April 14th, 2026Emissions Reduction Grant: Lethbridge Mennonite Church
Lethbridge Mennonite Church: Fitting creation care into its calling
For Lethbridge Mennonite Church (LMC), creation care is important, but not its primary calling, said treasurer Dave Neufeldt. Nonetheless, they continue taking action to green their building.
The congregation of 70-ish people already has an active presence in numerous ministries within and beyond its doors: it supports a local Mennonite Voluntary Service Adventure unit, helps sponsor refugees, provides funds and volunteers for the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, Interfaith Food Bank, Streets Alive Family Support Association, L'Arche Association of Lethbridge, and donates to Mennonite Central Committee and Canadian Food Grains Bank for international aid projects. On Sunday afternoons, a Spanish speaking congregation worships at LMC, and local community music groups rent space at various times.
Environmental concerns did surface during a congregational visioning process at a time that roughly paralleled a bequest left by a member. The congregation decided to “do something special” with the bequest. With the added injection of $3,000 from Mennonite Church Canada’s Emissions Reduction Grant, the congregation voted 85% in favour of installing solar panels on the roof of its 28 year-old building.
The congregation, which began in 1978, further decided to purchase a system with the capacity to offset all of its annual energy usage.
Once the solar system installation is installed — anticipated completion time is spring, 2026 — LMC may be nearing the end of what they can reasonably do to reduce energy consumption and related carbon emissions. Neufeldt said they have have already installed LED lights, more efficient furnaces, and programmable thermostats.
Neufeldt observed that at least four church families have solar panels on their homes, and the installation often sparks conversations with neighbours. He can personally verify similar interest. Seven years ago, Neufeldt built a new family home with solar panels, on an infill lot. “You hear the stereotypes of Alberta, but none of the conversations [we had] were negative ones,” he said. “People were generally interested and considering if they should do it [install solar].”
Neufeldt added that for some church members, LMC’s savings in energy costs may have been a higher priority than reducing their carbon footprint, but another factor played an important part, too.
“If solar panels make sense in Canada, then southern Alberta is probably the place where they make the most sense,” he said, referring to the high average hours of sunshine the area receives annually.
The church building is next to a major road with considerable traffic, so the highly visible solar panels will communicate a message to passersby. There is no doubt the installation will generate energy once installed, but whether it generates conversation in the community remains to be seen.
Curious about other Emissions Reduction Grants? Read about Toronto Chinese Mennonite Church