Pastoral Plan: 2

2 Implementation

2.1 SECRETARIAT

2.1.1 In order to implement this Pastoral Plan the Cursillo Movement will operate In the dioceses under the direct authority of the appropriate Bishop.

2.1.2 Initially the entire Province, with specific reference to the designated Urban Priority Areas, and where appropriate to remote rural areas, will he the life-setting for implementing the Cursillo Movement within the Scottish Episcopal Church.

2.1.3 The Provincial Pastoral Plan shall he put into operation through a Secretariat.

2.1.3.1 The Secretariat is a group of leaders from within the Cursillo community (both lay and ordained) who, with the approval of the Bishops, are responsible for the promotion, development and proper direction of the Cursillo Movement in the Scottish Episcopal Church. Its task is to assist, co-ordinate and unify all the work being undertaken by the Movement, and to maintain links with other Cursillo bodies (and with other interested parties) locally, nationally and world-wide.

2.1.3.2 The organisation of the Secretariat, and function of individual members, is detailed in Section 3 of this document.

2.1.3.3 The Secretariat will work in close consultation with the Bishops to determine diocesan priorities and areas of particular pastoral concern, and shall be responsible for the periodic review of the position and progress of the Cursillo Movement in the dioceses. A report shall be submitted to the College of Bishops annually.

2.1.3.4 The Secretariat will maintain a close relationship with the General Synod, Diocesan Synods, and other diocesan committees and organisations, and with individual charges in the dioceses, so that Cursillo may be deployed in the most effective and appropriate manner.

2.1.3.5 The Secretariat will attempt to identify, train and support Christian leaders within selected environments (life-settings).

2.2 COMMITTEES

To accomplish these objectives, the Secretariat will appoint the following committees to operate the three essential phases of Cursillo:

2.2.1 Pre-Cursillo: to publicise and promote Cursillo;

2.2.2 Weekend: dealing with aspects of the three-day weekend experience;

2.2.3 Fourth Day (Post-Cursillo): responsible for the activities of those who have completed a Cursillo weekend meeting regularly together in small groups ("Group Reunions") and larger gatherings ("Ultreyas").

2.3 WEEKEND COURSES

Once an environment, or area, has been selected, and potential leaders identified, the next stages in the plan will be:

2.3.1 Preparation of, and invitation to participants to attend a Cursillo three-day weekend. During the weekend a team of lay persons and Spiritual Advisers (priests and deacons) give a series of talks which outline the basic premises of the Christian faith, and build on the mission concepts of prayer, study and action. The aim is to bring about a spiritual renewal and a deepening commitment to Jesus Christ in the lives of those who attend.

2.3.2 Planning, preparation and provision for as many of these three-day weekends as may be required to fulfil the Pastoral Plan; ensuring that the participants are prepared for the weekend experience, and that adequate team formation and preparation can be provided.

2.4 ATTENDANCE CRITERIA for a Cursillo weekend:

2.4.1 The Bishop of each Diocese is invited to attend before, or with, his own clergy and lay people.

2.4.2 Rectors of a charge, or a member of the clergy team, attend before, or with, the lay members of their congregation.

2.4.3 Lay people attend only if their rector, or a member of their clergy team, has attended previously, or is attending their weekend.

2.4.4 Applicants should be sponsored by someone (lay or ordained) who has completed a Cursillo weekend, and is active in the "Fourth Day" (the post-weekend support groups). This person is responsible, both for adequate preparation of the applicant, and also for ensuring that he or she has every assistance in becoming established in the support groups of the Movement after the weekend experience.

2.4.5 Married couples are encouraged to attend a weekend together, but this is not obligatory, and should be decided in the light of individual circumstances.

2.4.6 Applicants should be baptized members of the Scottish Episcopal Church (within the Anglican Communion) and at least 21 years of age.

2.4.7 These criteria may be varied at the discretion of the College of Bishops, or Provincial Spiritual Director and Provincial Lay Director.

2.5 CONTINUING SUPPORT

The Secretariat will be responsible for providing adequate support for those who have completed a three-day weekend, helping them to grow in their Christian faith and commitment by:

2.5.1 The active promotion, encouragement and assistance that will enable every member of the Movement to become part of a Group Reunion - three to five people who will meet regularly for mutual support in living a life dedicated to the ideals of piety, study and apostolic action.

2.5.2 Active promotion, encouragement and assistance in establishing regular Ultreyas (larger gatherings up to forty or fifty people, within social, geographic, or congregational boundaries) meeting about once a month, and the provision of Provincial Ultreyas as required.

2.6 LEADERSHIP TRAINING

The Secretariat will he responsible for developing a "Servant Community" (formerly known as Leaders' School) within the Province, from those who see the Cursillo Movement as their primary apostolate.

The principal functions of this Community will be:

2.6.1 Encouragement to grow in the knowledge of the purpose, method and structure of the Movement, and in what is fundamental for being a Christian.

2.6.2 The provision of a trained "Lay Rector" (leader) and team for each three-day weekend.

2.6.3 Provision and planning for Group Reunions, Ultreyas and spiritual direction.

2.6.4 To this end, the Secretariat will identify and enable lay people and clergy to attend a Cursillo Leaders' Workshop (which is held over a weekend); or a Cursillo Clergy Workshop (which may be of shorter duration). These, and other workshops as required. are organised by the British Anglican Cursillo Council.

2.6.5 The Lay Rector and Spiritual Adviser(s) for each three-day weekend shall be appointed as detailed in Section 3 of this document.

2.6.6 Team members will he selected (and their tasks will be allocated) by the Lay Rector and Spiritual Advisers in consultation with the Secretariat for a specific weekend. Team members should be active in the "Fourth Day".

2.7 PROMOTION OF CURSILLO

The Secretariat, in consultation with the Bishops, shall actively seek to promote Cursillo in the relevant dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church. This will be subject to endorsement of the Movement by the College of Bishops, and will also require the full agreement and support of the bishop of the receiving diocese. Initially, implementation of Cursillo in the receiving diocese shall be in accordance with guidelines and criteria laid down in this document, and shall also operate according to the guidelines and regulations contained within the "Library" of the National Episcopal Cursillo (U.S.A.).

[Acknowledgment is made to the N.E.C. booklet The Pastoral Plan for some of the material above]

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