Cursillo-related Movements > in various Christian Churches > Koinonia

Koinonia

Koinonia is the Greek word for "fellowship" - the term early Christians used to describe their gatherings. Koinonia is a multi-denominational community that through prayer, fellowship, and sharing of common experiences helps individuals feel God's purpose for their life and focus on becoming more committed Christians.

It is fashioned after the pattern of Cursillo.   So, there are two basic parts to the method: 

• First: a living experience in Christian community, a Koinonia weekend. 
• Second: opportunities to share life and faith with others, and to gain - especially through small sharing  groups - the support and encouragement necessary to be an apostle (meaning one who is sent out) in today's world. 

The Koinonia movement began in the Presbyterian Church in Findlay Ohio, in 1972.  It was developed by an ecumenical group of Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Quakers.   In 1975, Koinonia spread to Buffalo, NY, owing its existence to Roman Catholic Cursillistas who offered to share their method of renewal with the Protestant community. 

Koinonia is found in different American locations such as: Arkansas, Colorado, Colorado Prison at Florence, Montana, New Mexico, New York, Northern Colorado, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Western Colorado.  It was introduced to Canada, in Southern Ontario, a few years ago, with the help of Cursillistas from Buffalo,.  Since then the two movements have been closely associated and mutually supportive.  In Buffalo, NY and Burlington, ON, the Catholics of the Cursillo Movement and the Protestants of the Koinonia Movement help each other during their respective weekends and join hand in helping the Kairos Movement in the three prisons of the region.  They also look forward to implant Kairos in other prisons of Canada.

In the diocese of Washington, Koinonia is recognized as a Christian ministry of the Presbyterian Church, USA, Synod of Alaska-Northwest.  It could be the same with the Oregon and Montana groups, although we are not sure.  But all the others are independent, nondenominational groups.

More, from an e-mail received on March 29, 2005

 

© 2008 - French-speaking Cursillo Movement of Canada