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Flin Flon, Man.
Congregations share border, pastors


Flin Flon (Man.) Mennonite Brethren Church and Northern Fellowship Chapel, an Evangelical Mennonite Conference church in Creighton, Sask., not only share a provincial border, but also pastors in an arrangement that hopes to strengthen both congregations.

The two northern communities, located near the Saskatchewan-Manitoba boundary, are within driving minutes of each other. Flin Flon is located 876 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

The partnership was celebrated Sunday, January 7, 2001 with a progressive service. The service began at Northern Fellowship Chapel at 10 a.m. and then continued at the MB church for the second part after participants drove to Flin Flon.

(back, left to right) Steve Davies, Eckart Buhlmann, David Thiessen, Deb Odegaard; (front), Lead Pastor Dale Warkentin, Associate Pastor Lorne Moorhead and Youth Pastor Peter Dueck.

The Creighton service drew the attention of at least one neighbour, who wondered why so many people and cars had gathered at the Chapel.

A puppet show that helped explain the significance of the day’s events to both children and adults continued in Flin Flon. Janice Imrie wrote the script; Kevin Imrie and Janell Melenchuk animated the puppets.

Dale Warkentin, pastor of Flin Flon MB Church, encouraged the congregations to pray, volunteer and show hospitality. Ray Klassen, director of church extension for the Manitoba MB Conference, conveyed greetings, encouragement and support through a letter.

Members of the pastoral team for the congregations are: Dale Warkentin, lead pastor; Peter Dueck, youth pastor, who is a student in the internship program at Bethany Bible Institute, Hepburn, Sask.; and Lorne Moorhead, minister of pastoral care.

The service concluded with a prayer of dedication for the pastoral team. Dave Thiessen and Deb Odegaard represented Northern Fellowship Chapel, and Steve Davies and Eckart Buhlmann represented Flin Flon MB Church.

Odegaard expressed relief and joy over the fact that Northern Fellowship Chapel, which has been without a pastor for several years, now has three.

A fellowship dinner followed the service.

 – Flin Flon MB Church

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Last modified July 5, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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