2016 Work
shops were at Morpeth in January & Singleton in March. 
Our Workshop at Morpeth was attended by a very supportive team and group of participants, in total 21 persons, made it a very encouraging time. Great singing and music; Lunching together created good fellowship. Four groups of five people discussed and brainstormed the topics, which the newest members especially found helpful. “We got some great info today”
THE PROGRAMME: It’s part of “Continuing the Journey” Workshop. We need to focus on Group Reunion, Ultreya, Spiritual Direction, Commitment to a Rule of Life & Sponsoring;
Topics such as : Parish Contacts; Servant Community were touched on. “What an awesome day!” PERCEPTIONS OF CURSILLO were discussed: What are the present negative perceptions and how might we tackle them, produced lists from the groups, including:
| Some Negatives
Only some parish priests consider us a valuable parish ministry; lack of knowledge and information; Concern of lay leadership; Danger of holy huddles, secretiveness, dismissal as happy clappers, just a lovely weekend; sponsoring without prayer or proper reference; busy lifestyles; confusing rainbows with gay movement, not displaying God’s rainbow colours; people may feel out of comfort zones; financial outlay – this is being addressed; communication difficulties;
|
Tackling them
In parishes we must ask that Cursillo be acknowledged as a ministry in returns/web/AGM; Explain what Cursillo can do for parish enthusiasm, & wider diocesan connections; present/post information to individual clergy; AGM/Synod/clergy school/reports to Deaneries; responsible sponsoring; pray, pray, pray; accept God’s timing; “We are Cursillo. Our rainbows represent all the colours of God’s love” “What is Cursillo”, Ultreya notices, walk the talk; Making friends, bring gently at right time; Use website/s, The Encourager, phoning |
Our Workshop at Singleton in March was different… SERVANT COMMUNITY – THE DRIVING FORCE/ THE ENGINE
Singleton Workshop was another tremendous day with kind weather, kind hosts, keen team and keen members. To quote one, they felt it was probably even better than the last: “an uplifting and renewing experience”.
Secretariat has perceived a lack of familiarity with the important role of Servant Community. The Workshop reinforced PreCursillo and PostCursillo in the Cursillo Method of sponsoring, Group Reunion, and Ultreya, which led into a ‘Servant Community’ Question Time. The afternoon session answered such questions as:
What is Servant Community? What is its purpose? Where does it fit into the bigger picture of Cursillo? Who were the first Servant Community? Why isn’t there a Servant Community in our Deanery and how do we start one? Who do you approach to become part of it, or do you have to be invited? Is a Servant Community just a ‘service club? How long does someone remain a member? How often does it meet? Can you be part of a Servant Community if your rector does not want it?
The Anglican Cursillo Movement of Australia Manual, Newcastle Cursillo Guidelines, members of existing Servant Communities and experienced members/Secretariat were the source of the information.
As well as the group work, floating Group Reunion, morning Worship and evening Meditation with Rev Barb, we had great times of catching up with feet under the table together. This augers well for some embryonic work on reviving Servant Communities around the Diocese.
Great offers of sharing information and practical applications are available from the Deanery Contacts and from Deanery Contact liaison/secretaries of working Servant Communities: Newcastle: Revd Chris Bullock/Jim Warland Lake Macquarie: Brian Taylor/Doug Roberts Central Coast: Noeline Darcy/Bruce Fraser Manning: Billie Baillie/ – Paterson: Revd Colvin Ford/ – Maitland: – Upper Hunter: Tony Farmer/ –