Armidale Uniting leading the charge for a cleaner energy future

Armidale Uniting Church is emerging as a leader in faith-based climate action. Guided by their dedicated commitment to environmental stewardship and social justice, members of its congregation are taking bold, practical steps to reduce emissions and support vulnerable members of the community in the process.

At the centre of this transformation is the Electrification Working Group, led by convenor Trevor Brown. Over the past two years, the group has been systematically replacing gas systems with efficient electric alternatives across the Church’s four-building precinct, including the heritage-listed Wesley Hall, a community centre and the main worship space.

“The big issue in Armidale is the cold winters,” Trevor says. “Most of our buildings were heated with gas or wood, but both have serious downsides – gas for emissions and wood for air pollution. We’re steadily moving toward electric systems.”

For the older buildings, including the 1860s church sanctuary, traditional insulation isn’t an option due to heritage restrictions. Instead, the group has installed infrared heaters which are quiet, efficient and effective for the tall, draughty space. Other buildings have been fitted with air conditioning for both heating and cooling, and plans are underway to install solar panels and a large battery to power the entire site.

The long-term vision goes beyond self-sufficiency. The Church hopes to use any surplus solar energy to support vulnerable communities through peer-to-peer energy trading. “Ideally, we’d like to supply cheap energy to households that need it most,” Trevor explains. “It’s not about the Church making money; it’d be about using what we have to help others.”

That vision is already gaining traction through a broader community initiative called Electrify Armidale – a pilot project supported by Armidale Uniting alongside the Uniting Climate Action Network (UCAN), Energy Upgrades for Australian Homes (EUAH), Armidale Regional Council and other local partners.

Electrify Armidale aims to accelerate electrification and energy efficiency upgrades for other community organisations, small businesses and low-income residents. The initiative offers free public events and workshops throughout the year, covering topics such as home energy upgrades, solar and battery storage, electrification, electric vehicles, and large-scale renewable energy projects.

“The program is about making the clean energy transition practical, accessible, and beneficial for everyone in Armidale,” Trevor explains. “With rising energy costs, now is the time to help households and communities take control of their energy future.”

Funding, as always, remains a key challenge. The Church is currently preparing an application for the NSW Government’s Inclusive Energy Outreach Grant, which offers up to $500,000 for projects that educate and assist communities in improving energy efficiency. Trevor hopes the grant will help expand the initiative not only in Armidale but across the New England North West Presbytery, involving other Uniting Churches in the effort.

Despite limited resources, community support has been strong. “People in the congregation have donated money for things like infrared heaters and a new electric stovetop,” says Trevor. “It shows that people really care. They see this as part of our mission.”

That mission extends beyond sustainability; it’s about living out the Church’s values in a changing world. By combining environmental responsibility with social compassion, Armidale Uniting reflects what theologian Reinhold Niebuhr once described as the Church’s role as a “social pioneer.”

Through improvements on its own facilities and involvement in projects like Electrify Armidale, the church in Armidale is not just reducing its carbon footprint – it’s creating a model for equitable climate action that others can follow. As Trevor sums it up, “This is about faith in action. We want to show that caring for creation and caring for people go hand in hand.”

In doing so, the Armidale Uniting Church is lighting the way toward a cleaner, fairer energy future.