Blogs
Churches across the country are stepping up. Read their stories and access other climate and energy resources here.
Stephen Collette, Faithful Footprints program's Building Grant Manager, and Building Expert, delivered a compelling presentation titled 'Faithful Footprints – A National Decarbonizing Strategy for the United Church of Canada.' as part of the The National Trust Conference 2023: Transforming Heritage. Stephen offers a thoughtful retrospective of his conference experience, detailing the reactions and responses elicited during the event.
With a shared ecumenical ministry spanning 13 years, Deer Park United Church and Calvin Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ontario, serve as a compelling example of the impact that a united mission can have in the realm of climate action.
Accelerating the uptake of built environments that are all-electric, reducing energy demand, storing and sharing clean energy, and producing more energy than they use, will rely on deep retrofitting existing buildings as much as it will on designing new ones. Read more on historic buildings and The Energy Transition.
Many renovation projects depend on outsourced grants and funding opportunities to complete, but raising the necessary funds can be challenging. However, St. Paul’s United Church in Oakville, Ontario, was confident that their congregants could rise to the challenge and come up with a significant sum of money for the lighting retrofit they were planning.
Emissions reduction is the measurable reduction of the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon into the atmosphere from a specified activity. Operational carbon, the amount of carbon emitted during the operating or in-use phase of a building, accounts for a large proportion of emissions released globally.
A mere 20 minutes from mainland Vancouver, Camp Fircom is a far cry from hectic city life. Located across the Howe Sound on Gambier Island, and accessible only by water taxi, the remote United Church camp has offered a “place of rest and healing” for 100 years.
Across regions, many faith communities are unable to meet annual fees and maintenance costs and are struggling to keep up with the operational needs of their buildings. As a solution, a number of United Church properties are retrofitting their buildings with the goal of reducing their energy bills. They are creating rental opportunities by renovating old and unused spaces within their buildings.
Like many churches across Canada, regular attendance is not what it used to be. In rural communities especially, an aging population and a global pandemic have also kept people away. Old Barns United in Lower Truro, Nova Scotia is no exception, averaging about thirty people every Sunday, according to Bob Francis, a member of the Board of Stewards and Trustees.
With a belief that God calls us to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world, Westworth United Church strives to be “the hands and feet of Christ within Westworth and beyond”. Living with respect for Creation, Westworth United took on two energy retrofit projects to green their sacred space.
The Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre is an accredited theological college located one mile east of Beausejour, Manitoba that offers cross-cultural learning and Indigenous ministry training, as well as a peaceful place on the land for retreats, meetings and gatherings. Its vision is to create a place where First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Christian spiritual beliefs are respected, shared, and understood.
An abundance mindset (you choose your own wage?!). Founded on a vision of sharing harmonious relationships with all Earth’s kin. Committed to decolonizing all levels of engagement and conducting business. Alberta-based, non-profit social enterprise, Newo.energy is all this and more.
Without the right tools, resources and team in place, renovating and updating a faith community building can seem difficult and overwhelming. In the case of Topsail United Church in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, a supportive church community was key to the success of the church’s first efforts at greening its building and reducing their energy footprint.
Wondering what energy efficiency has to do with emergency preparedness? Not knowing what our energy needs are makes it more challenging to manage or provide services. Depending on the service you would like to provide at times of extreme weather crisis, there are different building and energy systems to consider.
