Cursillo

Cursillo 142 is dedicated to the concept of God’s peace. Peace carries two primary connotations. One Peace refers to an agreed settlement between warring or conflicting parties. Peace is also used to define a mental and emotional state of comfort, well-being, and joy.

One may think of the first in terms of man’s peace. Man (in this context man refers to mankind, human beings collectively) has been in conflict since the beginning of time. Actually, this began when Cain killed his brother Able in the field. Throughout the Bible, into the Middle Ages, and into the present day, man is warring about, basically, control. In some cases, control of property, ideology, resources, and on and on. Resolution in man’s terms produces some form of the peace agreement. As horrific as historical accounts are, war must be attributed to man’s choice, somewhat like sin. Certainly, God’s choice would be for man to find peace with his neighbors, however, he has given us the gift to make that election.

To contemplate the comfortable, joyous, Peace (God’s Peace), from the Biblical perspective, one may recall the words at the end of each worship service “the Peace of the Lord, which passeth all understanding.” It’s a challenge to elaborate something that “passeth all understanding.”

God’s Peace may be more easily seen or represented than defined. Primary examples of those living with God’s Peace are our clergy. They exude a quiet sense of confidence in each situation with the knowledge of Christ. (Hebrews: “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus Christ”). The clergy have been schooled in Seminary then polished by dealing with the joys and sorrows of congregations. Their commitment is total and absolute. Daily actions bring them closer to God and, therefore Peace.

As well, many in our midst experience and live in God’s Peace. This is evidenced by their demeanor: talk to them and realize most spend a great deal of their day giving time and energy to others. Is this not Jesus' message throughout the New Testament? By giving to others, one accomplishes, not for themselves but for their fellow man. These acts draw us closer to God and, therefore, Peace. As with other blessings, Peace does not come effortlessly, but with dedication.

Interestingly, there are hundreds of accounts of near-death experiences during which one is transformed to Heaven then is allowed to return to earth. Most involve a time spent with God or Jesus. Accounts are very similar. A common thread seems to be an exceptional level of Peace and comfort upon return to this life. I have visited with someone that attended a seminar featuring Dr. Eben Alexander (near-death experience). According to the attendee, the most significant aspect of the presentation was Dr. Alexander’s sense of calm and Peace. This is not unusual but commonplace for those experiences. They have seen the Peace of the Lord and have no worries or concerns about the future. There is no element of doubt or question about the presence, joy, and Peace of the Lord.

In every worship service, prior to the Holy Communion, the Celebrant offers “the Peace of the Lord be always with you”: the response “and also with you”. At this point each turns to fellow parishioners, offering a salutation for God’s Peace. We are giving and receiving a brief prayer to experience God’s Peace which, although “passeth all understanding” is a wonderful gift that should be experienced by all of us.

During Cursillo 142 there will be several services. At the point of the Peace, consider the significance of your words to your neighbors and, in turn, consider their return. May our three days together focus on many topics. Hopefully, a deeper understanding of Peace will be one of many that impact all of us.

It is my prayer that all of us will participate in passing the Peace with a renewed sense of focus on God’s Peace, and experience it, now and forever.

Dinks DuPree
Cursillo 142 Lay Rector

Lay Rector
Dinks DuPree, Christ Church, Greenville

Spiritual Directors
Mike Flanagan+, Holy Cross, Simpsonville - Head
Lathrop Mosley+, St. James, Greenville
Mary Balfour Dunlap+, Resurrection, Greenwood

Musicians
Tommy Caldwell, St. Thaddeus, Aiken - Head
Sharon Landis, Christ Church, Greenville
Beatrice Hernandez, Holy Cross, Simpsonville

Chas
Janet Jendron, St. Paul's, Fort Mill - Head
David Busch, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Aiken
Marilyn Busch, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Aiken
Cheri Beesburg, St. Francis Of Assisi, Chapin
Bill Borellis, St. Paul's, Fort Mill

Table Leaders
Carol DuBose, Trinity Cathedral, Columbia
Kaye Curtis, Christ Church, Greenville
Duvy Spruill, St. John’s, Columbia
Steve Senf, St. Alban’s, Lexington
Linda TIllotson, St. David's, Columbia

Who can attend?
Any Episcopalian, eighteen years of age or older, may attend a Cursillo. Episcopalian is defined as any baptized Christian and member in good standing, as defined by the parish priest, of any parish in the Diocese of Upper South Carolina. Cursillo is intended for laity and clergy who are curious, searching, discovering, growing.

What is the relationship of Cursillo to the Church?
Cursillo is a ministry within the church, under the direction of the Diocesan Bishop.

Are there Cursillo secrets?
You may have been told by someone who has attended the weekend that he or she cannot tell you what Cursillo is about, or what goes on during a Cursillo weekend. This is not correct. Everything that goes on during the weekend may be told to anyone. Cursillo literature is available to anyone who is interested. While there are no secrets, there are very pleasant surprises in every weekend.Talks and meditations are included in the Flow of the Weekend.

What happens on a weekend?
The three-day weekend brings together a group of Episcopalians to share the richness of worship and to broaden each one’s appreciation for the Church. Lay people conduct the weekend with two or three members of the clergy functioning as spiritual advisors. In the course of the weekend, a series of 15 talks are given with emphasis on the doctrine of Grace, the Sacraments, and the Cursillo Foundations: Piety, Study and Action. Table groups discuss and respond to the talks. The Eucharist is celebrated daily, and the Daily Offices are used. Some time is provided for prayer, confession, and spiritual direction. There is also fellowship, singing, good food, time for privacy, meditation and prayer.

How much does it cost?
The three-day weekend costs $200. Scholarships for Cursillo are usually available both from the Diocese and sometimes from parishes. For more information, contact your sponsor, rector, the Cursillo registrar or any member of the Cursillo Council.

What is a Cursillo sponsor?
Your sponsor is an invaluable support person before, during, and after your Cursillo experience. If you are interested in attending Cursillo and don't have a sponsor, contact your rector and he or she will help you find a sponsor.

How should a new person approach Cursillo?

• Be curious
• Be open to what happens in the now
• Be honest with yourself about where you are in your spiritual pilgrimage
• Be assured that Cursillo expects no specific response from you.
• Allow others to respond in their way and yourself to respond in your own way

The EDUSC Cursillo Council includes people from different convocations and parishes. The Council meets regularly, to ensure the health of the ministry, call Lay Rectors for upcoming weekends, make policy/guidelines decisions, and coordinate trainings for the diocese and in the region.

EDUSC Cursillo Council 2022

• Dawn Beaver, St. Alban’s, Lexington
• Cheri Beesburg, St. Francis of Assisi, Chapin
• Shannon Berley, St. Francis of Assisi, Chapin
• Lee Brewer, Holy Cross, Simpsonville
• Emery Clark, Trinity, Columbia
• Kaye Curtis, Christ Church, Greenville
• Mary Balfour Dunlap+, Resurrection, Greenville
• Sally Franklin, St. Paul's, Fort Mill
• Paula Greenway, St. Phillips, Greenville
• Dan Wagner+, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Aiken
• Janet Jendron, St. Paul's, Fort Mill
• Ernest Jenkins, Christ Church, Lancaster
• Richard Mark, St. Thaddeus, Aiken
• David Rutledge, St. Matthews, Spartanburg

We never want money to stand in the way of anyone's receiving the gifts that a Cursillo weekend provides. When we leave a weekend, we leave with better tools and a renewed heart for bringing Christ into our individual environments and our Church. Candidates will know that the weekend of growth is a gift from the Cursillo community in hopes that they will pass the gift on to others who are seeking a deeper walk with Christ and the tools needed to serve the world in his name.

We require a non-refundable registration fee of only $150 for each candidate. The rest of the candidate fees will be paid by donations to our Pay it Forward Fund. Ultreyas, Group Reunions and churches can also donate to the Cursillo Pay it Forward fund.

Scholarships funds will also be available to help staff members who serve on a weekend. These requests will continue to be handled individually, with help from parishes or through donations by Ultreyas, Group Reunions and churches.