Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekends
(Previously known as Cursillo)
Small Groups | Pilgrimage/Cursillo Weekends | Adult Education | Youth Ministry | Children's Ministry
A Presbyterian Pilgrimage retreat weekend (previously known as Cursillo), guides participants into an even closer, more personal relationship with Christ, deepening their faith, heightening their joy and invigorating their life. This short weekend course in living the christian faith is designed for Presbyterians to provide a framework for the development of Christians in the local church and in the world. Consider attending a weekend that will enrich your faith and life.
For more information about Pilgrimage, visit the Chicagoland Pilgrimage Website at www.chpilgrimage.org.
Upcoming Events:
Pilgrimage Ultreya on February 12, 2010 at 7:00 PM at FPC, Evanston
Pilgrimage Weekend #20, April 15-18, 2010
Location
The DeKoven Center, Racine, Wisconsin.
Click here to download forms: www.chpilgrimage.org/downloads
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
How does a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend accomplish its aims?
Who goes to a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
How can I attend a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
How much does it cost?
What happens after a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
Summary
What is a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
A Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend is a three day spiritual renewal experience designed to strengthen the faith of individual members of Presbyterian churches, and through them to impact the environment in which they live, worship and work. Pilgrimage is based on Cursillo, meaning a short course in living the Christian Faith. Cursillo was developed in the Roman Catholic Church in Spain more than 50 years ago, and came to the U.S. in several, predominantly denominational forms. Presbyterian Pilgrimage is distinguished from the other similar 3-day weekends (Walk to Emmaus, Tres Dias, Episcopal Cursillo, et al) by being both co-ed and consistent with the Reformed Faith.
During the 72 hours of the weekend (Thursday at 5 p.m. thru Sunday at 5 p.m.) participants worship and study together to gain a more personal awareness of their faith, as well as the joys and responsibilities which that faith brings. No advance study or preparation is required to participate. The laity-led weekend is centered on talks, both by lay people, and clergy. After each talk participants and staff, in small groups, discuss and interact with the ideas presented.(back to questions)
How does a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend accomplish its aims?
During the three days of a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend, participants form a small Christian community, worship and study together, and communicate with one another in order to gain a personal, living awareness of their faith as well as the joys and responsibilities such a faith brings. The weekend itself is centered around talks, with some given by lay people and some by clergy. After each talk the participants and staff, in small groups, interact with the presentation.(back to questions)
Who goes to a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
The weekend is not designed to convert unbelief to belief, or to convert members of other denominations to Presbyterianism. It is intended for adult members of any Presbyterian denomination: who already have faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ; who seek an even closer and more personal relationship with Christ; and who desire to heighten their joy, deepen their faith, and invigorate their life in Christ.
Pilgrimage is an individual experience that occurs in community. It is not a couples retreat, but because each weekend is as different as the makeup of the particular group of participants and staff, married couples may desire to attend the same weekend if their employment, family responsibilities, and other circumstances permit. The staff of each weekend is comprised of people who have previously attended a Pilgrimage or other similar 3-day weekend and who desire to share the experience of Pilgrimage with others. They have been trained to serve in this leadership role.(back to questions)
How can I attend a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
Fill out an application and send it to the registrar noted. Anyone who has previously attended may serve as your sponsor and provide you with details. A Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend is a part of what the church is doing. Therefore you may want to make your pastor aware of your decision to participate. After applying you will be notified prior to the Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend you are scheduled to attend.(back to questions)
How much does it cost?
A $245 cost for the weekend includes charges for lodging, meals and the use of the facility. The staff pay their own expenses, and much of the materials used during the weekend are contributed by those who have attended previous Pilgrimage weekends, in order to hold costs to a minimum. Fill out an application and send it to the Registrar along with your $50 deposit. Scholarship funds are available to help those who might not otherwise be able to attend.(back to questions)
What happens after a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend?
The weekend is only a beginning. What you learn and share during the weekend is intended to be taken back and put into practice in local congregations and communities. You will be supported by many others who have attended a weekend. You will have the opportunity to meet weekly in small groups to reinforce one another and to share the Christian life. Further, larger groups meet every four to six weeks to share the joy and fellowship of our faith. The objective of a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend is to inspire, challenge, and equip each local church member for Christian action in the church, home, place of work and community.(back to questions)
Summary
We ask you to keep an open mind and heart in making your decision. Seek God's guidance. Many of those who have attended also wondered whether they should go. Now that they have attended, they want to share this wonderful gift from God with you. One measure of a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend's impact is the large majority of participants who want to return to serve on staff at a subsequent weekend. Consider attending a weekend that will truly enrich your faith and life.
We hope you consider attending a Presbyterian Pilgrimage Weekend this year. The weekend will truly enrich your faith and life!(back to questions)