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.

FCG Communications Manager and writer, Beatrice Ekoko had a conversation with Priyanka Lloyd, Executive Director of Green Economy Canada (GEC) for this Partner Feature blog post. Priyanka helped to start the organization as the founding director, back in 2014 to scale a successful program from Waterloo Region.

Priyanka!

Trinity Church (Rose Bay, NS) - Wooden Frame Exterior. Source: John Hayne

'Thermal mass' describes a material's capacity to absorb, store and release heat. Thermal movement – the transferring of heat – occurs much faster in materials with low thermal mass (eg. wood) than materials with high thermal mass (eg. bricks). These types of materials experience higher thermal conductivity than materials that absorb, store and release heat at a lower rate. Thermal Insulation helps to reduce the movement of heat between materials, especially of those with low thermal mass.