For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. – Matthew 25:35
In response to the government’s indiscriminate and abrupt termination of funding for refugee resettlement agencies, the church raised over $12,000 during Lent to support people left in the lurch. These funds will be used to assist families the church is in relationship with through our Refugee Resettlement Ministry Team as well as families the church is connected to through our relationships at Church World Service, MFEE, and beyond. We are grateful to church members who showed such incredible generosity and a steadfast commitment to embodying God’s love and Christ’s example in the world.
We have a Racial Justice Ministry Team which guides our work towards internal transformation and external solidarity around issues of racial justice. The church recognizes God’s call to us, as Christians, to engage more deeply and discern where and how Union Congregational Church ought to learn from, support, and journey with changemakers in our local communities to transform dynamics of racialized exclusion, harm, and trauma, into patterns and experiences of human solidarity for inclusive thriving and racial justice. Racial Justice is a ’24-25 Missional Priority for the church.
We are always seeking to live out our commitment to care for God’s creation. This has included the installation of solar panels in 2020, the partnership with Northeast Earth Coalition to create a community garden (2022), and the ongoing efforts to “green” our campus and educate ourselves.
During Lent, the Creation Justice Team asked the congregation the question “what fast do you choose?” Congregational members made an effort to consume more vegetarian meals, reduce the use of plastic bottles, compost, and bike and carpool whenever possible. Creation Justice is a ’24-25 Missional Priority for the church.
The “Let’s Watch Film Series” is a film and discussion series that aims to heighten historical awareness and normalize opportunities to reflect collectively on how ideologies and structures and experiences of racism and white superiority are legacies that impact our realities at present. To date, we’ve screened and facilitated dialogue on Selma, Rustin, My Name Is Pauli Murray, Migration, Segregated By Design, and The Evolution Of Grace Lee Boggs.
In the spirit of God’s boundless love, Union Congregational Church opens its doors wide to all. We welcome God’s people and celebrate the many images of the Divine manifested in differing gender expressions, identities and sexual orientations. Our support and celebration is demonstrated in affirming liturgies, inclusive music, and active community engagement. The church has created events for the Montclair LGBTQ+ community, co-sponsored events with local organizations, and offered the church as a space for local LGBTQ+ groups to gather. We have joyfully welcomed and celebrated LGBTQ+ people in every aspect of church life, including clergy, since 2001.
We were proud to be a founding member of Essex Together in Spring 2023. Through Essex Together we join with organizations across the county (and in NJ Together across the state) to advocate on issues around criminal justice reform, education reform, and green energy.
We work to support non-profit partners in our community that work towards food security with our time, talent and treasure. We seek out regular opportunities for hands on service by preparing food for Christine’s Kitchen, supplies for Bridges, and volunteer at MESH and CUMAC.
Our congregation has been committed to refugee resettlement for decades. Most recently, we have been working with Church World Service to assist recent arrivals as they transition to life in our area.
What are you passionate about? If you have an idea of how we can live out our call to create a just world for all, contact Rev. Katrina.
Here are some examples of our most recent Justice and Community Engagement work:
Quick Links
© 2025 Union Congregational Church. Website by TAG Online.
