Senior-High Washington D.C. Service Retreat

When you think of the stereotypical homeless person portrayed by pop culture what do you think of?  Do you think of someone wearing multiple layers of clothing?  Someone pushing a shopping cart?  There are lots of images that come to mind, but as our group discovered this past weekend, many of these images are merely stereotypes and do not represent reality.

On Saturday we made around 30 bagged lunches to hand out to the homeless population around the area that we were staying.  We split into three groups, and went out to engage the homeless population and to offer a bagged lunch.  After close to two hours we came back together as a large group, and everyone agreed, finding homeless people is easier said than done.  We were expecting to fine individuals who fit the stereotypes that we had in our minds, the problem was there are not many people who fit these stereotypes.  We were able to hand out 8 meals.  While we were certainly disappointed we didn't get to hand out more meals, this lead to some good conversation about the homeless population. 

My group meet a gentleman by the name of William.  At first our group was hesitant to approach William, because we could not determine if he was homeless.  Not wanting to offend anyone we approached William initially asking for help.  We described who we were, and what we were doing.  We asked William if he knew of anyone who could use a meal.  William told us that he could use a meal, and that he would eat it right away.  After a wonderful conversation with William we headed back to rejoin the rest of the group.  We all agreed, even if we had no more success the rest of the day, we felt like we had accomplished something big by helping William.

After working in the morning we spent the afternoon doing a little sight-seeing around the city.  We ran into a homeless man asking for money near a metro station, and Kacie-Linn dec

ided that the group would take him to McDonalds so he could have a meal.  So we all crowded into McDonalds and Kacie-Linn treated our new friend to a meal. 

The following morning we worked with an organization called Café Capitol Hill.  They are a part of the Capitol Hill United Methodist Church.  This group offers a meal every Sunday following church.  We worked to help prepare the meal and set up the room, and then joined the congregation in worship.  After worship we went down to the fellowship hall to serve the meal to the approximately fifty homeless men and women who were gathered to eat.  We all had plenty of opportunity to not only serve the men and women, but to also fellowship with them.  We all h

ad an enjoyable time, and even made a few new friends.

During the course of the weekend we were able to serve others, and by doing so, serve Jesus.  It was a wonderful weekend and a positive experience for all involved. 

Coffee House Concert

On Sunday evening Jason and Kristi Burton performed a concert in the fellowship hall.  Around fifty Olivet members came together for dinner at 5:00 with the concert starting at 6:00.  The Burton's put on a wonderful concert full of good Christian music.  They were extremely talented and had great stage presence.  Everyone left the evening agreeing what a wonderful night it had been.

Jason Burton

This Sunday Jason Burton, a Christian musician from Lynchburg, will be performing a concert in the fellowship hall at Olivet.  Before the concert there will be a potato bar offered so people have a chance to enjoy fellowship time with one and other.  The concert will start at 6:00 and should run approximately an hour.  If you are in town and looking for a fun evening full of fellowship and good music, come on out and join us.  This is something that the entire family should enjoy. 

Church Ball?

On Sunday night the mid-highs gathered for Youth Fellowship.  We enjoyed a great meal of spaghetti and meatballs, with ice-cream Sunday's for dessert!  Afterwards we cleared out the fellowship hall and played a game using a plastic baseball bat, cones for bases, and a soft rubber ball.  We rolled the ball to the plate, and hit it like we were playing polo.  The youth got into the game, and by the end we were all exhausted, or at least I was.  We finished up the evening with some group time upstairs in the youth room.

After the game we discussed the need to find a name for the new game.  Some of the suggestions were; church ball, rolly-polly ball, and roll ball.  What do you think?  See the poll on the side to vote!

Visit to Zion Union Baptist Church

This morning the youth Sunday school classes visited Zion Union Baptist Church in Charlottesville.  The congregation of Zion Union were extremely hospitable, and even had an ice-cream social involving the two youth groups afterwards.  It was an uplifting service with a powerful message. 

LOCK-IN!!!!

What - Lock-In

When - Friday, March 18th, 7:30pm-7:30am

Where - Olivet, meet in the youth room

Why - To enjoy a night full of fun and fellowship!

Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water.  When they saw him they were terrified....Jesus spoke to them at once.  "Courage!" he said, "It is I.  Don't be afraid."

Matthew 14:22-23

Over 1,000 6th, 7th & 8th graders and their adult leaders, from all over the country, will travel to Massanetta for the unique program of key-notes, music, recreation, workshops, and small groups led by amazing senior-highs.  Olivet will be traveling to Massanetta during session 2, June 21st - June 24th.  The cost of the trip is $320, which covers 3 nights in the hotel at Massanetta, three meals a day, a conference t-shirt, and a wonderful conference experience.