Announcements

As followers of Jesus, we believe that every person is created in the image of God and called to live in dignity, freedom, and beloved community. On Juneteenth, we remember June 19, 1865, when news of emancipation finally reached enslaved people in Texas—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. We celebrate this milestone in the long journey toward freedom while acknowledging the ongoing work of racial justice and reconciliation.

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We invite you to join our neighbors at the Halls Hill / High View Park Juneteenth Celebration. This family-friendly party in the park will feature barbecue, a moon bounce, face painting, bingo, and a performance by the Faycez-U-Know band honoring African American history, culture, and resilience. Admission is free, but some food and vendors will require payment.

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Friday, June 19 | 2:00–6:00 p.m.
High View Park
1945 N. Dinwiddie Street, Arlington

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As we commemorate Juneteenth, let us give thanks for those who struggled for freedom, learn from the stories of the past, and renew our commitment to loving our neighbors, seeking justice, and building the Beloved Community to which Christ calls us.

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For other options in Northern Virginia, see this article https://www.arlingtonmagazine.com/juneteenth/ from Arlington Magazine.

Join us for the Youth Concert on July 10 at 7 PM in the Phoenix Room (third floor). Featuring Didi Kumalo, Thomas Joyce, and Brent Baxter from The Way Band and our youth singers, Sebastian Keeling, Emma McDonnell, Jesse Brown, and Marta Carlson. They have all worked really hard and would love to see you there. Refreshments served! No charge for the concert, but reserve your spot!

National Pollinator Week is June 21-28. Check out facts about pollinators (they are not just insects!) at https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Pollination-Fast-Facts-General-2025.pdf.pdf and the seven things you can do for pollinators.  https://www.pollinator.org/7things

Many of us grew up in religious spaces where the interpretation was that of white male scholars but since then the voices that been added have included Black and Womanist theologians. This week we can enhance our understanding further by learning from some LGBTQ theologians.

The Capital Pride Parade will be on June 20, 2026. We invite United Methodist congregations/organizations and individuals to join us! Please email Pastor Sara if you'd like to attend so that we can register for the correct number!

As we head into the summer break, the Outreach Committee would like to share with the congregation some of the highlights from our church-wide engagements:

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Lenten and Advent contributions totaled $40,000. This generous amount was distributed among the Arlington Free Clinic, NOVA Friends of Refugees, Just Neighbors, Offender Aid & Restoration and the United Methodists Apportionment Fund. Many of these community-based organizations are providing critical services to the immigrant population in Arlington - our theme for this year, and           Mount Olivet is happy that we can assist them.

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Youth Outreach Committee Representative Roxanne Carnahan organized a clothing drive to benefit Arlington Clothesline, a clothing bank that helps prepare low-income students for success in school.

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Outreach Committee members assisted Sarah Whiddon in starting an Access Small Group designed to welcome congregation members with disability challenges. The initiative has been well received. It meets every two months and all congregation members are welcomed to attend.

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The Outreach Committee also provided oversight for Mount Olivet’s annual participation in the Arlington CROP Hunger Walk, which raises funds for Arlington Food Assistance Center and global hunger relief programs. We also oversee activities of Mount Olivet’s refugee response ministry and Haiti education project.

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We continued to provide financial support for a number of Methodist Church Ministries (UM Family Services, UM Special Offerings) Local United Methodist Ministries (ESL, Just Neighbors, All God's Children’s Camp, Refugee Relief) and other Local Ministries (Kitchen of Purpose, Friends of Guest House, Meals on Wheels, Alternative House, VA Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Doorways, and Offender Aid and Restoration OAR).  

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This summary does not include all of the outreach activities undertaken by other groups and committees at Mount Olivet - such as Community Assistance, Youth Group mission trips, and more.

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Please contact the Committee Chair Jose Collazo if you have a suggestion or a deserving community-based organization the Outreach Committee could work with. We also encourage you to get involved in some of the activities mentioned here. Serving others is a vital part of our spiritual growth.

As a reminder, Mount Olivet is a secure building and the building is locked at all times. Church office hours (when you can meet with staff/clergy or need access to the building) are Tuesday-Friday from 9 AM – 2 PM, no office hours on Monday. Staff/clergy will continue to work flexible hours and have other meetings and appointments, so it is best to make an appointment as needed. You can email an individual staff member or clergy or call the church office at 571-447-3619.

As a reminder, Mount Olivet pastors, staff or congregation members will never ask individuals for financial assistance, gift cards or any kind of personal information through email. Always look at the actual email address of any email you receive regarding these issues. Pastor and staff emails will always come from the mtolivet-umc.org exchange. If you have any question about an email you receive that you think is questionable, always reach out to us. Contact Tina.

Please join us for Coffee Fellowship in the Gathering Space (exit the doors on the right of the Sanctuary towards 16th Street) on Sunday mornings after Traditional worship. Enjoy our new space, coffee, snacks and fellowship.

The end of Mount Olivet’s fiscal year is upon us (June 30). If you have not already done so, catch up on your pledge, make a donation or make a pledge. Give Now. Thank you for your continued support of Mount Olivet’s ministry and mission.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has pledged and continues to give faithfully to Mount Olivet. Thanks to the generosity of our congregation, giving has increased compared to last year. This growth has enabled us to keep pace with rising expenses and continue supporting the mission and ministry of our church.

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As we reflect on “Why Church” and give thanks for being fully open again, we would love to hear how God’s presence is evident in your life. If you feel led to share, please follow this link. Share Your Story

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Whether your experience was big or small—a quiet reassurance, an answered prayer, or an unexpected blessing—your story can encourage and uplift others in our community. Please consider sharing so we can celebrate together how God is at work among us.

Clothesline is an organization that takes donations of “cool” school-ready clothes for kids and teenagers whose families are struggling. This is a great opportunity to donate like-new clothes your kids have grown out of, and they especially need coats, pants, shoes, and pajamas. Adult sized clothes are also welcome. Twice a year Clothesline has a free store where kids can shop in a retail environment. You can drop off your donations on Sundays in the Youth Area through the summer.

During these difficult times, we are helping the families at Glebe Elementary School put food on their tables by donating canned goods. Place your items in the basket in the Preschool Lobby on Sunday or leave in the bin on the 16^th Street porch (entrance door #1). The following low sugar and low sodium items are needed:

• Canned fruits

• Canned tuna

• Canned soups

• Canned vegetables

• Canned tomatoes

• Peanut butter (in plastic jars)

• Cereal

Contact Linnea Carlson with any questions.