Monthly Highlight
We've engaged with 400 communities of faith!
With a public goal of engaging 500 United Church communities of faith by 2025, The United Church of Canada's Faithful Footprints grant program reached 400 engagements earlier this month.
The United Church of Canada has committed the whole church to the aspirational goal of an 80% decrease in carbon emissions by 2030. The Faithful Footprints program will continue to proudly support United Church congregations, camps, and buildings to reduce their carbon footprint as part of the Church’s actions to address the climate crisis - offering inspiration, tools, and grants.
Explore the energy data of finished projects from the program. Compare both the baseline and current datasets, to view the changes and significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, electricity usage, fossil fuel use, energy costs, and energy use intensity from completed projects so far.
Note: Energy Data was last updated May 2023
Faithful Footprints will be at The National Trust Conference 2023: Transforming Heritage
Faithful Footprint's Building Grant Manager and Building Expert, Stephen Collette was selected to speak 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.
The annual National Trust Conference is Canada’s largest heritage learning and networking event and brings together a wide range of people working to keep Canada’s heritage alive. Transforming Heritage will bring together 500+ participants from a diverse range of backgrounds – from professionals, craftspeople, and advocates, to developers, planners, heritage site operators, academics, students, and volunteers. The conference will feature trade shows, dynamic sessions and workshops, and pivotal discussions around the future of heritage conservation.
Bedeque United Church (Bedeque, PE)
Received a grant to replace an oil furnace, and install six heat pumps as well as six electric air heaters, upgrade electrical service, and convert several lights to LEDs.
Peter Gordon Memorial United Church (Morell, PE)
Received a grant to replace an oil furnace, install two heat pumps in the basement and three heat pumps in the sanctuary, upgrade electrical entrance, and replace fluorescent tubes and incandescent bulbs with LED light fixtures in its entryway and basement.
Sheridan United Church (Mississauga, ON)
Received a grant to replace 17 windows and a set of patio doors.
St. Stephen's United Church (Red Bank, NB)
Received a grant to replace two oil furnaces and install mini-split heat pumps.
Roncesvalles United Church (Toronto, ON)
Received a grant to replace over 90 fluorescent tubes/bulbs with LEDs, install motion detection lights in washrooms, replace dishwasher, and order custom insert sealers for two stained glass windows in the sanctuary.
York United Church (York, PE)
Received a grant to install heat pumps.
Knox United Church (Three Hills, AB)
Received a grant to replace a 1965 natural gas boiler with two modern fuel models. A year following their projects, Knox United reduced its natural gas usage by 21.7%, and GHG emissions by 17.9%.
Riverbend United Church (Edmonton, AB)
Received a grant to install solar panels. A year following their projects, Riverbend United reduced its GHG emissions by 3.0%, electricity usage by 15.9%, and energy costs by 20.7%.
Trinity Clifton United Church (Charlottetown, PE)
Received a grant to refurbish the front entry pocket doors, replace wall panels, install LED lighting and a Heat Recovery Unit, as well as caulking and sealing of 14 basement windows. A year following their projects, Trinity Clifton United reduced its electricity usage by 61.6%.
Inspiration
Image credit: Courtesy of Lynda Trono
Advocating for Fossil Fuel Divestment: Prairie to Pine Regional Council Holds Financial Institutions Accountable
Religious institutions and communities of faith across the globe have been critical leaders in calling on governments and large corporations to divest fossil fuels. The United Church of Canada’s Prairie to Pine Regional Council is leading the way in advocating for climate justice. On June 3, 2023, Prairie to Pine Regional Council passed Faith Communities to Divest from Fossil Fuels, a proposal to further the region’s efforts in advocating for divestment.
Members of the Youth Council for the Pacific Mountain and Living Skies regions
Credit: Chris Mah Po
United Church Youth are ready and eager to act for climate and to take a leadership role
This summer, 15 youths from The United Church of Canada's community of faith will participate in The United Church of Canada’s first-ever Climate Motivators program. Each student is sponsored by, and in partnership with, a local community of faith as they work together on local climate justice or environmental needs. The foundation of the program is the four climate pillars named in the strategic plan of the United Church, including the climate pillar Putting Our House in Order. Youth will learn more about, and encourage more, participation in specific climate efforts, such as Faithful Footprints and For the Love of Creation.
Faithful Footprints: In the News
Last month, two stories on the United Church of Canada's Faithful Footprints program were published in two national media outlets. Read the full article features below:
The United Church has an ambitious climate goal — but it needs help from congregations - Broadview Magazine
Leading climate action and creating community with faith -National Observer
Opportunities
Heat Pump & Carbon Zero Info Session at Trinity United Church
This coming fall, Trinity United Church (Ottawa, ON) will be hosting an info session about heat pumps and how we can reach net carbon zero in our homes and in our communities of faith. The session will highlight net zero buildings, feature a panel of experts, and will discuss its new heat pumps, installed as part of the Faith Community Capacity Building Program.
Explore the Program
Explore projects and energy results of Faithful Footprints participating faith-communities
Connect with Faithful Footprints Regional Support Centres
Learn more aboutThe United Church of Canada's climate commitment