Ministries & Outreach
Cursillo
Dear Friends in Christ:
One year after I transferred to St. Paul’s, I accepted the call to represent our Cursillo Movement group. In August 2001, while riding the Amtrak train to Anaheim along with over twenty of us from the Cathedral to watch the visiting Boston Red Sox play a baseball game against the Anaheim Angels, John Chane, our lovable outgoing dean (and the number one fan of the Red Sox), asked me to take on this ministry. I accepted the call gladly.
For those of you in the congregation who have not been to Cursillo or do not know what it is all about, I can briefly explain it to you. We are a cheerful, happy and a joyful group of people who have taken closer walks with the Lord.
The Cursillo Movement is one method of renewal in the Church. Its purpose is to help Church leaders understand their individual Christian callings. Their leadership may be exercised at work, in the family, in their social life, or in leisure activities, as well as within the Church.
The goal of Cursillo is the goal of the Church: to bring all to Christ. This is done when informed, trained leaders set out with the support of others who have a similar commitment.
Cursillistas, as we are called, identify potential environments or situations that can be influenced by the Gospel. We identify and work with leaders or potential leaders within those environments. Cursillo provides basic training for leadership in mission. It helps to renew Christian commitment.
Cursillo Weekends are held twice a year, during the last two weekends in April and the last weekend in October. Usually, a men’s Cursillo is held in April, and the women’s Cursillo is held the following weekend. In October, there is a coed Cursillo, where both men and women attend.
The three-day Cursillo weekends in this diocese are held at Camp Stevens in the mountains near Julian. They start on a Thursday evening and end late in the afternoon Sunday. A follow-up support system focuses attention on Christian action.
I have been on many Cursillo Teams, including one held October 26-29, 2006, where I gave a talk known as a Rollo. I grow spiritually every time I attend a Cursillo, no matter how many times I go.
One of the Cursillos I worked included someone special from the Cathedral. The Very Rev. John Bryson Chane, now Bishop of the Diocese of Washington, DC, was making his Cursillo for the very first time.
It was at the Spring Cursillo of April 1997, that I first met John. John’s wife, Karen, made her Cursillo the following weekend. Stew and Konnie Dadmun were their sponsors. I worked as a table leader on John’s weekend and had the high-spirited pleasure of having him at my table, as well as giving my first Rollo.
I want to pay tribute to another Cursillista, Alice Easley, who recently was called home to the Lord. Alice was very active in Cursillo. Only a few here at the Cathedral, who knew Alice’s ministry in Cursillo, know that she served at a Deaf Cursillo, known as a Mainstream Cursillo, in 1990.
Now before I go further, I should mention that I made my Cursillo in October 1990, which was the best thing that ever happened to me. Canon Richard C. Lief was my sponsor while he was Rector at St. David’s Church, which was the church I attended at that time.
Two weeks after making Cursillo, November 1990, I met Alice for the first time at a 4th Day/Grand Ultreya. It was held at Trinity Church in Escondido. Alice was sitting in the pews, signing American Sign Language.
Alice was the driving force to have the Women’s Cursillo, and the Men's Cursillo, usually held a week before the women’s weekend, interpreted. At that time, the Cathedral had recently started interpreted services, and that lit the fire under Alice.
Alice worked closely with another woman, Fran Forkish, of St. Timothy's. Ms. Forkish had come from a diocese that had had a Deaf Cursillo. She and Alice planned things and helped prepare the team for the deaf candidates.
Along with Cass Martinson, Alice worked a number of Cursillos that were interpreted for deaf candidates. Alice and Cass were usually Table Leaders together on those weekends. Cass enjoyed them immensely. Cass and Alice had a good time together.
If you would like to know more about the Cursillo Movement, there are brochures available in the Cathedral office. You can ask me for one, or you can email me at wbblake92117@aol.com, and I can get one to you in the mail. When you read the brochure, take a moment and pray about it. Then let me know if you would like to be a part of the Cursillo Movement.
In God’s Peace,
William Blakeslee
Cursillo Parish Representative
Time and Talent
Fulfillment in Making Music Where God Wants You to Play
A short story: “A member of our congregation remarked, ‘I can easily summarize what it means to be a leader in the church. When I was promoted to the senior management of my firm, I got a parking space with my name on it right by the door. When I became a church elder, I got to leave my car four blocks away to free up space in the church parking lot!’ Jesus made this point more than once: “’Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all’” (Mark 10:43-44). Servant hood is not a popular image in our society. The word evokes images of people at the beck and call of others, with little time for their own needs. We are quite certain this is not the Biblical view of servant hood.
1. Serve from a place of fullness, not emptiness. Jesus stands ready to fill your nets.
2. Biblical servants ensure that their own needs are met so they can focus on the needs of others.
3. Finding ways to use our giftedness for God requires conscious commitment. God leaves the choice of serving or not in your hands.
4. As we open our hearts to God’s purposes, we become available to move to the places God wants us to be.
5. Following God’s leading does not always result in the world’s approval. What will result is your own fulfillment as an instrument of God.
6. The right place for you to serve is where God calls you to serve, whether far way or right where you are.
During this Spring’s Time and Talent/Stewardship Campaign, our format will be a bit different from last year. Mailings will be sent out asking you to be a bit creative; forums will be held to help you discern your talents and an In-Gathering in the 6th Avenue Courtyard will be held on Sunday, May 20.
Jane Vander Velde
Arts
Wednesday, April 18th at 7:30 pm in the altar area of the Cathedral
One night only drama with anintriguing title – I Have Before Me A Remarkable Document Given To Me By A Young Lady From Rwanda. Starring Melissa Gaffney and Dale Morris. The play tells the story of an uneasy relationship between Simon, a struggling British poet in his mid-forties, and Juliette, a young survivor of the Rwandan genocide, who comes to him for help with her book about her ordeal. Remarkably, humor is an important component of the drama – it creates a sense of balance and draws the audience in. The humor is largely drawn from the cultural divide between the Englishman and the young African woman. It is this aspect of the play, as well as Juliette’s plight and feistiness, that audiences have most remarked upon. For reservations please call 619-298-7261 ext. 356. Tickets will also be available after Sunday services March 25 and in early April. Suggested donation to benefit St. Paul’s arts programs is $10.
April 23 through May 17 – the Ninth Annual Honoring Youth Art Exhibit
In the Cathedral. Anne Vafis again draws on her long experience as an arts instructor at Francis Parker School to bring together the artwork of young people from elementary school through high school. Madeline L’Engle, sometime Artist-in-Residence at St. John the Divine Cathedral, and author of many books, states that most people lose sight of their creative abilities by the age of five. This exhibit not only honors youth who are still involved in creative pursuit, but can inspire us all to rekindle our own sense of creativity which has been given to us by the Creator. Young people interested in submitting art work are asked to contact Anne at 619-222-1300.
Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28 at 7:30 pm in the Great Hall
Mojalet Sacred Dance Concert – This fabulous troupe returns to us after rave audience revues from their concert with us last year. Faith Ismay-Jensen, director of the company, is a principal dancer with Jean Issacs’ Dance which is well known throughout San Diego. Mojalet was formed several years ago by Ms. Ismay-Jensen and has established itself as a prominent dance group in this area. Mojalet performs from a substantive spiritual base. Suggesed donation is $15. Tickets available in April after Sunday services or by calling 619-298-7261 ext. 356.
Saturday, April 28 from 10 am to 1 pm in the Great Hall
Lawrence Waddy Scholarship auditions for young people ages 8 – 12. A number of years ago a fund was established to honor the drama ministry of Fr. Waddy and to encourage young people from Episcopal congregations in their pursuit of the performing arts. Auditions are held each year at the Cathedral where students demonstrate their abilities with a musical instrument, dramatic reading, the reading of scripture, and the singing of a hymn. Small scholarships are awarded which are to be used for musical and dramatic lessons. For more information and to reserve a place on the audition schedule, please contact Marilou Kratzenstein at 619-667-5231.
