![New building, new members](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1685463113458-LRZVAAOLPIBF845TKZ3P/Straffordville7.jpg)
New building, new members
Straffordville EMC celebrated its first service in their new building on December 23, 2018, and held a grand opening celebration on June 9, 2019.
![From shadows to Son rise!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1685461227934-TEQ3CLUXTF961OWHLVKZ/WOC-Heartland-Good-Friday.jpg)
From shadows to Son rise!
Our special Tenebrae service on the eve of Good Friday was planned and performed by a team of believers in Jesus working together to create an atmosphere of worship and remembrance. They took us step by anguished step through the last week of Jesus’ life during Holy Week.
![Holy Week at Abbeydale](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1685390122638-KIB9YGU20KVIOYSXIJHR/WOC%2BAbbeydale%2B20230409_110136.jpg)
Holy Week at Abbeydale
Abbeydale Christian Fellowship, where one can only guess what kind of interesting and wonderful surprises are in store. The Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday worship services were each unique and a blessing in their own way, culminating in a distinctly international experience.
![Wisdom needed to deal with danger in Haiti](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1684423275407-IY4FDWTGKRWS4414HRFG/IMG_6532.jpg)
Wisdom needed to deal with danger in Haiti
Beauty Out of Ashes (BOA) was established in 2017 through the vision and commitment of Gary and Mavis Unger. The Ungers had spent several years at an orphanage in Haiti when their hearts were touched by the desperate circumstances of young girls forced into domestic slavery in some of the poorest areas of Port au Prince.
![Whether going or coming, God is at work](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1680809529524-12JDT01UUDITP5TYRXPR/b7aae202-a16e-4010-a018-9fe3d101c5b6.jpg)
Whether going or coming, God is at work
Looking back on 2022, there are many things we could catch up on. We could talk about the parent-child dedication service for six young families in May. Or we might highlight the two baptism services in summer where a total of 15 were baptized.
![‘Shun’ as a positive ac‘shun’ word](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1671304015173-QFWZW8OCD3SLJP4XRXAA/WOC+Abbeydale+2022-09-11+097.jpg)
‘Shun’ as a positive ac‘shun’ word
Transition, tradition, celebration, commission, congregation and many more words end with a ‘shun’ pronunciation. How many times does this occur in this article?
![Three baptized, three children dedicated](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1671302553380-E83JDNZ5X3XS1F41CI5C/WOC+Portage+1-Glenn+Loewen+Riley+Bueckert+Terrence+Bueckert.jpg)
Three baptized, three children dedicated
Baptized in August 2022 at Portage Evangelical Church are Riley Bueckert, Tessa Shaw and Caleb Neufeld.
![Pastor ordained at PBMC](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1671298784938-JD5P64DWWDQO4EJIPC1I/WOC+PBMC+image002.jpg)
Pastor ordained at PBMC
Craig and Laura Cornelsen were installed as pastor couple on September 11, 2022, and Craig was ordained.
![NFC holds final service](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1671297687771-ZY5PCDEZDNS3EXS81EIH/WOC%2BNFC%2BIMG_1308.jpg)
NFC holds final service
Even though Northern Fellowship Chapel has officially “closed,” it is only the building that has ceased to exist as a church.
![Through God’s hand, our doors are open](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1664053142644-BG3C2TMLF5R5I8R0QYJ2/WOC%2BBow%2BIsland%2BPHOTO-2022-08-16-20-49-30.jpg)
Through God’s hand, our doors are open
After receiving many “green lights” we moved forward, bought a building and opened our doors in November 2021. There is always a lot of work in starting a new church, but God has been so good and helped us.
![Highlights of ministry amid the pandemic](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1664054833620-E2YWXKGLE92D6R2ZBOHB/WOC-Morweena-E90C05EE-3A02-4242-979C-7B1138A9211A.jpg)
Highlights of ministry amid the pandemic
Navigating pandemic restrictions over the last couple of years has been difficult. Like everyone else, we’re happy to be meeting together again.
![Baptism gives opportunity to celebrate](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1664055579663-RPE0LSAI9XF0G95F7YQV/WOC-Rosenort-EMC-IMGP3188.jpg)
Baptism gives opportunity to celebrate
A baptismal service is an opportunity for the whole church to celebrate what God is doing in our midst. On Sunday, June 26, 2022, Rosenort EMC congregants witnessed four young people take this step of obedience in following Jesus.
![Retreats, study, prayer included in season of renewal](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1663870174324-BPCDWS205NKQQSGAQBHQ/WOC%2BMany%2BRooms%2Bimage.jpg)
Retreats, study, prayer included in season of renewal
The Many Rooms Church Community seized the opportunity to participate in Come and See, a season of spiritual renewal for our conference.
![Afghan refugee family finds safety in Landmark](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1663866098468-B6F7B3VYUAO816PK6PTQ/WOC-Heartland-20220724_101659_HDR.jpg)
Afghan refugee family finds safety in Landmark
On July 21, 2022, after over a year of processing, an Afghan refugee family of five arrived in Winnipeg and was settled in their new home in Landmark, Man.
![Associate pastor receives graduation gift](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1660923905382-JX6CTC4T782232RQOLDG/WOC%2BLeamington%2BIMG_20220529_095940455.jpg)
Associate pastor receives graduation gift
Pastor Jake Enns presents associate pastor Joe and Jessica Penner with a graduation gift from Leamington Evangelical Mennonite Church for finishing their studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
![VOICE, values and ventriloquism](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1660921511938-F6OHKD3CAYXJ881FMA0C/WOC%2BHeartland%2B2022-05-15%2B10.44.57.jpg)
VOICE, values and ventriloquism
Laura Bonney, a missionary ventriloquist with SEND International, shared her experiences teaching values in schools in the Philippines and Uganda. Her method: ventriloquism.
![New people finding a church to call ‘home’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1660682375710-V1UAMZW7RXSAXAMIWLEQ/WOC%2BLa%2BCrete%2B275052831_3221691624782874_3710775764103057610_n.jpg)
New people finding a church to call ‘home’
It’s exciting to see our sanctuary nearly at capacity every Sunday, and the new expansion of our building filled with young and old alike attending Sunday school.
![Two believers baptized](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1660328898313-F6HSVPDSZB1L425PMUTP/WOC%2BFort%2BFrances%2Bbaptism.jpg)
Two believers baptized
Mike, an older Ukrainian man, and Sylvia, who was for many years with the Canadian Armed Forces, were baptized on May 22, 2022.
![It’s all Greek to you?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1660319582772-MJYY9FINLDGWT6NNO1RB/WOC%2BAbbeydale%2B20220419_221158.jpg)
It’s all Greek to you?
Partaking of a potluck meal of traditional foods made by our brothers and sisters from many nations of the world was an encouragement to continue efforts to reach all peoples with the greatest message ever: Jesus Christ, died, buried and risen for all!
![Region 1 leaders gather for learning and encouragement](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6234b161ab9d2773b8b3f9e1/1659576494799-GCYGUMR8O4YQU3WWJOXX/WOC%2BRegion%2B1.jpg)
Region 1 leaders gather for learning and encouragement
Over the years, the Region 1 churches (northern Alberta and B.C.) have met every two years for a retreat, bringing leadership together for fellowship and inspiration. After missing the retreat in 2020, the churches met again April 29–May 1, 2022.