Neighbor News
Emmaus United Church of Christ, Vienna Baptist Church Announce Partnership
Emmaus UCC will share campus, resources with Vienna Baptist Church in a covenant designed to strengthen both faith communities.
After months of shared discernment and with the approval of their congregations, on October 26th Emmaus United Church of Christ and Vienna Baptist Church publicly entered into a covenant with each other designed to foster mutual growth and vitality. While Vienna Baptist is moving their primary location to the Emmaus campus at 900 Maple Ave East, the congregation is maintaining separate worship services and ministries.
“In the Bible, a covenant is a relationship between two partners who make binding promises to each other and work together to reach a common goal,” said Rev. Dr. Kristen McBrayer, Emmaus’ Senior Minister. “Emmaus and Vienna Baptist are choosing to enter into a formal relationship of mutual commitment, mutual trust, and mutual support so that together we can reach our common goal of thriving futures for both churches.”
While the new partnership is timed with the ongoing sale of Vienna Baptist’s property at 541 Marshall Road SW in Vienna, the covenant is not a merger. Emmaus and Vienna Baptist will maintain separate congregations and separate leadership structures. The congregations will hold separate Sunday worship services in the main Sanctuary at 900 Maple Ave East, with Emmaus UCC services at 10 a.m. and Vienna Baptist services at 11:30 a.m.
Find out what's happening in Viennafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Leaders from both churches say the covenant will create opportunities to collaborate in ministry, fellowship, and service activities and to share resources while maintaining separate identities.
“We believe that the Town of Vienna is better with a thriving Emmaus and a thriving Vienna Baptist,” said Vienna Baptist Pastor Austin Almaguer. “Our hope is that this new partnership will bolster the ministries of both churches and enable each congregation to expand their community impact.”
Find out what's happening in Viennafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
* * * *
Emmaus United Church of Christ is a progressive, open and welcoming Christian congregation that celebrates the diverse theological beliefs of its members. It has been serving the Vienna community since 1966.
Vienna Baptist Church is an inclusive church committed to changing lives and transforming the community with the love of God. The church has been serving the Vienna community since 1957.
