Columbia County residents are cordially invited to attend the next installment of Canaan UCC’s “Resource Roundtable Series,” on Friday, August 2 at 10:30 AM at 1670 County Rt. 5, Canaan. This is the second in a series of presentations that have been planned by staff at NY Connects – Columbia County, a program of The Healthcare Consortium.

This workshop will be presented by Rachel Cole, Consumer Assistance Programs Coordinator at the Healthcare Consortium. At this workshop, Cole will discuss resources available to seniors; provide applications for Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Plan, and Elderly Pharmaceutical and Insurance Coverage (EPIC); and share recent news articles on topics such as saving on prescription medication costs and developments in funding for additional senior housing. Additionally, Cole will offer guidance on navigating Medicare and other health insurance programs.

For additional information about the Consumer Assistance Programs available at the Healthcare Consortium, contact Rachel by email at .

“Living While Dying” is a film by Cathy Zheutlin which follows the stories of four of her friends with terminal illness. Each of them chose to live out their lives with courage and grace, and sometimes humor.

Dying is a profound experience for the one who is dying and for the family and friends surrounding them. Though we may immediately think of death as depressing and morose, this film reminds us that even in death there is hope and beauty.

This 45-minute documentary is a follow up to our recent community read of Atul Gawande’s book “Being Mortal.” We will show it on Thursday, August 15, at 9:30 AM. We will have a community discussion following the film led by the Rev. Quentin Chin. Everyone is invited to attend this free event.

How Can We Live In This World When It Seems So Chaotic and Disordered?

What Can Philosophies From Over 2000 Years Ago Teach Us Today?

Michael Puett, a professor of Chinese history at Harvard, wrote “The Path What Chinese Philosophers Can Teach Us About the Good Life.” He neatly encapsulated the philosophies of Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, the Inward Training, Zhuangzi, and Xunzi to invite the reader to reframe their understanding of relationships, decisions, influence, vitality, spontaneity, and humanity.

In the book’s preface, Pruett wrote, “Many of us now believe that each of us should be a unique individual who knows himself. We believe we should be authentic, loyal to a truth we now tend to locate not in a higher deity but within ourselves…. But what if these ideas that we believe enhance our lives are actually limiting us?” Chinese philosophy, however, turns that on its head.

We will have a community read of this book on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM. Our first meeting will be August 20. Subsequent dates will be August 27, Sept 3, Sept 10, Sept 17, and Sept 24. Participants will provide their own books. Prior to the first session, please read the first two chapters (Pages 5 – 22). We will distribute a full reading schedule at the first session.

Please note that though this book’s topic is philosophy, it is very readable, and frankly, hard to put down.

We’ve been delighted to welcome cellist/bassist Isaac Mingus from Florida who has joined us this summer!

He is playing in the Orchestra at Barrington Stage for their production of La Cage Aux Folles, and has found (we hope) a temporary worship home at the Canaan Congregational Church.

Recently, he graced our service in the sanctuary with two lovely pieces. Please come and hear this accomplished young musician while he is in our midst.