From the Outreach Committee

As we head into the summer break, the Outreach Committee would like to share with the congregation some of the highlights from our church-wide engagements:

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Lenten and Advent contributions totaled $40,000. This generous amount was distributed among the Arlington Free Clinic, NOVA Friends of Refugees, Just Neighbors, Offender Aid & Restoration and the United Methodists Apportionment Fund. Many of these community-based organizations are providing critical services to the immigrant population in Arlington - our theme for this year, and           Mount Olivet is happy that we can assist them.

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Youth Outreach Committee Representative Roxanne Carnahan organized a clothing drive to benefit Arlington Clothesline, a clothing bank that helps prepare low-income students for success in school.

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Outreach Committee members assisted Sarah Whiddon in starting an Access Small Group designed to welcome congregation members with disability challenges. The initiative has been well received. It meets every two months and all congregation members are welcomed to attend.

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The Outreach Committee also provided oversight for Mount Olivet’s annual participation in the Arlington CROP Hunger Walk, which raises funds for Arlington Food Assistance Center and global hunger relief programs. We also oversee activities of Mount Olivet’s refugee response ministry and Haiti education project.

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We continued to provide financial support for a number of Methodist Church Ministries (UM Family Services, UM Special Offerings) Local United Methodist Ministries (ESL, Just Neighbors, All God's Children’s Camp, Refugee Relief) and other Local Ministries (Kitchen of Purpose, Friends of Guest House, Meals on Wheels, Alternative House, VA Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Doorways, and Offender Aid and Restoration OAR).  

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This summary does not include all of the outreach activities undertaken by other groups and committees at Mount Olivet - such as Community Assistance, Youth Group mission trips, and more.

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Please contact the Committee Chair Jose Collazo if you have a suggestion or a deserving community-based organization the Outreach Committee could work with. We also encourage you to get involved in some of the activities mentioned here. Serving others is a vital part of our spiritual growth.