Presbyterian Cursillo-Presbyterian Pilgrimage 

Spiritual Renewal Retreats

What resources do you need to conduct a Presbyterian

Cursillo or Pilgrimage?

1.  People:  The most critical need is for people.  Weekends typically average about thirty pilgrims (though they run anywhere from 15 to 45).  You need about 32-35 staff members for a typical weekend.  They usually include 3 clergy and 3 to 5 musicians.  This does not include kitchen help. There is also a need for several other people to take active roles in support of each weekend.         

2.  Someplace to hold it:  This will be a fairly extensive facility - it must provide sleeping rooms for everybody - some groups prefer no more than two to a room.  It must feed everyone in one room at one time.  It must have another single room in which the whole group can assemble - to include five or six groups of 7 or 8 at tables.  It must have a room which can be used as a chapel - seating everyone in the group - for the weekend.  It must have one or more work rooms for the staff.  If nothing else, this will take at least two sleeping rooms - not available for anyone to occupy.  These are minimum requirements.  The bottom line:  You need more space than you think you do.

3. Materials:  Cursillo uses a whole lot of stuff!  That's not immediately obvious to the pilgrim, but if you've attended a weekend, think back.  If you've staffed a weekend - you may understand the problem.  Much of it will have to be purchased, or donated.  There's quite a lot of printed material - including your own song books.  Some materials can be made by members of your community.  Also needed will be bins and boxes to store the stuff in, and access to a trailer or truck to move it all in.

4. Cost:  A typical weekend costs somewhere in the range of  $8,000 to $20,000.  Most of this can be borne by pilgrim and staff fees.  Staff pay their own way - and they're there for four nights!  How much you charge pilgrims is up to you - and your available funds.  Some communities avoid charging pilgrim fees by various means (donations, sponsors paying for pilgrims, etc.)  Other, non-weekend costs are usually minimal.