Open & Affirming

Open & Affirming

On March 3, 2019, the Congregation of Koloa Union Church unanimously voted to become an “Open & Affirming” (ONA) congregation of the United Church of Christ. We stand with other ONA churches in our denomination to welcome all persons into the full life of our community of faith and support them with our aloha. All ONA congregations include the welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons, and those questioning their gender and/or sexuality. In our ONA Covenant (see below for the full covenant), Koloa Union Church expands our inclusion to people of every familial, immigration, and socio-economic status, as well as those of various political parties and causes, religious backgrounds and faith traditions, physical and mental abilities, ethnicity, age and culture. In other words: No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!

 

 

Our Open & Affirming Covenant

We the members of Koloa Union Church:

      • Recognize that generous hospitality has always been one of the highest values among the people of Hawaii nei
      • Celebrate the rich cultural heritage brought to these islands from many places and the diversity among us
      • Believe that every human being is made in the image of God and loved unconditionally by God
      • Trust that each person has something of value to offer our church and the broader community
      • Remember the words of the Old and New Testaments: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
      • Commit ourselves to the words of the United Church of Christ: “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here”

Therefore, with warmest aloha, we affirm, welcome and invite everyone to worship, learn, create community and serve among us, including persons of every:

      • Gender identity
      • Sexual orientation
      • Relationship and familial status
      • Immigration status
      • Political party and cause
      • Socio-economic status
      • Religious background and faith tradition
      • Physical and mental ability
      • Ethnicity, age and culture

Furthermore, we welcome everyone to the sacraments and opportunities of our church, including baptism, holy communion, membership, marriage, renewal of vows, blessings, leadership opportunities, and employment. We stand with and support individuals and groups who are treated unjustly in our society by persons or institutions. We also commit to learning from and about them.

To learn more about the Open & Affirming movement, click HERE.