With Gratitude from the Widening Our Vision Team…
The Widening Our Vision team was formed in the spring of 2021, with the blessing of the Church Council, to explore becoming an Open and Affirming church. This Open and Affirming (ONA) initiative provided an opportunity for our church to deepen and expand our welcome to people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions by formally adopting a statement of welcome and declaring our church an Open and Affirming congregation. Our ONA designation reflects a spirit of hospitality, a commitment to full inclusion and human rights, and a willingness to live out that welcome in meaningful ways. It is consistent with the Welcome pillar of our strategic plan.
On June 12, 2022, our congregation voted overwhelmingly to adopt the Welcome Statement (below) as our Open and Affirming Covenant. On June 28, 2022, the Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ certified our ONA status, making our church the 63rd ONA church in the New Hampshire Conference, UCC.
The Widening Our Vision team thanks the congregation for their support of our journey to Open and Affirming, and challenges each of you to find meaningful ways to live out our commitment to welcome all persons into the life of our church… for no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.
OUR OPEN AND AFFIRMING COVENANT
“Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Romans 15:7
We, the members of the Congregational Church of Hollis, United Church of Christ, believe that all people are created in God’s image and are loved, valued, and blessed by God. Understanding that repression and discrimination of any kind are incompatible with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are committed to the on-going work of inclusivity and discovering ways to live out our support and respect for all of God’s beloved children. This community of faith is an Open and Affirming congregation which welcomes persons of all races, ethnic backgrounds, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, physical and mental abilities, family structures, marital status, and socio-economic backgrounds. All are invited to fully share and participate in all aspects of our church life and leadership. For no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.