Fall 2005

Edition Number 86

Ultreya, June 16, 2005

St. Mary's, Clarenville

Judy Reader

An Ulterya was held on June 16th at St. Mary's in Clarenville.  There were about 85 people who came to worship together with God and His people.

The day began by us being blessed by the presence of Bishop Eddie Marsh.  Bishop Eddie's words of inspiration reflected on our being a source of encouragement to each other .  Not only each other, but as Christians we should shine in the Lord's goodness and bring others to His Kingdom.  Bishop Eddie also reminded us to keep the election of a new Bishop, come September, in our prayers.

St. Mary's Gospel Band began the service with a few joyful Choruses.  Rev. Nathan Cutler led a service of Holy Eucharist, leaving us with thoughts to ponder with his reflection on the "Beatitudes".

After feeding our souls, we went downstairs to take nourishment for our bodies. Rev. Bob Oldford blessed our food and we all enjoyed a lovely cold buffet.

Following our meal our spirits were uplifted again by singing praised to His Holy Name.

Ruth Hunt, Chair, Servant Community, brought words of warmth, and welcomed visitors to our gathering.

When then separated and came together in our group reunions. Through Piety, Study, and Action we each learned a little more about each other and a lot more about God.

Our witness speaker, Anna Frampton, humbly shared with us about her relationship with our Saviour.  Anna Spoke of many paths her journey in life has taken her.  A path with many indecisive directions, but never alone as the Lord has always been faithful to her.

We concluded our day by raising our voices to God and praising Him.

While writing this I recall the song, "As we are gathered, Jesus is here, One with each other........" I always find it so amazing that every time we are gathered in Jesus name, there is not one stranger among us.  When we are bonded in the love of Jesus, His Love and Grace should seep out of every pore in our bodies, so that as we go about our daily tasks we draw others to Christ jus by being a Christian.

De Colores

Summer 2005

Edition Number 85

Ultreya, April 16, 2005

St. John the Divine, Cannings Cove

Melvin Simmonds

The Lord made his presence known to approximately one hundred and fifteen Cursillistas plus visitors who came together at St. John the Divine Church on April 16, 2005.

We started at eleven a.m. with Holy Eucharist. Reverend Eric Squires, celebrant, filled in for Reverend Lockhart, who along with his wife Ruby were in Belize on Diocesan business at that time.

The Proclamation of the word from Acts chapter 13; 44-52 read by Melvin Simmonds, followed by Psalm 98 read by Marilyn Chatman and the Gospel of John 14; 1-14 read by Larry Chatman.

Reverend Squires meditation was based on the Gospel reading "I am the way the truth and the life". As the Peace was passed among us,  much joy was shared as friends bonded together as one   "in the spirit of God's Love."

During the Eucharist Ron Little played and sang  "The Alter" and "Here I Stand" which was very beautiful and touching. Thanks also to our church organist Donna Penney who provided beautiful uplifting hymns, assisting us in our singing of praises to the Lord.

After the service we all moved over to the recreation center for lunch.  We  were served soup-sandwiches-beverage and Desserts by the ladies of the ACW. Special thanks to Margaret Saunders -a newcomer to Nfld., she  filled in for Betty Simmonds who was ill.

After lunch we were led once again in our praises to the Lord by the music team of Ron Little, Beryl Boland, Herman Hancock, Helena Thoms and visitor Eddy Gerald Penney.  After a few uplifting songs of praise we were officially welcomed by our Lay Director John Barnes.  John then divided us into floating group reunions for the purpose of sharing in Piety, Study and Action for a period of about twenty minutes. We then regrouped and was blessed with more music and singing, lifting our spirits even higher.  

Our Witness speaker was Kathy Russell. Kathy's talk was about how God was active in her life and in her family life as well.

It was a humble reflection of her love of serving our Lord.  Thank you Kathy for sharing that love with us.

Responses were made by Ron Little, Gord Shares and several others and Rev. John Gillam tied it all together biblically.  After a few more songs of praise Rev. Perry Cooper closed the Ultreya with Prayer.

De Colores

Summer 2005

Edition Number 85

Ultreya, March. 11, 2005

Holy Trinity Church, Parish of Holy Trinity, Grand Falls-Windsor

Ann Shears

The March Ultreya took place at Holy Trinity Parish, Grand Falls - Windsor on March 19, 2005 with approximately 80 Cursillistas in attendance. The day began with Holy Eucharist celebrated by Rev. Walter Hammond. Readings were done by Ed Eastman, Diane Kelly, Audrey Bishop and Elsie Oldford. The music was provided by Beryl Boland, Herman Hancock, Helena Thoms and Rev. Roy Martin who as usual gave us a wonderful day of music and song.

The reflection on the reading was done by Bishop Edward Marsh on Lazarus being raised from the dead. The message was a wonderful one on how all of us at times feel as if we are in a dark cave of despair and need to be raised into the light of Christ.

 Lunch was provided downstairs in the E.M. Bishop Hall after grace was said by Rev. Vernon. Soup, sandwiches and dessert was provided by the cursillistas of Holy Trinity Parish and our sister parish of St. Alban's. Thanks to all that helped.

 After lunch John introduced guests and then the group reunion followed. his was a time for everyone to speak on piety, study and action which they had completed recently.

 The reunion was followed by our witness speaker Linda Pafford who gave a wonderful witness talk on listening and obeying the voice of Jesus. Linda gave many examples of when she listened and obeyed. One of these examples was when her sister Liz was dying and how she kept hearing the voice telling her Psalm 51 & Psalm 91. She relayed this to her sister Ellen and Liz's husband Andy. They obtained a bible and read these to Liz and subsequently read her own bible to her up until her death. This was a very powerful message of the importance of listening and then obeying.

 Responses to the talk were made and Rev. Vernon summed up the talk with biblical references.

 Frank Hounsell spoke next on his illness and how much he appreciated the prayers that were offered by all on his behalf. He felt that it was prayer which took him to where he is today.

 It was good to have him back on his feet. Thank God.

 John closed the Ultreya with a few words on the upcoming Ultreya, April 16 in Cannings Cove, Parish of Brooklyn and the weekend May 20-23.  He spoke of the importance of praying about someone before sponsoring.

 A final prayer was said by Rev. Vernon and then everyone held hands and sang, We are standing on Holy Ground.  With this another Ultreya came to a close.

 De Colores

Summer 2005

Edition Number 85

 Ultreya, Feb. 19, 2005

St. Aidan's, Port Blandford

June

There were about 70 Cursillistas and friends gathered at St. Aidan's church on the beautiful Saturday of Feb. 19/05.  After many greeted each other, Eucharist service began with singing led by our own Gospel Band.

Rev. Squires led us with a short meditation followed by an invitation to the Lord's table by Rev. Lockhart, with our Gospel Band leading in songs of worship.

Thank-you to the ACW for preparing a wonderful lunch. following our lunch we had our time of sharing.  Lay Director, John Barnes, led us in some praise songs before chairing our meeting.  Breaking into smaller groups we then had a wonderful time of sharing in Piety, Study and Action.

Then came our witness speaker, Mildred Miller who shared some of the difficult times in her life and how she realized that although things were difficult at times, it could still be worse.  She knew that no matter what came in her pathway, she had a friend like no earthly friend who would stand by her and see her through and that friend is Jesus.

 Those who responded to Mildred's talk could see how important that her faith in Jesus Christ is in all that she does.

After more singing we shared in our prayer circle our concerns for others and concluded with prayer.  The day was enjoyed and a blessing to all.

De Colores and God Bless

Spring 2005

Edition Number 84

Revista, January 21, 2005,

St. Martin's Hall Gander

Claudette Ingram

Approximately 84 people gathered at St. Martin's Hall Gander, for our annual Revista----beginning on  Friday evening, January 21, with prayer and praise service.

The theme was "Thy word, O Lord, is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path." A wonderful theme for a Christian gathering.

After some lively singing, led by our ever faithful musicians, Norm Purchase gave a brief talk on our responsibility for sponsorship of new candidates.

Norm was followed by the Rev. john Millis, Provost of Queen's College who was our guest speaker for this years Revista.  He began with a very inspiring teaching in "praying through the scriptures". He outlined helps to personalizing the Word of God and making it come alive-Moving it from mind to heart.

The evening concluded with more fellowship and a cup of tea. Then we dispersed to our homes to care for our billets.

Saturday morning began with a prayer breakfast (may I add, thank-you to Claude and the team for the delicious food).

This session began with Bong and Rev. Vern Reid blessing us with a beautiful rendition of "Through it All"

The talk was "Praying with confidence", and we were challenged with such questions as "do we think God hears our prayers?"  "Do we trust Him to answer?" It ended with a song entitled "The Wonder of the Cross".

This was followed by another talk by Rev. Millis on "Studying the scriptures", pointing out many guidelines as to how we can interpret the scriptures - the goal of studying being to hear and obey the Voice of God.

The Eucharist followed with a reflection by Rev. John Watton, our new Rector.  He spoke of "knowing that God loves us and our love for one another".  Lunch was followed by an Ultreya and again the focus was on Prayer.

Beryl Barnes, who gave the witness talk, shard some ways that God is working in her life through the power of prayer and how prayer has been answered for her and her family.

Penny inspired us by singing "How Long Has it Been?"  Rev. Vern Reid, our spiritual director, gave a summation, reminding us that God works through the little things and He is not finished with us yet.

The day concluded with a third talk by Rev. Millis, where he gave some helpful suggestions as to how e can study Scriptures, and make it alive and meaningful.

Our time together was brought to a close by our lay director, John Barnes and despite the inclement weather, we were blessed for having shared this time together..

De Colores!

Spring 2005

Edition Number 84

Christmas Ultreya, Dec. 11, 2004

St. Alban's, Parish of Indian Bay

Arletta Hunt

In spite of a Winter storm being forecasted for December 11, 2004 approximately 80 cursillistas and friends gathered at St. Alban's Church, trinity, B. Bay.  Eucharist began at 11:00 am with Rev. Sam Rose and Rev. Vernon Reid as celebrant. Scripture readings was taken from 1 Samuel 17; vs. 4 - 1 and 41 - 50.  This reading was dramatized by Trudy Collins as Goliath, Trixie Brown as David and Ethel Hunt as narrator.  Psalm 11 was read responsively led by Madeline Holloway.  The gospel reading from St. Mark Ch. 11; vs. 20 - 25 was proclaimed by Arletta Hunt.

Rev. Sam Rose then preached a very powerful and inspiring sermon based on the Old Testament  reading from Samuel.  Prayers of the people were read by Ruby Lockhart.

Music for the day was supplied by the Cursillo music team of John Barnes, Beryl Boland, Herman Hancock and Eugene Ploughman. Thanks team, you sure add to our service with your beautiful songs of praise and thanksgiving.  After we were all fed at the Lord's table and concluded the service, we moved to the Parish Hall where we were fed with a cold plate and desert luncheon that was prepared by the four ACWs' of the Indian Bay Parish.

After lunch we enjoyed a time of prayer, fellowship and singing before we formed our smaller groups to discuss living our fourth day through Piety, Study and Action.

Renee Easton, our witness speaker talked about prayer and how prayer had been answered on many occasions along her life's journey.  She also shared the story of a near death experience she had three years ago when her lungs shut down leaving her on life support for five days and how the power of prayer had been felt and how it brought about healing. An amazing, powerful witness of God's healing power in today's world.

After many responses to Renee's wonderful talk, Trudy Collins sand a song she had written herself, entitled, "In a Country Far Away."  Lay director, John Barnes made the Cursillo announcements.  We sang, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and Rev. John Watton led us in closing prayers.  Everyone left for home uplifted and rejuvenated by the beautiful spirit filled worship and fellowship of the day.

May God Bless

De Colores!