Announcements

Saturday, September 19 | 2–4 PM‍
‍Alcova Heights Park, Arlington
Join neighbors and people of faith from across Arlington for an Interfaith Vigil Against ICE Cruelty, proclaiming the importance of justice and welcome, and honoring the names of those whose lives have been taken unjustly by our own country. Following the vigil, participants will walk through the nearby neighborhood carrying signs with the names and faces of those who have been killed. Signs will be provided. This gathering is an opportunity for our community to stand together in solidarity, reject cruelty, and affirm that our neighbors deserve dignity, safety, and welcome.

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Sponsored by the Congregation Action Network (CAN) and Arlington Neighbors United for Humanity (ANUFH).

You're invited to attend the opening of Jim Coates and Cathy Abbott’s “Success Depends on the LORD,” a collection of photographs and art that honors Arlington Temple’s legacy. Join us on September 24th from 5:00pm-7:00pm at the Dadian Gallery for our opening reception. Please RSVP.

Join our Spirit and Nature walk group on Sunday, September 27, 2 PM at Scott’s Run Park in McLean. Please contact Jaydee Hanson to register, 703-231-5956.

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It is Hispanic Heritage Month. Meet Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian theologian who is credited with the development of Liberation Theology, a body of work focused on the poor and marginalized.  

This week's protests/activist events:

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Friday, September 18, 6:30 pm, Kennedy Center Steps. Hands Off The Arts protest against the administration's ongoing attempts to close the Kennedy Center. 

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Saturday September 19, 2-4 pm, Arlington Interfaith Vigil against ICE cruelty. Alcova Heights Park.

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Saturday September 19, 9am-12:30 pm EDT, Camp Democracy. You will learn from seasoned community organizers who know what it takes to bend the arc of history toward justice and gain the tactical skills needed to stand firmly and courageously on the side of love.  

Where: All Souls Church Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington, DC 20009

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/1005373/  ‍

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SAVE THE DATE: October 17 is No Kings AND Crop Walk! We will tell you how you can do both!  

Ongoing: 

The Trump administration has cancelled Temporary Protective Status for Haitian and other refugees, changing their status to undocumented overnight, denying them the ability to legally work, and making them subject to deportation to countries that are still dangerous to and to which they may have no enduring ties. Please contact your Senators and Representative to demand the White House restore TPS. 

• An easy way to email all your representatives at once is at https://democracy.io/

Freedom Vigil: Chantilly ICE Processing Center, Sundays, 4-5 pm. ICE’s Washington Field Office

14797 Murdock St, Chantilly. 

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Bridge Brigades, weekly protests on overpasses. 

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm, 1644 N Lincoln St, Arlington

• Wednesdays, 12-1:30 pm. 1006 N George Mason Dr, Arlington 

• Sundays, 3-4:30 pm. 2100 21st St N, Arlington 

Indivisible weekly zoom, Fridays, noon. 

Indivisible Arlington, weekly rally, Saturdays, 2-4 pm, 2710 S Glebe Rd., Arlington

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If you want to support partisan campaigns, there are plenty of opportunities on http://www.mobilize.us and at campaign websites. You can also sign up to write postcards to voters here: https://postcardstovoters.org/ or https://www.signsofjustice.com

Mark your calendar for Ecoaction Arlington’s annual stream cleanup and trash tally on September 26. Last year the number one item picked up in Virginia was food wrappers. Learn more and sign up.  Our Annual Fall Stream Cleanup & Trash Tally Rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026

Mark your calendars for Mount Olivet’s Fall Clean-up Day on Saturday morning, October 24. We'll be raking leaves, pulling weeds, pruning bushes, and generally sprucing up the grounds in advance of the holidays. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Ann Speicher or Amy Ruth Cole.

Walk to end hunger! Save the date. Join the Mount Olivet Team. Support a Walker. Saturday morning, October 17. Funds raised support AFAC and global food programs. More details to follow.

Time to dust it off and wear it Sunday! Don't have one yet or misplaced yours? Just make a request on the attendance card (indicate any desired pronouns). We look forward to greeting you by name!

It is hardly a secret that the last few years at Mount Olivet have brought many opportunities for resilience. We have recovered from a fire. We have made many changes and upgrades to our property. We have rejuvenated Community Assistance. Our clergy team and staff have seen changes, bidding farewell to some and welcoming new.

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Our UMC denomination has weathered the sorrow of schism, while Mount Olivet has remained a place of inclusivity and welcome.

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Throughout these shifts, our Mount Olivet community has responded with grace, hospitality, creativity, and flexibility.

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It is time to refresh our strategic plan which was completed in 2017.

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We begin our next season together with a time of dreaming, visioning, and planning that will allow us all to be proactive rather than reactive. And to be all God is calling us to be.

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With Council approval, a small team: Rudy Barnes, Jim Coates, Cindy Huber, Pastor Sara Keeling, Didi Kumalo, Kevin Togashi is in consultation with Rev. Dr. Jason Stanley of the Virginia Conference office on discerning a visioning and strategic planning process. We will begin this work late summer and through the fall to help focus our ministry and mission for the next few years.

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While there will be ample opportunities for congregational feedback and participation, our first step is very simple. We are beginning this process not with our own opinions and ideas and hopes, but by listening to God.

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We will begin with prayer.

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We are inviting all of the congregation to find a time each day for the month of July to pray the prayer that you’ll find below. This is a prayer that we have crafted inviting us to listen, to center down, to welcome God’s Spirit.

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Holy Spirit, quiet our hearts

   to hear Your voice.

Hold us in Your love,

   so that all are welcomed and valued.

Guide our discernment

   and shape our plans with compassion and courage.

Light a fire within us

   that renews and unites our church for joyful service.

Send us out in the light of Christ 

   to follow faithfully wherever You lead.

Amen.

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.

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.