Program Highlights
Whitehorse United’s comprehensive energy study leads to biggest upgrade yet
Conducting a comprehensive energy study can reveal new opportunities and strategies to improve building efficiency. An assessment at Whitehorse United Church in Whitehorse, Yukon led to the church’s largest energy project to date, a full HVAC upgrade incorporating air source heat pump technology..
Project Updates
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:
Completed Projects
Carstairs United Church (Carstairs, AB)
First South United Church (Lunenburg, NS)
Merigomish United Church (Merigomish, NS)
St. John’s United Church (Cardinal, ON)
Project energy results:
Project Inspiration
Aurora United Church restores its place of worship and welcomes a new retirement residence on property
After the devastating fire of April 2014 destroyed their historic building, the congregation of Aurora United Church (Aurora, ON) has been working toward renewal. Construction is underway, where the new church building will be joined by the Amica Aurora retirement residence. This redevelopment symbolizes both restoration and the creation of space to further serve the whole community. Follow the progress and learn more about the project.
St. Andrew’s United Church reflects on a century of building upgrades
As part of The United Church of Canada’s 100th anniversary celebrations, the Beachburg Pastoral Charge highlighted the many ways St. Andrew’s United Church (Beachburg, ON) has cared for and upgraded its building over the years. From the 1926 expansion that added a choir room, vestry, and basement facilities, to the shift from oil lamps to electricity, the church has adapted to meet the needs of its congregation and community. Upgrades have included new furnaces, a septic system, stained glass restoration, and interior improvements that continue to preserve this place of worship for future generations.
Opportunities
The United Church of Canada Carbon Offset Program
While Faithful Footprints helps congregations cut emissions through building upgrades, the national church is also taking action globally. The new United Church of Canada Carbon Offset Program, introduced at General Council 45, allows travellers to offset emissions by supporting a Mission and Service climate initiative in Kenya. In partnership with the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the program helps advance nature-based solutions, land and water management, and sustainable livelihoods.
Practicing Peace with Creation
Wednesday, August 10 | 6:00-7:30 PM EST
This year’s theme for the Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4) is “Peace with Creation.” With that theme comes a call: “To hope is to act, pray, change, and reconcile with Creation and the Creator in unity, metanoia (repentance), and solidarity.” In response to that call, the Spirituality Working Group of For the Love of Creation is hosting a 90-minute online session where four practitioners will reflect on and engage in Practicing Peace with Creation, as well as explore practices that are sustaining and life-giving for the work and ministry of creation care.
Worship resources are available for the full Season of Creation.
Get involved with COP
As COP30 approaches in Belém, Brazil (November 10–21, 2025), there are opportunities where your faith community and congregants can get involved. The United Church encourages to host a Candles for COP vigil in your community between November 14–16, joining others across the country in prayer and action for climate justice. In addition, the For the Love of Creation coalition is forming a virtual COP30 Animators Circle, where individuals will connect through a few Zoom calls this fall and work together to raise the profile of COP30.