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Churches across the country are stepping up. Read their stories and access other climate and energy resources here.
More people in the building means higher expectations for comfort, rising energy demands, and growing costs, especially in older buildings. At Trinity United Church in Grimsby, Ontario, this reality came to a head and, in response, upgraded its building to ensure their space could remain both welcoming and sustainable.
Over the last decade, Five Oaks Centre (Paris, ON) has made significant upgrades to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of its facilities. To further investment into its property, the Centre adopted a business model in 2016, introducing a commitment to develop a 5-year property rejuvenation plan.
With a shared ecumenical ministry spanning 13 years, Deer Park United Church and Calvin Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ontario, serve as a compelling example of the impact that a united mission can have in the realm of climate action.
Many renovation projects depend on outsourced grants and funding opportunities to complete, but raising the necessary funds can be challenging. However, St. Paul’s United Church in Oakville, Ontario, was confident that their congregants could rise to the challenge and come up with a significant sum of money for the lighting retrofit they were planning.
A mere 20 minutes from mainland Vancouver, Camp Fircom is a far cry from hectic city life. Located across the Howe Sound on Gambier Island, and accessible only by water taxi, the remote United Church camp has offered a “place of rest and healing” for 100 years.
Across regions, many faith communities are unable to meet annual fees and maintenance costs and are struggling to keep up with the operational needs of their buildings. As a solution, a number of United Church properties are retrofitting their buildings with the goal of reducing their energy bills. They are creating rental opportunities by renovating old and unused spaces within their buildings.
Like many churches across Canada, regular attendance is not what it used to be. In rural communities especially, an aging population and a global pandemic have also kept people away. Old Barns United in Lower Truro, Nova Scotia is no exception, averaging about thirty people every Sunday, according to Bob Francis, a member of the Board of Stewards and Trustees.
With a belief that God calls us to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world, Westworth United Church strives to be “the hands and feet of Christ within Westworth and beyond”. Living with respect for Creation, Westworth United took on two energy retrofit projects to green their sacred space.
The Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre is an accredited theological college located one mile east of Beausejour, Manitoba that offers cross-cultural learning and Indigenous ministry training, as well as a peaceful place on the land for retreats, meetings and gatherings. Its vision is to create a place where First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Christian spiritual beliefs are respected, shared, and understood.
Without the right tools, resources and team in place, renovating and updating a faith community building can seem difficult and overwhelming. In the case of Topsail United Church in Conception Bay South, Newfoundland, a supportive church community was key to the success of the church’s first efforts at greening its building and reducing their energy footprint.
Camp Scugog is one of the oldest camps in Canada. Its buildings were not designed for all weather use. Camp staff knew that in order to maximize the use of the property, and expand capacity for winter operations, a building retrofit that involved installing a heating and cooling system to their property’s main facility was not only critical but necessary.
Nestled in a beautiful village at the feet of the Canadian Rockies, Ralph Connor Memorial United Church (RCMUC) in Canmore, Alberta has a 130 year old sanctuary and a 40 year old hall.
RCMUC’s Faithful Footprints story is one of how congregants’ connections and working together as a team led to incredible energy savings and conservation within their church building.
