Cursillo

Cursillo is a movement, a method and a ministry.

The key elements of the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry are relationship, evangelism, and reconciliation in the home, the parish, the community, and the world. Cursillo offers a time to experience living in a supportive Christian community though the Episcopal Cursillo Weekend, following a three-day schedule that begins on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday. The weekend includes fifteen talks, five meditations and a Eucharist every day. The Episcopal Cursillo Weekend isn't a retreat. It's an opportunity to gather with clergy and laity, seeking to strengthen our faith.

EDUSC Cursillo is guided and empowered by a national ministry, the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry.

#147 Candidates
to date - applications still being received

Jason Alert, Church of the Cross, Columbia
Sponsor: Wayne Kinyon+

Peter Bellows, Christ Church, Greenville
Sponsor: Charlie Henderson

Belinda Bellows, Christ Church, Greenville
Sponsor: Charlie Henderson

Mary Brabham, St. Alban's, Lexington
Sponsor: Gloria Talley

Hamp Brabham, St. Alban’s, Lexington
Sponsor: Gloria Talley

Vivianne Carey, St. Matthew's, Spartanburg
Sponsor: Grace Keller

Richard Cathcart, Resurrection, Greenwood
Sponsor: Michael Whitfield

Salley Cathcart, Resurrection, Greenwood
Sponsor: Karen Whitfield

Haley Dougherty, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Adam Dougherty

Elizabeth Edwards, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Mary Ellen Haile

Morgan Lee, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Bill Matthews

Lena Lee, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Leigh Matthews

Dick Locke, St. Margaret's, Boiling Springs
Sponsor: Grace Keller

Kathy Locke. St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs
Sponsor: Grace Keller

Kathy Moore, St. Alban's, Lexington
Sponsor: Dee Pennington

Mary Sansbury, St Peter by the Lake, Denver NC
Sponsor: Tara Bartel+

Trey Spong, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Mary Ellen Haile

Traci Swain, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Adam Dougherty

Cyndi Williams, Trinity, Columbia
Sponsor: Rusty Miller

Cristina Worley, Church of the Cross, Columbia
Sponsor: Susan Burns

Frank Worley, Church of the Cross, Columbia
Sponsor: Ray Burns

#147 Staff

Lay Rector
Mary Ellen Haile, Trinity, Columbia
Observing Lay Rector
Kristin Bennett, Christ Church, Greenville

Spiritual Directors
Deacon Janet Atkins+, St. Margaret’s, Boiling Springs
Jimmy Hartley+, Trinity, Columbia
Mary Balfour Dunlap+, Head SD, Resurrection, Greenville

Chas
Leigh Matthews, Head Cha, Trinity, Columbia
Kathryn Hix, Christ Church, Greenville
Donna Knowles,, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Aiken
Genny Alert, Church of the Cross, Columbia
Terri Bailey, St. Martin’s in the Field, Columbia
Murray Dunlap, Resurrection, Greenwood
Walt Dorn, Trinity, Columbia

Table Leaders
Carol DuBose, Trinity, Columbia
Elizabeth Dorn, Trinity, Columbia
Michael Whitfield, Resurrection, Greenwood
Karen Whitfield, Resurrection, Greenwood
Gloria Talley, St. Alban’s, Lexington
Mike Talley, St. Alban’s, Lexington

Musicians
Head Music Cha - Sharon Landis, Christ Church, Greenville
Wesley Hix, Christ Church, Greenville
Stan Bailey, St. Martin’s in the Field, Columbia

Register to attend Cursillo (rev. August 2024)

Register to staff Cursillo (rev. August 2024)

Cursillo provides:

• An environment to experience the reality of God's gift of love through shared prayer, individual meditation, worship, study, fellowship, laughter, tears, and unconditional love
• An opportunity to grow in faith and in spirituality
• Experience with a method involving piety, study, and action to deepen our spiritual journey
• Tools for bringing Christ into our individual environments
• A community that supports and encourages us to carry out our Baptismal Vows

"I was fortunate to attend Cursillo in Alabama 39 years ago when I was 30. I loved God and loved church, which provided the "what" of a Christian life, but my Cursillo weekend gave me the "how" tools I needed to live a balanced life of faith. For more than thirty years, I met weekly with my group reunion, and we help each other accountable to a life of piety (worship), study (learning about the gift of God), and action (being God's hands and feet in the world). We also learned how to talk about God (evangelize) in a very natural way, as "God-talk" became a weekly practice. My long-ago Cursillo weekend was far more than a retreat -- it was my roadmap for a faith-full life." - Sharon Landis

---

EDUSC Cursillo’s Pay It Forward fund was established to ensure that money never stands in the way of anyone’s experiencing God’s love in a supportive Christian environment by attending a Cursillo weekend. It is a gift from the Cursillo community, with prayers that we can pass the gift to others who want a deeper walk with Christ and the tools to serve others.

The fees that Cursillo Council requests for a weekend are well below actual weekend expenses. The difference is covered by donations from the Pay It Forward fund. Scholarships are available to candidates and staff. We pray that everyone will donate to this fund: Ultreyas, Group Reunions, Churches, and anyone who believes in the potential of Cursillo to change us, and through us, our environments. Your support makes a critical difference!

"A purposeful act or extension of kindness to another is never wasted, for it always resides in the hearts of all involved in a chain of love," Molly Friedenfeld, The Book of Simple Human Truths

"For the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God." 2 Corinthians 9:12

Pay It Forward Donation Form

You can also send a check made out to "EDUSC Cursillo" with “Pay It Forward” in the memo. Mail the check to Chris Smith, Treasurer, 4103 Fork Shoals Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680.

Upcoming Cursillo Gatherings

Cursillo News