On October 14, FCG celebrated 20 Years of Extraordinary People and Programs, followed by our 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

It was a packed agenda that began with an invitation to participants to describe FCG in one word (on mentimeter.com). The graphic above demonstrates words that many of you associate with our network including Inspiring, Purposeful, Inclusive and more. Thanks to all who contributed!

We opened with a deeply moving prayer from Grandmother Renee of Grandmothers Voice (9:00), and a special message from our founders, The Very Rev. Bill Phipps, and Rev. Ted Reeve (19:17). Next, FCG’s Executive Director (ED), Michelle Singh introduced Charles Pascal, the ED at Atkinson Foundation in 2000, the funders who helped launch FCG (33:50). Kristina Inrig, who was instrumental in establishing the backbone of our Greening Sacred Spaces (GSS) model and the infrastructure to grow the organization, spoke next (41:13).

Erik Mathiesen, Chief Financial Officer at UCC, spoke about their decision to choose FCG as their delivery partner for the Faithful Footprints program (46:00). Lucy Cummings, former FCG ED (54:15) and our current Chair, Tom Urbaniak (1:01:40) both shared brief reflections. 

Michelle reviewed FCG’s strategic goals and vision, and how we are going to get there (1:08:00). Muneeb Nasir, Chair of the Olive Tree Foundation spoke about why they have been funding FCG projects since 2014 (1:15:20).

Our partner, Lisa Kohler, ED at Halton Environmental Network, spoke briefly about the OakvilleREADY program, an initiative that prepares neighbourhoods to withstand the impacts of extreme weather events (1:20: 40). Michelle shared a map of our nationwide network chapters and some more project examples (1:27:10).

Dr. Brian Carwana, ED of Encounter World Religions presented Water: Nourisher, Mother, Teacher. His keynote speech explored how some of the world's great spiritual traditions have engaged with this element, so central to our existence and at the very heart of nature (1:29:20).

Before concluding the celebration and turning it over to the business portion of the evening, Rev. Fletcher Harper of GreenFaith spoke about Faiths4Climate multifaith days of action that took place on October 17 and 18th (1:47:10). As the Canadian partners for this global initiative, we strongly encouraged our followers to join efforts in demanding bold climate action of our leaders, ahead of the upcoming #COP26 conference in November.

FCG Network Learning Opportunity: Join us for Indigenous Canada 2022 

In alignment with our strategic goal of building a more resilient and sustainable Canada together, FCG is committed to continuing to learn about being a better ally to Indigenous peoples. As part of our reconciliACTION, we are inviting you to join us for Indigenous Canada, an online course starting in January 2022 that is offered by the University of Alberta. We will create community together. We will walk together and we will learn together. Please contact Network Coordinator Elyse at [email protected] if you would like to walk with us on this journey.

$20 for 20 years

To see the impact FCG has made, check out our "Celebrating 20 years of Faith & the Common Good Successes"  timeline. Please donate so that FCG can continue to make an impact for another twenty years. We welcome financial contributions of any size.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CELEBRATION VIDEO!