The Finnish Cursillo

The Cursillo movement is in Finland under the auspices of the Finnish Lutheran Church, and it is establishing its reputation and role in the Finnish spiritual scene. It is spreading from person to person, little by little all over the country.

Cursillo is a movement of the Church providing a method by which Christians are empowered to grow through prayer, study and action and enabled to share Gods love with everyone

What does Cursillo offer?

An opportunity to grow in faith.
A chance to experience the love and grace of God and the joy of Christian fellowship.
A way of building a continuing Christian community to help one another on our spiritual journey.

Who is it for?

People just like you - laity and clergy - anyone who is: curious, searching, discovering, growing and wanting to be glad and confident in their faith.

History

Officially, the Cursillo movement came to Finland in 1997 when Bishop Leonard H. Bolick (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) got in touch with the then Finnish Lutheran Archbishop John Vikström, and the first Cursillo weekend was organized in Finland in 1998. Before these events, some Finns had already experienced Cursillo weekends abroad.

In Finland, the decision was made to have gifting from the Church of England based on the facts that 1) they had the original name, and 2) it was easier to have contacts to England. With the help of the British Anglican Cursillo Council, Finland has now the official license to organize Cursillo activities.

Cursillo is a method of supporting and encouraging our lives as Christians. The special character of the Finnish Cursillo is perhaps the Finns’ special attachment to nature and silence. More than anything else, Finns seem to be looking for Christian love, peace of mind and how to be a good neighbour.

Finnish Cursillo contacts

The Finnish background organization is Kirkkopalvelut – Church Resources Agency, www.kirkkopalvelut.fi. The street address is Hietalahdenranta 13, P.O.Box 279, 00181 Helsinki, Finland. The Cursillo contact person in Church Resources Agency is Ms. Marjaana Kanerva, +358-(0)207 54 2000. The chair of the Cursillo Board is Mr. Juhani Saarela +358-(0)50 598 7224. Under the Finnish word ”toimikunta”, you will find the names of all the board members.

Palancas

can be sent directly to Church Resources Agency, address above, or to the rector/rectora of the weekend.

Cursillo #15

will be In Kotka 2011.