UNIVERSITY MENNONITE CHURCH INSTALLS SOLAR PANEL
State College, PA – The University Mennonite Church (UMC) has installed on their Meetinghouse, located at 1601 Norma Street in State College, PA, a solar power system consisting of 56 roof-mounted panels which will produce approximately 27,000 KWh of electricity annually. The solar installation project is a major component of the church’s initiative to make their facility a Net-Zero Energy building. Other components of UMC’s Net-Zero Energy plan include reducing annual electric consumption to about 24,000 KWh by replacing existing resistant heating units with high efficiency heat pumps, using programable thermostats, and converting to more energy-efficient LED lighting. These changes grew out of the congregation’s theological calling to care for God’s creation.
Partial funding for these energy efficient changes came from the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) and the Mennonite Creation Care Network (MCCN). “We are extremely grateful and humbled by the support of WPPSEF and MCCN in our endeavor to become better stewards of our resources and the environment. We hope that we will be able to encourage and provide information to other churches that are contemplating moving towards ‘net-zero’ energy” says Kate Heinzel, pastor of UMC.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY MENNONITE CHURCH University Mennonite Church, is a welcoming community of Christians who identify with the Anabaptist faith tradition. We understand that caring for the earth is a key part of our Christian calling. We affirm the Creation Care Resolution of the Mennonite Church USA calling on congregations to “commit to growing in their dedication to care for God’s Creation as an essential part of the good news of Jesus Christ”. We are working within our congregation and community to identify and take actions promoting Environmental Stewardship and Environmental Justice. Visit https://universitymennonite.org for additional information about University Mennonite Church.
ABOUT MENNONITE CREATION CARE NETWORK
Mennonite Creation Care Network (MCCN) is a Christian organization affiliated with the Mennonite Church USA and the Mennonite Church Canada. Our primary focus is the Mennonite community, but anyone who wishes to be part of a faith-based network of people engaged in caring for creation is welcome to join us. MCCN encourages the Church to:
· Claim its biblical and theological foundation regarding the care of God’s Creation.
· Discover the ties that link all created beings to each other and to God.
· Confess the harm we have caused the natural world and our neighbors.
· Act faithfully to restore the earth. Visit https://www.mennocreationcare.org for more information.
by University Member - Marvin Hall
