Join us for worship Sundays at 10:30 am in the Sanctuary. Click here for further details for this and upcoming events.
WHO WE ARE
United in the Church of Christ
We come from many paths, becoming one family of faith
The United Church of Christ (UCC) is a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. With over 5,000 churches and nearly one million members across the U.S., the UCC serves God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world. The UCC is a church of firsts, ordaining the first African American pastor in 1805, ordaining the first woman pastor in 1853 and ordaining the first openly gay pastor in 1972. We are a church of extravagant welcome, and a church where "…they may all be one" (John 17:21).
First Congregational Church of Montclair follows in that tradition. Our founding members were abolitionists who fought to erradicate slavery and our membership continued to include those who struggled for women's sufferage, civil rights and LGBTQ rights. We began in 1869 when 30 people gathered with the aim of creating a new congregation in Montclair. Responding to the need for racial justice following the Civil War, they chose for their first pastor the Rev. Amory Bradford, a young, passionate minister who was an outspoken advocate for abolition in New England. From the very beginning, Rev. Bradford focused the congregation out into the community. He envisioned a church where “the doors are never closed; which is glad in the spirit of Christ to go about doing good; and which finds its joy in continuing Christ’s ministry to all sorts and conditions of people.” Under Bradford’s leadership FCC became a force for social change in Montclair, establishing many aid programs for immigrants, orphans, and the working poor.
That committment to social justice and the radical welcome of Jesus continues today. Although we may look different than that 19th century congregation, we embody the same values of compassion, inclusion, justice and dignity that Amory Bradford proclaimed.
OUR TEAM
Get to know the First Congregational Church staff
Rev. Ann Ralosky,
Lead Pastor for Worship & Congregational Transformation
Rev. Ann has been serving FCC with joy since 2004. She has a passion for creative worship, deep conversations and experiencing God through relationship with others -- and she finds all of it at FCC! When not serving the church, Rev. Ann can be found at her cottage in Stockton, NJ, taking long walks, reading by the pond and keeping the birdfeeders full. She shares this home with her husband, John. Rev. Ann can be reached at revann@fccmtc.com.
Rev. John Rogers,
Lead Pastor for Spiritual Formation & Community Development
Rev. John came onboard at FCC in 2013. He is grateful to be part of a community full of opportunities to serve and grow spiritually. Outside of his ministry at FCC, Rev. John is nourished by reading, Qigong and music. He is currently working on an album of Shaker music with his wife, Allison. Please feel free to reach out to Rev. John at revjohn@fccmtc.com.
Rena Majeed,
Church Administrator
Rena has been keeping FCC humming since she joined our staff in 2010. She's the friendly voice that greets you when you call the office and handles all manner of administrative questions. To contact Rena please call 973-744-4856 or email her at admin@fccmtc.com
Karma Cloud,
Director of Children's Ministries
Rev. Karma is the imagination and heart behind our wonderful children's ministries. With a background in arts education and an ordained degree in ministry, Rev. Karma has created a wonderfully exciting and warm community for our children. To contact Karma, email her at karmicjoy@gmail.com.
Julie Morgan,
Director of Music Ministries
Julie has been sharing her gift of music at FCC since 2005. She combines her passion for choral music with a creative edge, resulting in outstanding sacred music each Sunday. To contact Julie please email her at jmorgan@mastervoices.org
David Salyers,
Accompanist
David is an accomplished piano and organ accompanist as well as an actor and singer. Along with our Director of Music Ministries, David enlivens our worship with music each Sunday. To contact David please email him at troubador123@gmail.com
Siobhan Morello,
Property Manager
Siobhan manages our property, handles all tenants and rentals, keeps the calendar of building events and troubleshoots all the various needs of the "this old house." If you would like to rent space or have a property question, please email Siobhan at smorello@fccmtc.com
Heather Cherrey,
Minister of Pastoral Care and Visitation
Rev. Heather is a "retired" UCC minister who has been a member of FCC since 2012. Having served as a pastsor, grief counselor, chaplain and registered nurse, she serves to supplement Rev. Ann's pastoral care by visiting our members and friends who are homebound or in need of ongoing pastoral care To contact Rev. Heather email her at revcherrey@optonline.net.