What is Camino
Camino is a Spanish word meaning "journey". Thus a Camino in Christianity is a "journey in Christian living." The Camino experience evolved from the Cursillo movement, which originated in Majorca, Spain in the 1940's as a means for reviving Christian commitment. Though originally a Roman Catholic movement, it has spread throughout the world as a major ecumenical movement in Christianity.
Camino begins with a three day experience of sharing and learning in a Christian Community. Camino is open to both lay people and clergy, age 21 or older. There is a $45 charge for the weekend per person. Men and women attend separate weekends. Married men and women make a joint commitment , with the husband going first. As a result, women's weekends are made up of the wives of men who attended the previous weekend and many singles. The joint commitment requirement is to insure couples will be able to share their experience in their homes and families.
What is Offered at Camino
A Camino weekend offers an experience in Christian community in scope. From the time you step into the church on a Thursday evening, you will see an atmosphere in which growth is both possible and attainable, in fellowship and trust. You will see a way of renewal in the church through a new look at its teachings, sacraments and devotions. The weekend offers a base in faith, from which action in the church and in the world is encouraged. You will learn that we are not finished products, but fellow strugglers who have His assurance of the power to become anything He wants us to be. You will also see a focus for responsibility and mission beyond the 3-day experience and an opportunity for discovering more of the meaning of Life.
Who Will be at Camino?
People like yourself. They will come from all walks of life, who are curious, growing and dressed as you will be (informally) and making friends and being with brothers and sisters in Christ. There will be cooks who do more than cook. These people have attended a Camino weekend previously and are willing to donate their time and labor so that you can be free to take in the weekend. There will also be teams of lay men and women who spend weeks together preparing themselves for the weekend, working as a community of Christ. There will also be ordained ministers who serve as Spiritual Directors of a team and offer themselves both in talks and discussions.
What Are Some of the Topics Covered?
There are many topics covered during talks throughout the weekend. Here are just a few:
* Relationships with God and Neighbor
* Growth in Christian Life
* Obstacles to our Christian Growth
* The Environment Around the Christian
* The Sacraments and God's Grace
What is Expected of Me?
There are very few expectations during a weekend. All we ask is that you are open to what is happening during the weekend so that at the end of it, you will see what Christ wanted you to see. We would also like for you to examine where you are in your pilgrimage and where you want to go and be willing to respond in your own way what God and the Holy Spirit dictates and to allow others the same. Finally - you just need to be thirsty enough to dedicate 3 days of your life to learn more about Christ.
What About Worship?
The weekend does occur past Sunday morning into Sunday afternoon. Don't worry - there is plenty of worship during the weekend. Holy Communion will be celebrated daily. Meditation and devotional exercises are an integral part of the weekend. Remember, Camino is not a substitution for the church. It is a means of stirring up Christians for Christ. The church is bigger than Camino and it growth in the church for which Camino exists.
Practicalities
Camino is not intended as a therapy for mental illness or personal issues including marital difficulties. However, personal relationships are often improved when someone mends the relationship with God and other Christians. Persons undergoing emotional stress probably should consult their pastor to see if they should attend a Camino weekend.
Sponsors
All persons participating in a Camino weekend for the first time must have a sponsor. This person is someone who has previously attended a Camino weekend. The reason for this is to insure that you have someone to give you encouragement and support and to also verify that you have met all requirements for the weekend. Your sponsor is also responsible for taking you to and from the church where the weekend will be held.
For more information or questions, please contact your pastor.
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