We are committed to raising the next generation of Christians by providing a strong sense of church community, a love of God, and a desire to bring about justice for all people. Children and youth are a beloved part of our community, celebrated and included in worship and intergenerational events.
We have multiple ways for children and youth to participate, including Sunday School, children’s choir, and a multi-church youth group for middle schoolers and high schoolers full of fun and service opportunities.
For more information about children’s programming, contact our Sunday School Coordinator, BJ Carter.
A place for middle schoolers, the Side Door program offers a safe space where middle-school students can play on Friday afternoons, make friends, and have fun. 2:20pm-5pm Fridays (during the Montclair school year).
Side Door Fall Dates Include:
Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Dec. 12.
For more information about Side Door, contact BJ Carter.
CHILDCARE
Children of all ages and families of all types are welcome and celebrated in worship. Kids and babies are welcome to stay in the sanctuary during worship with their families/caregivers. Their presence (and noise) is a blessing! We also provide childcare during worship and for some church events. The Childcare Room is a special place designed for children four and younger staffed by experienced professionals. Preschool age children participate in the Godly Play storytelling portion of Sunday School, and then return to the childcare room for the remainder of the hour.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We invite kids to participate in worship, and after the Message for All Ages each Sunday, the children can either go with their peers to Sunday School or remain with their families in the sanctuary. We also offer children’s bulletins and some small activities to help them engage.
We offer Sunday School during Sunday worship for children from kindergarten through 5th grade. Sunday School students begin worship with their parents and go to Sunday School in another part of the church building after the “Children’s Message” about a third of the way into the service. Our Sunday School class is a one-room schoolhouse. It is operational during the program year (September through June). Children return to the Assembly Room (where coffee hour fellowship takes place) after worship.
We use a Godly Play approach, which is based upon the recognition that children have an innate sense of the presence of God. This approach uses story, wonder, and play to develop kids’ vocabulary to express their spirituality.
Union Congregational Church’s Middle School and High School program is for students in sixth grade through seniors in high school. Through a variety of activities and programs, young people are encouraged to connect and build meaningful relationships. The mission of our youth program is to welcome those churched and unchurched, all who are seeking, doubting, and curious. The youth program recognizes that young people have unique perspectives and experiences, and seeks to create a space where these perspectives and experiences can be shared and valued.
Regular youth group meetings will be on the first and third Sundays from 11:30am-12:30pm. For the remainder of 2025, the youth will meet on November 2, November 16, December 7, and December 21.
For more information about youth programs, reach out to Rev. Leah McCullough.
The Children and Youth Choirs allow children to express themselves, be seen, and discover the joy of music and teamwork. Fun-filled, meaningful performances take place in song during Sunday worship, including the Children’s Pageant on Mother’s Day, and the Christmas Pageant. The choir rehearses most Sundays for 30 minutes immediately following the worship service. For more info, contact Kristine Hart.
Baptism is offered for all ages, preceded by conversations with parents for those under 13. It is the celebration of the gift of life and inclusion in the Christian community. Therefore, those desiring it for themselves or their children are expected to be members of our congregation or another for which we serve in the event of family connections.
Our ministers baptize by sprinkling water from the baptismal font. When we baptize infants and small children, we emphasize that God’s love comes before any conscious response on our part. The congregation offers its understanding and support to the child and promises to join the parents in showing God’s love for all. When adults are baptized, we emphasize that faith also requires a response of commitment on the part of those who choose to be followers of Christ.
The sacrament of Baptism is celebrated at the 10am worship service and may be arranged by calling the church office at 973-744-7424. If you are interested in a baptism for your child, email Rev. Katrina Forman.
Union Congregational youth take part in confirmation in collaboration with Glen Ridge UCC, typically in 8th or 9th grade. The year-long confirmation program is offered every two years, most recently the ’23-’24 program year. Over the course of the year we go on field trips to houses of worship of multiple traditions, explore big questions of faith, go on retreat, and work with the confirmands to design and lead their own Confirmation worship service.
To inquire about our confirmation program, please email Rev. Katrina Forman or call the church office at 973-744-7424.
Union Cong Nursery School Announcement:
Union Congregational Church will be closing its beloved Union Congregational Weekday Nursery School (UCWNS) at the end of the current school year, on June 30, 2026. The nursery school has been a meaningful and important program of the church for 58 years. In the fall of 2024, the church made the very difficult decision to close the school after exploring and considering a number of options for continuing the program. The church is immensely grateful to our dedicated administrators and teachers and to have been a part of the lives of so many children and their families since 1968.
The Cooper School: Continuing the Traditions of Union Cong Nursery School
Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, The Cooper School plans to continue the legacy of Union Cong Nursery School – at the same address, 176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair – with exceptional early-childhood education.
They plan to proudly offer a Reggio Emilia-inspired program for ages 2.5-6, with a commitment to excellence and trusted educators who nurture curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.
CLICK HERE FOR THE COOPER SCHOOL
FAQ
Why is Union Congregational Church closing its nursery school program?
A combination of factors led to our decision, including the burdens of maintaining and improving an aging building, a 30% drop in enrollment, the implementation of universal Pre-K in Montclair, and our need to adjust our programs and the size of our campus to meet the needs of our current and future congregations.
I’ve heard all that is changing is the name, but this sounds like it is much more than that. Can you explain what’s happening?
Union Congregational Church will be closing its nursery school program after June 30, 2026. We anticipate that beginning July 1, 2026, we will lease the Vincent Building to a new organization, The Cooper School, and that they will open a new school based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy with many of the same teachers, staff, and programs.
If my child is currently attending Union Cong Nursery School, will they be able to continue next year?
As mentioned above, we are hopeful that beginning July 1, 2026, we will lease the Vincent Building to a new organization, The Cooper School, and that they will open a new school based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy with many of the same teachers and programs. For information regarding the 2026-2027 school year, contact The Cooper School at InfoCooperSchool@gmail.com or visit www.cooperschool.org.
If I have concerns or questions and want to talk with someone from the church, who can I speak to?
Email contact@unioncong.org, and we will have someone reach out to you.
Who can I contact to find information about the new school and the 2026-2027 school year?
If you have questions about The Cooper School, please email InfoCooperSchool@gmail.com or visit www.cooperschool.org.
Sign Up For Side Door By Clicking Here.
A place for middle schoolers, side door is in session! The mission of the Side Door program is to offer a safe space where Montclair middle-school students can play on Friday afternoons, make friends, and be mentored by college students along side Montclair community leaders. 2:15pm-5pm Fridays (during the Montclair school year). For more information about Side Door, please email BJ Carter.
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