“Life-changing.” “Amazing.” “Empowering.” Participants use these words and more to describe the ministry of Cursillo (“little course”).  

“My first Cursillo was a life-changing experience,” said Phil Phillips, chairman of the diocesan Cursillo Commission. “It brought my faith into focus and reinvigorated my relationship with Jesus.”

Cursillo is a lay movement dedicated to evangelism and renewal within the church and designed to develop Christian leaders who will bring others to Christ. Founded in Spain in the early 1940s with a Roman Catholic focus, Cursillo has now spread across the globe and become part of the Anglican/Episcopal tradition.  

Cursillo’s foundational event, a two- or three-day weekend retreat, seeks to train mature Christians in the essentials of a life in Christ. The weekend combines biblical teachings and daily Eucharist with food, fun, music and fellowship. At its close, each participant has a support system of godly accountability partners. 

A two-day, co-ed diocesan Cursillo weekend will begin on Friday night, Oct. 4, and end on Sunday, Oct.6. The diocesan Cursillo Commission also plans to host a Christmas Gala on Dec. 7 at St. Paul’s Episcopal in New Smyrna Beach.

Do you sense the Spirit’s prompting to check out Cursillo? Philips has an answer for you straight from Cursillo itself: “Make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ.” 

For more information, contact Phil Phillips, strumminguy55@yahoo.com; Karen Stout, 4karenjs@gmail.com ; or Kim McMaster, kmcmaster1@cfl.rr.com or access the diocesan Cursillo website at www.cfepiscopalcursillo.org. Connect to the Central Florida Facebook page @CentralFloridaCursilloGroup.

Phil Phillips is the chairman of the Central Florida Cursillo Commission. Karen Stout is the secretary of Secretary for the Central Florida Cursillo Commission.