Emmaus UCC, Vienna Baptist Church Announce Partnership

December 12, 2025

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.

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.”

Emmaus Senior Minister on the Impact of Federal Cuts

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Rev. Dr. Kristen McBrayer, senior minister of Emmaus UCC, penned an op-ed in the MinnPost to give readers in her native Minnesota a view into how cuts to the federal workforce and services are impacting life in the DC-area — and how those effects will eventually ripple across the U.S.

UCC Advocacy Resources for the First 100 Days

Posted March 1, 2025

The United Church of Christ Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, DC, is dedicated to raising the prophetic voice of the UCC on Capitol Hill. As part of this work, the Office has prepared tools designed to help us stay informed and take action during the first 100 days of the new Administration.

Whether you’re mobilizing for immigration reform, preserving lifesaving foreign aid, or climate action, these resources offer faithful grounding and actionable steps to continue the United Church of Christ’s mission to build a just world for all. This page is updated weekly with resources, including phone and letter scripts, to help you in your advocacy.

Emmaus UCC Asks UVA To Restore Care for Trans Youth

February 20, 2025

Rev. Dr. Kristen McBrayer submitted a letter to the UVA Board of Visitors prior to their meeting to determine the fate of life-saving and affirming care for our trans and gender-expansive youth.

Emmaus UCC Stands with Bishop Budde

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The members and clergy of Emmaus United Church of Christ stand with The Right Reverend Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde and her call for mercy.