Who We Are
Canaan Congregational Church has a mission to connect to its community. A church of open doors, all are welcome to join in fellowship, worship, and community service at Canaan UCC.
Worship services blend tradition and innovation—from First Sunday Communion to conversation instead of sermons, Breakfast Church potlucks, and fully Zoom services. For more information on any of these activities or to receive a Zoom link please email redchurch@canaanucc.org or call 518-781-4775.
Canaan UCC is a member of the Southern New England UCC and as an Open and Affirming congregation, welcomes people who are LGBTQ+. Serving local community households and families, Canaan UCC also supports global social justice causes through the United Church of Christ (UCC)
From Reverend Mike Denton
Thanks for taking the time to learn more about us!
When you walk into our building, one of the things you’ll notice is the light. We have big glass windows and big glass doors. On Sunday mornings, light streams in from windows around the top of the sanctuary and from our big, beautiful east-facing window, too. All our windows are clear, and it almost makes the building itself seem porous. There is not much to separate the beauty outside from the beauty inside.
That says quite a bit about who we are and what we’re working towards. More and more, we’re a congregational community with porous boundaries that allow for an ebb and flow between our congregation and our community. The caregiver respite program we host helps make our stewardship of this building more meaningful. The increasing number of participative arts, dance, and performance programs taking place within our walls helps those dedicated to beauty and creativity inspire us all to live lives of beauty and creativity. Our variety of worship services provides an opportunity for very personal spiritual centering that also encourages us to do our part in serving and healing our world. In our worship services, you will hear wisdom from the Christian tradition and from other traditions, too.
When I was called as pastor here, it was as someone who leads alongside the members of this congregation. It’s a lot like a spiritual potluck. I bring what I have to offer, as does everyone else. That means I’ll sometimes lead worship on a Sunday. Still, it’s more likely that a member of our congregation, a visitor from another religious tradition, or someone from another church will be leading worship that day. Hospitality, creativity, service, faith, and community are what we offer, receive, and share here.
You are always welcome.