Faithful Footprints

Join us in-person this #EarthWeek2024 (April 21 - 28) for a closer look at energy conservation and decarbonization building upgrades and renovations of United Church communities. Find a tour near you: bit.ly/3xL9996

Choosing the right contractor can sometimes be a stressful decision. We share four essential tips to help you make an informed decision and hire the best contractor for your building project. bit.ly/4b0r2ib

Curious on what's making headlines with #FaithfulFootprints? Dive into stories about The United Church of Canada building retrofit projects featured in local, regional, and national media in our new 'In the News' section on our website. faithfulfootprints.org/in-the-news

In 2023, a number of United Churches encountered challenges when their #boilers broke down. Glenwood United Church sources out #FaithfulFootprints funding to replace its boilers rapidly approaching the end of their 25-year lifespan. Read more: bit.ly/4ch7SGF #UCCan

Faithful Footprints Atlantic Regional Support Centre, @EcologyAction is offering 30+ FREE #energyaudits for faith buildings across #NovaScotia from March 1 – July 31, 2024. Take advantage of the opportunity: ecologyaction.ca/form/energy-au…

Really proud to have been part of creating this great program! Love seeing these updates, as more faith buildings across the country take action to retrofit their buildings & reduce their carbon pollution. 👏 @UnitedChurchCda @FaithCommonGood @FaithFootprint #ClimateAction

Great to see! United Churches are on a carbon-cutting mission thanks to Faithful Footprints, a funding stream that helps churches cut their GHG emissions. Also, proud to say my wife @christineeboyle initiated this program before becoming a city councillor nationalobserver.com/2024/02/28/new…

Chipman United Church (Chipman, NB) received a #FaithfulFootprints grant to insulate its attic to a value of R-30, install 7 LG Dual Cool Prestige 24K duct-less mini split units and a second 200A electrical panel, as well as upgrade lightbulbs to LED. What inspired them?

United Church in the Valley (Turner Valley, AB) was one of last year's grant recipients who were able to replace a 33-year-old furnace/boiler system with two energy-efficient boilers and install an on-demand hot water system. Check out the church's behind-the-scenes celebration!

After completing a retrofit project with a #FaithfulFootprints grant, Transcona Memorial United (Winnipeg, Manitoba) is continuing its green building renovations with $480k Canadian Government Support. Read more about the project here: bit.ly/3uZF6t0

Last month, Stephen Collette, Faithful Footprints Building Grant Manager, delivered a compelling 7-minute presentation on the program at the @nationaltrustca Conference: Transforming Heritage. Find out how it sparked curiosity and reflection for attendees: bit.ly/3G8Utle

In the spring of 2022, South Gloucester United Church (Ottawa, ON) got a @FaithCommonGood #GreenAudit on its 140-year-old church building. Cara Prest shares a reflection on their experience: bit.ly/3s8Uu5o

NEW BLOG - "Coming Together to Combat Climate Change: The Unified Mission of Deer Park United and Calvin Presbyterian" Read now: bit.ly/45HhbeA

"This boiler will provide us with significant energy savings, help us be more energy-efficient and give us stable maintenance costs, while at the same time providing our tenants and the congregation with a much-improved heating environment." shares Paul Norris, Treasurer.

Cooksville United Church (Mississauga, ON) received a #FaithfulFootprints grant to replace its #boiler and remove asbestos from its piping. "We were surprised at how much smaller the new boiler is compared to the behemoth we replaced" shares Paul Norris, Treasurer. #UCCan

To raise matching funds for their #retrofitproject, Cooksville United Church (Mississauga, ON) launched its Busted Boiler Fund Campaign. "Everyone responded to the call. We have raised $11,000, with more money continuing to come in" shares Paul Norris, Treasurer #UCCan

"We have been very pleased with our heat pumps. It is a greener and cheaper way to keep our church warm and cool." shares Lowell Vessey, Board Chair at York United Church, York, PE. #faiths4climate #church #renewable #heatingandcooling

After inquiring and speaking with our program's Building Grants Manager, York United was approved for its own #retrofitproject. With the funding, the church installed two #heatpumps in its main sanctuary from late 2022 to early 2023.

In the spring of 2021, York United Church (York, PE) heard that a pastoral charge in Prince Edward Island had retrofitted their church with financial assistance from #FaithfulFootprints.

In 2022, Riverbend United was finally able to install solar panels, with support from a #FaithfulFootprints grant. A year following the installation, Riverbend United was able to reduce its GHG emissions by 3.0%, electricity usage by 15.9%, and energy costs by 20.7%.

About seven years ago, @RiverbendUnited (Edmonton, AB) looked at the possibility of installing #solarpanels. At the time, it was too expensive, and the rate of return was also lower than anticipated and would result in the church having to make a few difficult trade-offs.