April 2023

The United Church of Canada’s 2021-2022 Sustainability Report 

The United Church of Canada is Deepening Climate Integrity. The United Church of Canada’s 2021-2022 Sustainability Report highlights the Church’s commitment to climate, ecological, and social justice, and showcases the incredible work communities of faith are doing across the country. With a new emissions reduction target of 80% by 2030, keystone programs like Faithful Footprints and Kindred Works are accelerating carbon reduction.

This report includes a new pillar called ‘Responding to Climate Impact’ in addition to the previous three: Putting our House in Order, Raising our Spirited Voices, and Connecting with the Earth.

Deepening Climate Integrity is a testament to the Church’s dedication, resilience, and creativity in problem-solving and finding solutions; it reflects hope for a flourishing future society that includes all.

Report prepared by Faithful Footprints with input from United Church staff and members across Canada.

Monthly Highlight 

Trinity United Church (Prince George, BC) knew their community needed an additional professional-level performance venue. One of the significant pieces that was missing was professional-grade theatre lighting that could be controlled remotely and was full-colour spectrum. As this plan was unfolding, the church named 'Care of Creation' as a ministry priority and began to factor in green technologies to the renovation plan at the downtown campus and the creation of the new Knox Performance Centre. When the two concepts came together in a Faithful Footprints Grant, the stage lit up! 

Celebrating the new and improved system, Trinity United welcomed Canadian classical pianist Angela Hewitt as their first performance post lighting retrofit. 

Project insights further on in the newsletter.

Completed Projects

Centennial United Church (Robert's Arm, NL)

Received a grant in support of the replacement of an oil furnace and oil tank with four heat pumps in the sanctuary and church hall; the replacement of door seals; the installation of LED lights throughout the entire church; and the insulation of the attic.

Featured story further on in the newsletter.

Central Trinity United Church (Beadalbane, PE)

Received a grant in support of the replacement of an oil furnace and oil tank with heat pumps; the replacement of a refrigerator and hatches; the installation of LED and motion sensor lights, on-demand hot water heater, and industrial ceiling fans; the upgrade of electrical wiring; and the caulking of windows.

Park Royal United Church (Charlottetown, PE)

Received a grant in support of the installation of seven heat pumps in the sanctuary, the entranceway, and the area used by their daycare.

Saint John's United Church (Sussex Corner, NB)

Received a grant in support of the installation of two mini-split heat pumps, a five-ton unit with backup electrical heating, and an electrical upgrade.

St. Paul's United Church (Oakville, ON)

Received a grant in support of the installation of LED lights, and the replacement of three refrigerators. 

Trinity United Church (Cookshire - Eaton, QC)

Received a grant in support of the installation of two heat pumps on the back of the building to serve its sanctuary, church hall and kitchen.

 Trinity United Church (Prince George, BC)

Received a grant in support of the installation of 16 professional quality LED theatre lights on two lighting pipes, that are digitally controlled through a networked digital multiplex system. 

West River United Church (Cornwall, PE)

Received a grant in support of the installation of heat pumps and an electrical upgrade, including four muti-head systems and seven single-head systems, composed of 13 outdoor units and 18 indoor units. 

Energy Results

Eastminster United Church (Belleville, ON)

Received a grant in support of the installation of high-efficient beam-mounted lights with dimmer control in their chapel and parlour, energy-efficient outdoor lighting, increased insulation in their attic, as well as the installation of energy-efficient fridges and freezers. A year following its projects, Eastminister United reduced its GHG emission by 10.7%, electricity use by 40.1%, and natural gas use by 10.6%. 

High River United Church (High River, AB)

Received a grant in support of the installation of 76 solar panels. A year following its projects, High River United reduced its GHG emission by 39.2%, energy costs by 32.0%, electricity use by 50.1%, and natural gas use by 8.9%. 

Inspiration 

Faithful Footprints Retrofit Tours: Earth Week 2023 Event Series 

As part of the 60+ United Church of Canada’s events in Together For the Love of Creation Earth Week 2023 (April 16 - 23), Faithful Footprints invited past and current program participants to host an in-person retrofit tour event. Participants included Glen Morris United Church (Glen Morris, ON), Eastminster United Church (Belleville, ON), St. Paul’s United Church (Orillia, ON), Windsor United Church (Windsor, NS), Westminster Orangeville United Church (Orangeville, ON). 

Event photos and insights to come...

Decarbonizing building operations:

an effective strategy for cutting emissions  

Faithful Footprints Monthly Blogs are published the 2nd Wednesday of every month.

Operational carbon, the amount of carbon emitted during the operating or in-use phase of a building, accounts for a large proportion of carbon emissions released globally. With support from the Faithful Footprints program, United Church communities of faith are pushing the needle to reduce their operational carbon by replacing oil and gas-fueled heating and cooling systems with electrical and renewable alternatives. Read more on how United Churches are taking action in our latest blog 'Decarbonizing building operations: an effective strategy for cutting emissions'.

Features: St. George and St. Andrew United Church (Annapolis Royal, NS), Central Trinity United Church, Beadalbane, PE), Shawville United Church (Shawville, QC), Duncan United Church (Duncan, BC), Trinity United Church (Acton, ON). 

Converting to electric: P.E.I. churches looking into green technology to heat buildings

An initiative to outfit churches with green technology has been gaining steam across the Prince Edward Island. With net-zero buildings becoming more popular, and with P.E.I.’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, SaltWire Atlantic Canada contacted several churches in the province to ask their opinions about converting some of P.E.I.’s most historic buildings to electric. Alexander MacKay, chair of trustees for the Central Trinity United Church (Breadalbane, PE) shared his thoughts and shared his experience participating in the Faithful Footprints program. 

Features: Central Trinity United Church (Breadalbane, PE)

How Centennial United in Robert's Arm, NL Reduced Its Carbon Footprint

In 2022, the board of management of Centennial United Church (Roberts Arm, NL), discussed how they could reduce their carbon footprint and do their part in saving our planet from climate change disasters. The obvious choice for the church was to stop burning fossil fuel as their heat source and switch to a clean electric source by using efficient heat pumps. The heat pumps were installed, on April 3, 2023, and were dedicated on Earth Sunday, April 16, to let all their supporters know they had accomplished their goal of reducing their carbon footprint, to help the greening of the earth.

Featured blog of In Our Power, a series of stories produced by Faithful Footprints Atlantic Regional Support Centre, Ecology Action Centre. The series highlights the work of ordinary people and diverse communities in Atlantic Canada working to create a just transition to a green economy. 

Windsor United Kicks the Oil Habit 

In 2022, Windsor United Church (Windsor, NS) paid $18,000 in heating oil and $8,700 for electricity. However, with funding from Faithful Footprints and Efficiency Nova Scotia, Windsor United has made the transition off its dependency on oil. Instead, the church's new heat pumps are used. Oil is now a rarely-used backup, only for the coldest days.

Featured blog of In Our Power, a series of stories produced by Faithful Footprints Atlantic Regional Support Centre, Ecology Action Centre. The series highlights the work of ordinary people and diverse communities in Atlantic Canada working to create a just transition to a green economy. 

Image Credit: FG Trade Latin / iStock

The End of the World as We Know It

The United Church of Canada's 'Round the Table' blogs share stories of life, faith, and ministry in the United Church and beyond. For Earth Week, Moderator Carmen Lansdowne writes about actions and choices for climate justice that may preserve our future in a personal reflection 'The End of the World as We Know It'. 

Opportunities 

Spirit-led: An Interfaith Call to Climate Action

April 30, 4:00 - 5:30 PM (ET) 

Join EnviroMuslims, the Reform Jewish Community of Canada (RJCC) and For the Love of Creation for a joint webinar sharing in a circle of ritual and reflection on how our faith compels us to seek climate justice. We will be guided by Muslim, Jewish, Indigenous and Christian spiritual leaders. We hope this will be the beginning of an even broader sharing going forward. This will be a 90 minute session on Zoom with presentations and breakout rooms.

Bissell Centre Solar Launch Event

May 4, 5:30 PM (MT) 

MacEwan University Roundhouse

11110 104 Avenue Northwest 11-159 Allard Hall, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, T5K 1M9

With over 110 years in operation under its belt, Bissell Centre has become passionate about incorporating green initiatives into our renovations and regular building maintenance. Join Bissel Centre for a dinner to talk about how solar energy can be accessible to everyone, no matter their budget. Learn about Bissell Centre's upcoming project with SPICE and Faithful Footprints Western Regional Support Centre, Newo Global Energy that incorporates solar energy on a tight budget as a real-world example. 

No Faith in Fossil Fuels: A Climate Finance Summit 

May 8 - 11

The Parliament of the World's Religions is inviting people of faith to participate in GreenFaith's 'No Faith in Fossil Fuels: A Climate Finance Summit'. Gather to learn about how banks and asset managers continue to invest in the fossil fuel industries that are destroying communities in the U.S. and around the world – and then find out how to hold these financial institutions accountable. Together, participants can take the bold steps necessary to effect real change.

 Better Buildings Ottawa -

Benchmarking and Auditing Program

The City of Ottawa is looking for faith communities to participate in its Better Buildings Ottawa - Benchmarking and Auditing Program to gain insight and access tools to help make your building(s) more energy efficient, productive, valuable and resilient. Enroll to learn more about your building and the chance to influence the direction of potential future energy and water benchmarking, disclosure, and retrofit regulations.

Faithful Climate Conversations -

Climate Action Discernment Process

To encourage dialogue on climate change, For the Love of Creation developed Faithful Climate Conversations, a series of guides to facilitate small group conversations and action discernment on climate change. The goal of its newest guide, Climate Action Discernment Process, is to help groups move towards concrete action while at the same time building a foundation from which future action can emerge. This process is designed to follow after engaging in one of the first three Faithful Climate Conversations, which provide time for your group to sit together to express concerns and to establish a mutual sense of why it’s important to take action beginning with prayerful reflection.

Explore the Program