Mission & Objectives
Urantia Association International’s mission is to foster the study of The Urantia Book and to disseminate its teachings.
Revelatory teachings transform lives, and transformed individuals change the world. The teachings contained in The Urantia Book change our lives by enhancing spiritual perception, expanding cosmic consciousness, and helping us find friendship with God. This, in turn, provides us with the spiritual stimulus to seek service opportunities in all walks of life… The supreme satisfactions of the loving service of man [170:4.12, 1863.10]
One of the Association’s main objectives is to help people who have discovered The Urantia Book find greater comprehension and appreciation of the teachings by fostering comprehensive study of the book, and connecting students with others who also have a desire to find real meaning and value in their lives.
When truth seekers come together, great things can and do happen through the vital exchange of ideas concerning a wide array of topics, such as our inner relationship with God—learning how the soul grows—discovering the value of dynamic service—and realizing the purpose of our life in a friendly and loving universe.
I admonish you ever to remember that your mission among men is to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom—the reality of the fatherhood of God and the truth of the sonship of man. — Jesus
[Paper 193:0.4, page 2052.4]
President’s Message
If each mortal could only become a focus of dynamic affection, this benign virus of love would soon pervade the sentimental emotion-stream of humanity to such an extent that all civilization would be encompassed by love, and that would be the realization of the brotherhood of man.
[Paper 100:4.6, page 1098.3]
Effort, Perseverance, and Faith
The global pandemic of 2020 was a challenge, one which Urantia Association had been unknowingly preparing for since our founding. Our decentralized, global community has been rotating leadership at the local, national, and international levels, meaning that we had qualified, trained leaders ready to keep our communities moving forward in the face of quarantine and social isolation.
Within weeks of the world grinding to a halt, Urantia Association had organized its first 24-hour global webinar. Shortly after this first English language event, the webinar was adapted for the Spanish and French speaking communities. Study groups began looking after one another, providing help and comfort when necessary, and transformed the way they met to study the book. Webinars expanded. Conferences went online. There has been an explosion in Urantia-themed podcasts and web videos. When the world changed wildly, Urantia Association adapted and thrived under the new pressures.
New Innovations
With in-person conferences and book fairs on hold, new types of projects began to develop. The Urantia Book calls for a “multiplication of multiliguists” and for the first time the Urantia Community is taking up that challenge. A pilot program was launched where a group of Spanish speakers would meet and learn English together by a combination of online language tools, side-by-side comparisons of El Libro de Urantia and The Urantia Book, and live discussion of the teachings. The goal of this pilot program is to develop a system that can be transformed to other groups ready to learn new languages with fellow Urantia Book students.
Business as Usual
Just because we are isolated does not mean we are stagnant! The Association continued to grow in 2020 welcoming new chartered groups in Guatemala, Venezuela, and Bolivia. With new Associations in development in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Cameroon, Africa continues to be our focus as the next center of Urantia leadership and education, matching our efforts in Europe, South America, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. And we are pleased to announce Collins Lomo of Ghana as our new African Continental Coordinator.
Changing of the Guard
At the international level, our rotation of leadership continues. Enrique Traver of Brazil was elected as the next International President starting in 2021. Jay Peregrine was elected to succeed Brad Tharp as the next CFO, and Joanne Strobel was elected as the next International Secretary, replacing John Nugent. I speak for Brad, John, and myself when I thank all members of Urantia Association International for allowing us to serve the fifth epochal revelation for these brief years. It has been an honor to witness the dynamic growth of this organization we love so much.
Chris Wood
Outgoing President on Behalf of the International Service Board
Highlights
Cosmic socialization constitutes the highest form of personality unification.
[Paper 56:10.14, page 647.5]
Due to the global pandemic, there were many challenges in 2020, especially when it came to conferences or any face-to-face encounters. But there were also many surprising successes. Eager students of The Urantia Book flocked to teleconferencing mediums such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and Skype. The participation in Urantia Association’s Urantiathons exceeded all expectations with hundreds of spiritually motivated people in attendance. Through these mediums, enthusiastic and dynamic leaders and teachers continue to foster the teachings around the globe, with tremendous successes seen in Latin America and Africa.
Continental Growth
Through the concerted efforts of dynamic individuals, The Urantia Book teachings continue to enlighten and inspire people from all continents. In particular, we continue to see a heightened interest coming from the spiritually hungry people of Africa and Latin America. But there have also been surprising surges of enthusiasm and participation from Urantia Book students in Europe and North America.
Virtual Study Experiences
There can be little doubt that, in 2020, teleconferencing and webinars were the peak activities for all students of the book. There was (and still is) an overwhelming flood of interest and participation in these events as face-to-face encounters became more and more restricted by the coronavirus. The Education Committee was particularly active, producing 36 webinars in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Personal Impressions
There is nothing more heartening or inspiring than to hear about the spiritual triumphs in individual lives. Despite much adversity and continuing challenges in all areas of life, students of the book forge ahead, sharing their uplifting stories, moving experiences, and spiritual insights. We discover that sharing our lives with other students strengthens our faith, emboldens our courage, and broadens our peace of mind.
Service & Administration
Urantia Association International could never function in its mission to spread The Urantia Book teachings if not for the many dedicated people who volunteer their precious time, talents, and efforts to this good cause. The Association manages its global undertaking through the tireless work of administrators, committee members, program leaders, and the hundreds of volunteers who work behind the scenes.
Financials
The year 2020 has been a challenging one for all of us. So many changes so suddenly. A year in which our perspectives shift, priorities and strategies become rearranged, and our idealism and hopes gain focus. The Association experienced many disruptions to our strategic plans and events during the year. Thankfully, the International Service Board’s commitments to digital media and on-line networks for our committees, volunteers, members, study groups, and community allowed the Association to maintain a robust global presence. Our investments in organizational infrastructure and communications systems certainly demonstrated their importance this past year.
In 2020, Urantia Association International received $90,449 in revenue from members, affiliates, supporters, sponsored events, and services. We received more donations and income than we spent, resulting in a budget and income surplus once again this year. Total expenses and service program disbursements amounted to $68,292, leaving the Association to begin 2021 in a positive financial position with a total budget of $133,075 and a cash balance of $134,883.18 as of January 1,2021.
Our Restricted Funds are receiving very generous support from around the world. The Future Conference and Event funds for Africa, Europe, and Latin America have a combined balance of over $20,000 USD, providing a very solid financial foundation for dissemination service projects by our Continental Coordinators and National Associations in those regions! The readership continues to grow around the world and there is a hunger for community. Thanks to all of you who volunteer and donate to this great cause and noble effort, and who share the joys of service one with another. God Bless.
Bradly Tharp
Outgoing Chief Financial Officer
| Income (in United States dollars) | $ |
|---|---|
| Ordinary Un-Restricted Contributions | 71,539 |
| Restricted Fund Contributions | 17,316 |
| Earned Income | 3 |
| Other Income | 1,592 |
| Total Income | 90,449 |
| Expenses | $ |
|---|---|
| Program Service Costs | 19,278 |
| Admin. Services Expenses | 40,726 |
| General Operations Expenses | 8,289 |
| Total Expense | 68,292 |
| Change in Net Income Adjusted | 22,157 |
Looking Ahead
Changing leadership of any organization always brings some anxiety, even some concerns, but it also brings good hopes and high expectations. So, I believe it is important to bring in some relief to the Urantia community and share some good feelings.
Urantia Association International has become an outstanding organization under the leadership of its prior presidents, Gaetan Charland and, more recently, Chris Wood. They managed to organize it so well that all we have to do is to keep the boat sailing.
Sailing the High Seas
Our worldwide community is growing every day and our ability to assist anyone, anywhere, to study and spread the teachings is more solid and prepared every day. New National Associations were added, and some new ones are on the way. During the coming years, we will focus on strengthening the leadership and the structure of the existent National Associations; new training for leaders will be developed and implemented; a plan to work out new strategies for entering new countries and new cultures is on the list; and we will pursue the existent plan to raise donations to the Association as well as develop new strategies to increase them.
Our collective mind is the boat (the Association). Our combined Thought Adjusters are the Pilot and our ensembled will is the Captain. This boat is sailing to reach every corner around the world and I have just got on board to join the Father’s will, which I seek to follow with all my heart. There is a navigation plan defined, as well as an established destination and a mission to be accomplished.
Continued Growth
The sails may be adjusted, new sailors may come on board, and those already there are willing to deliver more. The route may be redefined to overcome possible incoming storms. New and more advanced tools and instruments may be added to our navigation system to ease the journey but the destination and the mission will always remain the same: “to reach every corner of the world to foster the study of The Urantia Book and to disseminate its teachings.”
Education & Dissemination
We plan to intensify the education committee activities by developing new educational programs and combining the existent ones, both within and outside the Association. An important action is to continue to seek alternatives to diversify translations to additional languages in our programs, conferences, training, and communications so we will be able to be more and more inclusive.
Dissemination will continue to be our top priority, new programs are to be developed in combination with the communication and education committees. We will intensify actions for developing more study groups such as the new guide and additional tools that are on the way. Conferences will continue to play an important role as dissemination tools as well as celebrations unifying the Urantia community. We will multiply the efforts to get closer, and work in coordination with, Urantia Foundation and other associations.
Our program with the Continental Geographic coordinators will continue, assisting us in coordinating and fostering our activities on all continents.
I invite you all to join us on this adventure, participating as a volunteer in many of our existent programs, or being a donor to support our activities, or simply getting involved as an active member of the Association.
In service,
Enrique Traver
Incoming President
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Contributors
In appreciation of their support for Urantia Association and our activities in 2020, we wish to thank the following contributors. Names posted with permission. Not all contributors are listed.
- Nicolas Aguilar, USA
- Amazon Smile, USA
- Jean-Luc Amblet, Switzerland
- Holly Arvanites, USA
- Jean Ascher, Denmark
- Matt Austenfeld, USA
- Larry Austin, USA
- Australia & New Zealand Urantia Association, Australia/New Zealand
- Ade Awoyinka, United Kingdom
- Anne Barnaby, USA
- Donald Bartlett, USA
- Bill and Share Beasley, USA
- Bernie and Merindi Belarski, Australia
- Zailyn Prada Blackburn, USA
- Boutique Videotron Le Carrefour de Nord, Canada
- James Boyd, USA
- Scott Brooks, USA
- Bruce Brown, USA
- Thomas Burger, USA
- Flavio Ronald Burin, Brazil
- Elisabeth Callahan, USA
- Hilvania Canella-Adams, USA
- Carol Cannon, USA
- Stephen and Connie Caruso, USA
- Gaétan G. Charland, Canada
- David and Trish Chilton, USA
- Inge Clark, USA
- Ernest Clement, USA
- Bill and Kaye Cooper, USA
- Janet Cote, USA
- Brian Lee Cox, USA
- Ronald Craig, USA
- Kenneth and Linda Cramer, USA
- Maryjoel Davis, USA
- David Draxton, USA
- David R. Edwards, USA
- Marta Elders, USA
- Terry and Kelly Fontenot, USA
- Clermont Fortier, Canada
- Paul Fucich, USA
- Douglas Fulton, USA
- Joao Frederico Abbott Galvao, Jr., Argentina
- Alfonso Garcia, USA
- Gestion Charland-Lessard, Inc., Canada
- Katrina Glavan-Heise, USA
- Alan and Cheryl Glicker, USA
- Chris Gravel, Canada
- Greater Lake Michigan Urantia Association, USA
- Janet Guaderrama, USA
- John Hales, USA
- Ed Hanson, USA
- Hawaii Urantia Local Association, USA
- Robert Hersey, USA
- Doreen Heyne, USA
- Myra Hight, USA
- Ariana Horn, USA
- Marian and Matthew Hughes, USA
- Gard Jameson, USA
- Richard Jernigan, USA
- Bruce Johnson, USA
- Duane Johnson, USA
- Serge Jusyp, Canada
- Raymond Kleeba, USA
- Benjamin King, USA
- Marilyn Kulieke, USA
- Mark and Karen Kurtz, USA
- Sherry Layton, USA
- David Linthicum, USA
- Olga Molina Lopez, Spain
- Teresa Lueck-Bradley, USA
- Rick and Susan Lyon, USA
- Éric Martel, Canada
- Patricia Martin, USA
- Gilles Mauroy, USA
- Julian McGarry, Australia
- Patty McGrath, USA
- Charles and Debra McLafferty, USA
- Timothy S. Minasian, USA
- Anton Miroshinchenko, Ukraine
- Randy and Nancy Moser, USA
- Jonathan Paul Mugridge, USA
- Facebook, Various
- David Neufer, USA
- Barbara Newsom, USA
- John W. Nugent, USA
- Nigel Nunn, Australia
- Robert Oliver, USA
- Thomas Outerbridge, United Kingdom
- Ed and Susan Owen, USA
- Karl Pace, USA
- James Patten, USA
- Patti Page Perdue, USA
- Jay W. Peregrine, USA
- Voyette Perkins-Brown, USA
- James Perry, USA
- Rebecca Picou, USA
- Gail Pollock-Manthey, USA
- Larry and Geri Posner, USA
- Gary and Wanda Powless, USA
- Dr. Richard A. Rawson, USA
- Marjorie Ray, USA
- Dave Leroy Reiman, USA
- Youssef Saliba, Canada
- Nicholas Scalzo, USA
- Rita Schaad, Australia
- Jeanette M. Schafer, USA
- Judith Shaltry, USA
- Will and Margo Sherwood, USA
- Sheri Sky, USA
- Brent St. Denis, Canada
- Michael O. Stafford, USA
- Stephanie Stein-Buchler, USA
- Lanny and Debby Stone, USA
- Line St-Pierre, Canada
- Joanne Strobel, USA
- Superclub Videotron St-Javier, Canada
- Trevor and Kathleen Swadling, Australia
- Geoff Taylor, USA
- Preston Thomas, USA
- Marc Thomas, USA
- Jake and Margaret Thompson, USA
- Ralph and Karen Thornton, USA
- José Enrique Marti Traver, Brazil
- Urantia Association of Finland, Finland
- Urantia Association of the United States, USA
- Urantia Foundation, USA
- Judy Van Cleave, USA
- Meredith Van Woert, USA
- Richard Vannucci, USA
- Virginia Carolina Readers Association, USA
- Brenda von Gelder, USA
- David Wagstaff, USA
- Neil Waldrop, USA
- Helmut Wallner, Austria
- Rick Warren, USA
- Diana Whakapapa and Norman Weiss, New Zealand
- William Wentworth, Australia
- Allen and Mindy Williams, USA
- Jose Winum, France
- Chris and Alice Wood, USA
- Joel and Xue Wood, USA
- James Woodward, USA