“Credo” in the USA

We’ve had a request for palanca for the for the “Mason Dixon Credo” weekend running from the 15th 18th May 2025. If, like me, you haven’t heard of this ministry before you can find out more at their website masondixoncredo.org.

Lead Spiritual Director for the weeken Revd Melissa Barnes writes:

Credo combines elements of the Cursillo tradition with those from the Kairos Prison Ministry. The founders, who were active in Kairos, received a vision that there are many who are behind “prison walls,” just not the brick-and-mortar kind. The original Credo Weekend, going back to 1996, focused on those who were in recovery from substance abuse, but it has since expanded to focus on those who are in recovery from brokenness, which can take many forms (abuse, abortion, divorce, grief, trauma, etc.). We recognized that in many cases, an addicted person may be trying to escape emotional pain. We also recognized that there are other forms of addiction beyond substance abuse: over-eating, addiction to exercise, shopaholic, workaholic, sexual addiction, etc. All of these behaviors can impact a person’s relationships, finances, and personal health. Bottom line, though, is that they all are “Obstacles to Grace,” as they control a person’s behaviors and attitudes rather than the individual submitting to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our hope for each guest is that during the Weekend they will receive Jesus as Savior, or renew that commitment, and that they will allow the Holy Spirit to bring healing to their pain.

Our upcoming weekend, Credo #43 (“Live in the Light”, based on Colossians 1:12-14 ), will take place May 15-18 at Penn Grove Retreat Center located near Hanover, PA. On Friday afternoon, guests will hear a talk from one of the Spiritual Directors about “God’s Love for Us.” They also will hear that there are people all over the world who are praying for them during that time – and that some have sent written expressions of their prayers. It would be beautiful to know that some of your folks are praying for us. And if they could email an expression of their prayers, that would be lovely. Our organization was severely impacted by COVID and we are still re-building. We have no palanca coordinator. I am the lead Spiritual Director for the Weekend, and I have been reaching out to different communities that I find via the internet, in hopes of receiving a few pieces of palanca that can be shared at that time.