Open and Affirming (ONA): Helpful Online Resources
For Holmdel Community United Church of Christ, Holmdel, NJ
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 involves 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. Discussions will center on who we shall include in the congregation, who we will welcome into the life of this church, what changes we need to make to be as welcoming as we choose to be, and whether and how to announce to the outside world the results of our discussions. Adopting the ONA label and defining what it means to us will position the Holmdel Community UCC in our own hearts and in the eyes of the community around us. Essentially, we will give life and meaning to Rusty's weekly statement. The process ends with two votes: first, a vote whether or now we should write a statement, and second whether to adopt the one that the ONA committee writes in response to the first vote. No statement has been written yet, and no statement will be written unless and until the congregation authorizes it. In the meantime, the ONA committee invites you to join the process as we seek to discern God's call for the Holmdel Community UCC. As always, and especially during this process, we dedicate ourselves to talking, to praying, to listening, and to thinking about our role as an arm of God's church in the modern world.
Open and Affirming: What is it all about?
Open and Affirming: Our Process
Homosexuality: What does scripture say?
Homosexuality: What does science say?
Homosexuality: What do gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals say?