South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge

" Someday We'll Find the Promised Land"

When we hear about the " Promised Land ", and entering that land across the Jordan, the land of milk and honey, a place to lay our burdens down, a place where the eternal realm of God is the norm, a place where the saints dwell forever, and so on. So, we most often think of it metaphorically, often, and simply put, a metaphor for dying and rising again.

As we study and learn from the book of Joshua we engage in the story of God's people, under Joshua's leadership entering into the promised land. A very real "promised land" to them. The place where this second generation of Exodus people were so looking forward to living in right now....... in their present. The promised land was indeed a place that flowed with milk and honey. It was to be a place where the people would know true freedom and could not only cry out "Free at last-- Free at last", but also, " At home at last ". At home, yes at home where God had promised to lead them, in the place which God had promised to give them. This rich and abundant land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob---and to their children--the place from which Joseph went down to Egypt and the place that Moses spoke of when he led the people out of bondage some 400 years later.

The promised land was--- and is--- a real place--- located in our space, and our time. Just as the people of Israel longed for it and dreamed of it--- so do we.... I like to believe that all of us long for this kind of land, this kind of place, and this kind of life--- where our enemies are overcome by God's love and God's ways, where our needs are met with abundance, where the fear of the wilderness in which we wander is replaced by joy and where we can celebrate life and live freely and feel fully alive and whole.

Blessed are we for God wants to lead us to this place and then show us how to enter. Why is it so difficult, then, for the world to find its way there. What is blocking us and stopping us from crossing that river into God's promised land. In the story from Joshua we learn that the river was flooding, turbulent, dangerous and seemed impassible. It took great faith for them to be willing to step in as they were encouraged to do. And when they did commit and put foot in water. something miraculous happened.........

" yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water's edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing down to the Sea of Arabah was completely cut off. So, the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all of Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground." (Joshua 3: 15b - 17).

Yes, it was a difficult journey for them. Yes, it was a difficult and challenging decision for them to step into those raging waters and have the faith that God would make it safe and ok. In our life and time, we often find ourselves sfacing similar tests. If we want to experience the "Promised Land" in our hearts, souls, and communally it will take similar great faith that our ancestors have taught us. This is a story of how God acts through the trust of people, and what can be done when we affirm God's presence in our lives. Can we as church today take the same plunge as we process through conversations around identity, purpose, and call that are connected to our sustainability and our future as the South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge? Some of the conversations that lie ahead may be difficult. Some will be empowering as well, as we examine ourselves and our mission here in the fall of 2025, as we come back to our regular routines and meetings. One thing we can be certain about is that God is beckoning us to the promised land and inviting us with our rich history and tradition to imagine and envision what this new promised land, this new thing will be, remembering Isaiah's proclamation: "Behold, I am doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?"

What new thing is God calling us to friends?

Wishing you blessings abundant. PT

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

COURTLAND UNITED CHURCH: Located at 133 Talbot Street, Courtland, Ontario WORSHIPS on SUNDAYS AT 10:30am

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.

**** FOR ALL PASTORAL EMERGENCIES PASTOR TED can be reached at 519-861-9273 ****

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

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK

https://www.facebook.com/pages/South-West-Norfolk-Pastoral-Charge/1607350796216192?sk=timeline

We have been asked & now offer 3 Easy ways to receive your Tithes & Offerings.....

~First, let us say that we are grateful and appreciative for all your continued support!~

We want to be sure we can give you a tax receipt for your generous donation.

Help us out by providing the necessary information:

NAME
ADDRESS: Street / P.O. Box
City
Postal Code
BE SURE TO MEMO WHICH CHURCH: *COURTLAND UNITED or *CULTUS UNITED

1) ETRANSFER DONATIONS TO: swnpc@yahoo.ca (PLEASE remember to attach the above necessary info within message)

2) CHEQUES MAIL TO: South West Norfolk Pastoral Charge, P.O.Box 129, 119 Talbot Road, Courtland, On., N0J1E0 ***PLEASE MAKE CHEQUE PAYABLE TO YOUR CHURCH OF CHOICE: CULTUS UNITED or COURTLAND UNITED****

3) PAR PROGRAM: Please contact ED LUKOSIUS 519-983-4863 for CULTUS United Church

Please contact LOIS BEUMER 519-582-1906 for COURTLAND United Church