Adults

Mount Olivet’s Senior Adult Book Group meets via Zoom at 10 AM on the first Wednesday of each month. Books the group will discuss next are: 

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12/2/2026
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

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1/6/2027
A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, and The Thanksgiving Visitor by Truman Capote

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If you would like to participate in the book group discussions, please contact Jim Dake.

Join the Spirit and Nature Walk group at Scott’s Run in McLean on October 25, 2 PM. Contact Jaydee with any questions at jaydeehanson@gmail.com

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Better Together is a group of Mount Olivet folks who are concerned for our democracy and the civil rights of all. We meet occasionally after church and share information on ways to contribute to the cause. If you are interested, contact Holly Fletcher at 703-855-2547 or email holly_berkley@yahoo.com. 

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This week's protests/activist events:

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THANK YOU MOUNT OLIVET!! Our church community sent out 1,000 postcards to voters!!! These were non-partisan reminders to get out and vote on November 2. 

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We are in the last big push to Stop the Arch, which is likely to get final approval at the National Capitol Planning Commission meeting on November 5. Ways you can help:

1) Register to speak at the meeting 

2) Submit written remarks online

3) Protest at Memorial Circle, every weekday from 4-6 pm. Email Bob robert.fasick@verizon.net for more information.

4) Contact your Reps/Senators. Rep. Don Beyer has already been working hard on this, so contact him to say thanks! An easy way to email all your representatives at once is at https://democracy.io/

EARLY VOTING IS ONGOING! BE SURE TO VOTE! 

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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. 

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

Freedom Vigil: Sundays, 4-5 pm. ICE’s Washington Field Office, 14797 Murdock St, Chantilly. 

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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.

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.

The maritime industry insured the captured people being transported across the Atlantic. After the enslaved became vital to economic growth in the US, their owners realized they could purchase life or property insurance policies to guard against the loss of their "investment."  Some insurers whose names you will recognize were involved in this aspect of building wealth based on the labor of others.

From Creation Justice: Love for the next generation is the number one reason why people care about climate change. Keep in mind your children, grands, greats, and future generations as you make choices for your lifestyle and for how you spend your energy addressing the environmental and justice issues of today. Be proactive for their sake.