Our Open and Affirming Journey

In 2025, Community Church of Honolulu undertook a year-long discernment process headed by lay leaders Gwen Murakami and Bobbi Lum-Mew. The purpose of this discernment was to consider whether God was calling us to speak up about our practice of gratefully welcoming all people, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, who have been and continue to be marginalized and excluded by many communities of faith. After months of telling our stories, studying scripture, learning about the experiences of our friends and neighbors, on October 12, 2025, CCH voted overwhelmingly to adopt the following statement of faith:

“CCH is committed to building a community of justice, love, and grace in the way of Jesus, who taught us that all people were created in the image of God and each person is called beloved. CCH affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person, therefore we declare ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. We welcome and affirm all people into the full life, ministry, and leadership of our church, including people of every race, color, ancestry, sex (including gender identity or expression), sexual orientation, marital status, familial status (including hãnai status), disability, age, and economic status. We covenant to actively declare and practice this welcome, mirroring the extravagant welcome of God and reflecting our hope and continued work to create a world that is healed and whole.”

Regular review and reaffirmation of this commitment is part of our shared journey as a faith community.