In Bloomfield NJ, a simple inquiry from the local Presbyterian Church as to the feasibility of installing solar panels led to deeper conversation about whether God might be calling the church to do something more impactful. What began as an attempt to save money on utility bills has now grown into a rich vision for a new ministry called “Green Church, Green World.” With support from SolarNation, the church seeks to engage neighbors, the surrounding businesses, educators, students and local government leaders to collaborate in providing a just and sustainable energy future for Bloomfield. To that end they have been awarded a Mission Action Grant from the Presbytery of Newark and are currently applying for a larger two-year Innovation Grant from the Synod of the Northeast. They propose to install a 1 MW community solar project in Bloomfield, and then assist three additional churches to do the same over the next two years. Concurrently they will develop faith-based, church-specific components of the SolarNation model, which will include opportunities for soulful community building, prayer, worship, learning and theological reflection. “Green Church, Green World” will serve as a demonstration project to show how a church can lead a community to overcome climate change denial and take hopeful action.
