Adults

For our summer discussion group, Pastor Sara and Pastor Stephanie will be leading a session on our sermon series, They Said What? We'll focus on the Genesis passages we've been hearing in worship and will discuss how they have impacted us. In the midst of all this light-hearted material, we'll be sure to make room to connect, catch up and simply laugh!

What: Summer Discussion Group 

Where: Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81378960883  

When: Thursdays from 7:15-8:15

Dates: July 9 & 23 and August 6

Feel free to pop in as your schedule allows!

Better together is a group of Mount Olivet folks who are concerned for our democracy and the civil rights of all. We meet occasionally after church and share information on ways to contribute to cause. If you are interested, contact Holly Fletcher via 703-855-2547 or email holly_berkley@yahoo.com. 

Upcoming ways to get involved: 

Events:

Vigil to Demand Justice for Lorenzo. Justice for Johan. Justice for All. ICE Out. Saturday, July 25,   6-8 pm, Saint Gabriel Catholic Church, 26 Grant Cir NW, Washington, DC 20011. 

Repairers of the Breach, mass action information session, Thursday, July 23, 8 pm, you must register in advance: https://bit.ly/MassGatheringLink

Repairers of the Breach, Moral Monday, July 27 6 pm, Black Lives Matter Plaza in front of the White House. 

Save the Date: National Action Network March on Washington, August 28, The Lincoln Memorial. marchonwashington2026.com

Ongoing: 

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 

Singing Resistance DMV, Second Tuesday Sing-ins. Every second Tuesday of the the, 7-8:30 pm, 2455 Gallows Rd, Dunn Loring. 

Racial Equity Resources

July is Disability Awareness Month, also known as Disability Pride Month. Learn more about the Methodist Church's efforts to be more inclusive and ways that foster positive interactions for everyone. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jdI0Ff86imhzyFvU80szdIH6wfDMDaztyRCof-uhqqA/edit?usp=sharing

Hospitality is one of the simplest ways we live out Christ's love, and it starts at our door. Mount Olivet needs greeters to help extend a warm welcome to everyone who joins us on Sunday, and it only requires 20 minutes a month! It's a simple way to serve that makes a big difference!

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.

‍

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

‍

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

‍

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

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

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.

‍

We will begin with prayer.

‍

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.

‍

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.

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.

Mount Olivet’s Senior Adult Book Group meets via Zoom at 10 AM on the first Wednesday of each month. Books the group will discuss next are: 

• August 5 Judge Stone by Viola Davis and James Patterson
• September 2 Theo the Golden by Allen Levi

If you would like to participate in the book group discussions, please contact Jim Dake.

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.

July is Disability Awareness Month, also known as Disability Pride Month. Learn more about the Methodist Church's efforts to be more inclusive and ways that foster positive interactions for everyone.

August 15 is the deadline for middle or high school students who live in Arlington to submit an expression of interest form if they are interested in becoming a student member of the EcoAction Arlington Board of Directors. Find information about the Board of Directors and a link to the expression of interest at ecoactionarlington.org.