Cursillo

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

• Candidate Application (2022)
• Staff Application (2023)
• Cursillo Policies (2022)
• Cursillo By-Laws (2022)
• Stages of Cursillo
• Flow of the Weekend
• Sponsor Guidelines

Cursillo 144 is dedicated to Mary, the mother of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Mary is a perfect example of what it is to be a willing servant who trusts God and obeys His call.

While alone one day, Mary found herself in the presence of the angel Gabriel. Although she was fearful and troubled, he explained to her that she was highly favored by God and was chosen to be the mother of our Messiah. Mary was young, poor, and female - qualities that made her unsuitable in the eyes of her people to be used mightily by God. But God saw Mary's heart and knew she was a woman of integrity, trust, and obedience. He knew she would willingly serve Him in one of the most important callings ever given. Although she could not comprehend how she would conceive the Savior, she responded to God with humble belief and obedience. In fact, her response was, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said!"

Mary's submission to God's plan would cost her dearly, yet she was willing to be God's servant. God knew she was a woman of rare strength. She was the one person to be with Jesus throughout his entire life: from birth until death. She delivered Jesus as a tiny infant and watched Him die as our Savior.

God looks at our obedience and trust - not typically qualifications that we consider to be important. God will often choose the most unlikely candidates to serve Him.

Mary was willing to submit her life to God's plan no matter what it would cost her. Obedience to the Lord's will meant Mary would be disgraced as an unwed mother. Surely, she expected Joseph to divorce her, or worse yet, he might even have her put to death by stoning (as was permitted by law)

Mary may not have considered the full extent of her future suffering; she may not have imagined the pain of watching her beloved child bear the weight of sin and die a terrible death on the cross. But surely, somehow, she knew her life would hold many sacrifices as the mother of the Messiah.

Being chosen by God for high calling requires total commitment and a willingness to sacrifice everything out of love and devotion to our Savior.

I covet your prayers for Cursillo 144! I hope we’ll all consider these reflective questions:

Am I like Mary, willing to accept God's plan no matter the cost?

Can I go a step further and rejoice in that plan as Mary did, knowing full well that it will cost me dearly?

Cheri Beesburg, Lay Rector, EDUSC Cursillo 144

Lay Rector

Cheri Beesburg, St Francis of Assisi, Chapin

Observing Lay Rector

Duvy Spruill, St. John’s, Columbia

Chas

Janet Jendron, St. Paul’s, Fort Mill

Adam Dougherty, Trinity

Grace Keller, St. Matthews, Spartanburg

Karen Ingram, St. Michael’s and All Angels, Columbia

Rebecca Rogan, St. Thaddeus, Aiken

Table Leaders

David Rutledge, St. Matthews, Spartanburg

Janice Bryan, St. Francis of Assisi, Chapin

Ellison Weist, St Thaddeus, Aiken

Bill Borellis, St. Paul’s, Fort Mill

Musicians

Marilyn Becker, St Francis of Assisi, Chapin

Tommy Caldwell, St. Thaddeus, Aiken

Jim Jordan, St. Thaddeus, Aiken

Spiritual Directors

the Rev. Phil Purser, St. Francis of Assisi, Chapin (retired)

the Rev. Jill Williams, St. Simon, St Jude, Irmo

the Rev. Amanda Robertson, Good Shepherd, York

EDUSC Cursillo 144 Candidates (to date)

Gail Anastasion, Trinity, Columbia

Sponsor: Emery Clark

Kim Barnhill, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs

Sponsor: Grace Keller

Terry Dennis, St. Thaddeus, Aiken

Sponsor: Rebecca Rogan

Dewey Michelin, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs

Sponsor: Grace Keller

Karen Michelin, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs

Sponsor: Grace Keller

Cynde Payne, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs

Sponsor: Stanley Payne

David Rodrick+, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs

Sponsor: Scott Collins

Carole Rowell, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs

Sponsor: Grace Keller

Pam Steude, St. Francis of Assisi, Chapin

Sponsor: Cheri Beesburg

Kent Weymouth, St. Paul’s Fort Mill

Sponsor: Janet Jendron

Sally Weymouth, St. Paul’s Fort Mill

Sponsor: Janet Jendron