“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.

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2018 Update: Our turbine was damaged by Hurricane Maria (even though it had been lowered). A decision was made to give it to another non-profit on island who could afford to repair it, and use an RCA grant to install solar panels instead (which is now feasible due to lower panel prices and our lower electrical consumption because the school we once housed closed during the recession).

For Detailed Information about the St Croix Reformed Turbine, go to https://stcroixreformed.org/our-wind-turbine/

See photos of the Turbine “Turn it On” Party at https://stcroixreformed.org/2012/03/02/wind-turbine-ceremony-photos/

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Archive:

As recently announced in worship, our church will hold the “Turbine Turn It On” Party on Wednesday, February 29th at 5 p.m.

All members and friends of the church and Kingshill School are encouraged to attend.  Bring your neighbors!

For more information about the wind turbine, go to https://stcroixreformed.org/our-wind-turbine/

ADVENT SCHEDULE:

Rev Rod has just posted the following schedule:

December 18th, Worship at 9:30 – angel tree gifts due

December 20th, Tuesday 5:30 – 7:00: Live Nativity!  Come participate or just enjoy this traditional gathering.

December 24th, Saturday 7:00 pm Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols candle lighting

December 25th, Christmas morning 9:30 at church.

January 1: New Years Communion at 9:30 am

January 1:  Jazz Vespers at 5:30 pm

ARE YOU ON FACEBOOK?

If so, “Like” the church’s Facebook page and you’ll receive updates in your Facebook feed. You’ll also be able to connect with other members who use Facebook.

Here’s the link to the church’s Facebook Fan Page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Croix-Reformed-Church/117423938306347

WIND TURBINE UPDATE

Construction continues. The cage and massive bolts are in place (pictured). The concrete should be poured by this Sunday.
And the first batch of grant checks from the VI Energy Office arrived on time as promised and have been deposited!

Visit our site at www.stcroixreformed.org

Updated Turbine construction photos!

The slideshow below will continue to be UPDATED throughout construction.

For more information about the St Croix Reformed Wind Turbine, go to https://stcroixreformed.org/our-wind-turbine/

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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Reverend Rod led the congregation out to the hill for the Wind Turbine groundbreaking ceremony. The kids met the congregation, handing out pinwheels and hard hats. After introducing the Wind Task Force, and further remarks, Rod and the kids put the spade to the hill, …and activity which some children continued for nearly 20 minutes!  Numerous adults stepped forward to dig, and following a closing hymn, the congregation enjoyed another sumptious post-worship buffet.

The rest of the hole for the foundation will be dug this week.  For more details about the Wind Turbine, go to https://stcroixreformed.org/our-wind-turbine/

The St Croix Reformed Church will hold a brief GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY for our 10 kw Wind Turbine this Sunday November 13th.

See photos of this event

Preliminary Construction Schedule:

Nov 13th: Ground Breaking

Nov 14-24: Digging and pouring of the tower slab.

Late November: Digging and installation of electrical cables. Installation of electrical converters.

Mid December: Bolting of the tower to the slab. Assembly of the turbine to the tower.

“Turning it on” Party ….t.b.a.

For more information about the Wind Turbine, its cost, construction and expected benefits, go to https://stcroixreformed.org/our-wind-turbine/

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Our annual church picnic is scheduled for September 18
Join us at the St. Croix Country Club on Frederiksted beach following Worship at the church at 9:30.

This is a great event for all ages, and we encourage members to bring their friends. Meat and drinks and place settings are provided. Please bring a salad, side dish or dessert to share.  Stay after lunch for swimming, a card game, or just to visit.

Next Church Picnic: Sunday, Sept 18 2011!

On Friday August 26, the St. Croix Interfaith will present Dinner and a movie in our Fellowship Hall, Admission is $15.00 (yes, this is a mission fundraiser).  The movie being shown is Bread and Tulips, a delightful escapist comedy set in Venice.  Appropriate for older children, youth and adults. Join us for a great Friday evening and help the Interfaith Council.

Posted at www.stcroixreformed.org

July News!

We received this wonderful report from member Jay Nix, who was our representative to the 205th General Synod of the Reformed Church in America.

Dear Rod,

Thanks so much for asking me to go to Grand Rapids, MI as the elder delegate to the Reformed Church’s 205th General Synod on June 16,-21, 2011. This great gathering of ministers, elders and others of diverse backgrounds were attending the highest assembly and judicatory of the RCA to make decisions for the ministry and mission of the whole church. The schedule of events and meetings were jammed tight, and I met so many nice people from all over the states.

I was selected to serve on the Committee on Overtures and New Business and I also attended a workshop on multiracial ministry teams. Those attending the General Synod witnessed a historic reunion of the Christian Reformed Church and the RCA after many years of separation (since 1857). We worshipped and praised the Lord together and sang very inspirational songs (many I never heard before).

The Calvin College campus was a beautiful green and safe environment. We rode on golf carts if we didn’t want to walk to the different buildings. Wesley Granberg- Michaelson, retiring General Secretary of the General Synod passed his gavel to Rev. Dr. Tom De Vries, pastor of Fair Havens Ministries in Hudsonville, MI.

I will never forget my 70th birthday. I was asked to help serve communion at the closing worship service.

Love,

Jay Nix

In Other News…

Phase 1 of the church landscaping project should be complete by the end of this month. Numerous trees and bushes have been trimmed or removed. The entrances are being trimmed back. And by the end of the month the tan-tan will be cut back 15′ down the hill, –which should make the cross once again visible to the community. It will also be kept mowed as part of our regular mowing.  We anticipate the grass will fill in nicely where unruly plants and hedges once sprawled. The Consistory will be considering a “Phase 2” beautification proposal early this Fall. If you have suggestions for Phase 2, please share them with Rev Rod or any member of the Landscaping Task Force (Will Borden, Sue Cissel, Neil MacQueen, Sandi Savage).

Turbine Update:We’re currently waiting word on the delivery date of the turbine and tower. Apparently there was a manufacturing delay. Once that date is set, the construction of the concrete pad can be scheduled.  All permits have been approved!

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

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WORSHIP with us this Sunday at 9:30!

Early in July you will notice a number of landscaping projects underway at the church. The Consistory’s Landscape Task Force has awarded a $4000 contract to Superb Lawncare and Landscaping for  significant landscaping improvements, including: tree and bush trimming, tree and bush removals, and cutting back the tan-tan.

Additional landscape beautification and maintenance recommendations will be presented to the Consistory after this first phase is done. Your suggestions are welcome. Task Force members are Will Borden, Sue Cissel, Neil MacQueen and Sandi Savage.

Permitting is complete for the Wind Turbine project, and we are now waiting for a fall delivery date from the manufacturer. Construction of the concrete pad will commence about 45 days prior to the arrival of the equipment. The future location of the pad, tower, and turbine is marked by the survey stakes seen on the right side of the driveway as you approach the church building.

If you would like to help serve lunch at My Brothers Table in Frederiksted this July, contact Neil MacQueen at neilmacqueen@gmail.com.  It’s easy, only takes 90 minutes, and is very rewarding.

Worship with us this and every Sunday at 9:30 am !