Program Highlights
The United Church of Canada releases its 2023–2024 Sustainability Report
Earlier this month,The United Church of Canada released its 2023–2024 Sustainability Report: Deep Roots, Bold Action, Daring Decisions Bold Action, Daring Decisions! The Faithful Footprints team is proud to have collaborated on this important report, which highlights the inspiring sustainability and climate action happening across our communities of faith. Check out pages 4–6 to see how Faithful Footprints and some of our incredible program participants are leading the way with energy retrofits, carbon reduction, and community transformation.
Faithful Footprints at BuildGreen Atlantic 2025 Conference
BuildGreen Atlantic is a conference, tradeshow and networking event that advances the design, construction, and operation of greener buildings in Atlantic Canada. At this year’s event, our Atlantic Regional Support Centre, the Ecology Action Centre (EAC), hosted a session titled "The Untapped Potential of Faith Building Retrofits in Reducing GHGs." The talk highlighted the Faithful Footprints program and EAC’s free energy audit program offering for faith communities. Attendees also heard three inspiring case studies of United Church retrofits and engaged in discussions about funding, electrical upgrades, and implementation strategies. A property manager from Bedford United Church (Bedford, NS) shared a first hand experience of their retrofit journey, supported by Faithful Footprints.
New Faithful Footprints promotional materials now available
Inspire and motivate faith communities to make informed decisions and embark on a transformative retrofitting journey. The Faithful Footprints Program Overview Flyer has been updated. We have also developed two brand new flyers highlighting the types of projects eligible for funding and the benefits of retrofitting faith buildings. These are excellent resources for sharing at events, in meetings, or during conversations with communities of faith.
Project Updates
Several United Church communities of faith have recently received grant approval through the Faithful Footprints program to financially support energy conservation and renewable energy building projects. Many of our current program participants have successfully completed their planned renovations and upgrades, while others have received their one-year post-project energy reports. Here are the latest project updates:
Approved projects:
Grace-Westminister United Church (Saskatoon, SK)
St. Stephen’s College (Edmonton, AB)
Completed projects:
Knox United Church (Emo, ON)
Little Current United Church (Little Current, ON)
Porcupine United Church (Porcupine, ON)
Port Wallis United Church (Dartmouth, NS)
St. John’s United Church (Moncton, NB)
Project energy results:
Carmen United Church (Sydney Mines, NS)
Harmony United Church (Brantford, ON)
Harmony - St. Mark’s United Church (Richards Landing, ON)
Project Inspiration
Welcoming more: Trinity United enhances space for tenant and community use
As community needs shift, many churches are finding new life by opening their doors to a wider range of users, from partner congregations to local organizations and event groups. More people in the building mean higher expectations for comfort, rising energy demands, and growing costs, especially in older buildings. At Trinity United Church (Grimsby, Ontario), this reality came to a head in 2023. In response, the church upgraded its building to ensure its space could remain both welcoming and sustainable.
Arrow Lakes Pastoral Charge receive energy upgrade funding from CBT
At the start of the year, the Columbia Basin Trust announced it had granted $820,000 to 21 projects in British Columbia’s Kootenay region, aimed at infrastructure improvements by non-profit organizations and First Nations. Nakusp's Arrow Lakes Pastoral Charge was among 10 West Kootenay projects receiving funds from Columbia Basin Trust to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resiliency. The Pastoral Charge received $18,400 for a heat pump and LED lighting for Robertson Memorial United Church.
Under one roof: Brechin United builds a sustainable church and housing space using passive house design
For centuries, places of worship have been at the centre of many communities. The role of the church changes with each generation, and the congregation of Brechin United Church (Nanaimo, BC) is now a leading example of a new hybrid model: a ground floor church and community multi-use space, with rental housing above.
The new building was constructed to the rigorous standards of passive house design. The building was recently recognized by the VIREB Commercial Building Awards in both the Sustainability and Judges’ Choice categories, and aligns with the United Church’s commitment to fighting climate change.
Palgrave United invests in energy efficiency to strengthen its role as a community hub
Palgrave United Church (Palgrave, ON) has served its community for almost 150 years. Since 2009, the church has housed a Peel Health certified kitchen, known as the Palgrave United Community Kitchen (PUCK), a space used by many businesses and community groups.
In 2024, its church members made the decision to invest in the building to improve its use as a community space.They were able to renovate the building to improve energy efficiency and create more flexible space for events. The church received a Faithful Footprints grant to improve insulation, LED lighting retrofit, and heat pump installation. PUCK is now focused on increasing the use of space for active living, social and cooking programs, in order to maintain a financially viable community hub.
Support a fresh look for Ladner United: Caring for its building to keep it a welcoming space for all
Caring for our church buildings is part of our faithful stewardship, renewing the spaces where we gather, worship, and serve our communities. Ladner United Church (Delta, BC), a cherished heritage building and long-standing community gathering space, is in need of a refresh. To help preserve its welcoming presence, the church is seeking community support to fund a new coat of paintEvery contribution brings them closer to their goal and helps ensure the church remains a vibrant and inviting space for all.
Opportunities
Retrofit Tour of Grace United Church
Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 3:00-5:00 AST | 70 King Street, Dartmouth, NS
Celebrating climate action across Atlantic Canada: The Faithful Footprints Roadshow
Over the past month, the Atlantic Regional Support Centre at Ecology Action Centre has been on the road, celebrating the inspiring work of Atlantic churches participating in the United Church’s Faithful Footprints program. Through a series of in-person events, churches have shared
their retrofit journeys, showcasing how faith communities can lead the way in reducing carbon footprints and embracing energy efficiency.
Stops on the Atlantic Roadshow included: Carmen United Church (Sydney Mines, NS), Sackville United Church (Sackville, NB), Hillcrest United Church (Montague, PE), Spring Park United Church (Charlottetown, PE), and Central United Church (Lunenburg, NS). These gatherings offered a chance for congregations to share experiences, offer tours of their upgraded buildings, and inspire others to apply for the Faithful Footprints grant.
As the Roadshow wraps up, Grace United Church (Dartmouth, NS) will host the final event. Join us for a building tour, hear firsthand stories from the congregation about their energy retrofit journey, and learn more about the program. There will be time for questions, connection, and conversation over light refreshments including coffee, tea, and snacks.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Shreetee at shreetee.appadu@ecologyaction.ca or 902-429-2202 ext 152