Monthly Highlights
Post-renovation check-in: Reconnecting with churches after their retrofit
The Atlantic provinces are home to 700 United Churches, just over 25% of all United Churches in Canada. More than 100 United Church communities of faith in the Atlantic have participated in the Faithful Footprints program and have experienced a range of positive impacts after retrofitting their buildings. Last month, we travelled to rural Cape Breton to reconnect with three United Churches who took part in the program. We had the opportunity to hear about the positive benefits their projects have had on both their buildings and their communities.
Faithful Footprints and energy efficiency with the Church Property Network
Last week, Faithful Footprint’s Stephen Collette presented alongside David Constable of Kindred Works, as part of the Church Property Network’s ongoing webinar series to support those who manage church buildings. Attendees learned about the most effective strategies for improving the energy efficiency of their church buildings, as well as the tools and resources available to support these efforts. Following the presentation, participants had the opportunity to ask questions, and start discussions on topics such as parking lot lighting, boilers with ECMs, transitioning from gas to electric, and hybrid heating systems.
Interested in having us present or speak at a webinar or event? Contact us at info@faithfulfootprints.org
Recently Completed Projects
Camp Shagabec (Swift Current, SK)
Received a grant to install two upright freezers, three chest freezers, two fridges, LED lights, a dryer, a washing machine, a microwave, and an array of solar panels.
Central Saanich United Church (Saanichton, BC)
Received a grant to insulate walls and ceilings; and install heat pumps as well as ENERGYSTAR rated windows and appliances.
Highlands United Church (North Vancouver, BC)
Received a grant to weather-strip doors and louvres; replace fluorescent lighting with dimmable LEDs in kitchen, fireside room, lowerhall, gym, and main floor classrooms; and replace a hot water heater with an electric model.
Okanagan Falls United Church (Okanagan Falls, BC)
Received a grant to replace a gas fired boiler with a condensing boiler; remove a hot water heater; add glycol with a mini feeder to its hot water heating system; insulate exposed heating service pipes and attics in its sanctuary and office; weatherstrip doors and windows; add a timer to its destratification fans in its sanctuary; replace refrigerator with an ENERGY STAR model; and upgrade all lights throughout the building to LEDs.
Rimbey United Church (Rimbey, AB)
Received a grant to replace original operable clerestory windows with new units; caulk the envelope of building; close off two original single pane windows with insulated panels and new windows; replace all lighting throughout building with LED lamps; install a 3Mw+ solar panels system on its south-facing roof; and replace freezer and refrigerator with ENERGY STAR models.
Read more on their project in their news feature with Rimbey Review.
Project Energy Results
Camp Kee-Mo-Kee (Komoka, ON)
Received a grant to replace a refrigerator and freezer with ENERGY STAR models; complete a site audit, carbon reduction review and consultation; and replace hot water heaters with ENERGY STAR hybrid heat-pump electric water heaters. A year following their projects, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee reduced its source energy use intensity by 19.6%, total GHG emissions by 25.6%, total GHG emission intensity by 25%, energy costs by 1%, energy costs intensity by 1.1%, electricity usage by 16.8%, and propane usage by 32.8%.
Forest United Church (Forest, ON)
Received a grant to replace a boiler. A year following their projects, Forest United reduced its source energy use intensity by 10.2%, total GHG emissions by 30.6%, total GHG emission intensity by 32.1%, electricity usage by 17.5%, and natural gas usage by 31.7%.
St. James United Church (Etobicoke, ON)
Received a grant to conduct an ASHRAE Level II Energy Audit; replace 12 single-pane windows in the basement with ENERGY STAR windows; and upgrade lighting in its Fellowship Hall with LEDs. A year following their projects, St. James United reduced its source energy use intensity by 3.5%, total GHG emissions by 21.7%, total GHG emission intensity by 21.9%, electricity usage by 2.2%, and natural gas usage by 23.1%.
Inspiration
Queenborough’s United Church looks faithfully to a sustainable future
After completing their renovations, St. Andrew’s United Church (Queensborough, ON) shifted its focus to sharing their journey and achievements with the wider community. In an effort to inspire and encourage others, the church has actively engaged with local media to pitch their story and highlight the impact of their renovation project. Their retrofit was recently featured in Tweed News newspaper.
[Image credit: Dave Jagger]
Advent renos: Learnings about renewal
Advent is a season of renovation – a season that asks us to consider ourselves and our churches. Just like a church building undergoing a retrofit, the season of Advent invites us to reflect on renewal. Maybe our spiritual practices have been the same for a long time, or maybe our churches need fresh energy—sometimes even a complete tear-down to the studs! Renovations are never easy, but change requires change. It’s your vision of what could be that pulls you ahead. The Rev. Dave Jagger shares learnings about renewal during the season of Advent in the latest blog from Round the Table.
2025 Canadian Church Calendar features six buildings part of the Faithful Footprints program
Featuring stunning visuals of United Churches from coast to coast, The 2025 Canadian Church Bilingual Calendar is a must-have for any United Church member. This year, six buildings that have been engaged with the Faithful Footprints program are featured, including St. Andrew’s United Church (New Richmond, QC), Beach United Church (Toronto, ON), Minnedosa United Church (Minnedosa, MB), Trinity United Church (Mahone Bay, NS), St. Davids-Queenston United Church (St. David’s, ON), and Sydenham Street United Church (Kingston, ON).
Opportunities
Share Your Climate Story: You May Be Featured in The United Church of Canada’s 2023-2024 Sustainability Report
Less than a month left! The United Church of Canada will be releasing its 2023-2024 Sustainability Report next Spring. We're looking for submissions of stories, initiatives, and events from 2023 and 2024 to be featured. Submissions should align with one or more of The United Church of Canada’s Climate Pillars: Putting Our House in Order; Raising Our Spirited Voices; Reconnecting with the Earth; or Responding to Climate Impact.
Learn more about the UCCan’s Sustainability Pillars and read previous Sustainability Reports here.
Church Property Network Monthly Webinars
Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. ET
The Church Property Network is an initiative led by The United Church of Canada and United Property Resource Corporation (UPRC) to support Communities of Faith with property solutions. The monthly webinars will explore topics to help increase the vitality of your church property. Topics covered will range from increasing revenue through rentals strategies, to energy efficiency, to how to start tackling that leaky roof. Bring all your questions to the Church Property Network so we can learn together.
Are you looking for ways to address the climate crisis from the pulpit?
Tuesday Feb 4, 2025 | 7:00-8:30 p.m. ET
Are you looking for ways to address the climate crisis from the pulpit? Join a workshop webinar ‘Preaching for the Planet’ offered by the Rev. Dr. HyeRan Kim Cragg, Principal and Professor of Preaching at Emmanuel College.