Retreats for Women in 2013

There are so many retreats around the Diocese this Lent, a new and updated list is in order! This is wonderful news that there are so many opportunities for Spiritual Growth in Lent and beyond! I hope that you will have a chance to take advantage of one or more of these retreats! Some of the retreats are in the northern part of the Diocese and some in the south. The Feb. 9 retreat at Holy Faith is anticipating over 80 ladies! Looking forward to seeing some of you there! Watch for photos here!
February 16: Centering Prayer Retreat at the Cathedral, Albuquerque with Susan Rush of the Contemplative Center, sponsored by the Daughters of the King. (Free, donations accepted for food & supplies) Contact Martha Ernest, or Cindy Davis
February 22-23: Stations of the Cross with the Rev. Rhonda McIntire (overnight) at the Bosque Center, Albuquerque. RSVP to the Rev. Rhonda McIntire of San Gabriel, Corrales. ($75, includes room and 3 meals.)
February 23: A Study of the Book of Ruth led by Canon Scott Ruthven at St. Andrew's, Las Cruces, sponsored by the Santa Rosa Chapter, Daughters of the King. R.S.V.P. 575-522-2622 or bcb88005@yahoo.com (9-1, with lunch to follow)
March 2 (8-6): A Lively Lent in Thought, Word, and Deed a retreat for women at St. Francis on the Hill, El Paso with Bishop Vono as keynote speaker. $40 (There will also be workshops with ideas for an active, lively Lent and a presentation by Susan Hutchins of the Our Lady of Las Palomas border ministry. Attendees are encouraged to stay and attend St. Francis on Sunday. Donations for Las Palomas are being requested.) More info and registration form here.
March 23: A Lent Retreat for Women with Canon Kathleen McNellis sponsored and hosted by the Julian of Norwich Daughters of the King in Roswell. (Contact Kathleen Pittman at St. Andrews, Roswell for more info.)
May 18: A Day with Bishop Barbara Harris, first woman Bishop of the Episcopal Church, in Albuquerque. (Watch for more information about this exciting opportunity to meet and learn from the first woman bishop of the Episcopal Church)
June 21-23: Body, Mind, Spirit: A Time of Pampering and Renewal at the San Geronimo Center in Taos. (Plans are in process to make this a time of refreshing both physically and spiritually in the cooler summer beauty of Taos.)
November 8-9: Second Annual Women’s Retreat at the Bosque Center, Albuquerque.
November 14-17: Cursillo Weekend at the Bosque Center, Albuquerque.

If you know of other Retreat opportunities, please email Cindy Davis so they can be posted on the blog and highlighted in the newsletter.
More info about all these retreats can be found on the Varieties of Gifts blog for Women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande.

Retreat at the Bosque Center, Albuquerque. (Dates and

Cursillo and an Ultreya

Many women in the DRG have attended the 3-day renewal weekend known as Cursillo. They wuold say that the experience has enriched their ministry and life in Christ. There is much misconception about this movement from those who haven't participated. Some think it's too 'Holy Roller' or exclusive or a secret society. Really, it is not any of these things. It is yet another way to draw closer to Christ and learn how to live out your ministry.
The word 'cursillo' means little course and in a nutshell that's what Cursillo is: a short course in Christianity. According to the National Episcopal Cursillo website:

"The purpose of Cursillo is to help those in the church understand their individual callings to be Christian Leaders...all of us need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those around us. The goal of Cursillo is the goal of the Church: to bring all to Christ through informed, trained leaders who set out with the support of others having a similar commitment. Cursillo helps to renew and deepen Christian commitment. Cursillo is one of many renewal movements...
Cursillo is patterned on Jesus' own example. He searched out and called a small group of potential leaders (pre-Cursillo); He trained them by word and example and inspired them with a vision (Three-Day Weekend); He linked them together and sent them out into the world to bring the world to Him (Fourth Day)."
The 3-day weekend is the tool for training Christian leaders by reminding participants of their call, as baptized members of the Body of Christ, to share the Good News in all their environments (family, work, and everywhere) by living a life filled with piety (spiritual aids) and study (of all sorts), then acting with God's direction.
Just as important as the 3-day weekend is what happens after the weekend-the Fourth Day (or rest of your life). Small groups form to meet regularly and hold one another accountable in their Walk with Christ. There are also large group gatherings called "Ultreyas" where many people who have attended a Cursillo weekend or who are interested in learning about Cursillo come together for a fun couple of hours of music, a lay talk and clergy response.

Cursillo in the DRG has been inactive since about 2006. But-wait:

Join the Cursillo community on Saturday, July 28 at the Cathedral for a potluck lunch at noon and Ultreya at 1pm, complete with music and inspirational talks and friends! This Ultreya is the first step in what the Acting Secretariat hopes will be a renewal of Cursillo. The theme for this Ultreya will be “Here I Am, Send Me!” If you have questions, contact Colin Kelly at Trinity on the Hill (505-662-5170) or Ken and Cindy Davis at the Cathedral.

The Acting Secretariat is trying to create a list of as many Cursillistas as possible, so if you are a  Cursillistas email your contact info, so you can be contacted for other events, like the Back to the Mountain weekend being planned for this fall. Even if you cannot attend the Ultreya, please join us in prayer for the renewal of Cursillo. Feel free to use the announcement in your church bulletin. We look forward to seeing you at the Ultreya!!

Check out the other events on the What's Happening page of this blog, too-like:
Celebration of the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
July 23, 6:30PM at San Gabriel