In February of 2007, the Church Council voted to being the process of discussing whether Holmdel Community UCC should become "Open and Affirming"; (ONA). This process involved discussions within the congregation, presentations of perspectives during Second Hour programs, scriptural discussions, and above all personal prayer, with an eye to discerning the word of God. At the beginning of each church service, our minister announces "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."; The ONA process will help us decide what that means for this congregation.  

Open & Affirming Statement - Adopted in June of 2009

We rejoice the good news that in Jesus Christ we find that we are all God’s children through faith without distinction.

“For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.  As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

God calls all faithful people together to be a community of justice and peace.  We lament that throughout history, and even in our own time, churches have silently allowed or actively called for hatred, hostility, and exclusion, and have failed to live up to God’s call to inclusion and sanctuary.

Therefore we, the members of Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, covenant together to welcome and embrace all people into the life and ministry of our congregation regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, mental and physical condition, race, ethnicity, nationality, or economic status.  With God’s help, we promise to be a church of open arms and open doors for all, without distinction, and to celebrate the diversity that reflects the glory of God’s creation.  We seek to live as a compassionate community united by faith and diverse in its expression.