Cursillo-related Movements > in various Christian Churches >Diaspora

Diaspora

Diaspora is a weekend experience with a follow-up, very much similar to the Cursillo movement but led by the Moravian Church in America and ecumenical in nature.

It was started in the United States in 1980. At that time the Episcopal Church, after the Roman Catholics and with their help, had developed the Cursillo program throughout the United States. In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Moravians heard of the movement from the Episcopalians and, with their help developed the program.

Like the CM, Diaspora takes place on two weekends, the first for the men and the second for the women. Discussion centers around thirteen 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. And, as with the Cursillo, one of the primary strengths of Diaspora is the follow-up. To nurture the process of discipleship, the Diaspora movement offers specific opportunities. First, small groups of people meet weekly to reflect on their spiritual growth and encourage one another in their discipleship. Second, there are meetings called "Gatherings" where people in a particular Diaspora community or area are invited for fellowship and worship.

Diaspora is for the development of Christian leaders and is open to members of any Christian denomination. The Steering Committee (which guides the movement) consists of nine lay people and two clergy persons. There are presently over 500 people who have experienced the weekend, and they represent more than ten denominations.

This information has excerpts from the Diaspora website