BLOGS
Churches across the country are stepping up. Read their stories and access other climate and energy resources here.
Mount Bruno United Takes on the Green Challenge
Mount Bruno United Church, in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC, has taken on the green challenge by taking a look at how they use energy in their building.
Mount Bruno United Church, in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC has taken on the green challenge by taking a look at how they use energy in their building. Temperature control sensors have been installed inside and reflector screens behind all the radiators are used to make sure that as little heat as possible is being lost during the winter.
Very aware that churches can often use a great deal of paper during the everyday life of a congregation, Mount Bruno makes sure that unused bulletins don’t go to waste, by reusing them for various other services during the year. Finally, as well as running their own recycling program Mount Bruno is also reaching out to the community by organizing a twice-a-year large-scale recycling event for people in the surrounding area.
They are a member of the Green Churches network.
The Newest Oldest Church You've Ever Seen - Laidlaw Memorial United
“We know we are doing things that outlive us, and that is what brings life to the world, and that is what brings life to the church.”
““We know we are doing things that outlive us, and that is what brings life to the world, and that is what brings life to the church””
Laidlaw Memorial United Church is a beautiful old building built in 1912. The community boasts 140 members and an average Sunday worship attendance of approx. 80 people.
In 2008, Laidlaw Memorial United Church was a community faced with a dwindling membership, continuous budget deficits and a facility requiring multiple retrofits including a failed roof. Slowly, bit by bit, the community tackled their budget deficit by making small energy and money saving measures in just about every aspect of their facility. From installing a 7-day electronic set back thermostat, turning off the pilot lights when not in use, turning off the water heater in the summer to moving the heat ducts from the ceiling to the floor, setting up a convection current and making the gym warmer and using less fuel. In the process, they realized that they were going green. When it came time to deal with the cost of a replacement roof, it was proposed that the Church investigate the possibility of installing solar panels through the microFIT program in order to help pay for it. As they say, the rest is history as a mortgage loan was taken out to help pay for the new steel roof and the solar installation. On June 4, 2010, the project went live.
Remarkably, there have been no issues. Since an inspection after the first year after installation, where no trouble was found, the panels and equipment have functioned perfectly, and within parameters.
"The panels have been remarkable in starting conversations about being greener in practical ways. The congregation has always and unanimously welcomed the panels. The businesses on the street who buy 'bullfrog' green power, like pointing down the street to where it comes from. Younger people are attracted to our church, in part, because there is a practical expression of care for creation, and the good of generations to come. We have entertained the media, a youtube video and a local cable spot, as well as a spot for 100 Huntly street's "Good News" program. There is credibility to our calling for care for creation, and we have continued to upgrade lighting, windows, and energy efficiency. The solar project was, for us, a public statement of our values, and our ongoing commitment to God's creation."
This and more from Laidlaw United Church on their website: www.laidlawchurch.ca/about
Compost and Community Building - Crescent Fort Rouge United
Little did we know how successful our program would be! We feel great to be providing this community compost opportunity and are already considering how we will respond to a need for even more compost capacity.
Expanding the compost footprint at Winnipeg's Crescent Fort Rouge United
“I am a member of the Green Team at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. I am also a big fan of two-bin compost systems – where compost is added to one bin while the other is left to mature.
In 2010 we installed a four foot by four foot bin (made from old fence pieces from a neighbour who was building a new fence and discarding the old one) with a division down the centre, thinking a two foot by four foot area would be sufficient for the amount of compost we would collect.
Little did we know how successful our program would be! Just two years later we doubled the size of our compost operation. More recently we added commercial compost bins to give the area a neater appearance. The contents of these smaller bins are transferred to the larger compartments.
We harvest our mature compost each fall (the compost is used in the church’s adjacent Memory Garden) and every year we are producing more compost. This is thanks to the dedication of church members who live in apartments and bring their compost on a weekly basis.
We have also noticed folks in the community who do not attend the church bringing in their compost. We feel great to be providing this community compost opportunity and are already considering how we will respond to a need for even more compost capacity. Check out an excerpt from the Church Newsletter. (pictures here)
NOTE: At this point, Faithful Footprint grants are limited to building and energy efficiency projects, and are not available for waste-reduction efforts such as this. But these projects are great, and should be celebrated. Way to go Crescent Fort Rouge!
Parkdale United Creates a Change for Climate
We are inspired by the Biblical call to be good stewards of the Earth and by the warnings from the International Panel on Climate Change. We have the means to be part of the healing of the Earth. Here is what we have done so far.
Parkdale United Church in Calgary is working on Creating a Climate for Change
Pictured above are Parkdale Members Bev Delong, Eneyda Rios, Ken Coburn, and Ted Moon (left to right) getting ready to replace their old seven-pilot boiler.
The following is the text from their ‘Creating a Climate for Change’ brochure. Read more about Parkdale United in Calgary here.
We are inspired by the Biblical call to be good stewards of the Earth and by the warnings from the International Panel on Climate Change. Our community has shared books and movies further explaining the need to adapt to lessen our use of power and water. We have the means to be part of the healing of the Earth. Here is what we have done so far.
To learn about options, we engaged in an environmental audit in June 2012 by Stephen Collette organized through Faith & the Common Good resulting in recommendations for action.
To lessen our carbon output, Parkdale is:
Purchasing a boiler that will reduce our output by an annual 15 - 18 tonnes of CO 2
Anticipates the installation of solar panels will further reduce our CO2 production annually by 10 tonnes.
Plans that the auditorium roof insulation will reduce CO2 by a further 3.0 to 5.0 tonnes.
Switched many light fixtures to T8 compact fluorescent bulbs
Has replaced an elderly fridge with a more energy efficient model
Gas stopped use of the inefficient freezer in the main kitchen and
Installed foam gaskets for insulation in the exterior wall electrical outlets.
To lessen the volume of water treated, and conserve water, Parkdale has:
Installed five low flush toilets reducing water usage from 13 litres per flush to 6 litres
Water faucets have been checked to ensure there are no leaks and
1.5 GPM low flow aerators were installed to reduce hot (and cold) water consumption.
To create a healthier building, we have: moved to environmentally friendly clearing products & dishwashing liquid, removed a volume of old VOC-carrying paint cans from the church, and called for a “no-scent” policy among users of the building
To decrease production of plastics, and lessen waste going to the landfill, Parkdale has: called for called on users to minimize use of disposable dishes and cutlery and to not use styrofoam and placed paper recycling bins throughout the church.
To discourage the commercial production of water and in keeping with recommendations from the United Church of Canada, Parkdale has installed two filtered water systems and is encouraging all users of the building to use them rather than bottled water.
To enable paper recycling, paper recycling bins to be placed in conference rooms that are available for rental.
Next Steps? What would you suggest?
Are you interested in information on solar panels for your home? Perhaps you would like other information on environmental possibilities. Let us know!
Words of thanks!
Our gratitude goes to Parkdale Council, Parkdale’s Operations Committee and Faith and Justice Committee for their considerable work on these projects.
We acknowledge with thanks the financial support received from the bequest of Janet Tollefson and the work of the Committee that evaluated potential projects to be addressed by that bequest.
We also thank the people who regularly contribute to these projects at our monthly movie night.
A Covenant between Us and God - St Paul’s United's Promise to Become a Green Church
“As we seek to live with respect in Creation we ask for God to strengthen us and be with us in this endeavour, always striving to be more faithful in caring for the world around us.”
In 2014, St Paul’s United in Estevan Saskatchewan approved a covenant about becoming a Green Church, which has informed environmental and building decisions since. In their words:
“Always striving to be more faithful in caring for the world around us.”
“As of May 2014, St. Paul's United Church has covenanted between ourselves and God to be a green congregation, that is, a congregation that engages in practices that care for Creation and nurture the environment. We recognize that we will not be able to do this perfectly, and that best environmental practices will continue to evolve as we engage in them. However, as we "seek to live with respect in Creation" we ask for God to strengthen us and be with us in this endeavour, always striving to be more faithful in caring for the world around us.”
The complete covenant can be found here.
Not long after, a major building decision created a big opportunity to live into this covenant. After 53 years of faithful service, the reliability of their old furnace was in question. The congregation decided to replace the 1,000,000 BTU furnace with four high efficient 220,000 BTU furnaces. The four furnaces provide redundancy and replace two 45-gallon hot water heaters. Work was completed in the Fall of 2015.
The congregation continues to seek to live into this commitment.
St. Paul’s United Saves Money, and Sends Message with Solar
“Solar panels on the roof of a church are like a giant billboard for the church,” says Wheler. “It says: ‘Hey, we are going to be here for a while and we care about the environment. We are looking forward. We are progressive. This is a place where things are happening. Come on it and check us out.'”
STORY BY TERRY JORDEN IN THE EDMONTON PRIME TIME, MAR 28, 2018
When you walk past St. Paul’s United Church in Belgravia, you can’t help but notice the large and impressive south facing sloped roof.
In fact, if you’re an engineer specializing in green energy, you might even say it’s the perfect roof for solar panels. Even some church parishioners remarked that the church was ideally suited.
When Justin Wheler began attending the church in 2006, the thought may have crossed his mind, too. But it wasn’t until 2011, after the roof was upgraded, that the idea began to take shape. An energy audit of the 62-year-old building recommended the need for some new windows, the removal of an old fridge and gas stove and the installation of LED lights.
“One thing that surprised me was that a lot of people thought it would be much more complicated than it ended up being.”
By 2013, Wheler obtained a quote to install solar panels for the church to consider. But, as is often the case, budgets were tight and resources were going towards other church’s ministries such as a campus ministry, a food security program in Garneau and Old Strathcona, a quilting group and a school in Zambia.
One day in 2017 Wheler became aware of the City of Edmonton’s EcoCity grant program, created to support community projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. St. Paul’s solar panel project seemed like the perfect fit.
With two days before the grant application deadline, Wheler and the rest of the solar power committee of Clare Irwin, Bob Miller, Chris Peet, Jocelyn Proby and Hami Razaghi, received the blessing of the church board and submitted the grant application for the $70,000 project. (Other key church members include Coleen Falk and Dawn MacDonald.)
What was once just an idea became a reality when the $25,000 EcoCity grant was received, another $25,000 was quickly raised through donations and a $14,000 Energy Efficiency Alberta rebate was factored in.
Western Canada-based Skyfire Energy was selected to do the work and finished the project in late January. There are now 95 panels covering 75 percent of the south side sanctuary roof. It is estimated the panels will generate about 28,000 kWh annually, supplying most of the church’s electrical needs. St. Paul’s spends about $2,000 annually on electricity.
St. Paul Rev. Catherine MacLean says one of the challenges for the church was to generate donations for the project that would not divert funds away from other church activities.
“People were invited to donate, and made aware of the other investments of resources in which the congregation is involved,” says Rev. MacLean. “And we are happy to say that the solar panels are fully funded without inhibiting any other work. We believe that they enhance our purpose and reflect the wonder of God’s hand in creation.”
“One thing that surprised me was that a lot of people thought it would be much more complicated than it ended up being,” says Wheler.
“Once we decided to actually go for the project and pursue it with some dedication, things went very smoothly,” he says. “We went from an idea one day, to a grant application the next day, to a fully funded project three months later. Then we selected a contractor and had it installed in less than a year. For a volunteer organization, that is extremely fast.”
While solar panels are appearing throughout the city on private and public properties, relatively few are on church buildings.
One church to go solar was the St. Albert United Church. A 4.75 kWh solar panel awning system was installed in 2011. More recently the Zion Baptist Church of Kensington received a EcoCity grant for a solar panel project.
St. Paul’s United has begun to receive enquiries from other organizations because of its very visible location in the neighbourhood south of the main University of Alberta campus.
For all those considering going green, Wheler has some advice.
“Go for it. Now is the time. “There is great support from all levels of government right now and there are a lot of very skilled companies working in this industry.
“We are going through a lot of transitions in the electricity system in the province right now, so this might be an important opportunity to hedge against future price increases as well as contributing to climate leadership,” says Wheler.
So, not only do the solar panels reduce electricity costs and greenhouse emissions, they also send a powerful message to all who pass by.
“Solar panels on the roof of a church … are like a giant billboard for the church,” says Wheler. “It says: ‘Hey, we are going to be here for a while and we care about the environment. We are looking forward. We are progressive. This is a place where things are happening. Come on it and check us out.'”
You can monitor the project’s daily energy generation here.
A Hub for Community Growth - Beacon United Church Energy Efficiency Journey
“This was part of a larger plan to make sure the building remained used and had income to help offset the costs of operation. Another initially controversial move to use the auditorium space for a heavy metal festival, which ended up being a great fit, as “the music was amazing and the festival attendees very respectful!””
Story from the Ecology Action Centre website.
Beacon United Church's Energy Efficiency Story (2016)
At 22,000 square feet, Beacon United Church and its attached community space is not easy to heat. Especially so in a cold, humid climate like Yarmouth, a small town of just under 6,800 on the southern-most tip of Nova Scotia. Like many places of worship around Canada, just six years ago it was struggling to make ends meet in a rural town, with a declining population and a declining congregation. The church was up for sale – the congregation had agreed that it could no longer pay for upkeep and operations. However, this church has taken a leap into the future by becoming a hub for community growth and environmental justice amongst its congregation and the local population.
“I received some comments of concern but once they saw how good a space this was for some activities that even the congregation enjoys, the concern dispersed. ”
One of the more notable projects is the former chapel, which has been turned into a multi-purpose room to accommodate for just about any user-group. It’s mostly used by a group of local seniors who enjoy the space three times a week. Stephen Sollows, the green enthusiast at Beacon United Church, recalls some resistance that he encountered when he initially proposed that the space be turned from a small chapel into a multi-purpose space. “I received some comments of concern but once they saw how good a space this was for some activities that even the congregation enjoys, the concern dispersed,” he recalls with a laugh. Of course, this was part of a larger plan to make sure the building remained used and had income to help offset the costs of operation. Sollows also recalls another initially controversial move to use the auditorium space for a heavy metal festival, which ended up being a great fit, as “the music was amazing and the festival attendees very respectful!”
The multi-purpose room also received some energy-efficiency-influenced changes. Since the enormous building is heated by the same oil-fired heating system, they had a heat pump installed so that the room could be heated without turning up the heat in the entire building. Finding the appropriate lighting was a challenge, as certain colour spectrums make reading difficult for aging eyes. Beacon found that by using LED lights on the blue (cold) spectrum, reading was easier. Furthermore, the quiet LEDs replaced old fluorescent tubes that made some high-pitched buzzing noises. This retrofit did not put a large dent in the pocket of the church: it was covered by a New Horizons grant.
Another initiative of the church to reach out has been its enormous community garden, started 4 years ago. This garden has 130 plots. Two-thirds of the plots are owned by members of the community, one-third of the plots belong to the church. The space is used by many of the user groups of the church, even the youth-oriented groups, to learn about gardening. It also includes a labyrinth, where anyone is welcome to walk and meditate.
The garden had issues with storm-water management, as there was a slope from the large parking lot towards the garden. The church planted a storm water garden with native plant species that has successfully mitigated this problem.
Next steps for Beacon United are big: they have had a solar assessment done and are in the process of having an ASHRAE level energy assessment from a local energy consultant who is generously giving the assessment at a very discounted price. They are looking forward to implementing the money and greenhouse gas savings measures as soon as they can.