PASTORAL PLAN
for the
CURSILLO MOVEMENT
in the
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF SPOKANE
for the
CURSILLO MOVEMENT
in the
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF SPOKANE
(also known as the Inland Northwest Cursillo movement)
PREAMBLE
The Cursillo movement of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane seeks to effect a change in people’s lives so that they can be empowered to change their environment for Christ. The strategic plan to accomplish this transformation of persons and environments begins with Christian leaders dedicated to an apostolic ideal. These leaders are willing to give of themselves and to seek, through their own example, to influence and challenge persons to change themselves and their environment to follow in the teachings and footsteps of Jesus Christ. These leaders need to be identified and directed in accordance to an apostolic plan. For maximum effectiveness, it is necessary that Christians work together as teams, mutually encouraging and supporting each other.
It is the goal of this movement to make a change within the environment of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, keeping in mind the imperatives adopted by the 2002 Diocesan Convention. It particularly applies to the imperatives dealing with:
1. Christian Formation
2. Attracting and involving young adults
3. Focusing outreach to serve our environment more effectively in Christ’s name.
The movement will seek to unify, strengthen and support the various people of the diocese by joining in common mission and journey of faith. There is no such thing as a “Lone Christian”. To be Christian is to be part of a community of faith that supports and encourages each member in their ongoing life in Christ. The Cursillo movement can offer a proven strategy and method for apostolic action that can support and enhance the imperatives of the diocese.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PASTORAL PLAN
I. In order to accomplish the diocesan pastoral plan, the Cursillo movement through the Secretariat (a governing body established with advice and consent of the Bishop) and the members of the movement will:
A) Consult with the Bishop for direction to implement his pastoral concerns and to insure that the Cursillo movement activities are consistent with the mission of the diocese. Provide the Bishop with information as to what he can ask of the movement.
B) Maintain a close relationship with the Bishop, Diocesan Council, departments, commissions, deaneries and committees; being present whenever possible as active participants in diocesan planning programs so that the movement can be fully aware of the needs of the diocese and coordinate its activities to enhance the diocesan pastoral plan.
C) Maintain close cooperation and communication with all of those mentioned in paragraph B above, and with the clergy and vestries of the various parish and missions in the diocese, so the movement can work apostolically within the Church in a coordinated effort.
B) Maintain a close relationship with the Bishop, Diocesan Council, departments, commissions, deaneries and committees; being present whenever possible as active participants in diocesan planning programs so that the movement can be fully aware of the needs of the diocese and coordinate its activities to enhance the diocesan pastoral plan.
C) Maintain close cooperation and communication with all of those mentioned in paragraph B above, and with the clergy and vestries of the various parish and missions in the diocese, so the movement can work apostolically within the Church in a coordinated effort.
II. The Secretariat, coordinating with the Bishop, will be responsible for an annual review of the geographic and social environment of the diocese in order to identify one or more environments which the Cursillo movement will strive to influence to become more Christian in its life and work. Initial areas of focus will be:
A) Young adults who are already expressing Christian leadership within the environment and who can exert a Christian influence on their environment.
B) Persons in the minority ethnic and cultural groups within the diocese who can exert a Christian influence through personal relationships with others in their community or culture.
B) Persons in the minority ethnic and cultural groups within the diocese who can exert a Christian influence through personal relationships with others in their community or culture.
III. Once an environment is selected, the action plan for the Cursillo movement will be:
A) Discovering those persons in the environment who will be able to initiate and bring about a transformation through the graces given them and their personal influence within the environment.
B) Preparing these people for attendance at a Cursillo weekend and continuing involvement in the Fourth Day by:
B) Preparing these people for attendance at a Cursillo weekend and continuing involvement in the Fourth Day by:
1) Helping them to understand the promises they made or were made for them at baptism
2) Helping them to understand their membership within the Body of Christ.
3) Helping them to understand the special problems and possibilities within the environment to which they belong.
2) Helping them to understand their membership within the Body of Christ.
3) Helping them to understand the special problems and possibilities within the environment to which they belong.
C) Inviting these persons to a complete enrichment of Christian understanding, the formation of a Christian community and an opportunity of renewal of their own lives through a three-day weekend experience and continuing involvement in the Fourth Day.
D) Planning, preparation and provision of three-day weekends to fulfill this pastoral plan, ensuring that those persons are prepared for the weekend and that the weekend staff members are well prepared and have already formed their community.
E) Supporting these persons following the three-day weekend through Fourth Day grouping and periodic Ultreyas.
D) Planning, preparation and provision of three-day weekends to fulfill this pastoral plan, ensuring that those persons are prepared for the weekend and that the weekend staff members are well prepared and have already formed their community.
E) Supporting these persons following the three-day weekend through Fourth Day grouping and periodic Ultreyas.
IV. The Secretariat will be responsible for providing support and guidance in Christian growth and apostolic commitment to those persons who have completed the three-day Cursillo weekend by:
A) Developing and training of sponsors who have previously made a weekend and are willing to be sponsors for those about to make a weekend.
B) Actively promoting, encouraging and assisting all members of the movement to be involved in Group Reunion meetings for mutual support and development of each person’s apostolic action.
C) Promoting regular Ultreyas within deaneries following the format set forth in the NEC Library. Ultreyas are to be open to all persons interested in the Cursillo method whether or not they have attended a weekend.
D) Providing for diocesan Ultreyas.
E) Developing groups of cursillistas, directed by the Secretariat, residing within the various geographical areas of the diocese, to be a Servant Community. These groups will provide training for future Lay Rectors and staff for the three-day weekends, train people to hold Ultreyas, and organize Ultreyas within their areas.
V. This pastoral plan will be reviewed annually by the Secretariat and the Bishop, evaluated, and revised as necessary to continue its goal of implementing the Bishop’s overall mission for the diocese.B) Actively promoting, encouraging and assisting all members of the movement to be involved in Group Reunion meetings for mutual support and development of each person’s apostolic action.
C) Promoting regular Ultreyas within deaneries following the format set forth in the NEC Library. Ultreyas are to be open to all persons interested in the Cursillo method whether or not they have attended a weekend.
D) Providing for diocesan Ultreyas.
E) Developing groups of cursillistas, directed by the Secretariat, residing within the various geographical areas of the diocese, to be a Servant Community. These groups will provide training for future Lay Rectors and staff for the three-day weekends, train people to hold Ultreyas, and organize Ultreyas within their areas.
Signed: by The Rt. Rev. James E. Waggoner, Jr., Bishop, on 5/27/03.
