DeColores, Y all! T H E N E W S L E T T E R F O R M I S S I S S I P P I C U R S I L L O S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 A Message from our Chairman De Colores, U P COM ING D A T ES: M A Y 2 S T A F F T R A I N I N G 2 M A Y 14-17 C U R S I L L O 1 2 8 J U N E 6 F O U R T H D A Y S E P T 2 4-27 C U R S I L L O 1 2 9 Recently I was asked, As the New Chairman for Cursillo in MS, what is your vision for the movement? Well, my immediate response was, Keep Cursillo moving and growing. My mind wandered back to when I attended Cursillo #76 and the fond memories of that weekend. It was such a powerful weekend for me in my spiritual journey that I have continued to stay active in the movement and still make grouping a part of my life. I can honestly say that Cursillo, my group members, and the St. Philip s Ultreya have been my life blood through some difficult life journeys. My vision, my prayer, and my hope are to have Cursillo continue to be that very same thing for everyone who attends a Cursillo weekend. Is that doable? Yes, with God s help and yours! Please share your time and talents. Talk to people about Cursillo. Rekindle your fire by sharing it with others. Serve on staff. That is one of the best ways to recharge your batteries. If you feel you can no longer assist by serving on a weekend staff, consider assisting at a 4 th day workshop. Please know that Cursillo has no age limit or shortage of things you can do. There is always the joy of sending palanca for a weekend and attending a Clausura. We usually have the Big House booked so that anyone from out of town can come and stay Saturday night enjoying the fellowship of fellow Cursillistas. This makes it easier to attend wakeup and Clausura (with time for a nap in between). And, if none of these fit your current lifestyle, consider contributing financially so we can keep our weekend fees at our current rates. Tell us about your upcoming Ultreya events.. Deadline for next newsletter is Aug 1. Send information to elizabethjbush@yahoo.com My vision can become a reality if my prayer can be answered: May God take your minds and think through them. May God take your lips and speak through them. May God take your hands and work through them. May God take your hearts and set them on fire! Ultreya! Julie Goforth
P A G E 2 A Message from our Cursillo Treasurer Think back to your Cursillo experience. What do you most remember? What was it about that powerful weekend that has led you to want others to have this experience? You may wonder how you can help bring Cursillo to others, and in response to that, I would encourage you to consider ways to offer financial support to Cursillo. Each weekend retreat costs Cursillo of Mississippi nearly $100 per participant over the registration fee, and about $125 per staff member. These costs can be defrayed by payment of dues as well as financial donations of any amount. Please contact your Ultreya Rector regarding dues. If your parish does not have an active Ultreya, you are invited to mail your dues directly to the Cursillo address. You can find us under Mississippi Cursillo. The Secretariat is doing all we can to implement creative strategies to control costs, but the support of our community is vital to the growth and sustainability of Cursillo. I would encourage you to consider offering financial support to Cursillo. Your gift may be mailed to the following address: Cursillo in Mississippi P.O. Box 16834 Jackson, MS 39326-0834 Alison Duncan, St. James As we are well aware, prayers are a vital part of the Cursillo movement. Here are dates of Cursillo weekends occurring in other dioceses. Please add them to your prayer list. April 30-May 3: Dioceses of Arizona, Oregon, San Francisco Men May 14-17: Dioceses of Mississippi and San Francisco Women May 21-24: May 28-31: June 11-14: July 9-12: July 23-26: August 6-9: Diocese Hawaii Diocese Southeast Florida Women Dioceses of Texas and Oregon Diocese of Upper South Carolina Diocese of South Carolina Diocese of Texas August 27-30: Diocese of Colorado D E C O L O R E S, Y A L L!
P A G E 3 Through the Eyes of A Cursillista What have I agreed to do? I thought as my sponsor turned onto the road leading to Gray Center, located just outside of Canton, MS. I became even more anxious when, as we turned into the driveway of the center, people met us at the gate to welcome me. As a former conservative Southern Baptist, all of the happy people led me to instantly remind myself to make sure I stayed away from the Kool-Aid. At the beginning of the weekend upon which I was about to embark, I had no idea I would return changed forever. As you read my above statements, you probably wonder what this weekend was. It was my Episcopal Cursillo #127. As an avid traveler, I have been many places. In these places, I have often seen God in a particular person or place, experienced His wonder through some unexpected action and left knowing a small part of me was forever new. However, these words have rung none so true as the weekend of Cursillo #127. The shy part of me wanted to remain in my room with the door closed. However, God made sure that didn t happen. He placed in my path staff members who encouraged and led me from one step in the weekend to the other. Strangers became life-long friends and personal siblings in Christ. Faith became a new experience that I never knew could exist. God became a new being-more than just a father. His presence came down and met me on the ground. Among the greatest moments was when my fellow Cursillo pilgrims encouraged me in one area or another and, in return, later on, I was provided the opportunity to encourage the same people. The instruction in how to maintain a life of Christian responsibility taught me giving up at a spiritual level, or any other level, is unacceptable. However, unlike in my past experiences, the lessons were not presented through chastising. They were fun, humorous and delivered with some of the most fervent Christian love I imagine to be humanly possible. The moments spent with the others in worship and song truly made me feel as if this new group of people was meant precisely for me; a new family was formed. As the weekend came to a close, my heart was heavy because I had to leave but I was more on fire and excited to be a difference of shining light in the world than ever before. Now, nearly 6 months later, that fire and desire to change the world are still at the core of my heart. As promised, my Cursillo group has remained in constant contact. The weekend proved one thing, if nothing else, to me-if one makes one s self an open vessel for Christ, He will make each new and work in ways beyond imagination. If you are considering attending Cursillo, I encourage you to do so! If you have not reached the point in your spiritual walk, please prayerfully ask for God s guidance. I assure you there are few moments in life when every part of you will be as changed and renewed. I may even see you when I m on staff! The Cursillo weekend dates for 2015 are May 14-17 and September 24-27. For more information concerning Cursillo please go to our website at www.cursillo.dioms.org Christopher Alexander; Mediator, Meridan Hear what are people are taking away from a Cursillo Weekend.
Seated on ground left to right: Mike Cranford, Walton Jones, Douglas Kennedy, Kerri Williams, Michelle Stallworth, Ken Ruckstuhl, Bonnie Sessions, Katy Pacelli, Webb Morgan Seated on chairs left to right: Jennet Lacy, Adam Gwin, Tina Abernathy, Shirley Treppendahl, Jim Wheeler, Mike Chew, Molly Chew, Eileen Duckworth, Dorie Culumber, Lana Jordan, Asem Zeini, Glenda Black Standing left to right: Jim Carrington, Bruce Scarborough, Corky Williams, Brenda Buck, Terry Armstrong, Chris Alexander, Dave Benway, Frank Holifield, Marilyn Swingle, Edward O Conner, Bea Jacquet, Carol Simmons, Jane Ross, Pati Herndon, Lynn Ronaldi, Jenny Newman, Greg Cooper Cursillo 128 is scheduled for May 14-17, and a great team has been assembled. Please pray for the staff of this weekend and the pilgrims who will come. Also pray about sponsoring someone for this weekend. Last day to register for the weekend is May 3. Sponsor forms can be found on our website, www.cursillo.dioms.org Rector: Greg Cooper Head Cha Cha: Webb Morgan Observing Rector: Katharine Surkin Observing Head Cha Cha: Alison Duncan Music Director Jane Ross Spiritual Directors: The Rev. Carol Mead The Rev. Deacon Pam Rhea The Rev. Deacon Josie Williams Rollistas: Christopher Alexander, Ideals; Tom Welch, Laity; Ann Homer Cook, Piety; Gretchen Grimsley, Action; Barbara Hammer, Leaders; Nick Nichols, Evangelization; Foley Ranson, Christian Community; Greg Cooper, Group Reunion; Katharine Surkin, Ultreya Cha Chas: Janet Trimm, Rollo Room; Andrew Bird, Beverage; Change Morgan, Kitchen; Lori Mitchell, Kitchen; Richard Thomas, Chapel; Elizabeth Bush, Chapel; Shannon Bell, Palanca; Theo Williams, Palanca; Susan Siddall, Placemat
I first met Greg, the coolest kid ever, when I was a participant going through Cursillo #124, and he was the Rollo Room Cha Cha. I knew he was a pretty cool guy, and I was thrilled when he asked me to be his Head Cha Cha for Cursillo #128! Greg was born in Vicksburg and grew up in the Episcopal Church at Holy Trinity. He attended Hinds Community College as well as the University of Southern Mississippi for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. Greg has lived in Kosciusko for over ten years and is currently remodeling his home. He recently decided to make a career change and is currently exploring his options for a new career. He s an active member of St. Matthew s in Kosciusko where he is currently serving on the vestry. He has previously served as Senior Warden and Junior Warden, and has been active on the altar guild as well as with children s ministries. Greg has a passion for working with young people both in his parish and in the community. He has coached the high school girls soccer team and has been active in other sports related activities as well. He also enjoys fishing, hunting, and golf. Plus, Greg is the proud owner of three pets- an elderly Lab and two rescue dogs. All pretty cool, right? One of the best things about being Head Cha Cha, so far, has been the opportunity to work with Greg. I can now count him as a good friend, and I have every confidence that he will make Cursillo #128 the best it can be. He has assembled a great staff, and I hope you ll prayerfully consider sponsoring someone for the weekend! Webb Morgan Head Cha Cha, Cursillo #128 Have you always wanted to come up for Wake Up on Sunday morning of Cursillo but found it too hard to get there that early. Well we have the answer for you. Come stay at the Big house on Saturday night. Cost is $25 per person. It is a great chance to meet new Cursillistas and reconnect with old friends. To sign up for a bed, please contact Kimberly Lassiter at chippercamper@yahoo.com
Praying is the best form of Palanca. When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked the disciples to stay and pray with him. This is what the staff of Cursillo 128 is asking of you, to stay and pray with them. I remember when I attended Cursillo 117 and saw that people were praying for me over the entire weekend, it meant the world to me. It amazed me to see so many names on the list and I will always be thankful to those who took 30 min out of their day to pray for the staff and participants of 117. Let us continue to fill the prayer chain, so others can feel the love that I felt. We are trying a new way to sign up for the prayer chain. Please go to the following link to sign up for a 30 minute time slot. You are welcome to sign up for more than one slot if you like, but please remember we need people to cover late at night and early morning. http://vols.pt/9nvcmt Elizabeth Bush, St. Andrew s Mississippi Cursillo s Secretariat Position Name Email Chairman Julie Goforth Julie.goforth@ergon.com Vice Chairman Treasurer Alison Duncan alisonkduncan@gmail.com Secretary Kimberly Lassiter chippercamper@yahoo.com 3 Day Weekend Rep Garrett Wallace gawallace8290@outlook.com Registrar/Pre Cursillo Rep Katharine Surkin kmsurkin@comcast.net 4th Day Rep Spiritual Director The Rev. Sam Godfrey sambgodfrey@hotmail.com Spiritual Director The Rev. Mary Berry maryberryrev@gmail.com