named Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award Winner by SMU Perkins
DALLAS (SMU) – Two long-serving United Methodist laypersons from Missouri and Arkansas – Dr. Yvette Richards and Shelley Lee – have been selected as the 2023 recipients of the Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award. They will be recognized during worship at the conclusion of the Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning on Saturday, March 25. “We’re […]
Get Up & Give during the Lenten Season
Now Organizations Can Give Back During the Lenten SeasonDuring the 14th Annual Get Up & Give Collection Drive LITTLE ROCK, AR (Feb. 7, 2023) – Methodist Family Health Foundation has a way for Arkansans to honor the Lenten season by contributing to our state’s children and families who are abandoned, abused, neglected and managing psychiatric, […]
Safe Gatherings Reminder
All appointed clergy or assigned lay supply and certified lay ministers must now be Safe Gatherings certified. Since the deadline to become Safe Gatherings certified for all appointed clergy and assigned laity was December 31, 2022, it is imperative that you complete this process as soon as possible if you have not. While the registration […]
Nominate someone who serves beyond the local church by March 17
This is an opportunity to nominate yourself or others who serve beyond their local church in District or Conference settings. This is an opportunity to connect across the state with other United Methodists! The Nominations Committee of the Arkansas Annual Conference works to identify persons with interest, gifts, and commitment to serve beyond the local […]
Obituary – Rev. Dr. John Scott Stewart
Rev. Dr. John Scott Stewart, age 57, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born December 30, 1965, in Dallas, Texas, to the late John Maxwell Stewart and Virginia Diane (Elliott) Stewart. Rev. Dr. Stewart was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He […]
Mena First UMC’s “Book Buffet” provides third-graders with books
Mena First United Methodist Church recently sponsored a “Book Buffet” for the entire third-grade class of Holly Harshman Elementary School. Over 190 age-level books were purchased and donated by the congregation in response to third-grade literacy. Third-grade reading levels offer an important indicator of students’ academic trajectories and an opportunity for intervention with at-risk children […]