The Tribune

By David Ferguson

On behalf of the Secretariat and members of the the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cursillo Ministry (BTCAC), I would like to bring greetings to all.

I pray that this year will be one where love, friendship and care will bloom and grow among us; and that each one will make a sincere and intentional effort in being a blessing to others.

Since the election and commissioning during November 2017 of the Cursillo Secretariat for 2018/19, great efforts have been made with regards to educating and informing all - Anglicans and non-Anglicans - of the role and purpose of Cursillo.

The BTCAC Ministry will remain grateful to both brother Rodney Williams for writing/compiling these releases, and the editorial staff of this newspaper for graciously publishing these messages.

Feedback being received from readers of this column echoes the fact that this effort is indeed a blessing to the work of our Cursillo Ministry, as it adds more clarity to the goals and purpose of Cursillo in the following ways:

1. That BTCAC Ministry operates directly under the authority of the presiding and diocesan bishop.

2. The purpose of this Christian ministry (that originated in Spain) is the same as the Church - that is to evangelise the world.

3. To achieve its goal of bringing the world to Christ, Anglican-based Christians are empowered to become leaders through a structured Cursillo programme.

4. From the the good examples of these Christian leaders at home, at work and in the community, others will be positively influenced, and this provides an ideal opportunity to interact and hopefully eventually lead them to Christ.

5. That this Christian leadership calls for humility and commitment and preparation for mission in good or bad times.

It should also be understood that leadership in Cursillo does not mean that you are more spiritual than others, but rather it simply provides a means where the Cursillo method (based on training and experience building) is utilised in preparing Christians for remaining faithful to ones baptismal vow with regards to the "apostolic mission" of reaching out and leading others to Christ.

With this backdrop, the main focus of the Cursillo Ministry during 2018 will be as follows:

1. To intensify efforts on the continued building of the ministry.

2. To educate all on the goals and purpose of this ministry.

3. To bring more effectiveness to the present communication channel between parishes in our Diocese and the Secretariat vice visa, and to include all parishes that continue to remain outside the loop even with the availability of the many modern day communications networks.

4. To continue building a homogeneous Cursillo platform in all parishes/churches, irrespective of the numbers of participants within a parish/church.

5. To continue with the efforts, to maintain and establish, when necessary, a unified effort in ministry with all parochial groups and the clergy.

6. To reach out to all of those members who have had the mountain top experience but fell back into slothfulness once back in the valley; to arise from slumber saddle up and rejoin the work of ministry.

Upcoming Cursillo events include an ultreya in Grand Bahama on February 24; a servant community/three-day weekend training workshop on March 10 at the Diocesan Retreat Centre from 3pm, and "Lenten Reflections" at Holy Spirit Anglican Church beginning at 7pm on March 15. All Anglicans are encouraged to attend "Lenten Reflections" and the ultreya.

• David Ferguson is the newly elected lay director of the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Anglican Cursillo movement.