Dear Friends...
It has now been over a full year of life with physical distancing and lockdowns. At FCG we are ever more aware of the deep-seated disparities and inequities across sectors that COVID has highlighted and our team has strengthened our commitment to work even harder towards a just recovery from this global pandemic. Our network, partners, and collaborators continue to forge ahead and deliver programs, webinars, and events that align with our vision for resilient and sustainable communities. Community is key, and faith groups have shown again and again the critical work that they do daily to encourage both local and broader resiliency efforts.
With the warmer weather approaching, we are all looking forward to spending more time outside in our yards, parks, and other green spaces. Faith communities often have outdoor properties that can be sacred green spaces for everyone in the community to enjoy and benefit from – whether it be starting a vegetable garden, planting native species garden to support pollinators, or creating a space for reflection, meditation or prayer. Our many free resources can help you get started.
I hope you will find inspiration and support in the stories below. Thank you for your continuing support of FCGs work. Please feel free to contact me should you have any comments, suggestions or questions.
Wishing you a safe & healthy spring...
Michelle Singh, Executive Director
Project Updates |
Faithful Footprints
As of publication date, over 200 United Church of Canada (UCC) congregations and camps have completed an Expression of Interest application for the Faithful Footprints program. All of which contributes to the UCC’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2050 across all UCC properties. Visit Faithful Footprints to learn more about the program. Get inspired by watching videos and reading Let Your Light Shine: LEDs, solar panels and greening faith buildings.
Greening Canadian Mosques
We are working with the EnviroMuslims team to deliver the Greening Canadian Mosques (GCM) program, a toolkit of resources, case studies and action plans to help Canadian mosques take climate action. On Sunday, April 11 our teams hosted an Advisory Roundtable event with Imams from local mosques and sustainability champions from the Muslim community. We look forward to sharing the toolkit soon! Read more about the Greening Canadian Mosques program.
GCCM Canada Webinars: Catholic Eco-Investment Accelerator
Our Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) Canada program is offering a series of four free virtual webinars on eco-investing. Featuring a powerful and impactful speaker line-up of Canadian and international voices, topics range from shareholder engagement to Indigenous and impact investing. Webinars will run from April 21 to May 12. Watch the first webinar, Laying the Groundwork and register for the balance of the series.
Divest Waterloo Faith Food Forest
With a generous grant from the Region of Waterloo and in partnership with our chapter, Divest Waterloo, FCG recently launched a Faith Food Forest project in the Waterloo region that will support the creation of eight food forests in partnership with faith communities. Watch the launch webinar featuring Dr. Andrew Judge, an Anishinaabe scholar and teacher, and Nicola Thomas, a Food Forest consultant and founder of Grand River Food Forestry.
Advocacy |
Sacred People, Sacred Earth
On March 11, FCG took part in the biggest-ever grassroots, global, multi-faith, COVID-friendly day of climate action. Sacred People, Sacred Earth mobilized 420 actions in 49 countries, with support from over 250 religious leaders and 125 co-sponsoring organizations representing more than 100 million people! Following the day of action, the GreenFaith International Network created a collection of stories about grassroots actions around the world focused on the 10 Demands. You can download the GreenFaith International multi-faith resource The Time to Act is Now.
Join For the Love of Creation's Faith-in-Action Campaign
For the Love of Creation's faith-in-action campaign mobilizes people across Canada to reduce their household greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and demonstrate support for increased federal climate action by writing letters to key federal Cabinet Ministers on a range of climate justice issues: climate ambition, a just transition, Indigenous rights, and support for the Global South. The campaign runs until October 4, 2021.
Launch of Everyday Advocates
GreenPAC recently launched Every Day Advocates (EDA), a new initiative building a network of Canadians from all regions of the country, across the political spectrum, and supporting them so they can hold our elected officials accountable for the environment. This is a community-led, national movement to drive environmental accountability. This spring, advocates will organize 100+ virtual town halls with MPs. EDA also offers training and tools to support advocacy for the environmental issues that matter. GreenPAC would welcome your organization's involvement. For more information, please contact Eseohe Ojo or visit Every Day Advocates.
Join Our Network |
Do you believe that our diverse faith and spiritual communities can be a force for good?
Are you passionate about protecting our environment for future generations?
Do you thrive working in multi-cultural, multi-faith, grass-roots environments?
Do you have a sense of humor about life?
If you answered a strong “Yes!” to all these questions, join our network!
Board Members (2 positions available): FCG is currently seeking two new Board members to join our Board of Directors. Ideal candidates include a Treasurer who appreciates the organic nature of a network with multiple funding streams.
Download the PDF for more information
Network Coordinator: You are an exceptional project manager, detail oriented and flexible.
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