The 4th Day First

In Spain, Cursillo started as a 4th day community.

Young Christian men got together to talk about how they would change the places they lived and worked day by day.

Three day weekends started later.

When Cursillo came to the U.S. through the Catholic Church, it started as a weekend.  And at times, we put the Weekend as the life-changing event.  But really, it's just a set of Christian "jumper cables", used to repurpose and refocus our hearts, minds, souls and bodies.  After we're jump-started, how do we keep going?

We strive for a disciplined and purposeful 4th day.

-Rule of Life:
When we commit to a Rule of Life - if we are not disciplined in our focus on God and His purpose we often stray.

-Weekly Reunion:
This regular meeting among friends to talk about the Rule of Life (Piety, Study, Action)  allows us to share our journey in this secular world while we try to be Holy.  Although we are smart, courageous, and filled with the Spirit, we can't do it alone.  Christ knows that we must work as a community to fulfill His purpose.

-Ultreya:
Ever tried to grill a steak with with just one charcoal briquet?  Regular Ultreya's serve to recharge our batteries, or using the BBQ metaphor, we glow more brightly after Ultreya.  Why?  We share with the larger Christian community.  We hear how others meet the challenges of our daily life.  By just showing up, we encourage each other to keep going forward - Ultreya!

-Spiritual Direction:
Having a objective coach to help guide your Piety, Study, and Action is a great way to help us hit the Home Run in our spiritual lives as we work to change our lives and environments.

Our 4th day is there to help us make a friend, be a friend and bring a friend to Christ (not bring a friend to Cursillo).  The Weekend is just a tool in God's toolbox to bring the world to His purpose, not an end unto itself.

-John

Helloooo Phoenix!

The cat managed not to freeload a trip, and I didn't forget my toothbrush.


I'm here with 5-minutes to spare (so typical) and all I have to do is find where the ECLW is meeting.

BTW, what IS an ECLW?  Why no Spanish phrase like:
"Pequeño curso de Cursillos de Cristiandad"?

What is an ECLW?

Short answer:
ECLW = Episcopal Cursillo Leaders Workshop

Longer answer:
According to the 2011 Conference Brochure (paraphrased a bit...)

• To clarify the purpose and method of the Cursillo Movement.
• To provide a background on the intent of the founders.
• To give people involved in Cursillo a clearer understanding of their roles.
• To learn about the tools available to make Cursillo an effective instrument in the work of the Church.
• To strengthen Diocesan Cursillo Movements and make them more effective.
• To deepen our commitment to Christ

Sort of like a Cursillo weekend, you could think of it as one long talk divided into, in this case, 11 Rollos, over all day Thursday, and a couple hours on Friday.  At this point, we've finished day one.

The presenters are (alphabetical order):

• Ted Ederer <Kirkland Washington, Western District>
• Nina-Jo Moore (ECLW Coordinator) <North Carolina, Southeast Dist.) 
• Rev. David Pike  <Lansing, MI, Northcentral>
• Rev. Rick Simpson <Long Island, NY, Northeast>
• Rachel Swaney <Independence, MO, Southcentral>

Here is a very brief overview of one of the first talks and it's message.  Check back to this blog and I will outline the other talks

Cursillo and the mission of the Episcopal Church (The Very Reverend Rick Simpson)

Cursillo is NOT an end to itself!  It is NOT about us.  Cursillo is a continual rehearsal of living the Christian life.  When we forget that mission on our Weekends, the mission of the Church is lost.  The Episcopal Cursillo empowers and equips leaders for the Episcopal Church.  The mission of the Church is to restore all people in unity with God and with each other in Jesus Christ.  The mission of the Cursillo movement is to work with the Holy Spirit to help the Church fulfill its work.  The Cursillo movement works with the Church to fulfill it's mission - we do not have a separate agenda.  

How do we keep to the mission?  Know the mission, Read the Cursillo Library.  Keep it simple.  Focus on the mission, not the little stuff.  And of course, Cursillo is not about the Weekend, it's about the 4th day.  The 4th day must be first, otherwise the Cursillo Movement will flounder and most importantly, not further the mission of the Church.

What should I take?

No, I'm not talking about suit versus dressy jacket, or toiletries and such.

I'm coming to the conference to learn and share.  I'm gathering with the most widespread community in my 4th day.  Cursillo Leaders coming from many different situations and ideas.

So, what should I take?

Of course the blessings and prayers from my Diocese.

The conference asks us to bring our Rosters, ok.

I can bring a list of questions from my Diocese.

Oh, and I can bring an open mind to absorb all that is put before me.

All I have to do now is make sure that the cat doesn't end up in my bag and I don't forget my toothbrush...

-John