Monthly Highlight

Seven Minutes of Impact: Faithful Footprints Sparks Curiosity at The National Trust Conference

Last month, Stephen Collette, Building Grant Manager and building expert of the Faithful Footprints program, delivered a compelling presentation titled 'Faithful Footprints – A National Decarbonizing Strategy for the United Church of Canada.' at the National Trust Conference 2023: Transforming Heritage. Stephen offers a thoughtful retrospective of his conference experience, detailing the surprising reactions and responses during the event.

Approved

Lemonville United Church (Stouffville, ON)

St. John's United Church (Mount Stewart, PE)

Wesley United Church (Brown's Flat, NB)

Work Completed

Camp Kee-Mo-Kee (Komoka, ON)

Received a grant to replace refrigerator and freezer with Energy Star-rated appliances, complete a site audit, carbon reduction review and consultation, and replace hot water heaters with Energy Star-rated hybrid heat-pump electric water heaters.

Forest United Church (Forest, ON)

Received a grant to replace a boiler.

Hope United Church (Alvinston, ON)

Received a grant to replace an old gas boiler steam heat system with an electric heat pump system.

United Church in the Valley (Turner Valley, AB)

Received a grant to replace a 33-year-old furnace/boiler system with two energy-efficient boilers and install an on-demand hot water system.

West Side United Church (Pentz, NS)

Received a grant to install two HVAC units in its sanctuary and one larger unit with two heads in its hall, as well as replacing all lights to LEDs.

Energy Results

Grace United Church, Dartmouth, NS

Received a grant to replace three oil-fired hot air furnaces with a heat pump system. A year following their projects, Grace United reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 22.5%, GHG emissions by 4.3%, and energy costs by 12.9%.

First United Church (Truro, NS)

Received a grant to install new piping, two propane furnaces, radiators, and a single and multi-system heat pump. A year following their projects, First United reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 25.6%, GHG emissions by 24.7%, and fuel oil usage by a single source by 36.2%.

Fraser Road United Church (Gander, NL)

Received a grant to install four heat pumps, and LED lighting around the entire building, excluding the sanctuary; replace a refrigerator, a chest freezer, and two hot water tanks with a 40-gallon and 11-gallon tank, with the larger one replacing an oil-fired unit. A year following their projects, Fraser United reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 30.0%, GHG emissions by 88.5%, natural gas usage by a single source by 93.3%, and energy costs by 39.6%.

Shawville United Church (Shawville, QC)

Received a grant to install high-quality, low-energy fans in their sanctuary and hall, and a new electric boiler and hot-water heater. A year following their projects, Shawville United reduced its source EUI by 37.4%, GHG emissions by 99.6%, and energy costs by 44.9%.

St. Paul’s United Church (Midland, ON)

Received a grant to replace a 1950s furnace with three new boilers. A year following their projects, St. Paul's United reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 30.0%, GHG emissions by 8.0%, electricity usage by 21.6%, and natural gas usage by 7.7%.

Transcona Memorial United Church (Winnipeg, MB)

Received a grant to replace gas furnaces, transitioning from three to two; and install heat recovery ventilators. A year following their projects, Transcona Memorial United reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 6.2%, GHG emissions by 12.3%, natural gas usage by 12.2%, and electricity usage by 5.5%.

Trinity United Church (Cobourg, ON)

Received a grant to replace four old boilers with two high efficiency condensing boilers in the centre wing of its building. A year following their projects, Trinity United reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 1.5%, GHG emissions by 13.4%, natural has usage by 13.3%, and electricity usage by 16.5%.

Inspiration

Trinity United hosts info session on Heat pumps and Net-Zero

Faithful Footprints participant, Trinity United Church (Ottawa, ON) hosted an extraordinary event about heat pumps and net carbon zero on October 20th. There was a brief tour showcasing their newly installed heat pumps, and a panel discussion all about the benefits of heat pumps.

Special thanks to Better Homes Ottawa, The Building Science Trust, Bill Nuttle, and Mike Velichka for answering questions about heat pumps, Watersheds Canada for helping us organize this event and Ottawa Community Foundation and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for funding the event.

Shining Waters Regional Council is committed to Climate Action

Shining Waters Regional Council is committed to climate action on a regional level. The region is raising awareness and encouraging its communities of faith to think deeper about the climate crisis. Like other regions, Shining Waters Regional Council is invited and challenged to “amplify and integrate current initiatives in a bold, hopeful denominational climate strategy that accelerates reductions toward the goal of an 80% decrease in emissions by 2030." The region has held several sessions discussing realistic and practical steps, driven by expertise, that will enable us to meet this ambitious target. Watch the recordings below.

November 21, 2022 - Committed to Climate Action: How to Reach 80% Emissions Reduction by 2030

March 20, 2023 - Near Net Zero by 2030? Retrofitting Church Buildings with Minimal Resources

June 21, 2023 - Near Net Zero by 2030: Green Design

November 4, 2023 - Near Net Zero by 2030?!: Harnessing Community Resources

Learn more

Addressing Ecological Debt: Equity and Justice for Climate-Related Loss and Damage

On November 14, KAIROS launched its report 'Addressing Ecological Debt – Equity and Justice for Climate-Related Loss and Damage', which centers on the analyses and experience in the Global South. Additional background on the global loss and damage conversation is included to support discussions in our network and for advocacy. The report concludes with recommendations for the Canadian government and the international community.

Opportunities

Unite. Act. Deliver

The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 30 – Dec. 12, 2023. The theme of COP28 is Unite. Act. Deliver. Several events and activities are happening during COP28 that you and your community of faith can participate in.

Find out how you can be involved

Don't forget to follow #UCCANCOP28 and #FLCCOP28 on social media and share updates with your networks.

Centre for Christian Studies invites you to an online discussion of youth and climate justice

December 8, 1 PM EST

Join the Centre for Christian Studies for an online discussion of youth and climate justice. Special guest will be Amy Crawford, team leader for Faith Formation and Mission with the General Council of the United Church of Canada, who coordinated last summer's Climate Motivator’s program for UCC youth. She will be sharing her insights and might even bring a Climate Motivator to share leadership!

register now

Faithful Footprints Grant Webinar

Hosted by Faithful Footprints Prairies Regional Support Centre

December 15, 1 PM CST

Are you or a community of faith you know interested in learning more about the Faithful Footprints Grant? Join us to explore how the grant program can help empower your community of faith to reduce the carbon and energy footprint of your faith-building, while also supporting:

Reduced environmental footprint
Reduced building operational and maintenance costs
Increased revenue potential from rental opportunities
Enhanced comfortability and usage of building space
Redirection of financial resources towards mission and programming