• a 10kW system that generates about $9000 worth of electricity /year
• carbon dioxide emissions reduced by 7 tonnes /yr if fossil fuels had generated that power
• 1.7 acres of forest would be needed to soak up that much CO₂
• OPA’s MicroFIT program offers a 20 year contract; the panels are generally guaranteed for 25 years (power could still be sold after the contract expires, but at a lower rate)
• the church’s use of power is paid for separately (and we pay for the power we use at a much lower rate)
• materials and installation cost about $75000
• over 20 years, Crossroads would sell about $170,000 worth of power (from which the original cost must be deducted), so this is practicing both ecological and financial stewardship over the long term. Much of the financing will come from redirecting existing church investments, which will continue to earn.

Much of the financing will come from redirecting existing church investments. UPDATE: This project was approved at the March 2012 congregational meeting and at a subsequent meeting of Presbytery. At this time, we are waiting on final quotes for redoing the roof that fall within the congregation's guidelines.

To read our December newsletter article on this project, click here

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If you need a ride or can offer a ride to Sunday worship, click on the appropriate button at the top of the right panel of this page for an information form. When you submit your request, the information will be sent directly to the church secretary.

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New sights at Crossroads:     Queen St. window installed

One of the stained glass windows from the old Queen St. church has now been installed in the narthex (sanctuary entrance) at Crossroads in honour of those in the Crossroads family that have their church roots at Queen St. Based on a painting by British artist William Holman Hunt titled "Light of the World" (and sometimes referred to as "Jesus Knocking at the Door", the original (seen at right) was painted in 1853. The stained glass window (seen at left) is lit from behind by artificial lighting, but it also receives some ambient light from two slender outside windows behind it.

Renovation projects now completed

Over the summer and fall of 2011, several projects have been underway in the sanctuary. All these projects are now completed:

• the installation of the Kelly (stained-glass) windows from the former Queen St. site
• replacement of the existing (and drafty) sanctuary windows with more energy-efficient ones
• an upgrade to the chancel steps (upper area where the communion table is located) to increase safety and to enable the choir to use the steps as risers when they sing
• and finally, an upgrade of a brighter sanctuary projector, as well as mounting it so that it is out of the way

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