A Journey With Christ
The Gospel of Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus, sharing their hearts' deepest concerns. The risen Christ joined them and explained the scriptures as they walked, how it was ordained that Christ should suffer and enter his glory. This experience on the road was heart-warming. The illuminating climax of the experience was when Christ took bread, said a blessing, broke it and gave it to them. The eyes of those present were opened, they recognized him as the risen Christ, and rushed back to Jerusalem to tell others. (Luke 24:13-35)
What is the Walk to Emmaus
The above story provides the image for Emmaus, an Upper Room program that calls forth and renews Christian discipleship. Like its predecessor, Cursillo de
Christiandad (Spanish for "short course in Christianity"), the Walk to Emmaus is a three-day experience which takes a New Testament look at Christianity as a lifestyle. It is a highly structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people, and through them their families, congregations and the world in which they live. Emmaus is a combined effort of laity and clergy toward the renewal of the church. Participants are grouped by gender, with men and women attending different weekends.
What Happens at Emmaus?
The "Walk to Emmaus" is a 72-hour experience. The weekend begins on Thursday evening and ends Sunday evening. At Emmaus you will spend three busy, but very enjoyable, days in retreat with people from many denominations. You will live and study together in singing, prayer, worship, and discussion. Discussions center around fifteen talks given by laity and clergy. These talks present the theme of God's grace and how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and expresses itself in the world. You'll also discover how grace is real in your life, how you can live in the life of grace, and bring grace to others. You will have the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion, and to begin to understand more fully the presence of Christ in his body of believers. You will experience God's grace personally through prayers and acts of service of a living support community.
Cursillo, a Short Course in Christianity
Cursillo is a three day experience which looks at Christianity, as a lifestyle, from a New Testament perspective. It is a highly structured weekend designed to strengthen and renew the faith of Christian people, and through them, their families, congregations, the world in which they live. Cursillo is a combined effort of laity and clergy toward the renewal of the church. Former participants provide leadership and support for these retreat weekends.
During Cursillo, one will live and study together in singing, prayer, worship, and discussion with men and women from other United Methodist churches through Louisiana. One will experience God’s grace personally through the prayers and acts of service of a living support community.
Who should go? Cursillo is for the development of Christian leaders who wish to strengthen their spiritual lives, may have unanswered questions about prayer,
study, and sharing their faith, and understand that being a Christian involves
responsibility.
Click on Cursillo or Emmaus logos for more information about these renewal weekends.