The Cursillo movement is one method of renewal in the Church. Its purpose is to help those in the Church understand their individual callings go be Christian leaders. This leadership may be exercised in work situations, in the family and social life, in leisure activities, and within the Church.
What is the goal of Cursillo?
The goal of Cursillo is the goal of the Church: to bring all to Christ. This is done when informed, trained leaders set out with the support of others having a similar commitment.
What does Cursillo do?
- Provides basic training for leadership in mission. When mission is understood as the total authentic activity of the Church (prayer, study, action), then Cursillo helps prepare us to do those tasks and to take the initiative.
- Helps to renew Christian commitment. Cursillo is one among many renewal movements. Many people have said that the Cursillo weekend provides an important learning experience which supplements those lessons learned years ago in catechism or confirmation class.
What is the Cursillo method?
There are three parts:
- Identifying leaders or potential leaders who can be a Christian influence in their environments.
- The three-day Cursillo weekend.
- The follow-up support system which focuses attention on Christian action. This third part, often called the “Fourth Day”, is the most important.
In the first part of the Cursillo method, those who have attended a three-day weekend seek out potential Christian leaders, encourage them to consider the goals and method of Cursillo, and act as their sponsors in the movement.
… and the second part …
Away from the everyday pressures of their lives, participants in a three-day Cursillo weekend form a Christian community, learning, praying, sharing, singing, and living together. A team of laypersons and clergy presents a series of talks covering the basics of Christianity and centering on prayer, study and action. During this time apart, the participants also learn about the two-part support system for Christian leaders.
… and the third part:
After their Cursillo weekend, each person is encouraged to live the life of grace through the support of:
- Group reunion – frequent small group meetings with a few friends for mutual encouragement and support in the life of grace.
- Ultreya – area meetings with others who have participated in a weekend or who might be interested in doing that. Here they can share, worship, and learn, so that the Church and their own faith may be built up.
Any committed Christian can participate in group reunion and Ultreya, regardless of whether they have attended a three-day weekend. All are welcome!
All baptized Christians are also welcome to participate in our Cursillo weekends. They should be aware, however, that the worship services held during the weekend are according to the Episcopal liturgy, and some of the talks pertain to sacramental belief and practice that is not necessarily shared by other denominations.
The core leadership of the Weekend team must be baptized members of the Episcopal Church.. This is because Cursillo is a movement of the church, under the authority of our diocesan bishop. It is not an independent organization. It is important to us to maintain this identity and relationship.
What is expected of participants?
- A commitment to work toward transforming environments with the Gospel of Christ
- A commitment to find support in that endeavor (and support others) through regular group reunion and Ultreya.
- Openness about the Cursillo method. There are no secrets about Cursillo. It is not an exclusive group, organization or clique.
For more information about Episcopal Cursillo in this diocese, contact our lay director:
Rich Basta, 509-599-3467
Or write to us at the diocesan office:
Inland Northwest Episcopal Cursillo
Episcopal Diocese of Spokane
245 E. 13th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99202
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