Faithful Footprints July 2022 Newsletter
The Faithful Footprints Monthly Newsletter is designed to engage and provide on-going inspiration and support for United Church communities across Canada. Our monthly newsletter will be released the last Wednesday of every month.
Program Updates
Every month, the Faithful Footprints program approves several applications and welcomes new United Churches and affiliated properties into the program, as a number of congregations complete their projects and receive their final energy reduction results.
Data from June 27 - July 27, 2022
New to the program:
Comox United Church, Comox, BC
First United Church, Truro, NS
Grace United Church, Thornbury, ON
Huntingdon United Church, Huntingdon, QC
NWT Community Services Corporation, Yellowknife, NT
Topsail United Church, Conception Bay South, NL
Wesley United Church, Part aux Basques, NL
Projects completed:
Riverbend United Church, Edmonton, AB
Received a grant in support of the installation of solar panels.
Trinity United Church, Capreol, ON
Received a grant in support of the installation of 10kW of solar panels and sealing of windows.
Trinity Clifton United , Charlottetown, PE
Received a grant in support of the refurbishment of front entry pocket doors, replacement of wall panels, the installation of LED lighting and a Heat Recovery Unit, as well as caulking and sealing of 14 basement windows.
Energy results:
Bethel United Church, Marion Bridge, NS
A year following their projects, Bethel United reduced their GHG emission by 27.3%, electricity usage by 27.1%, and energy costs by 21.9%.
New LED strip lights, heat pump, and entry door.
Installation of spray foam insulation.
Glen Morris United Church
A year following their projects, Glen Morris United reduced their GHG emission by 39.1%, and energy costs by 11.6%.
New LED pot lights, propane furnaces, and electrical panel.
Insulation of upper room.
Kensington United Church, Kensington, PE
A year following their projects, Kensington United reduced their GHG emission by 22.8%, and oil usage by 37.4%.
New heat pumps.
Installation of new energy efficient windows.
Maple Grove United Church
A year following their projects, Maple Grove United reduced their GHG emission by 1.2%, electricity usage by 36.4%, and fixed energy costs by 24.0%.
Old gas-fired burner to a modern fuel efficient burner.
Installation of energy efficient fiberglass framed windows and control assembly.
Highlight of the Month
About 8 years ago, Riverbend United Church considered solar panels on their building, but came to the conclusion that they were not viable at the time. After drastic changes in the solar industry and discovering that the United Church of Canada had a grant of up to $30,000 through the Faithful Footprints program, Riverbend United reconsidered the retrofit project. Learning from their past, this attempt was smaller in scope with a sharp eye to project economics. Riverbend United partnered with Faithful Footprints Western Regional Support Centre Newo Energy to complete the solar panel installation.
An Ambitious New Target
Solar panels on the roof of Wawa First United Church, Wawa, Ontario
Credit: Carina C
In seeking to dramatically reduce carbon footprint, ambitious goals are critical. This past week at the General Council 44, The United Church of Canada has committed the whole church to the aspirational goal of an 80% decrease in carbon emissions by 2030. This bold new target accelerates the 2018 commitment that called for an 80% reduction by 2050.With the new target announced, 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.
To learn more about the new target, read the United Church of Canada blog ‘United Church of Canada Adopts a Bold New Emissions Reduction Target’.
Faithful Footprints Monthly Blog
Since 1912, United Church Fresh Air Camp, Camp Scugog has been offering programming to thousands of children, youth, and mothers affected by poverty and other barriers to wellbeing. With a vision to create a year-round haven for inner city kids and their families, Camp Scugog knew that a building retrofit that involved installing a heating and cooling system to their property’s main facility was not only critical but necessary. To learn more about the community benefits of Camp Scugog’s Farm House Reno geothermal project, read our new blog ‘Retrofitting to Serve Community Better - Camp Scugog’s Journey to a Four-Season Building’ written by Faithful Footprints PR/Communications Coordinator Aleyxa Gates Julien.
Features: Camp Scugog, Nestleton, ON
Faithful Footprints Monthly Blogs are published the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Small Actions, Big Vision
Faith & the Common Good is the delivery partner of The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints program. With a vision in working together for the common good, the faith-based non-profit has supported the expansion and enhancement of the Faithful Footprints program.
Read Faith & the Common Good 2021 Annual Report to learn how they are harnessing the power of diverse faith and spiritual groups through education, capacity building and collective action to build a more resilient and sustainable Canada.
INTERESTING FACT: In 2021, Faith & the Common Good supported 60 properties into the Faithful Footprints program
Celebrating Our Partners
Last month, Faithful Footprints Western Regional Support Centre, Newo Global Energy received an Emerald Award at Alberta Emerald Foundation’s 2021 Emerald Awards. This Alberta-wide environmental accolade is given to organizations and individuals recognized for their efforts in addressing and mitigating the effects of local, regional, and global climate and environmental issues.
Learn more about what this award means for Newo Global Energy founder Rajan Rathnavalu in ‘The gift of an Emerald Award’.
Grow Your Knowledge
Like many Faithful Footprints participating properties, by understanding your building better, your congregation can make better decisions for both the environment and your community.
Grow your knowledge by participating in the United Church Bookstore Summer Reading Challange, which encouages participants to read three books before the end of summer.
Learn practical ways to reduce your church's energy consumption and promote more ecologically sustainable energy use by reading ‘Greening the Church: Reducing Your Church Building's Ecological Footprint’.
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Upcoming Events and Webinars
July 28: Better Building Speaker Series featuring Nick Rudnicki
Join Faithful Footprints Atlantic Regional Support Centre , Ecology Action Centre for the latest Better Building Speaker Series online-webinar. Hear from Nick Rudnicki, CEO of RSI Projects and Technical Director of The Recover Initiative, as he speaks about deep energy retrofits and panelization in Nova Scotia.
The event is at 4pm (AST).
To register, email claire.morley@ecologyaction.ca
July 28: Faith, Climate, and Conversation
Are you in the Calgary area and interested in faith-based environmental action? Join for a community networking opportunity to meet & greet with other like-minded individuals and representatives from Faith & the Common Good, For the Love of Creation, KAIROS, Green Exodus, the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good, and the Calgary Climate Hub. Get the chance to share practical resources and engage in deeper dialogue together on how best to support each other.
The event is from 5-7pm (MDT) at Grace Presbyterian Church, Calgary, Alberta.
To RSVP click here.
To get more info, please contact Elyse: ebrazel@faithcommongood.org
Explore the Program
Explore Faithful Footprints Grants and Energy Data online interactive maps to learn more about the properties that have participated in the Faithful Footprints program as well as the energy data of finished projects.
