We welcome you to what we are:
We're Ancient and New
The faith we hold is ancient, going back to Jesus, back to his spiritual ancestors, back to those who walked the earth and found holy ground. And what we do is often based on really ancient patterns—worship and music; loving service to the poor, the hurting, the lonely; working for justice and peace; lively, fearless education and formation of
minds and souls. And that faith is also completely contemporary, engaged in the culture and the needs of the moment. We're For
The dignity and worth of every person. An open minded, passionate commitment to truth. The importance of everyone’s own spiritual journey. Seeking Christ in every person who comes through the door. The sacredness of life’s rites of passage. The value of community. The hard work necessary to make sure that all welcomed. Telling the truth about life’s challenges. A “user-friendly” church experience. We're Against
Claiming to have all the answers. Elitism and exclusivism, especially in church. Bigotry for any reason. Authoritarianism. Indifference to injustice and suffering. Certitude in the face of ambiguity and superficial answers to hard questions. Boring sermons, bad music and general cluelessness. (So, God help us, because we don’t always avoid them!)
We Value
Community, open hearts, open minds, open arms. Faith. Fortitude. Staying current, but equally staying rooted in tradition. Reason and honesty. Civic Responsibility as Virginians, Americans and global citizens. Debate that allows for mutual respect. Music and beauty for their own sake. Joy in God’s creation. Anyone who makes an effort to get to know and follow Jesus. Or, to put it more briefly: Reason over dogma. Reality over perfection. And ambiguity over certitude. In other words, Faith. Everybody needs a place. Emmanuel Church could be yours. Check us out!
