Church in Action (CIA)
Founded in 2018, this is one active committee! Its focus is on social justice issues issues that impact our community, including poverty, discrimination and climate change through an informal group committed to fair-mindedness, friendship and action.
In keeping with the philosophy of the United Church of Canada, it encourages the congregation to actively strive to be good stewards of the earth. To this end, it actively engages the members of the congregation in projects and activities that encourage both our own church family and members of the community to participate.
Response to these projects has been tremendously positive. Some of these projects have been:
In keeping with the philosophy of the United Church of Canada, it encourages the congregation to actively strive to be good stewards of the earth. To this end, it actively engages the members of the congregation in projects and activities that encourage both our own church family and members of the community to participate.
Response to these projects has been tremendously positive. Some of these projects have been:
Solar Panels for the Church
To reduce the church's carbon footprint it was decided to install PV (photo-voltaic) solar panels on its large roof.
A vigorous fundraising campaign was started to help finance this ambitious initiative. Concerts, comedy shows, dinners and calls for donations provided a solid start, and Provincial and Federal financial incentives were successfully applied for. During this process is was also decided to replace the big old oil furnace with a centrally ducted heat pump system to heat & cool the building. Then finally in June of 2023, after a lot of work (and prayer!), the solar array and heat pump were installed! (See pictures below) |
Shopping Bag Project
Our primary goal was to encourage people to switch from using plastic shopping bags to using reusable ones. This was accomplished through fabric donations to be repurposed into cloth bags, education on plastic pollution, a market table at the community summer market to reach out to locals and tourists, and presentations to local and provincial politicians.
Church Supper Containers
With the switch from sit-down dinners to take-out service, the church felt it important to provide compostable containers rather than the styrofoam previously used. This change was well received and the dinners seem more popular than ever.
(slideshow below) |
CARP Collaboration
The Clean Annapolis River Project is based in Annapolis Royal. A church team undertook a beach clean-up with their assistance, removing over 50 bags of mostly fishing garbage off a nearby beach in the Annapolis Basin. As the need was so great, 2 further cleanups took place, with more considered for the future.
|
In June 2023 we grew a little greener as our solar roof and central heat pump were installed.
We continue to work towards lowering our carbon footprint with earth-friendly initiatives in action.
We continue to work towards lowering our carbon footprint with earth-friendly initiatives in action.
|
|
In this time of existential climate crisis we advocated for a ban on single use plastic bags and produced a large number of homemade recycled cloth bags at cost. Beach Clean ups, Educational events in relation to the climate crisis, and the invitation to take the Climate Pledge (picture left) are just some of our initiatives. |
We seek to serve those in need...
For example, a few of us organize an Annual Memorial Lights service around Christmas.
Proceeds from this go directly to several local families living in poverty.
Others sponsor a child's education through the UCW every year.
Clothes are collected for Brunswick Street Mission
and the Chrysalis House, a shelter in Kentville.
The church and community have sponsored two refugee families in recent years.
Proceeds from this go directly to several local families living in poverty.
Others sponsor a child's education through the UCW every year.
Clothes are collected for Brunswick Street Mission
and the Chrysalis House, a shelter in Kentville.
The church and community have sponsored two refugee families in recent years.
