Go Fourth!

September 1995

Any comments would be most welcome. (See the foot of the page for address)

• GO FOURTH: New Editor
• Lay Director's Report to 1995 AGM
• Weekend Coordinator
• Cursy-What???
• Food For Thought
• Fr. Roy McGreevy
• Southwell 10th Aniversary visit
• And I thought I was a Christian
• Don't Quit
• Reported at the Fourth Day Group Meeting

It's new editor time...

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The editor of Go Fourth is elected for three years at a time, I think I am the fifth.

After producing the September issue, I was given the oportunity to create some web pages, and so I decided to produce an Electronic Go Fourth.

The following is my editorial page from the printed magazine.

Perhaps I should introduce myself and tell you how I ended up writing this: I'm Geoff Riley, and I live in Lymm. I made my Cursillo at Foxhill last October-Chester Cursillo #16.

Being right on the edge of our Diocese I'm a little bit out of the way. However, the Cursillo weekend fired me up to such an extent that I wanted to get involved as much as I could.

I attended the Diocesan Ultreya at St. Stephens, Congleton last September-still "floating" on the experience of the weekend, and came across "The Secretariat." At the Ultreya a couple of the Secretariat posts were up for election, and it was mentioned that the Editorship for Go Fourth was due for election at the AGM in May. I went away thinking. (I won't say it's an unusual event-I'll leave that to you!)

A while later I wrote to Gerry asking what was involved, and was informed that being the editor meant you are responsible for everything from soliciting articles through to stapling and distributing the finished magazines... So I prayed about it-I knew that this is not something that I would be able to do in my own strength: I'm far too busy! God, however, has plenty of time, and He will see to it that Go Fourth will be as good as it can be.

To cut a long story short, I was elected to the post of Editor at the Diocesan Ultreya and AGM in May. So, (in the words of the song) "Here I am, Lord."

I would welcome any comments on the style that I have used in the magazine. Being a "computer-friendly person," (I refuse the title "expert;" since an "ex" is a has-been, and a "spurt" is a drip under pressure!) I have produced this on my computer, and hope that I have achieved a pleasingly consistent and readable style.

The next issue will be due out in January 1996, if you have any articles (or cartoons; or anything!) which you would like to see in print, please get it to me by December 2nd at the latest.

Lay Director's Report to 1995 AGM

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Index

• Growth
• Weekends
• Sponsorship
• The Servant Community
• Secretariat
• Cursillo In The UK

Growth

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Weekends

We continue to welcome new staff members and as we now hold only 2 weekends a year we are still finding it difficult to invite Cursillistas from other dioceses to join the team whilst we still have so many people on the waiting list.

We already have two bookings for Foxhill in October this year. This seems to be the favoured venue so we pray that Foxhill will be full again this time.

Our Fourth Day Officer, Pat Riley, has held regular meetings with the Lay Rectors again this year and much has been achieved at these meetings. Communications between Ultreyas is now much improved with her encouragement, and we continue to consolidate our Fourth Day.

It was a great joy to meet so many of you at our Diocesan Lay Conference and much interest was shown in our display. Apart from the Clergy Conference, we hope to have the display at the Bishop's Course day at Tirley Garth, Tarporley, on Saturday 17th June, when Bishop Michael Langrish will be speaking. [The display was there---Ed.]

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Sponsorship

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The Servant Community

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Secretariat

Keith Craddock, our Treasurer, and Gerry Tickner, our Go Fourth Editor, are also retiring after much appreciated hard work. There are going to be four new faces on the Secretariat this time.

We are particularly pleased that Glenys Dakin will be able to join us for the Eucharist today. Unfortunately she hasn't been able to function as UK and Overseas Palanca Secretary during her illness, but I'm sure she'll soon be back on the job. Our thanks to Sylvia Craddock for filling in for Glenys---a heavy load as those of you who've been on a Weekend will be aware. I'm sure you were impressed by the number of posters received from overseas, and we respond by sending posters to all of them from Chester. Sylvia will tell you the incredible number she has sent out recently.

Thank you to our Pre-Cursillo Officer, Muriel Joslin, who has organised the purchase of display boards. If anyone would like to mount a display in their church, please ask her about it. She has also had the leaflets re-printed and organised publicity through the diocesan mailing. She holds the stock of the leaflets so please ask her for a supply. Pam Hanson is our Development and Publicity Officer and organises the notices in the Chester Diocesan News.

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Cursillo In The UK

It is very encouraging to attend the British Anglican Cursillo Council events, including the UK Ultreya. The Chester representatives at their meetings are Fr. Simon, Iain Whitlam and myself. These meetings are still held in Wilmslow so Chester Diocese is still the centre of the BACC universe. If you would like to meet Cursillistas from other dioceses, perhaps you would consider offering your services to help with the making and serving of coffee at the start of the meeting. The next meeting is on November 4th. Please let me know if you would like to help.

We are still being encouraged by BACC to ensure that as far as possible all members of Secretariat should have been on a CLW. The first regional Workshop was hosted by Chester last June and was very successful. Six of our cursillistas attended that, but on subsequent occasions we have only two places allocated to us. The next Workshop will be held at Offa House, Coventry during the weekend 8th to 10th December, and will be hosted by Coventry Diocese. The two places allocated to us will be offered to new members of the Secretariat in the first place. If you would like to go, and are not on the Secretariat, please let me know and I'll put you on the waiting list. BACC pages keeps us up to date with the UK news, it is now edited by Trevor King, so please make sure you get a copy from your Lay Rector.

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WEEKEND COORDINATOR

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By the time you read this, Alison Crozier will have moved to Devon. This means that the post of Weekend Coordinator has suddenly become vacant once more.

Since it will take a while for a new Weekend Coordinator to be found, Sally Mullock will temporarily be the contact for any weekend participant applications or enquiries.

CURSY-WHAT???

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It must be more than two years ago that I first heard the word "Cursillo." I felt a mild curiosity about it who doesn't when they haven't given it a try?! I had difficulty in pronouncing it and nobody was inclined to explain much about it so I pushed it out of my mind and got on with the Bishop's Course.

You meet the nicest people on the Bishop's Course. It was surprising to me how many nice people I met that kept on about Cursillo and smiling mysteriously advising me to try it.

"You ought to go," they said, and smiled some more, "You'd love it." But dates for the week-ends never coincided with the gaps in my diary. However, the seed was sown. Then my priest also began to talk about Cursillo and he wouldn't explain either, just muttered something about "it would be good for you," and "you're ready for it." (Why does the leaflet encourage us to ask questions when no-one will tell us the answers??!) I decided at the first opportunity to "Go for it." (one of my sayings) 27th April 1995 was the first opportunity. I "went for it!"

"I'll keep an open mind," I told myself, "I've done other week-end things in Chester Diocese, this will be good." I thought I knew what might be coming! Oh, the arrogance!

I finished work early, packed my case (including something to read at night!!!) and headed into the Spring sunshine and the hills above Macclesfield. My spirits soared or I thought they did, the phrase you "ain't seen nothing yet" now springs to mind! I was wrong all along the way! The only thing I got right was to try to keep an open mind. I thought I would enjoy the week-end, I thought my spirits soared. (And we all know what thought thought don't we!). As the week-end unfolded I learned how high and up-lifted one could be. I also learned that words cannot describe a "mountain-top" experience. I learned too that "enjoyable" is insignificant when describing how that week-end was for me. More importantly I learned a little of letting go and letting God (and I am still learning how to do that) and I learned about being totally enfolded in Gods accepting love, the same love that Jesus has for each one of us and that He calls us to share with one another. I was totally bowled over by a wave of this love throughout the week-end. It picked me up, spun me around and pointed me in the right direction.

Now when others ask me about Cursillo, I smile broadly and say "Go for it," "Treat yourself to a Cursillo week-end" and "You'd love it" and I feel myself light up inside at the memories of my Cursillo.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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As the time for my Cursillo drew nearer, I didn't want to go, but I knew that the Lord wanted me there. I wondered what I was letting myself in for. When I arrived at Savio House, I met a friend called Sandy; she greeted me with a big hug. And then I knew I was meant to be there for the experience of letting the Lord back into my heart so that he could work through me. I could feel His presence all around me. I felt that God had poured so much more of His love into me, that it was overflowing from my eyes.

As the Weekend went on I could feel the breath of God all around me. Oh what a joy it was for me to be hugged by the Lord during the Weekend. There is nothing that the Lord can't do if we are open and honest with Him to let the Holy spirit work through us all. It helps to strengthen our faith.

Thank you all for making the Weekend special for me.

Fr. ROY McGREEVY

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Many Cursillistas will be saddened by the news of the death of Fr. Roy McGreevy who died peacefully aged 62 in August.

Fr. Roy was diagnosed as having stomach cancer in May and was on many peoples prayer list, from which he received great strength and comfort. Fr. Roy made his Cursillo on Chester Cursillo #1 in 1988. He became an active member of the Cursillo movement in Chester by becoming a Spiritual Director and staffing on #2, #7 and #12.

He was a strong believer in lay leadership and encouraged his congregation at St. Stephens, Congleton to make their Cursillo.

When he retired through ill health in December 1993 he left behind a legacy of a strong lay team able to take on the running of the church and conduct services. Fr. Roy was loved by many and their lives where greatly enriched and nourished spiritually through knowing him. Please continue to pray for Margaret his wife, also a Cursillista, now and in the future.

MY PILGRIMAGE TO SOUTHWELL MINSTER FOR THE 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, SATURDAY, MAY 13th

By Our Man from Pendlebury

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My pilgrimage to Southwell Minster was made between hospital appointments, so I felt I had to go.

The day chosen was a nice spring morning - my route by train, was from Manchester to Nottingham, via Sheffield changing at Nottingham for Newark. However, when departing from Sheffield the train came to a stand at a signal and the delay was about one and a quarter hours due to a "land slip." The train finally arrived back at Sheffield station and further delay occurred while things were sorted out. "Praise to the rail staff at Sheffield station!"

On arriving home, I thought of another way - why not via Leeds! After all, Leeds station "leads to places!"

So, on a Wednesday morning off I went again and on arriving at Leeds the Kings Cross train was in the platform. It was a fast journey (let the train take the strain). During the journey I felt something was wrong, (having been a former railway signalman one senses these things), and true to form the train came to a stand about a mile from Newark station. The loco had failed. So, crossing my fingers, etc., we finally arrived at Newark station with a sigh of relief.

When I arrived at Southwell it was a very nice place and I met some very helpful people who told me of possible places to stay. I returned home happy in the knowledge that I would return on Saturday the 13th.

The day arrived, so off I went again (early to gain extra time). Arriving at Leeds the train was in the platform. Does the train stop at Newark I hear you cry? NO - only principal stations, not Newark. So there was a delay of an hour.

I finally arrived at Southwell Minster 40 minutes late and the service was in progress. It was a great feeling and I had a lump in my throat. God said to me 'We made it Norm!'

You will be pleased to know I did light a candle for Chester Cursillo - thanks be to God.

AND I THOUGHT I WAS A CHRISTIAN!

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I have known for a long time that I am a Christian and didn't mind saying so. I was always quick to add that I couldn't quote bits from the Bible but I just knew; that from a feeling deep inside my chest, I knew that God was in my life. I would also say that I felt that often I was only one step ahead of the children at Sunday School. For a very long time I could accept this but over recent years felt that this situation should be changing!

About this time last year I noticed something in our parish magazine which said "What is this Faith of Yours?" it was an article about the Bishop's Course. Well that said it all, what is this faith of mine? I joined up and am just coming to the end of a year on the course and I feel that I have learnt so much, met so many new people and really begun to grow as a Christian.

We have discussed passages from the Bible, church life, the state of the world both now and over past times; all done in such a safe caring environment. Even when people shared different views, there was still the deep respect for each other and we were able to accept that we don't agree all the time and we can respect each other's viewpoints. And actually, what's new? Things have been like this forever that doesn't matter just because their views are not the same as our own doesn't necessarily mean that either is wrong.

At the beginning of the course we realised how good it is to get out side of our own church, to mix with other Christians, not only Anglicans, and share. I think that we all felt that we could go back to our own churches renewed, refreshed? I don't know what really. A bit like at the Prayer Groups re the Love to Give; we weren't JUST praying, we were looking at the Bible and sharing our thoughts and our feelings and it felt good!

On Saturday 17th June 1995, I attended a day out at a beautiful place near Tarporley called Tirley Garth. There we were able to look at things that we could do in Year Two of the Bishop's Course if we so wished. There are so many things on offer but you don't have to do any of it if you don't want to.

I think that a big message for me has been "Tell people about your Faith, don't just preach to the converted." Take God everywhere with you: to the shops, to work everywhere. For most of us going to church on Sunday should be just a part of being a Christian.

We need to be a Christian in the outside world as well as in our own church. We don't have to be dead clever and know lots and lots (although we can acquire knowledge and skills in all sorts of ways Bishop's Course, Cursillo, Study Groups etc.) but just to be ourselves and to be ordinary! We are not all called to stand on street corners and tell the world "The Good News!!" But we do need to make a conscious effort to DO something.

Also this year, as part of my yearning to know more about this faith of mine, I went away on a Cursillo weekend. I didn't know what to expect (neither did Malcolm, as this is something we have been able to do together). That really seemed to change our lives; we both felt that. Again, as on the Bishop's Course, we were with like-minded people, Christians, some ordained some not and from all types of backgrounds. I have never ever in my whole life felt so secure or surrounded by so much UNCONDITIONAL love; the sort of love that we as Christians know is like Gods love for us. We prayed, we sang, we had a series of very interesting talks and we could just be ourselves; it was an amazing experience, I can't find words to describe it. I feel that it took me so close to God My Father and gave me a glimpse of Heaven. It filled me full of hope. We Christians aren't sinking fast! We can have heaven on earth. We must just hang on to the fact that we must love one another unconditionally, and trust and have faith in each other because until there is peace in our own hearts there will never ever be peace in the world and we will never be able to have heaven on earth.

Sadly Malcolm and I have had to come back to the real world and all its difficulties but we have to hang on to what we Christians shared at Cursillo. We mustn't become despondent, we mustn't give up hope. Remember the glimpse of heaven and keep hanging on---nobody said that being a Christian would be easy. We've all heard that before I think!

I really thought that I was a Christian before but now I feel different. I don't know what it is, perhaps it's that I am more of a practising Christian; really trying to practise what I preach and believe to be Gods way!

I come back to my deep-down feelings. I just felt that I had to share my experiences with you; my wanting to know more about "This Faith of Mine" over the past twelve months and the effects it has had on me. I wish I had felt this 'yearning to know' years ago but perhaps this is the way, Gods way, that it had to be for me.

PS: Another common thread throughout my last years experience is: we think that we have chosen God but actually HE has chosen us, warts and all; He knows all there is to know about us and He still chooses me and you!!

"DON'T QUIT"

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When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
And instead of a smile you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest in God's love-and never quit.

Life can be strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failed man's turned away
When with God's help he'd have won the day.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow-
For you may succeed with another go.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The sliver glint in the cloud of doubt,
You never can tell how close you are-
The goal may be near when it seems so far.
So turn to the Lord when you're hardest hit:
Put your trust in Him-and never quit.

[Anonymous]

I've included this piece of palanca to all of you and to myself.

I'm late with this issue of Go Fourth and I apologise for that, I was almost finished when I got a dose of the flu. I have the above stuck on my computers at work and home: it often helps me get over a problem!

REPORTED AT THE FOURTH DAY GROUP MEETING:

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The following is an extract from the minutes of the last lay rectors meeting.

It arose because of the extreme difficulty one cell group had in finding a free slot in their diaries to meet. The local constabulary are said to be taking an interest in this aspect of Cursillo in Chester!

"Gatley and Offerton: A group meets in a car parked in a lay by outside Styal Prison. How's that for commitment!"

It just goes to show that it can be done if you are determined. Take note all of you out there who "can't find time to arrange a cell group."