South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge

South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge...We Are Linked In LOVE!!

CULTUS UNITED CHURCH: Located at  748-6th Concession Road ENR, Cultus, Ontario            WORSHIPS on Sundays at  9:00am        ALL SERVICES CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

COURTLAND UNITED CHURCH: Located at 133 Talbot Street, Courtland, Ontario                        WORSHIPS on SUNDAYS AT 10:30am     ALL SERVICES CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE      

Our Mission Statement:   The South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge is called to be a Christian community empowered and inspired by the Holy Spirit and to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.

CONTACT US:   EMAIL: swnpc@yahoo.ca                  Office Phone: 519-688-4050

OUR MAILING ADDRESS:       South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge, P.O.Box 129, 119 Talbot Road, Courtland, On., N0J1E0

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                                                                                                      Peace Sunday Reflections      

Diversity and Unity. What does it mean to us?

United Church of Canada

"Apology to First Nations Peoples (1986 )" 

“Long before my people journeyed to this land your people were here, and you received from your Elders an understanding of creation and of the Mystery that surrounds us all that was deep rich and treasured. We did not hear you when you shared your vision. In our zeal to tell you of the good news of Jesus Christ we were closed to the value of your spirituality. We confessed Western ways and culture with the depth and breadth and length and height of the gospel of Christ. We imposed our civilization as a condition for accepting the gospel. We tried to make you be like us and in so doing we helped to destroy the vision that made you what you were. As a result you, and we, are poorer and the image of the Creator in us is twisted, blurred, and we are not what we are meant by God to be. We ask you to forgive us and to walk together with us in the Spirit of Christ so that our peoples may be blessed and God’s creation healed.”

                                                                   (31st General Council, 1986) 

The treatment of children in our Indian Residential Schools is a sad chapter in our history. For more than a century, Indian Residential Schools separated over 150,000 Aboriginal children from their families and communities. Their objectives: to remove and isolate children from the influence of their homes, families, traditions and cultures, and to assimilate them into the ominant culture.

Their assumption: Aboriginal cultures and spiritual beliefs were inferior and unequal. Why, why, why, and how? How could something like this have happened. 

This is nothing new. Through out history we have seen actions like repeated again and again. It’s as simple as…… I’m right!   I’m right! ……What I believe in is right and you are wrong. How I live is right and you are wrong. How I interpret the bible is right and you are wrong. How I worship is right and you are wrong. The colour of my skin is not the same as yours…. But I am better than you are… I am right and you are wrong. 

These words, this type of dialogue makes me very uncomfortable.

How about you? These types of conversations reveal a disturbing intolerance for diversity and a multicultural, multi gifted world, where there is only one God. One God, for all people. It’s this constant struggle or tension, between our egos and the very core of our faith, that have gotten this world so messed up.

There is also an element of fear, that separates us from our faith and keeps the wheels of intolerance on the road, and gaining traction. How many wars have been fought where the flag of Christ was flown and carried in front of armies? (I am right and you are wrong). 

Today, I consider the amazing miracle story recorded in the three Synoptic Gospels of Jesus calming the storm.

                                                                               Jesus Calms the Storm

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” (Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)) 

He awoke, and said “ Be quiet! Be still !” Miraculously, the storm was gone. There was a calmness when the disciples realized the presence of Jesus with them the storm became calm…Once they knew he was there, fearless peace was in their hearts.         

To voyage with Jesus was to voyage in peace, even in a storm. I believe this is universally true. It is not something that happened once; it is something that still happens and can happen for us. This world we live in, with all our brothers and sisters around the globe is enduring great storms. Our relationship with our First Nations brothers and sisters has been very stormy and that’s why we take a look at it today. We seek healing and a better understanding of others, other cultures other faiths, other races. it doesn’t matter because we are all God’s beloved children. 

Different?... Yes. Diverse?… Yes, but that’s the richness of humanity, and we are called to be one, unified as God’s beloved. It’s about a willingness to listen to one another, accept one another, love one another. The disciples were amazed and terrified when Jesus calmed the storm. “ Who is this? They said; even the wind and the waves obey him” 

Jesus said… Be quiet, be still…Those disciples………They thought he was talking to the waves and the wind. Be quiet, be still. That’s how you will hear your Brother or your Sister tell their story. That’s the beginning of understanding.

Be quiet, be still. That’s how you’ll hear the still small voice of God welcoming us on to the road of peace. 

Blessings to all…                                                         PT.