Adults

A five week sermon series and Thursday-evening companion class designed to help our community navigate transitions, discern God’s calling, and map out a purposeful future. Sunday morning worship, September 20-October 25, and Thursday evenings at 7:15 pm, October 1-22 via zoom.

Join our Spirit and Nature walk group on Sunday, September 27, 2 PM at Scott’s Run Park in McLean. Please contact Jaydee Hanson to register, 703-231-5956.

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Adults in all stages of life gather on Sunday mornings and throughout the week to grow in their faith and build relationships through groups, dinners, music, and more. Everyone is welcome, and we do mean everyone. To see a list of classes, click on our website link and reach out to the listed contact, or just show up on Sunday morning.

This week's protests/activist events:

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Friday, September 18, 6:30 pm, Kennedy Center Steps. Hands Off The Arts protest against the administration's ongoing attempts to close the Kennedy Center. 

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Saturday September 19, 2-4 pm, Arlington Interfaith Vigil against ICE cruelty. Alcova Heights Park.

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Saturday September 19, 9am-12:30 pm EDT, Camp Democracy. You will learn from seasoned community organizers who know what it takes to bend the arc of history toward justice and gain the tactical skills needed to stand firmly and courageously on the side of love.  

Where: All Souls Church Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington, DC 20009

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/1005373/  ‍

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SAVE THE DATE: October 17 is No Kings AND Crop Walk! We will tell you how you can do both!  

Ongoing: 

The Trump administration has cancelled Temporary Protective Status for Haitian and other refugees, changing their status to undocumented overnight, denying them the ability to legally work, and making them subject to deportation to countries that are still dangerous to and to which they may have no enduring ties. Please contact your Senators and Representative to demand the White House restore TPS. 

• An easy way to email all your representatives at once is at https://democracy.io/

Freedom Vigil: Chantilly ICE Processing Center, Sundays, 4-5 pm. ICE’s Washington Field Office

14797 Murdock St, Chantilly. 

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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. 

Indivisible Arlington, weekly rally, Saturdays, 2-4 pm, 2710 S Glebe Rd., Arlington

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If you want to support partisan campaigns, there are plenty of opportunities on http://www.mobilize.us and at campaign websites. You can also sign up to write postcards to voters here: https://postcardstovoters.org/ or https://www.signsofjustice.com

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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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We will begin with prayer.

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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.

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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.

Time to dust it off and wear it Sunday! Don't have one yet or misplaced yours? Just make a request on the attendance card (indicate any desired pronouns). We look forward to greeting you by name!

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.

It is Hispanic Heritage Month. Meet Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian theologian who is credited with the development of Liberation Theology, a body of work focused on the poor and marginalized.  

Mark your calendar for Ecoaction Arlington’s annual stream cleanup and trash tally on September 26. Last year the number one item picked up in Virginia was food wrappers. Learn more and sign up.  Our Annual Fall Stream Cleanup & Trash Tally Rescheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026