The new windmill, or the new road going up to the church…

Click to view slideshow.

(Dear visitors to this page, we apologize for our giddyness over so much asphalt. If you’d like to buy one of the leftover mules used to ferry worshippers up the hill on our old road, please call Pastor Rod.)

BTW…

WAPA has finally done it’s final inspection and ordered the correct electric meter for the Wind Turbine.

If patience is a virtue, we live on the most virtuous island in the Caribbean!

Here’s the upcoming schedule of services at St Croix Reformed Church:

April 5^th
Maundy Thursday Service at 5:30 p.m. Join us for Holy Communion.

April 6^th
Good Friday Service at Noon.

Apr 8^th
Easter Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. at the cross, followed by breakfast. 
9:30 a.m. Service including Blooming the Cross.

April 22^nd
Congregational Meeting at end of 9:30 service to elect officers.

May 5^th
Because of the Triathalon on Sunday, we will worship Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

"With Thanksgiving to God, for the inspiration of his people."

Below are some great photos and photo gallery of our February 29, 2012 “Turn It On” Ceremony inaugurating our Wind Turbine.

Summary: Over 80 people gathered on the hill outside the church and school on Leap Day 2012 for a joyous dedication of the wind tower. We had numerous community guests and dignitaries, but the star of the event was definitely the tower and turbine. As celebrants arrived, the tower was at a 45 degree angle, dramatically demonstating the hinged tower and motorized raising screw that makes our investment hurricane proof and easy to service. As the ceremony got underway, installer Jeff Cabrera could be seen behind the speakers installing the bolts to fix the tower in place. After numerous brief speeches, the tower was christened with water balloons (champagne being too messy), and then several dignitaries, including Lt. Governor Greg Francis, threw the switch to begin feeding power from the tower into the island’s grid. Afterwards, refreshments were provided by the Kingshill School Board.

Guest speakers included:

Lt Gov Greg Francis
Senator Sam Sanes
Michael Mongeau, representing the Kingshill School
Karl Knight, Director of the VI Energy Office
Carl Joseph, Energy Analyst, VI Energy Office
Joseph Daniel, Energy Operations Coordinator, and our very helpful grant coordinator
Neil MacQueen, Wind Project Coordinator for the church & school
Jeff Cabrera, Mayan Windpower and installer

Pastor Rod Koopmans officiated, opening the ceremony with the inspiring lyrics of the hymn “For the Beauty of the Earth”, thanking numerous volunteers and the VI Energy Office, and offering prayers. In his closing remarks, he called everyone’s attention to the site down our hill of the now mothballed Hovensa refinery, –making the profound observation that, “they are no longer making energy, we are.”

Others recognized at the ceremony included Wind Project volunteers: Don Bailey (treasurer), Will Borden, Stan Joines, Don Buchanan, and Janie Koopmans.

(Click the slideshow to make controls appear.)

View the video of the turbine in action here.

real-time data

For comparative purposes, a refrigerator freezer uses about 6 kilowatt hours (kWh) per DAY.  A window air-conditioning unit will use about 1.3 kwh per HOUR. 1000 watts of light bulbs turned on for one hour, will use 1 kilowatt hours of energy during that hour.

Due to the Triathalon, Sunday May 1st Worship will be at 11 a.m. instead of 9:30.
No Sunday School on May 1st

Updated Holy Week Schedule

April 22nd Good Friday Service at 12 noon

April 24th Easter Sunday

7:00 Easter Outdoor Service

7:45 -9:00  Breakfast, helpers needed.

9:30 Easter Sunday Worship Service

10:45 Easter Egg Hunt for Children

Holy Week Services 
St Croix Reformed Church

• 7 pm at Trinity Lutheran in Frederiksted

• Noon at St Croix Reformed Church,  a brief service

• 7 am Sunrise Service on the hill
• 8 am Easter Breakfast, everyone is invited!
• 9:30 am Easter WorshipA reminder to bring flowers from home for our annual “Bloomin’ of the Cross” during worship.

  

UPDATE: For info about our Wind Turbine you can now visit the Wind Turbine pages at this website: http://stcroixreformed.org/our-wind-turbine/

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Member of the Wind Team have recently met with Clapp Power Inc., the company which will oversee the installation of the tower and turbine. Clapp Power is locally owned and is the tower and turbine manufacturer’s new “rep” here in the USVI. Due to the manufacturer’s backlog, Clapp Power believes that the completion date for the project will now be late summer/early fall.

We are waiting for the final permit to be issued.

Following on our grant approval, members of the Wind Team have been in regular contact with the VI Energy Office, getting i’s dotted and t’s crossed, attending meetings, and beginning to file grant award reports required by the US Dept of Energy.

The church sign down by the road is being repaired and revised. Should be back up in a week or two. It will look like the following…with a stylized cross-like wind turbine as the logo. The sign anticipates that the new turbine and tower will become a unique & unmistakable landmark, -and connects the church to that landmark.

A “Coming Soon” construction sign will go up by the road sometime this summer.

The church’s $50,000 grant award was part of $800,000 in Federal stimulus funds awarded to VI non-profits for energy-related projects. In addition to an estimated savings of over 800,000 kilowatts per year to all the organizations over the next 15 to 25 years, the funds stimulate the economy, and boost the movement to alternative energy and efficiency in the islands.   The energy savings to the church and Kingshill School is estimated at $700 a month. (See earlier posts for how that savings will be reinvested in mission.)

For more information, contact the Wind Team:

Don Bailey
Will Borden
Rod Koopmans
Michael Mongeau
Neil MacQueen
George Novey

www.stcroixreformed.org

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lenten season, -the 40 days before Easter during which Christians prepare to commemorate the Cross and Resurrecton of Jesus, and look inwardly at their lives. The ashes are a biblical symbol of confession and humility.

Traditionally, members “fast” i.e. ”give up” something for Lent, such as a favorite food or activity. “Giving up” creates a daily reminder of the season. In recent years many have also practiced “giving extra” during the season, typically in a manner of service to others. 

A few suggestions:

• Decide to stay-in for dinner one evening a week instead of going out, and contribute the savings to My Brothers Table or similar social service.
• Give up your favorite food until Easter.
• Gather clothing from your closets and your neighbors and take them to the Women’s Coalition.
• Give up television X nights a week and read an uplifting book instead.
• Go to the beach without distractions and read the Psalms.
• Resolve to attend each worship service and Jazz Vespers service through Easter –bringing a friend with you each time.
• Resolve to give at least 3 specific Positive Affirmations everyday to the people in your life. Tell them why your appreciate them.
• Read a chapter of Matthew’s Gospel each morning.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 
Colossians 3:17

Jazz Vespers Schedule

First Sunday of the Month, 5:30 to 6:30

March 6 – Central High Jazz Band

April 4 – Neil Simon

May 1 – Brian Silber

June- Steve Katz

Bring a friend!

www.stcroixreformed.org