September 2023 Newsletter

Late, but never forgotten!

Catch up on the latest program updates, inspirational stories, and upcoming events

Monthly Highlight 

A Touching Gesture of Gratitude from Stamford United

Running and assisting participants in our grant program is no small feat; it involves a significant amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. From helping to find matching funding, reviewing applications, analyzing energy data, developing and sharing inspiration and educational retrofit experiences, and much more — we have a dedicated team of individuals who ensure the program runs smoothly. It's our collective efforts and commitment that enable us to make a lasting impact on our grant recipients and the communities they serve.                                                                                                                                      

In gratitude, Stamford United Church (Niagara Falls, ON) shared some kind words with a thoughtful Thank You card and painting to the Faithful Footprints delivery team.                                                                                                                                   

Learn more about our Faithful Footprints team, including our Regional Support Coordinators at Ecology Action Centre, Purpose Construction, and Newo Global Energy.                             

Leading the way: Transcona Memorial United Church going green in a big way

News Article in Winnipeg Free Press

Transcona Memorial United Church (Winnipeg, MB) has been working hard since 2018 to improve the ecological footprint of the church and its community spaces. On June 27, the church got a big boost from the federal government, when Elmwood-Transcona MP Daniel Blaikie was on hand to announce $480,000 in federal funding by way of the Green and Inclusive Buildings program for the church’s community services hub. The project — which is also receiving support from the city and province, also received a Faithful Footprints grant for a total of $609,543 in additional funding.

Work Completed

Arundel United Church (Rideau Ferry, ON)

Received a grant to replace an oil furnace with a heat pump with a back-up electric furnace; remove an oil tank; install an additional central heating duct to the sanctuary and two programmable thermostats; add additional cellulose insulation in attic; and replace single pan plexiglass windows with thermal windows, nine with awning-style opening and four over the stained glass windows.

 

Navan-Vars United Church (Navan, ON)

Received a grant to add insulation to its attic; install ceiling fans in its sanctuary; install an air-conditioning unit; and replace a refrigerator. 

 

St. Mark's United Church (Cannifton, ON)

Received a grant to replace a natural gas hot water tank with two small electric tanks; install cold-weather heat pumps; install LED lights throughout its building; replace three freezers with a single Energy Star commercial grade freezer; replace resistance heaters with a mini-split heat pump in its administrative office; and replace a commercial grade fan in its sanctuary.

 

St. Mark's United Church (Port Hawkesbury, NS)

Received a grant to replace its gas-fired heating and cooling system with heat-pumps

Energy Results

St. Paul's United Church (Saskatoon, SK)

Received a grant to replace four furnaces and a water heater.  A year following their projects, St. Paul's United reduced its GHG emissions by 12.5%, natural gas usage by 7.5%, and electricity usage by 6.9%. 

Inspiration

Sustaining Our Heritage: How Historic Buildings Can Support The Energy Transition

When you envision a carbon-neutral world, you might be picturing a scene from Star Trek, with flying cars and glasses with built-in computers. On the contrary, our world in 27 years will look a lot like what we see right now, only different. Many of the buildings that exist today — the buildings we live in, work in, and worship in, will still be standing and operating. Accelerating the uptake of built environments that are all-electric, reducing energy demand, storing and sharing clean energy, and producing more energy than they use, will rely on deep retrofitting existing buildings as much as it will on designing new ones. Read more on historic buildings and The Energy Transition.

Features: Trinity United Church (Shelburne, ON), Mount Royal United Church (Moncton, NB).

 

Robertson-Wesley United Church, urban and wild

There is significant cost — monetary and otherwise — associated with using and maintaining any church, let alone a century-old building. Robertson-Wesley United Church (Edmonton, AB) recently sought out a Faithful Footprints grant to do a full LED lighting retrofit in hopes of “lessen[ing] the financial burden of energy costs on our members, while also assisting the church reduce its carbon footprint,” says facilities manager Brad Campbell. Beyond the lighting retrofit, Campbell says the work to reduce RWUC’s carbon footprint is far from over. 

 

Cherishing Creation

Rev. Melody Duncanson Hales has written a blog on Creation Time as an opportunity for heightened awareness, stewardship, and action. Rev Melody Duncanson Hales met with Pastor Pam Brown (student minister), and leaders Faye Moffatt and Judy Sumner at Trinity United Church (Capreol, ON), who were excited to share Trinity’s green journey, including their solar panel installation. This was a decade-long labour of love, made real through the generous support of Trinity members and the Faithful Footprints program. Trinity’s move to solar power goes beyond energy savings and cost reductions. Significant savings have allowed funds to be reallocated to support the ministry. It is a step towards a future where sustainability is a way of life, a witness to Trinity’s hope for a healthy community today and tomorrow.

Faith & the Common Good's 2022 Impact Report highlights key insights of the Faithful Footprints program 

Last month, Faithful Footprints delivery partner, Faith & the Common Good released its 2022 Impact Report. The report highlights interesting facts about our program from 2022, as features other climate and environmental actions of United Churches.

2024 Canadian Church Calendar features two buildings retrofitted with a Faithful Footprints grant

The United Church of Canada just released the United Church edition of the 2024 Canadian Church Calendar. The theme of this year’s calendar is the United Church’s Call and Vison: Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, Daring Justice. This year, two buildings that are participating in the Faithful Footprints program are featured, including Topsail United Church (Conception Bay South, NL) and Canadian Memorial United Church (Vancouver, BC).

Orders of 50 or more calendars can apply the MYCHURCHCAL discount code at checkout to receive 20% off the calendars, which communities of faith can then resell to their congregants to raise funds. This discount is active until November 15.

Opportunities

Seeds of Hope Granting Cycle Is Open!

Application deadline: October 15, 2023

The United Church of Canada Foundation's fall 2023 Seeds of Hope granting cycle is now open! The Joint Grants Committee welcomes grant applications for new, unique projects, which include projects that address environmental and social justice issues.

Eco-Mystics Zoom Workshop 

Oct. 3 – Feb. 13

Karl Rahner has said that if the church is going to survive we need to become mystics—perhaps if humans are going to survive we need to become eco-mystics.

In this course you will:

  • Become familiar with practices that enable us to become eco-mystics—including meditating outside.

  • Use liturgy and ritual with the four elements and poetry to stay present to our beautiful, rapidly changing biosphere and the resulting emergence/cy.

  • Create a relational container to name what is most alive, from grief to joy, new thoughts, emergent actions, and new connections.

Use Mark Coleman’s A Field Guide to Nature Meditation for personal weekly practice.

Heat Pump & Carbon Zero Info Session at Trinity United Church

Wanting to be an example and hopefully inspire other faith communities and individuals to take action towards mitigating climate change, Trinity United Church (Ottawa, ON) is hosting an info session that will feature a panel of experts sharing information about heat pumps, net zero buildings, and available grants. The event will also include a tour of Trinity United's newly installed heat pumps, which was part of the Faith Community Capacity Building Program. 

Greening Sacred Spaces London - Interfaith Tree Planting 

October 22 - 2:30-5:00 PM EST

Glen Cairn Park E

Greening Sacred Spaces London and Reforest London invite you to come and sow the seeds of positive change at their upcoming annual interfaith tree planting event. Over the years, their community has witnessed the immense positive impact of planting trees together, uniting people from various faiths and backgrounds to work together towards a common goal: a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future. This event not only celebrates diversity but also embodies the power of collective action in preserving and restoring our urban forest. Help them grow a greener, more resilient London, a legacy for future generations to come.

Interested in making a donation to contribute directly to acquiring saplings, tools and other essential resources needed. Click here and note “ INTERFAITH PLANTING “ in the message box. 

The National Trust Conference 2023: Transforming Heritage

October 26 - 28

Faithful Footprint's Building Grant Manager and Building Expert, Stephen Collette will be speaking at The National Trust’s 2023 Conference: Transforming Heritage, with the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) and Indigenous Heritage Circle. This coming fall, Collette will be presenting 'Faithful Footprints – A National Decarbonizing Strategy for the United Church of Canada' as part of the conference's Environmental Reset – Championing Heritage Conservation as Climate Action theme.

Faithful Footprints Grant Webinar - Prairie Region 

November 3, 1 PM CST

Are you interested in learning more about the Faithful Footprints Grant? Find out how your congregation can access up to $30,000 to green community faith spaces. The webinar will be presented with a focus on communities in the Prairie Region. All are welcome.

Speakers include:

Kalen Taylor: Executive Director of Purpose Construction and Faithful Footprints Prairie Hub Coordinator                                                                                                   

Stephen Collette: Faith & the Common Good’s Green Audit Manager, Faithful Footprints Buildings Grants Manager, Building Science Specialist, 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.         

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 3 2023

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