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To contribute a 'Green' resource, email us at greenawakening@tucc.ca.
HOW-TO TIPS: Lighting Retrofits
Need Help Conducting a Lighting Audit?
Michael Fraser of Forest Hill United Church is available to help churches in Toronto conduct lighting audits. For more information, contact Michael by email at <verger@live.ca>
Need Resources?
For additional information about different lighting options, see Faith and the Common Good’s Practical Guide to Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your Religious Building, part of the Greening Sacred Spaces resource kit. Go to: www.faith-commongood.net/gss/
Need Financial Assistance?
Power Savings Blitz is an energy conservation program offered by Toronto Hydro, in partnership with the Ontario Power Authority. The program provides up to $1,000 in free energy-efficient lighting upgrades to small businesses in Toronto, including churches. For more information, phone (416) 599-9210 or visit:
www.torontohydro.com/electricsystem/electricity conservation/power_saving_blitz.html
HOW-TO TIPS: Planning an Eco-Fair
Need Help Planning a Community Eco-Fair?
Email Vicki Obedkoff at <vobedkoff@trinitystpauls.ca> to learn more about Trinity-St. Paul’s experience.
Live Green Toronto Community Animators are available to assist church groups. They have a slide presentation and can offer advice on planning an eco-fair. Contact Katie Fullerton at: <kfuller@toronto.ca>
Need Resources?
See the Earth Day Canada resource Stage an Ecofestival for ideas and tips on how to organize a successful community event. Go to:
http://pub.earthday.ca/pub/assets/pdfs/CAN/back_ecofestival.pdf
Need Financial and Promotional Assistance?
The Green Awakening Network offers financial and promotional resources to United Church congregations that are planning community events. Financial support is dependent upon available funds. For more information, contact the Network at <greenawakening@tucc.ca> or consult the website: www.tucc.ca/event-guidelines
The United Church of Canada and Climate Change
In August 2009, the 40th General Council reaffirmed the United Church’s commitment to ecological justice by encouraging pastoral charges to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, conduct energy audits, and plan for improvements to their buildings. Details of the UCC’s positions on climate change and other related issues can be found at www.united-church.ca/ecology.
The UCC has produced a booklet entitled Greening the Church which offers practical ways to reduce churches’ energy consumption and explains how congregations can promote energy use that is more ecologically sustainable. To order a copy, go to: www.united-church.ca/renewal/buildings/resources
Living for the Earth – New National Mission Theme
The national mission theme of the UCC for 2009/10 is ‘Living for the Earth.’ An introduction to the theme is provided in the May 2009 edition of Mandate – go to: www.united-church.ca/sales/magazines/mandate/2009/may for a selection of articles. Join the Green Awakening Network as part of your church’s action around this theme in the coming months!
For the latest issue of Mandate magazine, which features an article by Newtonbrook United Church's Green Team as well as article featuring Greening Sacred Spaces, click here.
Greening Sacred Spaces (Faith and the Common Good)
Greening Sacred Spaces is a practical programme developed by Faith & the Common Good to assist faith communities to Renew the Sacred Balance. We have developed a whole resource kit – with workshops, posters, music, and more– to help faith groups reduce greenhouse gases and to live sustainably. For more information: http://www.faith-commongood.net/gss/
Kairos
KAIROS unites Canadian churches and religious organizations in a faithful ecumenical response to the call to “do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Inspired by a vision of God’s compassionate justice, KAIROS advocates for social change, amplifying and strengthening the public witness of its members. For more information: www.kairoscanada.org
KyotoPlus
KAIROS has endorsed the KYOTOplus Petition as a tool to raise awareness and advocate for a change in Canada’s lack-lustre policy on climate change. An online resource entitled Connecting Climate Justice and Global Poverty, which includes ideas for worship and action, is available on the KAIROS website at www.kairoscanada.org (click on the ‘Get Involved’ and ‘Re-energize Campaign’ links). The print version, which includes the petition, can be ordered from <ykariuki@kairoscanada.org>.
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