CANADA—After sunset on December 10, Philadelphia Church of God brethren from the Milton, Ontario congregation donned their toques and made their way out onto the ice for an evening of curling.

The sport of curling itself has its roots in Scotland, as far back as the mid 1500’s, when it was played on frozen lochs and ponds. With the goal of scoring points by getting stones closer to the “button” than the other team’s stones, the game offers a challenge both physically and strategically. “Brooms” are used to smooth out the ice in front of moving stones to help them maintain the momentum needed to either reach their destination, or to knock another stone out of play.

As the players braved the cold, members spectating from the heated gallery above conversed with each other and cheered on the participants through the glass.