Announcements
Worship
Join Mount Olivet in Eastertide
Sermon Series begins Sunday, April 27, Study begins Wednesday, April 30
We are beginning a new sermon series and Wednesday Study next week—The Sermon on the Mount! We will study Jesus’ foundational teachings drawing both from interpretations from Bonhoeffer and Amy-Jill Levine. The Wednesday night study will meet via Zoom at 7 PM. All are welcome! Join Zoom Meeting
Community
Better Together: Finding Help and Hope in Community
Join us for our next gathering of Better Together. As we face so many new challenges and anxieties from federal jobs to immigration, to LGBTQ rights and DEI, how can we support and encourage each other? We’ll gather after worship on May 18, share a meal, and discuss ways that we can respond, rest, and resist. We’ll conclude our time together with meditation and ways to ground ourselves in hope. Lunch will be provided although bringing a dish to share is always welcome.
Youth Choir Concert
Join us for a concert performance of our new Youth Choir on June 1 at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall.
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Caretakers of God's Creation
We know that being among trees is good for us but have you ever wondered whether their value can be calculated? The geographically small Arlington County has about 755,000 trees (compared to a human population of 238,000) that remove air pollutants, store carbon, prevent runoff, and keep energy costs down. The calculated value for all the activity happening around us is $1.41 Billion! If you are curious about our bigger neighbor, check out Fairfax County’s Tree Commission Annual Report. arlingtonva.us | fairfaxcounty.gov
Racial Equity Resources
Anti-Japanese sentiment caused the US and Japan to enter the Gentlemen's Agreement restricting the immigration of most Japanese men between 1907 and 1924 but not their wives. Most of the Japanese men already on the West Coast and Hawaii were not married so this provision seemed like it would have had little applicability. The workaround? Photographs, matchmakers, proxy marriages, and wharf weddings, all of which resulted in tens of thousands of "picture brides" journeying to America and joining husbands they had never met.
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Rev. Dr. Sara Keeling
In May 2021, Pastor Sara began a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree program at Wesley Theological Seminary in DC. Her focus track was Howard Thurman: Prophetic Witness and her final project centered on building Beloved Community within congregations. She completed the work this Spring and graduated on May 12. Now we can officially refer to her as Rev. Dr. Sara Keeling!
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Discover Mount Olivet
Why is Mount Olivet so exceptional? What makes Methodism different from other denominations? How have lives been touched over our 170 year history on this corner in Arlington? How can your life be transformed within this faith community? Come join our 2, one-hour Zoom classes in later May to find out the answer to these and other questions.
The Church is the People!
United Methodist Churches thrive with the strength of our lay (non-clergy) leaders and volunteers. Our Nominations and Leadership Development Team has begun the work of identifying persons who are interested and called to serve in various leadership capacities. These opportunities range from our administrative committees such as trustees, finance, and SPRC to our mission and ministry teams such as Caretakers of God’s Creation, Witness & Welcome, and Racial Equity to name a few.
If you would like to nominate someone (or even yourself!), please send an email to Pastor Sara including detail of interests, experience, skills, etc.
Adults
Eastertide Wednesday Study
Join us for our sermon series and Wednesday Study—The Sermon on the Mount! We will study Jesus’ foundational teachings drawing both from interpretations from Bonhoeffer and Amy-Jill Levine. The Wednesday night study meets via Zoom at 7 PM. All are welcome! Join Zoom Meeting
Children & Families
STEAMTree Camp is returning to Mount Olivet this summer!
For our youngest explorers (ages 3-5), our half-day program (with a full-day option!) is packed with engaging activities. Imagine their delight as they dive into exciting explorations, create masterpieces with crafts, work together on fun projects, and discover the wonders of any and all of our weekly themes. Our Rising Kindergarten - Grade 5 campers takes the excitement to the next level! Campers will have a blast with a wide array of hands-on activities, fostering curiosity and creativity through exploration, crafts, projects, and captivating experiments.
STEAMTree is perfect for busy families, our programs make it easy to drop off siblings of different ages at one convenient location. And makes it easy for our big kids to pick and chose by the week or by the day!
Give your children a summer filled with laughter, discovery, and friendship – sign up for our camps today!
Youth
Youth Choir Concert
Join us for a concert performance of our new Youth Choir on June 1 at 6:00 PM in Fellowship Hall.
Fire
Latest Fire Update: May 15
Construction continues to progress on schedule. HVAC, electrical, framing, and plumbing have all passed county inspections. Insulation was completed this week. Drywall installation will commence in the coming week. Wiring for security cameras was completed last week. Cameras will go in closer to the end of the project. Low voltage wiring for internet access is ongoing, but more than half is complete.
The restoration is scheduled to be finished by late 2025, depending on weather and other factors. We are looking forward to being able to "Open the Doors" and use our full building!
Meanwhile, the church continues to operate with a reduced footprint. We are limited to the sanctuary, preschool, youth area, fellowship hall and L-8 and L-9. Staff continue to work at home. We thank you for your patience as we move through the restoration and remain grateful for your continued support and prayers.
