WHERE WE WORSHIP
Central Union strives to touch lives
By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| The Rev. Ron Ching, an associate minister at Central Union Church, talks with children during a Sunday service. Central Union Church is the largest of the 126 United Church of Christ churches in Hawai'i and the largest mainline Protestant Church in the Islands.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser |
Our denomination: United Church of Christ, based in Cleveland. Central Union Church is the largest of the 126 United Church of Christ churches in the state, as well as the largest mainline Protestant church in the Islands.
Where we are: 1660 S. Beretania St. in Honolulu
Our numbers: 2,400; about 1,200 attend services regularly.
Our minister: The Rev. Dr. Ted Robinson, senior minister
What we believe: "There are three words that are important in our tradition: faith, freedom and fellowship," Robinson said. "We have strong faith in God, who we know through Jesus Christ, and faith is very critical to our understanding of who we are and what we are about as a Christian people."
The issue of freedom is also very important, Robinson said, because while there are more than 6,000 United Churches of Christ nationwide, including 126 in Hawai'i, each church is autonomous.
"We are independent churches who are ... bound together by covenant, by a commitment to one another," Robinson said.
Fellowship, he said, is broadly defined as people coming together in a supportive, loving and caring way, whether "in the area of outreach to others or simply breaking bread together," he said.
"Love never faileth" are also important words to members of the church, Robinson said. The words, from 1 Corinthians 13, engraved on the wall above the altar of the main sanctuary, "have really guided our congregation for many, many years," Robinson said.
Our history: "Before the United Church of Christ became the name of our denomination, we were known as Congregationalists," Robinson said. "Congregationalists were really the pilgrims (who) came from England and settled in what became known as New England ... so our roots go back to 1620."
Central Union Church, organized in 1887, traces its roots to Seamen's Bethel, a church founded in 1833 on the corner of Bethel and King streets that ministered to seamen coming into Honolulu Harbor.
"This would have been the first church for English-speaking people in Hawai'i," Robinson said, "and that has been a unique designation of this church."
But the Seamen's Bethel, also known as Oahu Bethel Church, was destroyed by fire in 1886. The church then combined with Fort Street Church, which was an outgrowth of Oahu Bethel, on the corner of Fort and Beretania streets.
"So they gave it a new name," Robinson said. "It was central to the city, so they called it 'Central,' and it was a union of these two churches, so it was (called) Central Union Church."
In 1892, Central Union Church moved to the corner of Beretania and Richards streets, where the state Capitol is today; it then moved again in 1924 to its current site on the corner of Beretania and Punahou streets. The location, formerly property of the Dillingham family, is nine acres, with several structures, including the main sanctuary, Atherton Chapel, an administration building and a preschool complex.
What we're excited about: Central Union Church will hold a dedication ceremony April 7 for its newest buildings: a parish hall and a Family Life Center, which will have a day care center for adults. While the dedication will be specifically for church members, Robinson is planning a more formal welcoming and open house event for the public in the summer.
What's special about us: Central Union Church has a congregation that is made up of a "great variety of people of all different ethnic backgrounds and cultures," Robinson said, "and that's truly reflective of our community."
Robinson, who has been with the church for nearly 17 years, said that there are many things that make the church special. "I'm more excited about the future ministry of this church (now) than probably anytime in my life," Robinson said. "There are just incredible opportunities for ministry out there."
Some of the church's notable ministries include its youth ministry, which goes on mission trips every other year, as well as its music ministry. Robinson said that the church has an excellent music program and pointed out that they "have one of the largest church organs in the state," he said.
Education is also very important and a variety of opportunities are offered to church members, as well as to those in the community. Programs range from a preschool that serves 150 children to computer classes for senior citizens.
"We're always looking at new ways of reaching out to touch people's lives," Robinson said, "or making their lives fuller, healthier or better."
Central Union Church is also committed to the ecumenical spirit. "We see ourselves as opening our doors to the city and saying, 'Come in,' " Robinson said. "We'll work with other organizations or we'll try to create things ourselves to really reach out and minister to the larger community ... regardless of who they are, and to invite them into a welcoming and loving atmosphere."
Information: Call 941-0957, e-mail cuc@centralunionchurch.org or visit centralunionchurch.org.
If you would like to recommend a faith organization for a Where We Worship profile, e-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com, call 525-8035 or write: Where We Worship, Faith Page, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802.
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Central Union Church follows the United Church of Christ's national "Statement of Faith," which is in the form of a doxology, or expression of praise to God:
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil, to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Correction: The Rev. Ron Ching, an associate minister at Central Union Church, was misidentified in a photo caption in a previous version of this story.
