Farmland Church 

Traveling through northern Alberta, it may sometimes seem as if there’s not much to see—miles and miles of farmland, dusty roads, and wheat as far as the eye can see. But if you take the time to get off the MacKenzie Highway and head down a small dirt township road, you might be amazed at the hidden history and lessons in faith you could uncover. This is a picture of Saints Peter and Paul Russo-Greek Orthodox Catholic Parish in North Star, Alberta. Six kilometers down a dirt road, nestled between fields, you’ll find this small Orthodox church, first established in the 1920s. It stands as an incredible testament to the importance of having a place for worship, community, tradition, and history. For the rural, poor immigrant families of the time, coming together to worship as a family was a priority. We live in a wonderfully multicultural and diverse world, where it’s great to learn from one another and find community together. Since the beginning of time, humanity has sought identity and community, and this identity—this community—is only truly found in the body of Christ. When we build places of true worship and community, we help build God’s kingdom, and we become family. Too often, we have taken community for granted, and today, we see that slowly impacting our world. Fun side note: The kids were napping when we spotted this church. Isabelle jumped out (and back in!) of our moving car to snap this picture. Now that’s dedication to capturing moments! 📸