Press Releases 2nd August 2024
St Asaph President for Anglican Renewal Group
St Asaph President for Anglican Renewal Group
A worship leader from Estuary and Mountain Mission Area has been selected as the new National President of the British Anglican Cursillo Council. Helen Taubman from Halkyn was introduced as the new President during a conference in May.
Cursillo translates from Spanish to ‘lever’. Created in Mallorca in the 1940s, Cursillo revolves around a balanced method of prayer, study, action and mutual support, encouragement and accountability. This is further enhanced through a residential training, known as ‘The Cursillo’, which grows a participant’s faith, exploring practical aspects of God’s love and equips participants with tools to support their ongoing discipleship. Many come back to their local church ready to take on roles in mission area life they would not have had the confidence to undertake prior to their Cursillo.
Helen has served as Lay Director and has been Lay Rector twice for St Asaph Cursillo. In addition she has served on the St Asaph team for four further resident Cursillo weekends. Helen said: “I have been a Cursillista since 2007. I am passionate about Cursillo and profoundly believe that the Cursillo method is a tool for growth for not only the Church in Wales, but the whole Anglican Church. On a recent conference one of the delegates described Cursillo as “the Church’s best hope for the future, and yet one of the least known opportunities in our churches yet is a gift to any priest as it energises people to grow and deepen their faith and to be the mission of good news”
The Bishop of St Asaph supports Cursillo and it is only with his backing that Cursillo can operate within St Asaph. The Rt Revd Gregory Cameron has filmed this video to encourage people to explore Cursillo.
The Anglican Cursillo constitution is quite clear that Cursillo can only operate within diocesan structures and with the express blessing of the Bishop of the diocese. The discipleship programme, which sits comfortably within the church, is open to everyone. It enthuses and encourages Christians of all backgrounds, wherever they find themselves.
The British Anglican Cursillo Council is the umbrella organisation for activity and furtherance of Anglican Cursillo in the UK. It itself is not a charity – prohibited by law in the UK because a charity cannot preside over other charities – but operates to such principles.
Details about the next St Asaph Residential weekend taking place in May 2025 in Loreto Centre, Llandudno, will be shared on StAR. You are welcome to join any small or larger group meeting to learn more about how the method works in practice. Please contact Jo Kember for more information: jojoreld@hotmail.co.uk
Photographs (c) 2024 S J Bowring