• a 10kW system that generates about $7000 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 $130,000 worth of power, so this is practicing both ecological and financial stewardship over the long term

Much of the financing will come from redirecting existing church investments. Look for information meetings coming up in January, 2012 that will provide more information.

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

Need a ride to church? Can you offer a ride?

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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News from the wider church - Your help needed

What would you say if your government:

• dropped funding for groups like the Sudan Council of Churches, which provide humanitarian support of women and children in war-torn Sudan
• dropped funding for groups like Heritiers de la Justice, which help support victims of rape in the Congo
• dropped funding for groups like KONTRAS, fighting for human rights in Indonesia

The United Church, along with other mainline churches, helps fund KAIROS, Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and for 35 years has partnered with CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency), a federal agency, to promote justice initiatives around the world. On Nov. 30, 2009, CIDA anounced that it would drop its contribution to KAIROS, and the local non-governmental partner groups around the world that it supports - effectively crippling, if not terminating the work those groups do.

How you can help:
Check out this web site for more information and seven ways to help: