Since its establishment in 2018, The United Church of Canada's Faithful Footprints program has garnered extensive support and recognition nationwide. The program's influence extends beyond its foundational goals, leading to invitations to prominent events, with the most recent being The National Trust Conference 2023: Transforming Heritage, hosted with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) and Indigenous Heritage Circle.
As the largest heritage learning and networking event in Canada, the conference brings together a diverse community of people dedicated to preserving the nation's rich heritage. This year’s conference brought together over 500 participants from a range of backgrounds – from professionals, craftspeople, and advocates, to developers, planners, heritage site operators, academics, students, and volunteers. The conference featured trade shows, dynamic sessions and workshops, and pivotal discussions around the future of heritage conservation.
As part of the conference's Environmental Reset – Championing Heritage Conservation as Climate Action theme, Stephen Collette, Faithful Footprints program's Building Grant Manager, and Building Expert, delivered a compelling presentation titled 'Faithful Footprints – A National Decarbonizing Strategy for the United Church of Canada.'
Stephen offers a thoughtful retrospective of his conference experience, detailing the reactions and responses elicited during the event.
Faithful Footprints in Seven Minutes: A Recap of Stephen's Spark Session at the Conference
With professionals from across Canada, the US, and even one from Australia, the conference was an impactful time to connect, share ideas, brainstorm in workshops, and learn from each other about challenges and opportunities within the heritage industry.
As part of the larger conversation, I had the honor of presenting at the conference, shedding light on the Faithful Footprints grant program as part of a group of presenters focused on sustainability and heritage. These sessions, called Spark Sessions, offer a unique format where each presenter has just 7 minutes to captivate and 'spark' the interest of the audience. The fast-paced nature of these sessions allows attendees to take away the essential details from multiple projects or programs in a short span. The experience is not only informative but also entertaining, with a clock-wielding individual ensuring each presentation stays within the allotted time. The dynamic and engaging nature of the Spark Sessions adds to their widespread popularity at the conference.
In my presentation, I addressed the program's key highlights, emphasizing how the climate crisis and the need to decarbonize is a missional pillar of the United Church of Canada. Delving into the collaborative efforts with Faith & the Common Good, I highlighted their role in translating this mission into reality through active engagement, support, and energy data tracking.
Sharing compelling data and statistics, the revelation that over 400 United Church properties have been engaged in the last 5 years sparked a surprising reaction. The scale of the portfolio, considering faith communities are the second-largest property owners in Canada after the federal government, prompted a notable reaction. Many attendees were surprised to discover that the United Church of Canada, alongside the Mennonite Church of Canada, stands as one of the only two faith communities with a national-level grant program—a fact that I posed as a thought-provoking question regarding the collective efforts of different faith traditions in addressing climate change.
Curiosity Unleashed: The Reception of Faithful Footprints
The overall reception of my talk on the Faithful Footprints grant program was incredibly positive. Engaging with the audience after the presentation and interactions throughout the conference revealed a consistent pattern of surprise, interest, and awe when people learned about the initiative.
It was enlightening to witness the genuine curiosity sparked by the concept of faith communities actively participating in sustainability efforts. Attendees often expressed amazement and a genuine interest in understanding why more faith communities aren't taking similar initiatives. Their questions echoed a sentiment of longing for spiritual guidance, emotional support, and community leadership in this critical time of crisis.
The reception of Faithful Footprints became a catalyst for a broader conversation, inviting reflection on the role of faith communities in the critical intersection of spirituality, environmental stewardship, and community leadership. A recurring question emerged: How could more faith communities step into this role? It's a question that goes beyond the confines of the conference room, resonating as a call to action for spiritual leaders. The answer, as I see it, echoes the timeless wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi: 'Be the change you want to see in the world.'
In the face of challenges and crises, there is a powerful opportunity for faith communities to not only provide spiritual solace but also to lead by example in environmental stewardship. The Faithful Footprints grant program stands as a testament to the transformative impact that can be achieved when we embody the change we wish to see, fostering a collective responsibility toward a more sustainable and harmonious world.
Stephen Collette is a Building Science Specialist, building scientist, sustainable building consultant, and heritage professional specializing in faith community buildings. Stephen is a Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals Member, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Accredited Professional, a Building Biology Environmental Consultant, and a Building Biology New Build Consultant.
Faithful Footprints Program
The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints program offers inspiration, tools, and grants to help its faith communities reduce their carbon footprint. With the Church’s commitment to reducing its greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2030, this one-of-a-kind program offers up to $30,000 in grants towards energy conservation and renewable energy projects (conditions apply).
Faith & the Common Good is the delivery partner for the Faithful Footprints program. To date, we have engaged over 400 congregations, camps, and buildings across the country. Your participation in the program puts your faith into action and helps the Church reach its target.