Mississippi Cursillo
About
Cursillo
What is Cursillo?
The Gospel of Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. This was a heart-warming experience as Jesus walked and talked with them. The illuminating climax came when Jesus took the bread and said the blessing, then broke it and gave it to them. The two had their eyes opened and recognized him as the risen Christ and rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. (Luke 24:13-35)
Cursillo is a three-day immersive experience of Christianity from a New Testament perspective. It is a highly structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people.
The purpose of the Cursillo Movement in Mississippi is to be one of the instruments to renew the world by the fullness of Christ’s ministry through the laity, deacons, ministers and bishops. It is our aim as well as the aim of the national movement to bring Christians to a fuller personal knowledge of their relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ and to a deeper level of apostleship and commitment. It is our hope and prayer that Pilgrims will strengthen their spiritual lives, and gain answers about prayer, study, and sharing their faith.
Purpose
History
Cursillo History
CURSILLO, meaning "short course," began when a group of men dedicated themselves to bringing the men of their city to know Christ. The first stirring of what was later to become the Cursillo Movement began on the Island of Majorca during World War II. The idea was born to have a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. James at Compostela, during which time young men and women of Spain would dedicate themselves in a renewed way to the work of being an apostle.
The first three-day Cursillo was held in the monastery of San Honorato on the Island of Majorca, Spain, on January 7, 1949. Cursillo came to this country through two young Spanish airmen who were in training with the U. S. Air Force in Waco, Texas. In 1957, the Cursillo Movement began in the Roman Catholic Church here in the United States.
Today, Cursillo is an international movement touching all of the Americas, Europe, Japan, Africa, Australia and other lands, and involving the Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Cursillo in Mississippi became a reality on October 8-11, 1981, when Mississippi Methodist Cursillo Number 1 was held at St. Mary of the Pines in Chatawa, Mississippi. Since that time, over 7600 people have attended Mississippi Methodist Cursillo weekends. Founded in the Cursillo method, as influenced by John Wesley’s Methodist teachings, today’s Cursillo Movement in Mississippi has grown towards being an ecumenical ministry, appealing and open to those of all Christian denominations seeking to strengthen their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that the history of the Cursillo Movement bears witness to the truth of Jesus’ words: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32 NIV)
2025
Calendar of Events
This is our list of upcoming Cursillo weekends. Included is the Cursillo number, date, location, and leaders.
Annual Leadership Conference
January 11th 2025
Madison Methodist
Madison,MS.
#251 - March 2025
March 6-9 2025
Camp Wesley Pines
John Smith
Wayne Brantley
#252 - March 2025
March 27-30 2025
Camp Lake Stephens
Tina Daniels
Bo Scales
#253 - May 2025
May 15-18 2025
Camp Wesley Pines
Shelly Roberts
Norman Ford
#254 - August 2025
Aug 14-17 2025
Camp Wesley Pines
Mitzie Lawhead
Beth Griffin
#255 - November 2025
November 6-9 2025
Camp Lake Stephens
Jennifer Taylor
TBA
#256 -December 2025
December 4-7 2025
Camp Wesley Pines
Van Lewis
Cheryl Sanders
2024 Secretariat
Executive Committee
Melissa Bolland
Chairman
Ron Bailey
Past Chairman
Donna Rademacher
Secretary
Hugh Langley
Treasurer
Julie Blake
Registrar
At Large Representatives
Bobby Blake
Jennifer Brantley
Wayne Brantley
Jim Hill
Phil Hinton
Susan Hinton
Janet Langley
Mitzie Lawhead
Mina Lightsey
Gwen Williams
Advisory Committee
Angela Sellers
General Palanca
Jane Brown
Historian
Randy Miller
Music
Ann McElroy
Newsletter
Mina Lightsey
Pre-Cursillo Rep
Jerry Lightsey
Property Manager – CLS
Jim Porter
Spiritual Directors
Greg Campbell
Property Manager – CWP
Daniel Ward
Website
2024 Ultreya Leaders
Batesville Presbyterian, Batesville
Jerry Lightsey
Christ United, Jackson
Bonnie Wiggers
Cook’s Chapel, Philadelphia
James Dill
Crossgates UMC, Brandon
Donna Rademacher, Cindy Hollingsworth, Jennifer Mayeu
Crystal Springs Methodist, Crystal Springs
Julie Johnson
The Exchange, Pearl
Sean & Jennifer Nissen
First Methodist, Brandon
Betsy Welch
First Methodist, Philadelphia
Laura Thrash
Getwell Church, Southaven
Debra Monday
Heritage Church, Hattiesburg
Todd Rowell
Lakeshore CM, Byram
Rebecca Cahoon
Madison Methodist, Madison
Ron Bailey and Diane Goolsby
Maples Memorial UMC, Olive Branch
Kelly Peel
McComb Ultreya
Nancy Lazenby
Midway Methodist, Oxford
Tracey Mooneyham and Cindy Roscoe
Neshoba County Ultreya
James Dill
St. Mark’s UMC, Brandon
Helen Morrison & Beth Griffith
St. Matthew’s UMC, Madison
Suzanne Parker, Susan DiFatta & Margaret Snider
Sandtown Methodist, Philadelphia
Eric and Debi Wharton
Taylor Methodist, Taylor
Erika Hewlett
Mississippi Cursillo
P.O. Box 13851
Jackson, MS 39236-3851
© 2024 Mississippi Cursillo
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North MS Executive Committee
Tracey Mooneyham
Chairman
Kelly Peel
Chairman Elect
Erika Hewlett
Sid McManus
Jerry Lightsey
Debra Monday