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.
Faithful Footprints April 2022 Newsletter
Program Updates
Every month, the Faithful Footprints program approves several applications and welcomes new United Churches’ into the program, as a number of congregations complete their projects and receive their final energy reduction results.
Data from March 24 - April 25, 2022
New to the program:
Bethel United Church, Rideau Ferry, ON
Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church, Medicine Hat, AB
Trinity United Church, Cobourg, ON
St. Stephen’s United Church, Qualicum Beach, BC
Projects completed:
Spirit of Hope United Church, Edmonton, AB
Received a grant in support of:
Replacement of appliances in kitchen
Installation of dual-pane sealed windows in the gym and daycare
Installation of LED fixtures throughout building
Installation of low-flow water fixtures
Installation of programmable thermostats
Replacement and adding of heat-end HVAC components and hot water tank
Replacement of main entry doors and sealing of all doors
Installation of a new 3-phase electrical power feed
Electrical rough-in to allow for future EV charging and PV array
To learn more about the retrofitting projects of Spirit of Hope United, visit their Renovation Updates Page, including a 3D tour of the renovated lobby and sanctuary.
Energy results:
St. Paul’s United Church, Morden, MB
A year following their projects, Bethany United reduced their GHG emission by 46.3%, electricity usage by 56.1%, natural gas usage from a fuel sorce by 46.3%, and energy costs by 47.3%.
Highlight of the Month
Spirit of Hope United Church in Edmonton, Alberta had the health and accessibility of their building in mind when completing their retrofit projects. In addition to the energy conservation upgrades, many aspects of the full-building renovation was designed to improve comfort and accessibility. The property’s new elevator, door operators, washrooms, and ramp systems have made its building barrier-free. The newly installed CO2 sensors in the larger gathering spaces, also allows for fresh air to automatically increase when the system senses a rise in CO2 levels; enhancing overall air quality.
Faithful Footprints Maps
Explore The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints Grants and Energy Data online interactive maps and learn more about the properties that have participated in the Faithful Footprints program as well as the energy data of finished projects.
*Note: These maps are produced in collaboration with EDGE and are updated on a bi-annual basis.
Faithful Footprints and Climate Justice
The United For the Love of Creation Network
The network gathered last week to discuss the Give it Up for the Earth! Campaign, the General Council 44 (GC44) Climate Proposal, and other climate initiatives. Highlights of the event included Tony Snow’s (Indigenous Minister, Chinook Winds Region; Climate Advisory Circle) sharing about consensus building models relating to the Church’s collaboration with Indigenous Ministries.
Grow Your Eco-awareness
Grow your eco-awareness at The United Church of Canada Bookstore. From books on the climate crisis to how your church can make a difference, explore the collection of environmental resources that highlight green solutions and ways to reduce your congregation's ecological footprint.
Greening the Church, Just Water, 50 Ways to Help Save the Earth, and Climate Church, Climate World are all great books to share with your communities.
Track Your Greening Journey
This Earth Day, Greening Sacred Spaces launched its updated Greening Sacred Spaces Certification program. Whether your congregation is just getting started or are ready for the next level of greening, the GSS Certification is an excellent way to engage your faith community in stewardship, reduce your environmental impact, and showcase what your congregation have accomplished together.
Faithful Footprints Monthly Blog
There is an urgent need for church-wide participation to protect God's living world. What used to be well-functioning ecosystems, providing us with services are becoming degraded, losing their integrity, or quickly disappearing. Wondering why faith-based communities have a critical role in helping to change this around? Read our new blog "Creation Care - Our Collective Responsibility to Invest in our Planet" written by Faithful Footprints Communications Coordinator Aleyxa Gates Julien.
Features: First United Church (Wetaskiwin, AB),Grace United Church (Dartmouth, NS), Shawville United Church (Shawville, QC), Eastminster United Church (Belleville, ON), Ralph Connor Memorial United Church (Canmore, AB), St. Andrew's United Church (Cochrane, AB), Oakbank United Church (Oakbank, MB), Woodcliff United Church (Calgary, AB).
Faithful Footprints Monthly Blogs are published the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Upcoming Events and Webinars
May 12 : GC44 Partner Engagement - Bold Discipleship: Climate Crisis
The United Church is hosting two online engagement event with General Council 44 Global, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Partners to discuss urgent current and compelling issues for people of faith. How is the Climate Crisis summoning us? What does leadership look like? Come listen to the panel respond to these questions.
This is the first of a two part series with GC44 partners.
Join Faith & the Common Good’s Greening Sacred Spaces Ottawa Chapter in celebrating the amazing impact of the Energy Benchmarking Program. The event will showcase the program results - highlighting its 10 case studies document, networking map, and the launch of the GSS Faith Community Bond.
The conference will be in-person at the AMA Community Centre on Saturday May 14th from 2-4pm EST.
The United Church is hosting an online engagement event with General Council 44 Global, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Partners to discuss urgent current and compelling issues for people of faith, such as increasing inequities, injustice and deepening polarizations. How do we lead in these times? How can people of faith engage to further the common good?
This is the second of a two part series with GC44 partners.
To register, click here
June 7: Regional Ministers Climate Justice Roundtable - Spring 2022
The Regional Ministers Climate Justice Roundtable, co-hosted by The United Church of Canada General Council Office staff and Faith & the Common Good (FCG), is meeting this spring to foster collaborative discussions among UCC Regional Ministers, General Council Office staff and the Faithful Footprints delivery team.