Hello wdg-ga,
I had never heard of Walk to Emmaus but when I started researching it
I discovered that it?s an outgrowth of the Cursillo movement. I
participated in a Cursillo many years ago and your question led me to
dig out my bulging file folder from my very special weekend to look
for the many wonderful letters I got from all the people who were
supporting me in this special experience.
Below I?ve included some instructions from the Walk to Emmaus
organization on how to write a letter of encouragement. These letters
are sometimes called ?agape letters? or ?palanca.? Whatever name you
use, their purpose is to send love, encouragement, inspiration and
support to the Walk to Emmaus (or Cursillo) participant. Friends and
relatives will write more personal messages but members of the faith
community also frequently contribute letters for those who may not
have friends or relatives to give this kind of support.
I?m including some letters and messages that I got when I made my
Cursillo. The spectrum of messages I?ve included will give you a good
idea of how to approach writing your own letter of encouragement. What
you will write will depend greatly on how well you know the
participant. The closer your connection, the more personal the letter.
Letters from strangers tend to be generally inspirational and
supportive. It was wonderful to get all the letters and cards over the
course of the weekend. Many were handwritten on plain paper. Some
people sent beautiful cards. Some were personal designs and works of
art. The letters were a real treat so I encourage you to share from
your heart.
Wishing you the blessings of the Walk to Emmaus for you and the
recipient of your letters.
~ czh ~
=================================================================
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT ? AGAPE LETTER ? PALANCA
=================================================================
http://www.pawte.org/Chrysalis/Chrysalis%20Agape%20Letter%20Request.pdf
Agape Request Letter
http://www.midlandsemmaus.com/eomsampleagape.pdf
Sample Agape Letter
***** This is an invitation from a sponsor to the Walk to Emmaus
participant?s family and friends asking for agape letters. It gives
some concrete suggestions on how to write the letter.
-------------------------------------------------
http://www.ccemmaus.net/agapeletters.htm
http://www.ccemmaus.net/downloadcenter/
Agape Letters for Download
***** This site offers three dozen agape letters to choose from.
========================================
SAMPLE LETTERS FROM CURSILLO PARTICIPANT
========================================
Dearest xxxx,
I just want you to know that it has been a real delight for me to
sponsor you for this Cursillo. How I pray that it has bee a source of
joy for you.
As I sit here and write these thoughts to you, I am already looking
forward to greeting you on Sunday and getting a sense of your
happiness first hand!
I think that I shared with you that my eyes were really opened (and my
heart too) to the different lifestyles and patterns that were shared
by my sisters in Christ. Cursillo certainly broadened my sense of
reality! And, I pray that it made me a more sensitive person. I?m
certain that you to, will come home with treasures to enrich your
living.
De Colores!
My love, XXXX
***** This was one of the many notes and letters I got from my sponsor.
-------------------------------------------------
Dearest xxxxx,
I?m so excited to know you are taking this weekend to walk with
Christ! I will try to make an extra Joyful Noise for you on Sunday.
May you be renewed, refreshed and lifted up by the love offered you
this weekend. You are special and I?m blessed to count you among my
friends.
Love,
xxxxx
***** This is from a fellow choir member. The name of the choir was
?The Joyful Noise.?
-------------------------------------------------
xxxx,
When I made my Cursillo last year it was one of the most wonderful
events of my life, and by Sunday you will understand what I mean.
Rejoice in the love of Jesus for he will never forsake you.
De Colores!
Love,
xxxxx
-------------------------------------------------
Dear xxxxx,
As a fellow St. Luke?s parishioner, I wish you much love this weekend.
May you be filled with faith, hope, laughter, tears and GOD!
xxxxx
-------------------------------------------------
Dear xxxxx,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this special weekend. You are
surrounded by God?s love and we hope you can relax and enjoy every
minute.
De Colores
xxxxx and xxxxx
-------------------------------------------------
Dear xxxxx,
This weekend is a beautiful expression of God?s abundant love for you.
We pray that you will accept the love that He has for you and continue
to respond to that love.
May the peace of Christ dwell in you.
xxxx and xxxx
-------------------------------------------------
Dear xxxxx,
May the peace and joy of our Lord by with you today and always. May
you be touched by your sisters in Christ as you?ve never been touched
before.
With love,
xxxxxx
-------------------------------------------------
Dear xxxxx,
You are a special person and God has called you this weekend to share
his love and goodness. Bask in God?s love this weekend. Let his Spirit
fill you with his overwhelming and abundant love.
De Colores
xxxxx
-------------------------------------------------
xxxxx,
Relax and enjoy your weekend. We are thinking of you and keeping you
in our prayers. May your weekend be as special to you as mine was to
me.
xxxxx
-------------------------------------------------
Dear xxxxx,
Sing, sing, sing of God?s love.
Enjoy!
Judy xxxxx
====================================
WALK TO EMMAUS AND CURSILLO MOVEMENT
====================================
http://www.upperroom.org/emmaus/whatis/#
About Emmaus
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to
strengthen the local church through the development of Christian
disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the
model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act
in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all."
The Walk to Emmaus is an adaptation of the Roman Catholic Cursillo
(pronounced cur-SEE-o) Movement, which originated in Spain in 1949.
Cursillo de Cristianidad means "little course in Christianity."
-------------------------------------------------
http://ccpl.carr.org/emmaus/history.html
Maryland Emmaus History
The Emmaus program, and several related activities such as the
Lutheran Rainbow and the Tres Dias programs, have their roots in the
Roman Catholic Cursillo de Cristianidad (Short Course in Christianity)
movement.
Cursillo first developed in Spain as the direct result of dedicated
Christian men seeking to help others come to a deeper understanding of
Jesus Christ.
Emmaus, originally known as The Upper Room Cursillo when it began in
1977, was redisignated as The Upper Room Emmaus in 1981. Although it
is a unit of the United Methodist Church, the Emmaus program is
ecumenical. The first weekends were put on with the guidance and help
of the American Cursillo community. The objective of an Emmaus
weekend, in keeping with the original Cursillo goals, is to inspire,
challenge and equip local church members for Christian action in their
homes, churches, and places of work, through spiritual enrichment and
renewal. God has truly blessed the Emmaus community: as of 1984,
20,000 people had attended a Walk to Emmaus. Who could possible guess
how many have attended by now! Each of this multitude has taken back
the love of God into their homes and workplaces, affecting countless
numbers of people for Christ.
===============
SEARCH STRATEGY
===============
?Walk to Emmaus?
Emmaus ?letter of encouragement?
?agape letter?
?Walk to Emmaus? ?agape letter? |
