Unitarian Church of Montreal

Welcome to our multicultural community

We are the first Unitarian church in all of Canada, founded in 1842.  We meet every Sunday at 10:30 in our beautiful, unique sanctuary on de Maisonneuve just west of Claremont, on the NDG-Westmount border.

The Things We Hide

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 7 March 2010

Pity the poor Rev. Barzillai Frost, droning on in his pulpit at the First Parish in Concord, Massachusetts, back in the 1830s. Ralph Waldo Emerson, his most brilliant and soon to be famous parishioner, sits in the upper balcony, peering down and fidgeting restlessly in his discontent.  Snow is falling outside, each snowflake a testament to the wonder of creation. 

What's happening this week: March 3 - 10

This Saturday is our much-anticipated Thank-God-February-is-Over Party! Come and enjoy tropical food, music and fun beginning at 6 pm. This Sunday, we'll be collecting non-perishable food for the NDG Food Depot, and the religious education groups will collect food and clothing for St. Michael's Mission, the downtown shelter run by the Anglican Diocese. Join us after the service for a soup and bread lunch.

Worship, Worth-ship, What?

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 21 February 2010

“How did this word worship creep back into our vocabulary?” someone recently asked me.  Ok, I admit it.  It’s all my fault.  Well, nearly all my fault.  This congregation had already been in transition around questions of language when I arrived three and a half years ago.

What's up this week: February 24 - March 3

A religious community at its best should be about living our lives as caring and just human beings.  A major part of how we live our lives is related to our sexuality.  What is our identity?  Who do we love?  How do we love?  How do we act as responsible human beings, caring for each other, caring for our young?  Those are some of the things explored in our Our Whole Lives sexuality education program. And on Saturday evening, you are cordially invited to witness the ceremony for the graduating Senior Our Whole Lives Youth, from Montreal and other UU congregations in Quebec and Ontario, who will have completed the course. And on Sunday, get your tickets for our "Thank God February's Over" (TGFO) Party on Saturday, March 6,  with a Trinidadian chef. Authentic Caribbean cuisine at its best!

The Meaning of Life

Reflection by Stephen Jarislowsky, 7 February 2010

Rather than give you a heroic version of my life up to coming to Montreal in 1949 at the age of 23, I prefer to provide some anecdotes not to disappoint you entirely, but it is largely a period that for me was a problematic childhood and adulthood.  What I can say is that if you survive five countries and language changes by age 20, a time in the midst of two war scenes – Europe in 1940/41 and the Far East in 1945/46, you have lived a lifetime – for many young men of that time literally!

What's up this week: February 17 - 24

Don't despair!! This grey, cold February is drawing to a close. Why not join us for our service on Sunday and stay afterwards for a delicious lunch prepared and served by our senior youth? They are raising money to pay for travel to this year's Canadian Unitarian Council's Annual Conference and Meeting being held in Victoria, BC. Contributions of $5 or more are greatly appreciated but all are welcome to eat and enjoy!

Lay Chaplaincy Sunday

Reflection by Nicoline Guerrier, 14 February 2010 

Late last year, during the noisy crush of coffee hour in the Phoenix Hall next door, two visitors to one of our Sunday Services asked me, shouting over the din: “What is it that has kept you committed to this church and Unitarian Universalism all these years?”  I found myself excitedly telling them about our Lay Chaplaincy program, and the way in which for me, Lay Chaplaincy is the clearest example of the unique possibilities offered by our movement.

What's Happening February 10 to 17

February is the month to celebrate the mystery of love and Black History. Sunday activities this week reflect both these themes. And throughout the week there are opportunities to connect with others in song, collage, meditation and action—at our church and beyond our walls. Read on for details.

What's Happening February 3 to 10

Plenty of activity this week and throughout the month of February to chase away the winter blahs.

News Flash: Special Service, Sunday, January 31

Special Guest Speaker: Sue Montgomery

O Haiti! Reflections from the Front
Sunday Worship Service
January 31, 10:30 a.m.
The Unitarian Church of Montreal

With great relief, I am pleased to announce that journalist, and UCM member, Sue Montgomery is returning from Haiti this week. Sue has been so moved by what she has seen in the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake, that she has promised to help the people of Haiti for the rest of her life. She joins us this Sunday to reflect on her experiences.  After the service, we'll have time to meet with Sue to discuss what we can do next for the people of Haiti.  I hope you will join us,

Rev. Diane Rollert

What's Happening January 27 - Feb. 3

This week offers moments to reflect, react, remember. This Sunday, join UCM member Sue Montgomery, newly returned from Haiti, as we reflect on what is happening and what we can do. After the service all ages can join Caroline Balderston Parry for soup and tales of pioneer times, told through journals and song.

All We Are and All We Can Be

Rev. Diane Rollert, 24 January 2010

Sometimes when you first arrive in a new place, it can be easier to see the broader vista.  You see the vast forest and how far it reaches.  But in time, your focus narrows.  You begin to see the trees, then the pine needles, the pinecones, and the lichen as it grows on the tree trunks.  You look beyond the broad majestic beauty to see the narrow mysteries of tiny insects boring holes into the bark.

UCM Raises More Than $6,000 for Haitian Relief

On Sunday, January 17, members and friends generously contributed $6,244.19, for relief in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th.   These funds will be sent to Oxfam Quebec, since we have learned that Médecins sans frontières (our original choice) is becoming saturated with funds. 

What's happening this week: January 20 - 27

This Sunday is an active one as we celebrate the vitality of our community and  after the service enjoy soup and an opportunity to learn about OWL (Our Whole Lives UU sexuality education program).

Et aussi… Célébration de la réconciliation entre l'Imam et le Pasteur à 12 h 45.

To Seek the Truth – Or Not

Sermon by Rev. Diane Rollert, 17 January 2010

Not too long ago, I told you the story of my experience of spending a week in conversation with psychologist Thomas Moore, bestselling author of Care of the Soul.  You’ll recall that it was me, Tom and 24 other Unitarian Universalist ministers sitting in a very non-sexy, windowless conference room, with no agenda. One afternoon, we ministers started to talk about what it means to be tellers of truth and the importance of being authentic.