Triennial Conference

[See the Triennial Photo Gallery]

The Triennial conference and meeting was held at Kings College University, Edmonton. Alberta, from June 2-4, 2006.

Registration opened at 4:00 pm, Friday, June 2, and this was followed by dinner for those staying in residence.

Following dinner there was a short period of praise and worship. The conference was opened by LaVerne Bernier, Interim Chair of CACS.

The opening address was given by Bishop Victoria Matthews of the Diocese of Edmonton. Bishop Victoria gave an excellent and inspiring talk on "The Role of Cursillo in the Anglican Church of Canada." Following Bishop Victoria's talk there was a welcoming reception.

Banner

This banner was made especially for the CACS Triennial meeting, to illustrate the theme "Scattering Seeds." The banner maker was Sally Harrison of the hosting Diocese of Edmonton.

Saturday

Saturday began with Morning Prayer followed by a Prayer Workshop presented by the Rev'd. Dr. Beth Marie Murphy. The theme of the workshop was, "Prayer gives us Life to Scatter God's Seeds." This workshop continued until noon. After lunch Rev'd. Murphy spoke on her experiences in Viet Nam, both as a Navy Nurse during the Viet Nam conflict and afterwards when she has made numerous visits to the country. Her basic theme was the Healing and Forgiveness that has taken place in the Vietnamese people since the end of the war. This was a very enlightening talk on how people can overcome past hatreds and become very forgiving to former enemies.

At 2:45 pm, a series of concurrent workshops was offered. The topics of the workshops were: Current Issues, Sponsorship, Ultreya & Group Reunion, Spiritual Direction, The Authentic Weekend, and the Role of Secretariat.

Each workshop was presented twice and participants were asked to choose two of the six. The workshops were well attended and everyone seemed to feel that they were useful and worthwhile.

Saturday evening was a Grand Ultreya which was a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing, and a chance to meet Cursillistas from different parts of the country.

Sunday morning began with Morning Prayer, followed by coffee and then a CACS information workshop at which the process of the elections to be held at the General Meeting was explained.

After the workshop, Bishop Ken Genge gave an address entitled "Living out Your Fourth Day, -- Bloom Where You Are Planted". In this address Bishop Genge offered some excellent suggestions on how we can carry out the commission of the Cursillo Movement.

Members of the outgoing CAC Secretariat, 2003-2006, with Bishop Matthews and Bishop Genge of Edmonton.

CACS Triennial Annual Meeting

Following lunch, the CACS Triennial Annual Meeting was held. In attendance were 31 members, representing 11 voting dioceses.

The usual format of a meeting was followed, with the opening prayer, call to order, approval of agenda, and approval of the minutes of the previous meeting.

The Interim Chair of CACS, LaVerne Bernier, then presented the accountability report of CACS for the years 2003 to 2006.

The acceptance of Laverne's report was moved, seconded and carried. The report appears at the end of this newsletter.

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Amendments to the Constitution

The following proposed amendments to the constitution were presented by CACS to the membership:

1. That a new section entitled Signing Authority and numbered 6.5 read as follows:- "6.5 The signing officers of CACS shall be any two (2) of the following three (3) officers - Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer." Moved by Ray Long, Seconded by Sherry Wiegers that the first amendment to the constitution be accepted as presented.     Carried Unanimously
   
   
2. That section 7 entitled Amendment to the Constitution be amended as follows:- "7.1 This constitution may be amended at any Triennial Meeting of CACS by a two thirds majority vote of the member Dioceses present, voting through their designated representative, each Diocese casting one (1) vote. Proposed amendments must be furnished in writing to each member diocese at least seventy-five (75) days prior to action on such proposed amendment. This time limit may be waived by the unanimous vote of eligible member Dioceses present and voting at a Triennial meeting of CACS. Any amendment made at the Triennial Meeting in accordance with SECTION 7.1 must be presented to the voting members in writing, at least twelve (12) hours before the meeting. Moved by Sharon Insley, Seconded by Ted Wheeler that the second amendment to the constitution be accepted as presented.
            Carried unanimously

Elections

Elections were then held for the Ecclesiastical Representatives on CACS.

The following persons were elected to CACS for the next three year term:

Lay Chairperson

Val Wilbur

Episcopal Advisor

Bishop Larry Robertson

Clergy Representatives

The Rev'd. Mark McDermott

The Rev'd. Ed Keeping

Province of Canada

Marianna Stack

Province of Ontario

Robert Campbell

Province of Rupert's Land

Tim Sandell

Terry Gushuliak

Province of British Columbia

Jerry McDowell

Roger Parkes

The Interim Chair then gave her closing remarks expressing her pleasure at serving on CACS for the past six years, even though it had been quite a challenge and learning experience for her. She also expressed her thanks to all the members of CACS for their help and support.

The meeting was adjourned and all went to the chapel for the closing Eucharist and the commissioning of the new CACS representatives by Bishop Larry.

The members of CACS would like to thank sincerely the Edmonton Secretariat and its Planning Committee for all the hard work they put into planning and organizing an excellent Triennial Conference. Putting together a successful Triennial Conference requires the dedication, effort, and faith of a great many people. CACS very much appreciates all that the Edmonton Movement did to assure the success of the conference.

De Colores
Ultreya!

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST

Just as this National Newsletter was about to be circulated, CACS members were informed of the sudden death of Keith Birkinshaw on August 17, 2006, four days after lung cancer surgery. Keith served as a member of CACS from 2000-2006 and for the past three years has been the Secretary. We would ask that you keep Keith's widow, Marian, and family in your prayers as they journey through this time of loss and sorrow. And in Marian's words - "Please rejoice that Keith had no pain from cancer or from the heart problems. He is also with his Heavenly Father, in peace; Praise the Lord."

NATIONAL CURSILLO PRAYER CYCLE

The Cursillo weekly prayer discipline is found elsewhere on this site, and so is not repeated here.

continued on P. 3