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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

November 2003

 

 

 

 

 

Christianity is alive and well in the Anglican Church!

by Wes James

 

 

Such was the discovery of one person upon experiencing the faith-restoring, faith-building and faith-affirming service to our church that Cursillo aims to provide.

The Welcome Day held at St Marks, Deloraine on Saturday 13th September was primarily intended to welcome new Cursillistas from Men's and Women's 13, but, as always, the joyful reunion of so many friends from numerous earlier Cursillo weekends resulted in a rich fellowship experience for all present.

Heather Turner of The Servant Community capably led this day of teaching, fellowship, much happy singing and, not least, tasting of traditional Cursillo food.

Alice Cordell, Media Liaison Officer, outlined the role of the Secretariat, revealing how so much support can be given to Cursillo teams. Cursillo is a mutually supportive community and the numerous coordinators who make up the Secretariat work hard to bring this ideal to fruition.

The Rev. Ian Harvey encouraged us with a meditation based on I was a stranger and you took me in, drawing upon his Missions to Seamen experiences (not his business dealings!) to remind us that Jesus himself was a stranger but came to serve others. We all felt that through Cursillo we can encourage those who feel alone in their faith and help them to find a warm and supportive fellowship.

Heather spoke of the Servant Community, reminding us that the journey begins in earnest on the fourth day. Phil Turner followed with an analysis of the purpose of Cursillo, which is about personal renewal, the creation of core groups to leaven their environments and ultimately, the glorious hope of church revival. Brian Hazelwood added to the smorgasbord of spiritual food by outlining how Cursillo is for life, sustained by the concept of group reunion.

Sally Lees stressed the function and importance of Palanca as a deep expression of the loving and caring culture of the Cursillo family. Marian Kitchen spoke of the importance of the family gathering Ultreya.

After group discussions reflecting on all of this, the Rev. Bill Percy presented guidelines governing sponsorship of future candidates. The first is the need to speak to God about people before speaking to people about God. Bill's inimitable graciousness in this gave us an inkling as to why he earned the nickname 'Sweet William' as spiritual adviser and the only male at Women's 13.

All of us, whether new or experienced Cursillistas, left for home much better informed, enriched in our faith and more determined than ever to bless our home congregations by living out the ideals of Cursillo within them.