Welcome to MCC NOVA!

Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia is committed to creating a vital and adventurous spiritual community for all people, preparing for our work in the world through an engaged and growing spirituality that is relevant 24/7. We are a welcoming and affirming progressive spiritual community with a specific outreach to LGBTQI people and our allies who are seeking authentic spirituality and renewal through varied celebration experiences, educational and social enrichment opportunities, and tangible expressions of love through social justice and outreach opportunities.

Whether you are a current member, attender, or a old friend, we would love to see you.
Our worship begins Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.

Be sure to check the coming events page for happenings in our community!


20251005 – Harvest – Rejoice With Me! (Lost & Found)

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Luke 15:1-10
Second Reading ~ adapted from Brené Brown in “The Gifts of Imperfection”

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Harvest – Rejoice With Me! (Lost & Found)

It’s hard to be hateful
when you’re grateful.



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 57 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 6, 2025)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25



(above) MCC NoVA Board and Lay Delegate Presenting the Plaque (below)
to Genevieve on behalf of the community.

Genevieve handing in her Church Keys
at her last MCC NoVA Church Board Meeting


She will be driving across country this week. We send Genevieve on her way
with a journey blessing, a cake, a plaque, parting gifts, prayers,
and a lot of love! Journey well Sister!
You left a mark!


THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH IS CAKE SUNDAY!

If you have a Birthday during the month
let us celebrate with you on the First Sunday (Oct 5th)!
Big Thanks to Lee and the Cake Team!


This Month…
MCC NoVA Turns Thoughts to… HARVEST!

This approaching season is about much more than pumpkin spice and festive gourds.
It can be about how we harvest
the wisdom we have grown
to nourish us through our todays
and tomorrows.





Just waiting on YOU!



A mysterious poster that suddenly appeared on the center pillar featuring one of our remote members, Dawn Chattin
(yes, a relation) 🙂


Care For the Bunnies!

Genevieve’s Care for the Bunnies at her Animal Shelter forever changed us!
She left Bunnies everywhere!
And we collected hundreds of empty cardboard paper rolls for the bunnies to use as playful holders for munching greens!
We will miss you, Genevieve!



Online & Paper Sign Up for Social Hospitality and Monthly Birthday Cake!
Did you ever forget when you volunteered to provide Social Hospitality? Or forget to sign up while you were at church? You can now access the schedule and sign up online at
Meal Train® for MCC-NoVA’s Social Hospitality.
You can also use it to volunteer to bring the monthly birthday cake. And we’ll continue to have the paper sign-up sheet at church.
Contact Jen Yi if you have any questions.




Homeless Ministry Service – First Sunday of Every Month

We need your warmth to help provide warmth to this underserved community!
Please bring items to the church and we will store until that time.
Just an FYI-we serve between 104-125 meals each time we do this service. Let’s give generously!
Join us at our monthly feeding of the homeless on Sunday, Oct 5th, 2025.
Our first meet up location is at 7:45am at the Home Depot on Blenheim Blvd (near Fairfax Circle). Our second stop is just down the street at Christ and St Luke’s church. Both are in Fairfax. We can always use extra hands! Contact Dale Bradshaw


While MCC NoVA has always contributed financially to FACETS, a nonprofit that aims to help meet the needs of those who suffer the effects of poverty and homelessness in Fairfax, we also actively contribute by physically assisting with the feeding of the homeless in Fairfax City, as well as helping to provide for their other needs, thanks to Team Leaders: Dale & Lee … and perhaps you? Volunteers welcome!

HOMELESS MINISTRY NEEDS:
Bananas, Applesauce Cups, Apple Juice, Tangerines, Feminine Toiletries, Socks, Wash Cloths, etc.
Please bring these items to the church by the end of this month so they can be distributed the 1st Sunday of next month.
If you would like to volunteer to help support this monthly work, please contact Dale Bradshaw with Homeless Ministry in the Subject Line.


MCC NoVA PRAYER AND CARE
Rev. Emma or a Care Minister will make use of FaceTime or ZOOM in order to have a time of individual conversation and/or prayer with you. Just ask and we will schedule a time for this. If you have any special needs or prayer requests, please send them to Rev. Emma with CARE REQUEST in the subject line. Rev. Emma or a Care Minister will respond accordingly in order to have a time of individual conversation and/or prayer with you. Just ask and we will schedule a time for this.


The week In and Around our Community – Looked like THIS!
Sept 28th
Sept 21st
Sept 14th
Sept 7th


VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Facility Care
Seeking supportive volunteers to assist with cleaning, upkeep, facility matters, and building maintenance.
If interested in any of these opportunities, please contact RevEmmaChattin@gmail.com


Worship Participation Invited
We have so many gifted people who participate in worship! And we always seek more folks to draw the circle wider!
Are you interested in participating in Worship as an Usher, Communion Prep, Reader, Offering Invitation,
or in the Consecration of Communion? Please Drop Rev. Emma an e/mail!


Help MCC NoVA Continue with Hope Into The Future!
We are here to serve YOU, the community!
MCC of Northern Virginia continues outreach and ministry to marginalized communities,and serves as an LGBTIQQA+ Community Center in the Heart of Fairfax City, standing Out and Proud as an essential counterpoint to less affirming voices.
Especially in times such as these when we feel needed more than ever before, we are grateful for your continued support!
It is only through your generosity and faithfulness that we are able to continue our ministry and tend to our community building while building community!
Your support makes this possible.
Link for on-line giving via Paypal
You may also mail a check directly to the church office:
The Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 22030

We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20251005 – Harvest – Rejoice With Me! (Lost & Found)

20250928 – Back to School #4: The Journey Continues

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Acts 2:42-47
Second Reading ~ adapted from John O’Donohue in “To Bless the Space Between Us”

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Back to School #4: The Journey Continues
Learning Never Ends



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25



Genevieve will be relocating to California on or about October 6.
This Sunday, Sept 28th will be her last Sunday with us.

Genevieve has been an active church member over ten years, and an active member of MCC NoVA’s Board of Directors since May 2019, serving as Clerk more than once. She also is co-lead of MCC NoVA’s Animal Ministry, liaison to the MEET Group, Choir Member, Sunday Birthday Cake provider, Regular Reader, Rest Room Cleaner, and Sacristy Neatener.
She will be missed as a Worker and a Friend!
However, as Genevieve would say, “My absence will give others the opportunity to step-up and serve.”
Join us Sunday Sept 28 as we send her off with a Journey Blessing!


Help MCC NoVA Continue with Hope Into The Future!
We are here to serve YOU, the community!
MCC of Northern Virginia continues outreach and ministry to marginalized communities,and serves as an LGBTIQQA+ Community Center in the Heart of Fairfax City, standing Out and Proud as an essential counterpoint to less affirming voices.
Especially in times such as these when we feel needed more than ever before, we are grateful for your continued support!
It is only through your generosity and faithfulness that we are able to continue our ministry and tend to our community building while building community!
Your support makes this possible.
Link for on-line giving via Paypal
You may also mail a check directly to the church office:
The Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 22030

We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250928 – Back to School #4: The Journey Continues

20250921 – Back to School #3: Teach Us To Pray

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Luke 11:1-10
Second Reading ~ adapted from Anne Lamott in “Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers”

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Back to School #3: Teach Us To Pray Be Good
How Do YOU Pray?



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25


Meal Train for Dale Bradshaw
Dale is undergoing 6 weeks of chemotherapy during July and August 2025. He also needs to regain the strength and weight he lost before the chemo began. As part of MCC NoVA’s ministry to our Cherished Community, we have set up a Meal Train to care for and support them during this time.
If you can help provide a meal for them, please sign up at:
Meal Train for Dale and Lee.

You can also support and encourage Dale by sending a card, emailing him, or giving him a call. His address and number are listed in the Meal Train link as well.

There is also a CaringBridge Page if you would like to keep up there:

Caring Bridge

Thanks so much for your Care!
Jen Yi ~ Congregational Care & Connection Coordinator


Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250921 – Back to School #3: Teach Us To Pray

20250914 – Back to School #2: Good Work

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Micah 6:8
Second Reading ~ adapted from Rachel Held Evens in “Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding The Church

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Back to School #2: Good Work Be Good
What does it mean to “be good”?



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25


Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250914 – Back to School #2: Good Work

20250907 – New Sermon Series – Back To School #1: Forgiveness

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
Insert and Second Readings are here!
First Reading ~ Matthew 18:21-35
Second Reading ~ adapted from A.J. Swoboda in “Messy: God Likes It That Way”

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Back to School #1: Forgiveness
Forgive and forget?
It seems easier to forget forgiving.



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25


Help MCC NoVA Continue with Hope Into The Future!
We are here to serve YOU, the community!
MCC of Northern Virginia continues outreach and ministry to marginalized communities,and serves as an LGBTIQQA+ Community Center in the Heart of Fairfax City, standing Out and Proud as an essential counterpoint to less affirming voices.
Especially in times such as these when we feel needed more than ever before, we are grateful for your continued support!
It is only through your generosity and faithfulness that we are able to continue our ministry and tend to our community building while building community!
Your support makes this possible.
Link for on-line giving via Paypal
You may also mail a check directly to the church office:
The Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 22030

We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250907 – New Sermon Series – Back To School #1: Forgiveness

20250831 – Summer Sermon Series 2 – Bible Mountains #5

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Matthew 5:1-10
Second Reading ~ adapted from Thomas Merton in “Seven Story Mountain”

Rev Luke MacPherson – Preaching

Mountains of the Bible #5: Musings on the Mount




MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25


Help MCC NoVA Continue with Hope Into The Future!
We are here to serve YOU, the community!
MCC of Northern Virginia continues outreach and ministry to marginalized communities,and serves as an LGBTIQQA+ Community Center in the Heart of Fairfax City, standing Out and Proud as an essential counterpoint to less affirming voices.
Especially in times such as these when we feel needed more than ever before, we are grateful for your continued support!
It is only through your generosity and faithfulness that we are able to continue our ministry and tend to our community building while building community!
Your support makes this possible.
Link for on-line giving via Paypal
You may also mail a check directly to the church office:
The Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 22030

We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250831 – Summer Sermon Series 2 – Bible Mountains #5

20250828 – SPECIAL RALLY EVENT ~ Thursday, August 28 – Fairfax County School Board


Community News
Adapted from FCPS Pride:

“As our partners in community, we invite you to please attend a rally in support of Fairfax County Public Schools for upholding their commitment to stand with every student.

FCPS needs your help.

We have been informed that Family First Virginia and the Virginia Catholic Conference plans to attend this week’s school board meeting and counter our support rally and meeting attendance. Additionally, the Republican candidate for Governor has decided that these school board events are appropriate places for her to ridicule the policies designed to help our students succeed. To be clear, this is a matter of issue and policy, not party affiliation. Consequently, many voices are needed to counter the false and harmful narrative that our schools and students should be punished for following the rule of law.

We hope you can join us in this opportunity to support the students, families, and schools. We look forward to continuing this important work with you in upholding the values of our community!”

August 28 – 6:00pm
Luther Jackson Middle School
(3020 Gallows Rd, Falls Church)


Posted in Community, News | Comments Off on 20250828 – SPECIAL RALLY EVENT ~ Thursday, August 28 – Fairfax County School Board

20250824 – Summer Sermon Series 2 – Bible Mountains #4

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Exodus 3:1-16a
Second Reading ~ adapted from Jon Kabat-Zinn in “Wherever You Go, There You Are”

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Mountains of the Bible #4: A Life Lived Between Mountains
Who are you?
Who am I?



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25


Fairfax, VA 22030
We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250824 – Summer Sermon Series 2 – Bible Mountains #4

20250817 – Summer Sermons 2 – Mountains of the Bible #3

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Genesis 22:1-14
Second Reading ~ adapted from adapted from Alexandra Billings, actress, teacher, student, singer, and among the first transgender women to portray a transgender character on TV

Rev Emma Chattin – Preaching

Mountains of the Bible #3: The Mountains of Moriah
“Let Go”
(Let’s Go for a Walk…)
If this sounds familiar… This was the service I had planned last Sunday had I not had another last minute engagement at Patient First. ~ Rev. Emma



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


BOOKS TO PRISONS

DC Books To Prisons is a nonprofit located in Washington DC. Each year, they send more than 7,000 book packages to people incarcerated in over 600 prisons in the United States, serving people in state and federal prisons in 34 states. There is a Donate Box in the church entry way. You may also donate in other ways. For details and guidelines regarding what kinds of books are needed, please visit the website: HERE
Thanks Kat for organizing and getting these delivered!



Rev. Gail Van Buren, Pastor of MCC NoVA from 1985 – 1990!
Rev. Gail Van Buren! I love it when colleagues drop in for a visit!🙂


We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250817 – Summer Sermons 2 – Mountains of the Bible #3

20250810 – Summer Sermons 2 – Mountains of the Bible #2!

Our 11AM Sunday Worship is live-streamed on the MCC of Northern Virginia Facebook Page! Join us Online or inPerson. Afterwards, you can watch our archived videos on youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25.
Order of Worship and readings are here (PDF file with songs and Readings)
First Reading ~ Genesis 22:1-14
Second Reading ~ adapted from adapted from Alexandra Billings, actress, teacher, student, singer, and among the first transgender women to portray a transgender character on TV

Ken Williamson – Preaching

Walk In My Shoes

last minute filling in for Emma sick-leave



MCC NoVA – celebrating 44 Years of Pride in Fairfax! (April 2025)
Celebrating 56 years of Metropolitan Community Churches Worldwide! (Oct 2024)
Join us in-Person Sunday at 11 AM-ish at the Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, or live-streamed on our FaceBook page.


Archived Services available on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/@MCCNoVA25



Online & Paper Sign Up for Social Hospitality and Monthly Birthday Cake!
Did you ever forget when you volunteered to provide Social Hospitality? Or forget to sign up while you were at church? You can now access the schedule and sign up online at
Meal Train® for MCC-NoVA’s Social Hospitality.
You can also use it to volunteer to bring the monthly birthday cake. And we’ll continue to have the paper sign-up sheet at church.
Contact Jen Yi if you have any questions.


MCC NoVA PRAYER AND CARE
Rev. Emma or a Care Minister will make use of FaceTime or ZOOM in order to have a time of individual conversation and/or prayer with you. Just ask and we will schedule a time for this. If you have any special needs or prayer requests, please send them to Rev. Emma with CARE REQUEST in the subject line. Rev. Emma or a Care Minister will respond accordingly in order to have a time of individual conversation and/or prayer with you. Just ask and we will schedule a time for this.



Sibling Joy and Chosen Family!


The week In and Around our Community – Looked like THIS!
August 3rd,
July 27th, and
July 20th,


VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Facility Care
Seeking supportive volunteers to assist with cleaning, upkeep, facility matters, and building maintenance.
If interested in any of these opportunities, please contact RevEmmaChattin@gmail.com


Worship Participation Invited
We have so many gifted people who participate in worship! And we always seek more folks to draw the circle wider!
Are you interested in participating in Worship as an Usher, Communion Prep, Reader, Offering Invitation,
or in the Consecration of Communion? Please Drop Rev. Emma an e/mail!


2025 Stewardship Sharing Campaign Help MCC NoVA Hop(e) Into The Future!
We are here to serve YOU, the community!
MCC of Northern Virginia continues outreach and ministry to marginalized communities,and serves as an LGBTIQQA+ Community Center in the Heart of Fairfax City, standing Out and Proud as an essential counterpoint to less affirming voices.
Especially in times such as these when we feel needed more than ever before, we are grateful for your continued support!
It is only through your generosity and faithfulness that we are able to continue our ministry and tend to our community building while building community!
Your support makes this possible.
Link for on-line giving via Paypal
You may also mail a check directly to the church office:
The Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia
10383 Democracy Lane
Fairfax, VA 22030

We are grateful for your continued generosity as we move forward into a future with deep needs and boundless possibilities for our community!
Blessings and Thank You!


Posted in Community, Sunday Worship | Comments Off on 20250810 – Summer Sermons 2 – Mountains of the Bible #2!

Welcome Home!
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