Faithful Footprints December 2022 Newsletter
The Faithful Footprints Monthly Newsletter is designed to engage and provide on-going inspiration and support for United Church communities across Canada. Our monthly newsletter will be released the last Wednesday of every month. Due to holiday closing, our newsletter has been released a week earlier than normal.
Program Updates
Every month, the Faithful Footprints program approves several applications and welcomes new United Churches and affiliated properties into the program, as a number of faith-communities complete their projects and receive their final energy reduction results.
Data from November 30 - December 20
New to the program:
Projects Completed:
Received a grant in support of the replacement of 79 fluorescent light fixtures with 68 LED light fixtures in church hall, nursery/preschool centre, meeting room, and hallway.
Received a grant in support of the replacement of an old steam boiler, pipes, radiators, valves controllers and steam traps with three high efficiency hydronic water boilers and associated equipment; and the installation of an air-forced furnace.
Energy Results:
Received a grant in support of the replacement of light fixtures and switches on the lower level of the church; and the installation of light fixtures and switches in a newly constructed building on the property site. A year following its projects, Augustine United did not experience any reductions. *Lack of reductions are due to the buildings being mostly closed to fully open.
Hillcrest United Church, Montague, PEI
Received a grant in support of the installation of six ductless heat pumps, four windows in basement, and LED lighting around the entire building; the replacement of an oil boiler and hot water heater, with an 80 gallon electric hot water heater; the sealing of the door to bell tower and bell tower hatch; and the insulation of the electric hot water heat and bell tower hatch. A year following its projects, Hillcrest United reduced its GHG emission by 49.7%, fuel oil usage from a single source by 69.2%, and energy costs by 24.6%.
Windermere United Church, Toronto, ON
Received a grant in support of the replacement of 16 single pane windows with double pane insulated windows; the installation of four aluminum storms over single pane windows, two high efficiency HVAC units; and the insulation of the outside walls in common room. A year following its projects, Windermere United reduced its GHG emission by 17.7%, electricity usage by 6.8%, and natural gas usage by 17.8%.
Highlight of the Month
Bethel Maidstone United’s (Maidstone, ON) Hall is rented out for various functions. Right after its lighting retrofit was completed, the church hosted a Christmas Bazaar. Many returning visitors who have attended previous events in its Hall, noticed the new lights and complemented staff on the upgrades. With the new lighting, the church hopes to encourage more rentals of the Hall.
Interested in networking with other Rural Ministries?
The United Church Rural Ministries Network (UCRMN) is a grassroots initiative for Rural Ministry in the United Church of Canada. Its goal is to connect the many Rural Ministry initiatives across the country, whether ‘lay-led’ or with resident order of ministry folk. Join the network, and connect, support, nurture, and challenge rural and remote communities of faith.
Faithful Footprints Monthly Blog
By understanding building science and how your building performs, you will be able to make better decisions for the durability, and sustainability of the building that houses your faith community. Learn about thermal mass and thermal insulation in our latest blog “How Thermal Mass and Thermal Insulation Work for Your Faith Building”.
Features: Trinity United Church (Rose Bay, NS), Augustine United Church (Winnipeg, MB)
Faithful Footprints Monthly Blogs are published the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Explore the Program
Explore Faithful Footprints Grants and Energy Data online interactive maps to learn more about the properties that have participated in the Faithful Footprints program as well as the energy data of finished projects.
Connect with Your Regional Support Centre
Faithful Footprints Regional Support Centres aim to encourage diverse faith based and multi-sectoral allied groups to work together and help create a regional climate collaborative network that will continue beyond the life of this project. Explore specific local and regional resources to assist you to reduce your faith building’s carbon and energy footprint.
