Unity Church of Hawaii

Twice-​blessed has been replaced by Deja Vu with new décor and staff. The items are much more «high-​end» with an emphasis on quality and style. Many items are donated as part of the grief counseling ministry, and there is a dressing room available.
The church has a wonderful new minister and welcomes everyone. Honoring everyone’s spiritual path without judging is a core teaching.

I affectionately think of this as the Disco Church. They have an incredible positive energy… and make you feel happy… which is somewhat uncomfortable at first for those of us who grew up with more somber worship where you are constantly being told how you are a sinner. Not here. So you wonder «what kind of cool-​aid are these people drinking, and how much does it cost… and are they going to try to make me drink it too ??»
So don’t expect to «get it» on your first visit… I didn’t. But by my second visit I was really beginning to like them and could easily see myself «drinking the cool-​aid» and becoming a member there. I now believe their cool-​aid is apparently loaded with vitamins and good for you !
I first discovered this church when I overheard a young hipster at my Oahu workplace say it was his church. I looked them up online expecting it to be something New Hope-​y … and was pleasantly surprised to learn they were one of the first churches in Hawaii to be fully welcoming and affirming to the LGBT community. So I collared a friend to go check them out with me one Sunday.
As we walked in, my friend immediately turned to me and whispered «I can smell the money!» It’s Diamond Head after all. During the service they asked visitors to raise their hand to identify themselves. I did, my friend didn’t. Wasn’t he chagrined when it turned out they give all visitors a coupon for a free breakfast from their kitchen ! He sure was wishing he had raised his hand when he heard that. (I shared my free breakfast with him). They also give you a kukui nut lei… and everyone in the congregation turns and raises their palms in your direction and smiles radiantly at you. It’s somewhat uncomfortably pleasant and different from the welcome you get (or don’t get) at most churches.
Worship music is led by a smiling trio of talented happy singers bopping around with infectious energy… and then also features some amazing solo R&B performances with Christian themes. Not the type of music I’ve ever heard in church before… definitely not traditional, not praise rock either… it’s groovy and happy. I loved it. Warning… you may actually want to dance in church. This is a good thing.
When we finally went to collect my free breakfast we learned there is no free coffee, either. You have to pay for your cup before you can have your coffee. So they are not shy about maintaining their fiscal needs.
So… this church was so different and so smiley, that they made me very nervous. I still was kind of wondering «where does the money really go? Are they just making the congregation feel good while the leadership at the top lines their own pockets? «But eventually my curiosity grew and I returned again on Super Bowl Sunday. Well… they had handed out pompoms and asked people to wear their favorite sports jerseys and I really groaned inside. It seemed Super Contrived at first. But you know what? They totally made it work… and it turned out to be really fun… AND meaningful. I laughed, I cried, and I really did feel healed.
So I attended a class for potential new members after that service. I was reassured by what I learned. They are non-​profit and their mother denomination is a campus in Missouri which you can read about here
. Their movement was founded in 1889 by some faith healers and healing is still very much a part of their «New Thought» tradition. Not «New Age» they were quick to correct in the class… they are still based in the Christian tradition.
Their «New Thought» is actually very similar to some very early Christianity I’ve been reading about recently, like the Gospel of Thomas, that affirmed that God is in everyone, a way of thinking that was quickly codified out of Christianity by about AD 350 as the Catholic Church began to dominate and restrict power and connection to God only in the priesthood and Pope. Well, guess what, the more populist «New Thought» from AD 100 is back again as «New Thought» in Diamond Head in 2015.
The congregation is probably the most diverse mix of straight and gay, and of different skin tones from very light to very dark, of any church I’ve attended in Hawaii. That’s a good thing too. They recently had to weather a crisis where their beloved young pastor unexpectedly dropped dead while swimming in the ocean. It was pretty devastating… but they got through it and their new guy seems pretty awesome!
I haven’t been able to return since, but I definitely would if I could. I heartily encourage you to attend 3 services there. I think it probably takes that long to get into their groove if you are used to «normal» churches. I think you’ll see it’s a good groove!
PS. The numerous 5 Star reviews below that Unilocal is «not currently recommending» are actually pretty much on target if you want to read more.

Mele Kalikimaka!
There is nothing like Christmas in Hawaii. This was a lively church with lots of decorations, a «Unity School» for the children, a garden fountain stocked with turtles and koi, and about five Christmas trees. The minister was dynamic, appreciative, and very talented. The choir and hula group were very good, and the whole experience made me feel right at home. I was impressed with the panoramic PowerPoint projections and the red and silver tinsel leis.
We acknowledged our newness when it was time to greet the visitors, and we were graced with kukui nut leis.
It was a great way to start our vacation.

Twice Blessed is a very small, cramped thrift shop at Unity Church. I love the name but I wasn’t really impressed with their prices or customer service. They weren’t rude, just not really friendly or welcoming.
They were selling the socks you get in the hospital for $ 1/​pair. They also had a bag of fake sea glass for $ 2, probably not much less than what you would get it for on eBay. There was a cute Gap dress for $ 10 but I didn’t see a fitting room so I put it back on the rack since it wasn’t so cute I can’t live without it.
I live nearby so I really want to like this store. I’ll try again later and revise my review if anything changes.

I’ve never attended this church, but I’ve been to their shop.
All I can is I must be truly blessed because I found a pair of $ 5.00 «PRADA» loafers at their thrift shop. I don’t think the staff knows how much Prada shoes cost because they were marked so cheap.
The shoes looked like they were almost new, no scuff marks and they fit me. What a great find!
Prada loafers cost $ 500.00 and I scored the pair at such a bargain price. Incredible!
They were cheaper than the designer merchandise returns at Nordstrom’s rack and Last Chance!
I am so grateful. Yes ma’am! :-)
The shop is attached to the church and it’s called «Twice Blessed» and I certainly agree. They also have a store called «Namaste Shop», but I didn’t go in ’cause it’s closed on Saturdays.
Unity Church is a type of church that promotes positive way of life that leads to health, prosperity, happiness, and peace of mind.
With the name «Twice Blessed» I certainly hope they sage and bless their items. :-)
Staff is run by volunteers and they were very nice. I am truly blessed.

Unity CHURCH MUST HAVE CHANGED BIG SINCE THE 1963s; THAN Dear Pastor Sky St. John GAVE NOT EVEN GIVE A SMALL TINY ANSWER TO SEVERAL OF MY DIRECT MAILINGS! Is Love there also greater than Faith??? I CAN’T BELIEVE IT!!! It is hard to take to be rejected with no answers by the church you once loved
old

Unity Church is welcoming AND not every ones brand of religion.
I attend Unity, have taken courses from Reverend Sky St. John and enjoy the energetic life affirming sermons delivered each and every Sunday morning. In my opinion spiritual leadership should challenge your deeply held prejudices while respecting your right to peacefully disagree. It should teach you to think critically and not merely follow unquestioningly. Practicing Faith may mean believing without having proof but do you want it to reduce you to being a lemming?
You should know that I don’t buy into everything this church teaches yet I do get a lot out of attending and for me I find that it fills a need in my life. With that being said I do think it’s wise to investigate a church before you join.
Overall «Vibe» — Mystical, New Age Christianity. For conservative types you might be very uncomfortable and find it blasphemous.
Services — Sundays 7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am and 6:00pm You can also view the 9:00am and 11:00am services using the Internet. Each lasts about 1 hour
Sermons — (The part where the Revrend «Preaches») — About 12 to 15 min of the 1 hour service
Sermon Sources Include — Excerpts from The Bible, Koran, The «Big Book» of Alcoholic’s Anonymous, as well as various middle eastern poets, philosophers and mystics.
Music — Unity has a small band and features guest singers on most Sundays. Singing is about ½ of the 1 hour service.
Announcements — This is a church with a large congregation and has a lot of activities you can participate in. The information is announced during services and printed in the program.
Congregation — Primarily older folk with 30 somethings sprinkled in. Unity has classes for children and they participate in the service toward the end.
Parking — Can be an issue. Arrive early and plan to park on the street or follow the signs to the directed lot .
Dress code — Come as you are.
Animals — I have heard that you are welcome to bring dogs to the 6:00pm service.
As a bonus — for a small fee they serve breakfast after the services.
Hawaii! GOT GOD?
Mahalo and thanks for reading.