Central to Rev. Anya's current ministry is the honest confrontation necessary to dismantle white supremacy, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, and sexism.
Welcome to the U!
You are welcome to bring your full self here
The congregation is not a place;
IT IS A PEOPLE.
The congregation is not walls built stone upon stone, held together by mortar but rather person, linked with person, linked with person: all ages and genders and abilities— a community built on the foundation of compassion, faith, and love.
– Margaret E. Weiss
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From pathways to membership, care team ministry, and covenant groups we’ll help you feel a part of our community.
Our Ministers
Our congregation was founded in 1897 by a group of women seeking liberal religious education for their children and has a history of long-term settled ministry.
Senior Co-Minister
Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael
A "Religious, Naturalist Mystic," Rev Scott strives to embody service to our holy mission to build Beloved Community, together, in covenant.
Until we meet again, virtually or otherwise, you are in our hearts.
“Gratitude and Reciprocity”
November 30, 2025"Gratitude and Reciprocity"— led by the Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister. What can we give in return for all that has been given? Gratitude is a practice that can serve us throughout our lives. How do we not only receive but return what has been given?
“The Bread of Life”
November 23, 2025"The Bread of Life"— led by the Revs. Scott & Anya Sammler-Michael, senior co-ministers. "Heritage Bread Communion Sunday." As spoken in the Gospels we do not live by bread alone, but by the grace and compassion that abound when we see our world as blessed, when we see ourselves - and all people everywhere - as beloved. Join us for a fun and moving Multi-generational Service exploring the mystery of Love's power to feed our deepest needs as we break bread together in a ritual of collective nourishment.
“Sing Out Love”
November 16, 2025"Sing Out Love" — led by the Rev. Scott Sammler-Michael, senior co-minister and Markus Hauck, director of music ministries. It is said that to sing is to pray twice - once with the words, and the other with our embodied music-making invention. Join Director of Music Ministries Markus Hauck and Rev Scott as they lead a service introducing the new UUA hymnal - Sing Out Love. [St. Augustine said "Singing belongs to one who loves." Perhaps it was Luther who said, "He who sings prays twice."
Molly, UUCM Religious Education graduate
I am proud to have grown up in this congregation. I learned here to become a compassionate and passionate advocate for social justice on all fronts.
Join us as we counter white supremacy, fight climate change, protect voting rights, witness border injustices, and more.
Little Free Pantry
Provides an accessible location for food distribution to fight hunger and serve the needs of people in our local community.
Courageous Conversations
The Purpose of Courageous Conversations is to address obstacles that make listening across differences difficult.
r.r.r. climate workgroup
The r.r.r. climate workgroup takes affirmative actions to reduce, reuse and recycle to mitigate climate damage in Essex County.
Immigration Action Team
The Immigration Action Team is dedicated to serving immigration justice through direct and non-violent action.
Share your gifts and help us build Beloved Community.
Whether it is in a classroom, in worship, planting flowers, or on the pledge team, we need your special skills!
Frankie Frances Sherrod McNeil
Wendy McNeil lights this candle for her mother, Frankie Frances Sherrod McNeil, who died on November 25, 2011. “She was raised poor in Jim Crow Alabama. Yet, she ended up attending countless Broadway plays and traveling to five European countries, and working as a registered nurse, caring for cancer patients. “She taught me,” says Wendy, “the power of fighting for the dream you have for yourself. I will die missing this great woman.”
Blogs, Stories, Updates, and More!
“…this was an amazing experience in which I felt accepted and at peace. From the ushers to the small snack at the end of the service, it was truly an amazing day for me to explore a community such as this one. Throughout the service it was interesting to see the many beautiful people who congregated and who listened in to the message of the importance of joy and of the liberation of the whole self. One memory that I will remember would be of the singers and of the whole congregation coming together to sing the beautiful hymns. How good did it felt to be united, liberated, and to feel joy with this community. I want to thank the Unitarian Universalist congregation of Montclair for their open arms and for the chance to speak with the Reverend. It was a great pleasure of mine to share my time with lovely people.”
Rebecca
Visitor
“I love that I get to contribute to the worship services and also serve as a member of the Worship Committee helping to plan the services.”
Ginny
Worship Team
“A hundred years from now no one is going to remember me, but they might remember what we as a congregation DID.””
Malinda
Music Team
“We’ve raised our kids in this wonderful community. WE’VE grownup spiritually in this community.”