by MWS Leslie Belden, Stated Clerk

We were all looking forward to a weekend in Northwest Arkansas with the beautiful Ozark hills in all their fall splendor… but COVID-19 still makes it imperative to take precautions and not meet indoors in large groups.  So, we’re going to do the next best thing… we’re going to have another on-line Presbytery meeting!  The meeting itself will be on Friday and Saturday, October 23-24, and this time there will be pre-presbytery workshops on the evenings leading up to Friday evening’s worship.  One learning opportunity is for Clerks of Session to go through the new records review form and talk through the complexities of serving a congregation as Clerk during a pandemic.  Another workshop is titled, “Everything you ever wanted to know from the COM but was afraid to ask,” and is being offered by the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry.  Pastor Nominating Committees, sessions, and others interested in some of the workings of this committee are invited to “attend” and ask questions.

Worship on Friday evening will be led by First United Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, with Judge and Pastor Wendell Griffen of Little Rock preaching. Judge Griffen will also be leading the theological discussion on Saturday morning, as the Presbytery emphasizes the “Dismantling Structural Racism” focus of the Matthew 25 initiative.  Look for more information as the meeting date approaches, and plan to join from the comfort of your own home through your computer/laptop, tablet, or smart-phone.

I look forward to seeing you on my computer screen in October!

Rev. Leslie Belden, Stated Clerk