History

Cursillo is open to people of all denominations who believe in Jesus.  It was designed by a group of laymen and Roman Catholic priests in Spain to formulate a method to help renew the church in the 1940s.  They called it Cursillo or a ‘short course’ in fundamental teachings of Jesus as lived out with other Christians.  In the 1950s, Cursillo migrated from Latin America to the United States, and from its Catholic roots to many other denominations. The Central Iowa Reformed Church of America adapted the program with the support of the Lutheran Church in the 1980s and we continue to renew our approach while remaining true to the Cursillo method.

Attending a Weekend

Your involvement in Cursillo must begin with a basic understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The weekend is geared for those 18 years of age and older. Married couples are encouraged but not required to attend together. You will need a sponsor to attend the weekend. A sponsor is a person who has attended a prior Cursillo weekend, is grounded in faith and dedicated to the objectives of the Cursillo movement. If you need help in finding a sponsor, contact your Pastor or send an email using the form on the Contact page.

The three-day weekend begins on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday evening. There will be opportunities to worship, share communion, listen to presentations by pastors and lay-people and engage in small-group discussions. Cursillo weekends are lay person-led, with spiritual support and guidance from pastors. As the weekend progresses, most people experience the Christian community Jesus had in mind, as participants share laughter, fellowship, and unconditional love.

When & Where is Cursillo Held

The Central Iowa Cursillo will be held on Thursday evening, October 31, through Sunday evening, November 3, 2024, at the handicapped-accessible Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp, just north of Story City, Iowa.