Courtesy of Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, Oregon

ELKHART, Indiana (Mennonite Church USA) — Mennonite Church USA’s (MC USA) Climate Justice Ministry will begin receiving applications for the Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund grant, starting April 1, 2025. The Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund provides funds to assist MC USA congregations interested in forms of renewable energy. The term, “net zero energy,” describes buildings or communities that generate enough energy to meet their own needs.

The Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund provides funds to assist MC USA congregations interested in installing solar panels, car charging stations or other forms of renewable energy. The Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund is provided by the generosity of Russell De Young, Newport News, Virginia, in memory of his late wife, Pam De Young. Since 2016 when the fund was created and administered through Mennonite Creation Care Network, 22 congregations have received support for solar installations or electric car charging stations.

“I am so grateful for this fund which provides churches with a unique opportunity to lead by example in sustainability,” Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MC USA denominational minister for Peace and Justice. “Investing in net-zero energy solutions reduces environmental impact and enables us to take responsibility for the care of the earth through our practices in very visible ways,” she added.

MC USA congregations that craft and execute an ongoing plan that will move them toward net zero energy are eligible to apply for the grant. The grants are for hardware purchases related to solar panels, car charging stations or other renewable energy projects. Most solar grants are $5,000, but congregations may request up to $10,000. Grants for car charging stations are limited to $1,800.

The 2024 recipients of the grant are:   

• Covenant Mennonite Fellowship, Sarasota, Florida, $1,800 for an electric car charging station 

• Roanoke Mennonite Church, Eureka, Illinois, $5,000 for a roof-mounted solar array 

• Zion Mennonite Church, Hubbard, Oregon, $5,000 for a roof-mounted solar array 

• Zion Mennonite Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania, $5,000 ground-mounted solar array

“Zion Mennonite Church [Souderton] is grateful for the grant of $5,000 from the Pam De Young Net Zero Energy Fund administered by MC USA. These funds have helped us continue our journey to reduce the carbon footprint of our church as well as save thousands of dollars a year that can be invested back in the mission of the church,” said Amy Cummings-Leight, a member of Zion’s Creation Care Committee and board of directors. “We are beginning educational efforts to share with other churches and local nonprofits how they can install solar too,” she added. 

To apply for the grant, contact Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, MC USA denominational minister for Peace and Justice to request the appropriate forms. Send your inquiry to climatejustice@MennoniteUSA.org.

Applications may be submitted between April 1 and June 15 each year. Applicants are asked to show that their request is part of a larger creation care plan that includes energy conservation, engages many members and is a public witness to the community.

Written by Christle Hain.  

 Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination, founded in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. Members of this historic peace church seek to follow Jesus by rejecting violence and resisting injustice. MC USA’s Renewed Commitments state the following shared commitments among its diverse body of believers: to follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit. Mennoniteusa.org  

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