A large group of people gathered inside a church or hall, standing and sitting while facing forward, with some holding programs or papers, during a religious or community event.

Visit us

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair
67 Church St
Montclair, NJ 07042


Hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday-Friday 9am-2pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday 8:30am-1pm

Phone
(973) 744- 6276

Email
officemgr@uumontclair.org

 

What To Expect

We hope you’ll visit us on a Sunday morning or two to learn more about our dynamic worship, our diverse community, and our work in the world. We understand that visiting a new religious community can be intimidating. Below you’ll find answers to the the questions we hear most:

  • We strive for Beloved Community. We welcome all who enter, regardless of race, color, religious background, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, age, abilities or limitations, national origin, or marital status.

    We are interracial and interreligious couples, mixed-race children and adults, LGBTQ people, and folks of all ages. We are humanists, atheists, agnostics, pagans, Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus. Whoever you are, you are welcome to bring your full self here.

  • Of course! We welcome all. The ramped entrance will lead you to the sanctuary and Unity Gallery.

    • Elevators are available to the annex rooms and Fletcher hall. 

    • There is also a ramp entrance into Fletcher Hall.

    • Large print orders of service and hymnals are available. Assistive listening devices are available in the Narthex.

    Please ask a greeter for assistance.

    If you or your child have a unique special need, you may want to let us know in advance how best to accommodate you.

  • Though each Sunday is a little different, each service begins with music (gathering hymns). The liturgist will welcome us all and invite us to greet each other. We’ll have more music, sometimes a story for all ages. Our offering is collected with live music before a time of prayer and mediation, followed by a reading or two. An anthem will lead us into the sermon then closing hymn and a benediction. Anything that is recited together will be shown for all to read together.

  • No. We do collect an offering during the service to maintain the congregation and support a local cause or organization. We appreciate anything you’d like to give but it is not mandatory.

    • Our multi-age Religious Education (RE) Program Activity Groups meet in person almost every Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and run at the same time as our Worship Service.  Ask a greeter for directions to the classrooms. You’re welcome to keep your child with you. There are reserved areas in the Narthex and Sanctuary for families with young children. For more information, visit the Religious Education page.

    • Nursery Care is available every Sunday at 9:45am.

  • We gather in-person and virtually at 10:00 AM on Sunday. Gathering hymns begin five minutes before. Greeters will be available to answer any questions you might have. Give yourself extra time to park if you drive as Sunday is a busy day with another church nearby.

  • Come as you are! Some of our congregants might wear their Sunday best on high holidays and others show up in jeans and T-shirt. Be yourself and be comfortable. Children should wear comfortable play clothes as activities can sometimes get messy.

  • Montclair has plenty of street parking, surface lots, and municipal parking garages – 5 within 5 blocks! On-street parking may be available within walking distance of the Congregation. Plan an extra 10 minutes to locate a parking space, especially if you are new to the area.

    Park two blocks from UUCM at the Fullerton Lot for FREE on Sundays! The North Fullerton Deck, adjacent to the YMCA is free on Sundays. You can enter the North Fullerton Deck from Park Street or North Fullerton Ave. Both entrances are a 1/4 block off of Bloomfield Ave.

    Individuals with Handicapped Parking permits are welcome to park in our driveway. Our driveway can also be used as a drop off point.

    Please park legally, as parking laws are enforced.

    Parking Garages:

    For a complete list of parking garages and lots in Montclair Center, please click here.

  • If visiting us by way of public transportation you have many options, including Montclair Senior Bus and NJ Transit buses and trains. We recommend using the Montclair Center Transit guide.

  • Our Newcomer Connections are held on the First Sunday of each month at 11:15 AM.

    • Are you new to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair?

    • Are you visiting or Congregation shopping for yourself or your family?

    • Do you want to know a bit more about our congregation and the Unitarian Universalist tradition?

    Join one of our ministers and other newcomers for a brief, honest, in-depth conversation. All of your questions will be honored.

    Sign up for newcomer connections Here

  • It is impossible to predict all of the winter weather conditions that might warrant the closing of UUCM.

    This is especially true for services on Sunday morning when no one would want us to be closed. In an effort to provide an approach that might enable members and friends to anticipate what to expect, the following guidelines are being offered:

    1. In the event of a major snow storm on a Saturday night/Sunday morning: updates will be sent via Realm, Constant Contact and social media pages by 9am.

    If a snowfall of 5″ to 10″ has occurred on Saturday night/Sunday morning, our service may be canceled or postponed until later in the morning.

    If a snowfall of over 10″ has occurred on Saturday night/Sunday morning, there will be no service held on that Sunday.

    2. Don’t take any unnecessary chances! If you feel that there is significant reason to question your safety while traveling on the streets, stay home.

    3. If an ice storm is in progress, stay home.

    4. For an evening or Saturday meeting or event, if 5″ or more fall, the event will be cancelled. You can also check our social media pages for info.

Directions

Get WAZE Directions

From the North

  1. Garden State Parkway Southbound to Exit 151 (Watchung Avenue- Montclair/Nutley)

  2. Turn right onto Watchung Ave

  3. Follow Watchung Ave for 1.5 miles and turn left on Park Street

  4. Follow Park Street for 1.5 miles and turn right on Church Street

From the South

  1. Garden State Parkway Northbound to Exit 148 (Bloomfield Avenue- Bloomfield/Montclair)

  2. Follow exit ramp to traffic light Proceed straight through traffic light

  3. Stay in left lane and follow “U-Turn” Proceed to first traffic light and turn right on Bloomfield Ave

  4. Follow Bloomfield Avenue until you reach Park Street then turn left

  5. Make the first right onto Church Street

From the West

  1. Follow I-280 East to Exit 8B (Prospect Avenue/CR 577N) toward Cedar Grove

  2. Follow Prospect Ave. for 2.5 miles to Bloomfield Ave

  3. Turn right on Bloomfield Ave and take it past Montclair Art Museum

  4. Turn right on Valley Road, UUCM is on your left at the roundabout

From New York

  1. Proceed across George Washington Bridge and follow signs for 80/95/NJ Turnpike

  2. After 2.5 miles, follow Exit 69 for I-80 West toward Paterson

  3. Follow I-80 West for 5.5 miles to Exit 62 for Garden State Parkway

  4. Follow Garden State Parkway South for 7.5 miles to Exit 151 Watchung Ave (Montclair/Nutley)

  5. Turn right on Watchung Ave

  6. Follow Watchung Ave for 1.5 miles and turn left on Park Street

  7. Follow Park Street for 1.5 miles and turn right on Church Street