Turning the corner...light at the end of the tunnel...the other side by Linnea Carlson

These are all phrases that have been used to describe where we are in this pandemic. For those of us who thought this was going to last two weeks, the distance we have already traveled is overwhelming. Some of us are "glass half empty" kinds of people and since we were so wrong at the beginning, we are not sure what to think now.

In the last week, I heard of a young child that has contracted Covid. I have no idea how they are feeling or their story. I would guess their family is not feeling like they are turning the corner, but more like square one.

For people who have lost loved ones or whose health was impacted by this, they may be wondering if they will ever "turn the corner." Others are starting to get excited as some restrictions are being lifted and many people have been vaccinated. We are beginning to attend youth sports, go out places and make plans to connect with people. Cautiously, some folks are asking what the new "normal" will even look like.

No matter where we are on this journey, it is important to remember we are not alone. God is walking with us. That is our common denominator. If we are mourning, our God is with us. If we are scared, our God is beside us. If we are hopeful, our God goes with us. In the course of a day, we might have all of those feelings and, as we do, our God accompanies us.

God said to Moses in Exodus, chapter 33 “My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.”

Dear God,

Please help me remember your presence in my life. You walk with me no matter what I am feeling. May I come to you for strength on this journey. Amen.

This week's resources discuss the serious and difficult problems of schooling and prisons. Have you ever wondered if schools might be more of a problem than a solution? Stop by and engage a few of our resources to deepen your understanding of a complex situation going on right now in our communities.

Sunday, May 16 at 3 PM on The Green

Register today for Outdoor Communion on Sunday, May 16 at 3 PM on The Green! We will be opening with a hymn this week and will remain socially distanced with masks.

Join Mount Olivet for Summer Sunday School for kids ages 2- grade 5. We will meet virtually every Sunday using Zoom. At the beginning of each quarter, bags will be distributed with lessons for each week. There are videos, crafts and we will be learning important lessons about God and being one of God's children. Please contact Linnea Carlson to sign-up.

Contact: Linnea Carlson | lcarlson@mtolivet-umc.org

May 10-12, 2021 from 2–3:30 PM

This prayer school will help you gain a fresh perspective on the purpose of prayer and will provide you with a sustainable framework for personal prayer using Pastor Brian Zahnd’s Liturgy of Morning Prayer. 

There is one opportunity left for Prayer School Online: May 10-12, 2021 from 2–3:30 PM 

Pastor Teer has participated in this school and plans to participate again in May. It was an opportunity to establish a new rhythm of prayer, leaning on the prayers already available to the church. 

Prayer School Online is available for a donation of any amount.

Did the pandemic cause you to upgrade your electronic devices? Are the old ones gathering dust somewhere? Did you do some home improvement projects that left you with household hazardous materials? Mark your calendars for Arlington’s “e-CARE” collection on May 22 from 8:30 AM - 3 PM at 1425 N. Quincy Street, across from Washington-Liberty High School. Most Arlington residents with curbside trash service can have electronic devices collected at the curb but the e-CARE collection is useful for residents without that service and with household hazardous materials. Check the list of acceptable items for e-CARE at the link below. 

Note: This year, metal and bikes will not be collected.

Mount Olivet and Doorways have been partners in service to our community for more than 25 years. With our support, Doorways provides a 24-hour domestic and sexual violence hotline, a safehouse and safe apartments for survivors of abuse, housing for families and youth experiencing homelessness, and wraparound services including court advocacy, hospital accompaniment, survivor counseling, financial independence training, and programs specifically for the children in Doorways’ care.

The statistics of abuse are startling: more than one in three women and more than one in four men will experience intimate partner violence. With our help, Doorways can stop this abuse before it starts.

Doorways’ Primary Prevention Program is a new effort aimed at teaching youth (ages 12 to 24) to shift attitudes, behaviors, and norms that perpetuate violence. Educational events and activities focus on topics including healthy relationships, consent, communication, and gender stereotypes.

Mount Olivet has already made a commitment to support this bold, necessary initiative. Will you join the effort? Visit the Doorways link below to sign up for Doorways’ Prevention Program updates and invest in the vision for a safer, kinder community, today!

Arlington County’s Public Health Division is offering walk-in vaccine clinics to individuals ages 16 and up. 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. Walk-ins are welcome through May 7 at the following sites:

Walter Reed Community Center, 2909 16^th Street South, Arlington, VA 22206

Hours: 10AM-3PM

Age requirements: 16 and over (individuals ages 16-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who can provide permission to get the COVID-19 vaccine)

Vaccine available: Pfizer

Crystal City, 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

Hours: 9AM-7PM

Age requirements: 18 and over

Vaccine available: Moderna and Johnson & Johnson

Individuals can still schedule appointments by visiting the County website at the link below or by calling (703) 228-7999.