Cursillo Secretariat ‘manned’ (or should I say ‘womanned’) a stall at the Newcastle Diocesan Convention recently. Our cover photo shows Chris Palmer and Helen Fraser at the stall.

The Diocesan Convention was held at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College on Saturday 13^th August and there were over 300 in attendance from Parishes throughout the Diocese. Both Bishop Greg and Bishop Peter expressed sincere thanks for the support they & the staff have received both in the attendance at the convention and during the difficult time of the Commission Hearing.

Ms Gill Fletcher & Tim Dyer took us through a discussion at our separate tables as to how the disclosures in the Commission Hearing have impacted each of us and how we can try and cope with that. They encouraged us to focus on 4 areas

1) Truth Telling – we need open & honest accountability;

2) Justice Seeking – Respond to the needs of those around us;

3) Grace Giving – in acceptance, support & care giving; and

4) Peace Making – help restore relationships (with God, Self & others) and create hope for the future (Ephesians 4). We need to commit all our emotions, thoughts and actions to Prayer.

The other speaker was Canon Dr Robyn Greenwood who emphasised the importance of listening to one another – he said ‘Church’ is a verb not a noun – God invites us to grow – that sometimes we have to be broken to then be able to bless and receive blessing – at the cross Jesus was abandoned by his friends & ultimately felt abandoned by his Father – but chose the Cross to show God’s love for each of us & that he is a God who works wonders in this hurting world – a God who beseeches us to come to Him with all our doubts and feelings of betrayal & hurt as He knows our pain. He is our hope for the future

National Secretariat Meeting was in Ulverstone Tasmania from 10-12 June 2016. At the meeting Newcastle DSD Revd Steve Niland was voted in as National Spiritual Adviser-elect. His role commences from May 2017 and he expects to remain as Newcastle DSD for that year. At the end of the conference all National Secretariat delegates expressed much enthusiasm to connect their Secretariats, Servant Communities, and members.  As a result they hope to implement some new plans on their return.

Reported by Co DLD Helen Fraser

National Episcopal Advisor, Bp Ian Palmer & Revd John Tongue (past DSD of Tasmania) at Ulverstone Ultreya

Mens Weekend Away at Tahlee 21- 22 May 2016 – Some 75 men gathered at Tahlee Bible camp on the weekend to enjoy a great time of fellowship, learning and singing amidst the very picturesque surroundings of the Tahlee complex.

The weekend commenced on Friday evening with a hearty BBQ followed by an introductory talk by the keynote speaker Andrew McClenaghan who introduced the topic for the weekend “ God, you and the work you do”.

A film followed entitled “Gods not dead” which was a very thought provoking film depicting a worldly and vindictive attitude to mankind by God’s absence. Thankfully God was made to be seen alive and his love for his people was made real when a class of  Philosophy students who were  initially ambivalent were convinced via a mock trial as part of a class tutorial challenge that God is indeed not dead but very much alive. This film had quite an impact on all who were present.

Andrew’s following talks were entitled “ the theology of work” “Theology and ethics of work” “A Christian work ethic” and finally “ Jesus work of redemption: our true rest”.

Other speakers included:- Brian Walsh speaking on “Cursillo”, Phillip Ashley-Brown on “ Journey of  icebergs”, Adam Matthews “ Balancing act” and Nathan Killick “Making your bed”.

The weekend enjoyed superb weather and gave everyone the opportunity to soak up the sun and get to know new friends in a very relaxed environment. Meals were certainly enjoyable also prepared and served by a very dedicated staff who could not do enough for us. Music was uplifting and enthusiastic and we were introduced to many new songs that were very inspirational and suited the weekend theme very nicely indeed.

Overall the Men’s weekend which has been going now for many years under a different title “Beer Bibles and Football” is well and truly entrenched into our Faith calendar and tribute should be paid to all who have kept it going over the years particularly Col Johnson and now to Dr James White who has accepted the challenge to ensure not only its survival but its growth into a very significant addition to our year of Christian celebration.

Cursillo has always been a supporter of this weekend and will continue to assist in any way it can, as a result,  Cursillo is thankful to receive considerable interest in it’s operation and has received 4 requests for enrolment into our 3 day weekend with another 3 people who are seriously considering becoming involved in our wonderful Cursillo program.

The weekend finished at lunchtime on Sunday preceded by a Eucharist led by The venerable Arthur Copeman  and was a fitting end to a great Christian weekend.

Thanks be to God.

With Blessings         Brian Walsh. .

2016 Workshops were at Morpeth in January & Singleton in March.  Our Workshop at Morpeth was attended by a very supportive team and group of participants, in total 21 persons, made it a very encouraging time. Great singing and music; Lunching together created good fellowship. Four groups of five people discussed and brainstormed the topics, which the newest members especially found helpful. “We got some great info today”

THE PROGRAMME: It’s part of “Continuing the Journey” Workshop. We  need to focus on Group Reunion, Ultreya, Spiritual Direction, Commitment to a Rule of Life & Sponsoring;

Topics such as : Parish Contacts; Servant Community were touched on. “What an awesome day!”  PERCEPTIONS OF CURSILLO were discussed: What are the present negative perceptions and how might we tackle them, produced lists from the groups, including:

Our Workshop at Singleton in March was different…  SERVANT COMMUNITY  – THE DRIVING FORCE/ THE ENGINE

Singleton Workshop was another tremendous day with kind weather, kind hosts, keen team and keen members. To quote one, they felt it was probably even better than the last: “an uplifting and renewing experience”.

Secretariat has perceived a lack of familiarity with the important role of Servant Community. The Workshop reinforced PreCursillo and PostCursillo in the Cursillo Method of sponsoring, Group Reunion, and Ultreya, which led into a ‘Servant Community’ Question Time. The afternoon session answered such questions as:

What is Servant Community? What is its purpose? Where does it fit into the bigger picture of Cursillo? Who were the first Servant Community? Why isn’t there a Servant Community in our Deanery and how do we start one?  Who do you approach to become part of it, or do you have to be invited? Is a Servant Community just a ‘service club? How long does someone remain a member? How often does it meet? Can you be part of a Servant Community if your rector does not want it?

The Anglican Cursillo Movement of Australia Manual, Newcastle Cursillo Guidelines, members of existing Servant Communities and experienced members/Secretariat were the source of the information.

As well as the group work, floating Group Reunion, morning Worship and evening Meditation with Rev Barb, we had great times of catching up with feet under the table together. This augers well for some embryonic work on reviving Servant Communities around the Diocese.

Great offers of sharing information and practical applications are available from the Deanery Contacts and from Deanery Contact liaison/secretaries of working Servant Communities:    Newcastle:  Revd Chris Bullock/Jim Warland                                                                                   Lake Macquarie:  Brian Taylor/Doug Roberts     Central Coast: Noeline Darcy/Bruce Fraser                                                                                                     Manning: Billie Baillie/ –  Paterson:  Revd Colvin Ford/ – Maitland: –    Upper Hunter:  Tony Farmer/ –

Our new Secretariat for 2016 can be found by clicking the tab ‘About’ above and following the prompts. Welcome to new members Rev. Barbara Hayes, Laurel Mitchell, Gail Iles, Sue Cook and Martina Bowen – and sad farewells to Rev Val McDonald, Lynn Dunnicliff & Lynn Mulley – thanks for a task well done! Please keep the Secretariat in your prayers that they may be guided in the Cursillo programme for 2016 and that our Father will richly bless their efforts. It is a great privilege to be on Secretariat, but also a great challenge and each of us need to support them in prayer and action. Remember Christ is counting on us! Blessings to all & De Colores!

NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN ULTREYA which celebrated 25 years of Cursillo in Newcastle Diocese was held on Sat 7 Nov 2015 at Christ Church Cathedral Newcastle – Bishop Peter led the Eucharist; Commissioned were: W45 LD – Lynn Dunnicliff; M45 LD – Lewis Palmer; Secretariat – Revd Barbara Hayes, Gail Iles & Laurel Mitchell (Sue Cook will be commissioned); New Servant Community Members – Casey Urwin, Margaret Rainey, Leonie Toovey, Steve & Lyne Parsons & Cate Ewin;  – “Noah’s Wife” band were excellent, playing many of the 3 day theme songs over the years; Revd Ann Watson & Keith Watson cut our “25th Year celebratory cake”

Revd Val McDonald & Lynn Dunnicliff retire from Secretariat after their 3 year term.

See below for more photos of the event: