Rev. Kathleen Kline Chesson

Kathleen Kline Chesson is a graduate of Oberlin College (1978) and Yale University Divinity School (1986). She has served as a college and university chaplain (Wesleyan University, as associate, George Mason University, and the University of Maryland College Park). Her previous pastorates include 9 years as pastor/senior pastor at Henson Valley Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Ft. Washington, MD and 2 years as Interim Associate Minister at Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ in Arlington, VA. Previous to entering the ministry, Kathleen was a professionally trained modern dancer, teaching and touring with the Chicago Moving Company a modern dance based reperatory dance company. She lives in Alexandria and has three children; Zach, Grace, and Joslyn. Kathleen's training in dance and choreography have augmented her natural passion for the art of worship and the movement of the service in form and spirit.  Trained under The Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Rowthorn at Yale Divinity School (Suffragen Bishop of the Connecticut Diocese of the Episcopal Church), as well as a teacher/trainer/worship leader at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music (where she received an award in Worship and the Arts), Kathleen is passionate about the worship life of congregations.  Along with Rev. Lee Hull Moses, Minister of Faith and Family at First Christian and Lunette Arledge, Director of Music Ministries, they work towards an integrated worship experience and are continuing to seek creative alternatives that can bring a person of faith into the presence and pursposeful worship of God. Most recently, the worship team at First Christian has woven the use of film and image into the fabric of the sermon/proclamation on Sunday mornings.