With our return to in-person, indoor worship, we have continued to require the wearing of masks and encourage social distancing. Fortunately, we have not had any outbreaks in Mount Olivet. I know that you are probably growing weary of mask restrictions. This past week, the Virginia Conference Post-Covid Re-entry Group (PRG) wrote the a letter (see link below) to shed light on why Mount Olivet has chosen not to ease mask restrictions. As well, our own Karen McElfish, who sits on the Virginia Annual Conference PRT, was featured in a video answering questions about the covid vaccine (see link below.)

Sunday, October 3

On Sunday, October 3 we will bless the 3^rd grade bibles at both 11 AM services indoors. Then, join us outside at 12 PM under the tent to distribute the bibles to the 3^rd graders.

Whether you're continuing to worship online or are looking forward to returning in-person, there are many ways to worship this fall!

The Way Modern Worship | Sundays at 11 AM

At last! We've missed you like crazy. The service will be just like you remember, but you'll need a mask, and you'll need to down that cup of your favorite coffee before you come into the building, as food and drink will be postponed a while longer. Register by visiting mountolivetumc.com/theway.

Traditional Worship | Sundays at 11 AM

We are continuing to worship in-person in the Sanctuary on Sundays at 11 AM! Remember to bring a mask or ask the greeter for one upon entering the church. Pre-registration is required by visiting mountolivetumc.com/worship-registration.

Live Stream of 11 AM Worship

Not ready to return to in-person worship but curious what it's like? We are now live-streaming the 11 AM Traditional Service in the virtual Gathering Space. The Gathering Space is an online space where you can view the service and chat live with others. Visit https://mountolivetumc.online.church/ to learn more and worship. (Note: The 8:30 AM Gathering Space service has ended due to low viewership.)

Online Worship

This has been our main form of worship since March 2020 and it's not going anywhere! You'll be able to view the pre-recorded online worship service every Sunday on YouTube or Facebook. Visit mountolivetumc.com/online-worship to learn more.

We will hold a Charge Conference on September 25 at 8:30 AM via Zoom. Non-council members, contact Tina at tmarcus@mtolivet-umc.org or (703) 527-3934 for Zoom link.   

Sunday, October 3 at 3 PM

Calling all creatures! On Sunday, October 3 at 3:00 pm we'll be gathering outdoors for the annual Blessing of The Animals. Bring your furry family members for a brief service and blessing, all while socially distanced. If your pet doesn't travel well, you can bring or send us their photo. Please let us know you're coming by registering at the link below.  

October 23, 8:30 AM - 12 PM

Join us for Mount Olivet's Fall Clean-up Day, Saturday, October 23 from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. All the activities will be OUTDOORS and you are welcome to come as early as you can and stay as long as you are able. We'll be weeding flower beds, raking leaves, digging out invasive bushes, cleaning out dirty window wells, and doing other projects to spruce up our grounds and make them more welcoming. Contact Ann Speicher at alspeicher7@gmail.com or 703-307-1245 with questions or to volunteer to help organize the event. Register at the link below.

Sunday, October 31, 8:30 and 11 AM Services

Dr. Shaner’s last Sunday with us, before he and Ann enjoy their retirement will be October 31. On that day, we will celebrate his ministry at Mount Olivet with a tribute following all worship services. Because we anticipate greater attendance, and because we must limit attendance numbers due to Covid, we will be adding an 8:30 worship service that day. 

    In addition, if you would like to send a card or message to Steven and Ann, please send the card to Mount Olivet, attention: Marilyn Traynham and we will present all those we receive to them at the celebration. Finally, Mount Olivet members and friends are also invited to contribute to a “love gift” for Dr. Shaner (checks should be made out to Mount Olivet, with “love gift” noted in the memo line or you can give online at the link below), as we thank him for his ministry with us and wish him and Ann Godspeed. 

Acts of The Spirit

Wednesdays, 7 PM

What does the movement of the Holy Spirit reveal to us about the character of God? Where was the Holy Spirit on the move? How does the movement of the Holy Spirit in the early church empower the church today? Every year in the late spring, the Church gathers to celebrate Pentecost. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the gathered church and all gathered began speaking in every known language. This must have been quite the sight to behold. But this was not the last time the Holy Spirit would move within the early church. Join Pastor Teer for a four-week exploration of the movement of the Holy Spirit in the early church. Contact Pastor Teer to register.

Contact: Pastor Teer | thardy@mtolivet-umc.org

9:30 Study Group Sunday School Class

Join the 9:30 Study Group Sunday School Class at 9:30 AM via Zoom as they study Jimmy Carter’s book Faith: A journey for All. All his life, President Jimmy Carter has been a courageous exemplar of faith. Now he shares the lessons he learned. He writes, “The issue of faith arises in almost every area of human existence, so it is important to understand its multiple meanings. In this book, my primary goal is to explore the broader meaning of faith, its far-reaching effect on our lives, and its relationship to past, present, and future events in America and around the world. The religious aspects of faith are also covered, since this is how the word is most often used, and I have included a description of the ways my faith has guided and sustained me, as well as how it has challenged and driven me to seek a closer and better relationship with people and with God.” As President Carter examines faith’s many meanings, he describes how to accept it, live it, how to doubt and find faith again. A serious and moving reflection from one of America’s most admired and respected citizens.

Contact: Monte Campbell | montecampbell@earthlink.net

Spirited Parents Sunday School Class

Spirited Parents is a warm, enthusiastic group that seeks to support each other during the parenting and spiritual journey. We benefit from the weekly fellowship, but the standalone format enables attendees to drop in as their schedules allow. While parents with children of all ages are welcome, most of our children are tweens, teens, and young adults. We meet on Sundays at 9:45 AM outside on The Green as long as it’s not too wet and is above 30 degrees, otherwise we will be in Room L3. 

Contact: Sherri Hunter | sherrihunter@verizon.net

La Cocina VA will again be making delicious meals every Wednesday for pick-up!

1. Place your order at the link below.
2. Pick-up your order at La Cocina’s Café on Wednesdays between 7 AM– 4 PM.

Menu for September 29: Beef or Veggie Chili. All meals served with a loaf of wheat bread and brownies.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or you want to dive into something new at Mount Olivet, we invite you to join our team of Sunday morning greeters. Every week at Mount Olivet, worshipers are greeted as they enter the building. Greeters answer questions, share a smile, and serve as the first face many see when they arrive at Mount Olivet.

Contact: Pastor Teer | thardy@mtolivet-umc.org

Did you know that a future Super Bowl football player was denied entry into an Arlington pre-school because of his race and his challenge to the practice resulted in a Supreme Court decision in his favor? Also, Arlington is well-known for being the first Virginia jurisdiction to integrate public schools but it may not have been as smooth a process as people imagine. See some of the anti-integration propaganda disseminated at the time, learn about the slow pace of integration after the first students began attending Stratford, and hear from local historian Wilma Jones for the Black perspective. Resources at the link below.

We're happy to announce that hybrid Sunday School for children and youth has resumed!

Children's Sunday School

Online

• We meet via Zoom for activities and Bible stories each Sunday!
• Preschool age 3 through Kindergarten meets from 9-9:30 AM.
• Elementary Grades 1-5 meets from 9:40-10:10 AM.
• Each child will receive a bag with a lesson packet for each week. There are coloring sheets, puzzles and crafts.

 In-person

• We plan on meeting outside under the tent on The Green!
• Kids will sit on a yoga mat and be socially distanced, with masks worn at all times.
• Each child will have their own bag of supplies that they will use each week. They will be stored at MO.
• Preschool and elementary will meet from 10:15 AM to 10:55 AM.

Youth Sunday School

We're back! In-person Youth Sunday School meets in the Youth Area from 10:15-11 AM. Online participants will meet on Sundays from 9:40-10:10 AM on Zoom!

Register your child/youth for Sunday School at the link below.

When we think about “green” jobs, we may think about the obvious ones like installing solar panels, but we shouldn’t limit ourselves. Ecoaction Arlington will host a watch party and discussion of Making a Living and a Life: Empowering Young People with an ALL Careers Approach on September 30 at 7 PM. There will be introductory remarks by Martin Ogle of Entrepreneurial Earth, formerly chief naturalist for Northern Virginia Regional Parks and incidentally, a former member of Mount Olivet. Register at the link below and view the video.

How You Can Help

Haiti

If you wish to support Earthquake relief efforts in Haiti, please consider a donation to UMCOR with a check earmarked "Haiti" or you can give using this link. Give Now

Afghanistan

For several years now, Mount Olivet has had a relationship with the Refugee Resettlement program of Catholic Charities connected to the Diocese of Arlington. They are one of the three resettlement agencies in Northern Virginia designated by the State Department to receive and place the newly arrived Afghan families who have fled to the U.S. from Afghanistan as Special Immigrant Visa holders. The need is pressing. Catholic Charities had around one hundred new refugees arrive in the past three weeks. Their most pressing need is financial donations. This will help a family live temporarily in a hotel for two to three weeks until a more permanent option becomes available. It will then help with rent until a family has a source of income. Give using this link. Give Now

If you wish to donate gently used furniture, or other household items, please go to the Catholic Charities website -- ccda.net -- to learn how to do this because there are many State Department requirements and an approval process you will need to go through. Please note . . . we are not collecting furniture or household items at Mount Olivet! You will need to work through Catholic Charities. Donate at the link below.

Arlington County’s Public Health Division continues to offer free walk-in vaccine clinics to individuals ages 12 and up (children 17 years and young must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). No appointments required. You need to bring any form of identification to confirm your identity (examples include driver’s license, utility bill, insurance card or paystub). Arlington residency is not required: anyone from any jurisdiction is welcome. Follow the link to walk-in sites or to schedule an appointment: https://www.arlingtonva.us/covid-19/vaccines/registration/

If you need ADA accommodations or require assistance scheduling your appointment with Arlington County Public Health, please call (703) 228-7999.