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Tidings – December 2017

In This Issue

President’s Message – December 2017

Chris Wood

When we are tempted to magnify our self-importance, if we stop to contemplate the infinity of the greatness and grandeur of our Makers, our own self-glorification becomes sublimely ridiculous, even verging on the humorous. One of the functions of humor is to help all of us take ourselves less seriously. Humor is the divine antidote for exaltation of ego. [Paper 48:4.15, page 549.2]

In the United States, the end of the year is the time for charitable giving. The holiday season combines with income tax season leading to a great call for support from those dedicated to “good deeds.” We exalt the fine work of the past while promising more good work in the future. We make it seem like this is the most important work on the entire planet.

In this and other editions of Tidings you can read about the many grand achievements from these last few years, you will read about our wonderful ongoing programs, and you will read about our plans for the next three years.

But as The Urantia Book points out above, we must not take ourselves too seriously. Yes, we are charged with coordinating the spreading of these Urantia teachings, an epochal revelation to the world, but we are not alone. Light and Life is not only a spiritual achievement, but a cultural and physical one as well. All of those working to bring food and clean water, shelter and infrastructure, education and harmony and, yes, spiritual awakening; all of those efforts are made by people on the same team, pulling together to lift our entire planet out of darkness.

We live in an era of service with opportunities our ancestors never dreamed of. If we take ourselves too seriously it will overwhelm us, but The Urantia Book provides us with a perspective and a vision of the universe and our ascension careers within it. Morontia Mota number 24 tells us:

The destiny of eternity is determined moment by moment by the achievements of the day by day living. [Paper 48:7.26 24, page 557.10]

Here is the honest reality of our year-end pledge drive: everyone’s fair share is US$100. If everyone who reads this were to donate US$100, then the Association would be fully funded for the next year of service. That means conferences in Europe (Amsterdam) in Africa (Accra) and in Latin America (Sao Paulo.) It means 1000 copies of The Urantia Book placed into the world in places like libraries, universities and hospitals. It means weekly leadership training in multiple languages. It means 200 brand new online study groups. It means reader services in 22 languages. I hope you can visit our website and contribute to our global work today!

The holiday season is a time to look ahead and gather together to look back upon the past year and dream about the years to come. Thank you for the year of service and the lifetime of good works we have ahead of us!

I wish you all a delightful season and a productive New Year.

Chris Wood
President
Urantia Association International
urantia-association.org/donate

 

International Goals for 2021

Chris Wood, President

Urantia Association International is a bottom-up organization. The Local and National Associations do the work which shapes the future of the Urantia community and the integration of the Urantia teachings into the cultures of the world.

The role of the International Association is to help coordinate individuals and local groups to achieve global goals. With that in mind, the International Service Board has adopted five goals for 2021 as guideposts to help keep us all pulling in the same direction.

Goal #1: A United Theme

For the last three years the Association has united around the theme “Jesus as a Teacher.” The upcoming Amsterdam conference will see the culmination of this theme as well as the shift to our next three-year theme, “Living the Teachings.”

How do we incorporate worship/study/living the teachings into everyday life? How do we talk about Urantia teachings with your spouse/children/relatives, etc. without boring or alienating them? How do we introduce Urantia Book concepts/teachings while in service to others? How do we talk about Urantia Book concepts in different cultures across the globe (secular, Muslim, communist, European, Asian, Christian?) How do we serve others without introducing The Urantia Book?

Goal #2: Shift to Continental Communities

For the last few years Latin America and Europe have been developing continental communities that have united leadership, events, and goals. This growing awareness of Continental Communities will continue to grow and spread to North America and Africa. As these continental leaders take over the work in their area, the International Service Board will be able to shift its focus to areas of the world where the introduction of the Urantia teachings is just beginning.

Goal #3: Foster Study Groups

Fostering study groups is the foundation of Urantia Association’s work. We have seen over the last three years an amazing growth of online study groups. At the same time, the demand for assistance in starting a new in-person study group has never been higher. By 2021, the Association will produce an updated Study Group Guide to help people start new study groups from scratch. In addition, we will actively work toward tripling the number of known online Study Groups by 2021.

Goal #4: Education: Training Teachers and Leaders

Right now there is a growing number of wonderful online study groups, education webinars, and leadership training classes offered in multiple languages across the globe. In 2018 we will create a “Join Now” calendar that will unite those seeking online connections with what is happening immediately. In addition, by 2021 we will offer regular teacher and leadership training webinars as a routine part of our online activities.

Goal #5: Encourage Cultural Exchanges

Online exchange groups are a wonderful and immediate way to connect with your fellow Urantia Book students from across the world. Web-based technologies will provide methods for live speeches to be broadcast to conferences across the oceans and allow for active questions and answers.

Technology can be a wonderful alternative to staying home for a conference, but it cannot compete against visiting Urantia events in other countries and witnessing how these teachings are being lived in different cultures. Already many National Associations are sponsoring their members to travel to continental and international conferences. By 2021 there will be an organized effort to make these cultural exchanges part of every multi-national event.

These are our goals for the next three years. Will you and your local group join us in these goals? What goals should be set for 2025? Join our online discussions and send your feedback to help shape the future of Urantia Association International.

International Conference 2018 Update

 Karen Huigsloot, The Netherlands

Urantia Association’s International Conference in The Netherlands 12—15 April 2018

Jesus as a Teacher: Are You Ready to Live His Teachings in the 21st Century?

How did Jesus develop as a true teacher? What methods did he apply, both then and now? And what are the most important lessons he wanted to teach us so that we, as we can read in Paper 195, can develop ourselves as new leaders? That is as spiritual men and women, fully trusting in the teaching of Jesus.

But paganized and socialized Christianity stands in need of new contact with the uncompromised teachings of Jesus; it languishes for lack of a new vision of the Master’s life on earth. A new and fuller revelation of the religion of Jesus is destined to conquer an empire of materialistic secularism and to overthrow a world sway of mechanistic naturalism. Urantia is now quivering on the very brink of one of its most amazing and enthralling epochs of social readjustment, moral quickening, and spiritual enlightenment.[Paper 195:9.2, page 2082.7]

Religion does need new leaders, spiritual men and women who will dare to depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings. If Christianity persists in neglecting its spiritual mission while it continues to busy itself with social and material problems, the spiritual renaissance must await the coming of these new teachers of Jesus’ religion who will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men. And then will these spirit-born souls quickly supply the leadership and inspiration requisite for the social, moral, economic, and political reorganization of the world. .[Paper 195:9.4, page 2082.9]

The program will provide space for seven plenary speakers, readers of The Urantia Book who have studied the book for many years and who can help us to better understand this Fifth Revelation. The emphasis of the program will be based on learning through experience and exchanges in small groups.

The language spoken during the conference will be English, but we are offering simultaneous translations for Spanish (by Serapis Murillo) and French (by Christopher Moseley.)

During the coming months, the program will be further developed and we will keep you posted on this website.

A Renewed Intention

We have been challenged to set up this conference in a completely different way. More speakers will appear before you with a short presentation (10 to 15 minutes.) After each presentation participants sit together in small groups (that have been assigned in advance) to engage themselves in the subject addressed by the speaker, the so-called break-out sessions.

Fixed Groups

We have designed this conference based on The Group Dynamic Model suggested to us by David Linthicum. Participants are assigned to a group by the conference organizers and will stay together every day of the conference. These permanent groups consist of about eight people. The reason for this method is for everyone to achieve a deeper study and insight into The Urantia Book.

For those who have special reasons for wanting to the same group with a particular person, they can contact the conference organizers.

In-Depth Study

The presenters provide assignments—cross references and/or questions for group discussion—which are intended to lead to new and deeper understandings and experiences in order to connect the advanced concepts of The Urantia Book with everyday life. Each group works on the same assignments, this being in accordance with a study technique developed by George Michelson Dupont from France.

Maximum Participation

By combining the model of fixed groups with the method of in-depth study, all attendees are invited to participate in the process and all will have equal possibility to express their individual thoughts and to give their input.

Workshops

On Saturday afternoon there will be rotating workshops. Participants may indicate in advance which workshops they wish to attend. Workshops and workshop leaders are expected to be presented on the website by the end of the year; thereafter participants may register for their choice. Workshop placement is limited, so keep an eye on it!

Social Contacts

Between presentations and group work, much space has been left for socializing and networking to meet old and new friends and acquaintances. There are a number of other possibilities like walking along the bulb fields, working-out in the gym, taking a dip in the swimming pool or just relaxing before the next session starts.

Entertainment

On both Friday and Saturday night performances have been scheduled by professional artists. On Friday evening Iris Kroes entertains us with a harp and vocal performance. Saturday Pato Banton and Antoinette Hall will treat us to their special performance.

If you’re planning to go to Urantia Association’s International Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands next year, we urge you to book your accommodation in the hotel now! A lot of activities take place in the region surrounding the conference venue at that time of the year, so it is very important to book your accommodation early to insure you secure a room.

All information for the conference can be found on our website: www.uai2018.org. On this website you can also register for the conference and book your room.

We hope to meet you next year in Amsterdam.

Jaap Terra and, President of the Urantia Association of the Netherlands (UAISUN)
Karen Huigsloot, Conference Program Committee
E-mail: info@urantia.nl

Financial Aid – 2018 International Conference

Urantia Association’s Financial Aid Committee recently met with the organizers of next year’s 2018 International Conference (The Netherlands 12 to 15 April.) Among other things, the important subject of financial aid to students requiring sponsorship was discussed. Following is some information on sponsorships.

European Sponsorships:

The committee has decided to give priority to European Urantia Book students/leaders for financial assistance to attend the conference. All the usual conditions for granting sponsorship will apply and applications will be reviewed by the collective Boards of the European National Associations. It was agreed that two sponsorships, each worth €325, would be made available to each of our European Urantia Associations.

Global Sponsorships:

Four months prior to the event we will offer any remaining sponsorships to the rest of our worldwide membership. Again, all other Financial Aid procedures will be observed for those who apply for assistance to this event. 

Past Financial Aid Requests:

The Financial Aid Committee has also decided to give preference to Urantia Book student/leaders who have not previously received Financial Aid. All applications will be considered, however, including those who have received assistance in the past, so feel free to make a request and it will be reviewed. 

If you feel inclined, please contribute to our Conference Financial Aid Fund by visiting https://urantia-association.org/get-involved/donate/.

Eligible Expenses:

There are many possible expenses associated with attending an event. In order to optimize our available donations, our policies on eligible expenses take into consideration how many members we can assist, and how much financial aid we can give each person. 

The 2018 Urantia Association International Conference Financial Aid Committee will work with you to determine what specific expenses from the following list of eligible expenses can be provided to assist you:

  1. Registration fee for attending the conference
  2. Dinner Thursday evening
  3. Lunch and dinner Friday
  4. Lunch and dinner Saturday
  5. All day coffee, tea and water

Note: The conference fee does NOT include travel, hotel, breakfast or lodging costs.

Click here to access the 2018 Policy for Granting of Conference Financial Aid.

If you need any financial aid to cover transport and lodging cost, we suggest that you request this from your association, so they can start a sponsorship fundraising activity for you. 

Application Procedure:

To request Financial Aid please send your request to Mr. Antonio Schefer (ISB Conference Chair) conferences@urantia-association.org or Mr. Hanno van der Plas (Financial Aid Sub-Committee Chair) hanno@urantia.nl and you will receive the link to access the online application form.

For more information click here to access the Application Form (Note: this cannot be filled in online without receiving a registration link via email from Hanno van der Plas or Antonio Schefer.)

Before committing to personal expenses for this event please make sure you receive a confirmation email from the 2018 Urantia Association International Conference Financial Aid Sub-Committee as to what specific financial aid will be provided, including how and when it will be provided. If you have not received an approval email, it means we have not yet granted you Financial Aid for the conference. 

If you do not qualify for Financial Aid you will receive a notification letter so you can make other plans to attend our event in 2018.

For more questions please contact Hanno van der Plas or Antonio Schefer.

Sincerely,
2018 Urantia Association International Conference Financial Aid Sub-Committee

 

Online Workshops “Teaching and Leadership According to The Urantia Book”

Education Committee

Since September 16th, 2017, the Urantia Association International Education Committee has been organizing a weekly online Zoom Worksop series about “Leadership and Teaching According to The Urantia Book,” with the purpose of studying the guiding principles that allow us to fulfill Jesus’ and the revelator’s instructions to serve the revelation. We are told in The Urantia Book that

Religion does need new leaders, spiritual men and women who will dare to depend solely on Jesus and his incomparable teachings.

and that …

…these new teachers of Jesus’ religion … will be exclusively devoted to the spiritual regeneration of men. [Paper 195:9.4, page 2082.9]

The sessions have been instructive and thought-provoking, with the active participation of Urantia Book students from different countries like Canada, USA, France, Switzerland, Israel, Mexico, Guatemala, Germany, Peru, and Belgium.

Here we share with you some of the themes and teachings presented by long-term students and experienced leaders of the Urantia Community:

Gaetan Charland, Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, Canada

Gatean is the Urantia Association’s Study Group Chair, and during over three sessions presented the theme: “We Teach Who and What We Are.” In his first session, Gaetan taught:

“To become effective spiritual truth teachers we must first embody the teachings we intend to teach. By our loyalty to those teachings will we certainly become better teachers and leaders and become, day by day the living examples of Jesus’ teachings.”

In his second session, he spoke about:

“…the qualities and lessons that are given by Jesus to become effective teachers.  We will share with each other how and why these qualities and lessons inspire us.”

In the third session, Gaetan invited the participants to explore the questions:

“How do we discern what is coming from the leading of the indwelling spirit and our own mind?” and “What kinds of services can we engage ourselves in to gain valuable experiences in becoming teachers like Jesus?”

He asked us to enumerate different kinds of services in which we could acquire valuable experiences in becoming a teacher or improve our skills as teachers of the Urantia teachings. There was an interesting exchange of viewpoints and experiences by the participants.

Guy Perron, Montreal, Canada

Guy is a Teacher/Facilitator and board member of the Urantia Book Internet School (UBIS). Guy presented a session on the theme “The Inner Life—Going Inward, Upward, Onward, Outward.” He told us:

“It could be quite challenging for us human beings, humble ascending mortals, to grasp and truly understand what the purpose of an inner life is. Much of our life has to do with what is happening on the outside.”

And in his session the participants answered the questions:

“So what is an inner life? Do I really need an inner life? Why should I spend precious time developing my inner life? When are we able to stop the outer activities and progressively cultivate silence and stillness where we can connect with other types of activities, those inner ones which allow us to enter within and find that inner space where our Divine Presence abides?”

During this session, the participants introduced themselves and shared their experiences and views about spirituality.

Rick Lyon Crawfordsville, Indiana, USA

Rick serves as the UAUS Vice President and Education Committee Chair. Rick presented a session about “Social Organization,” during which we learned some valuable concepts, like:

“…an organization of people working together at the same time in the same direction for the same purpose is much more effective than that same number of people working for the same purpose individually and separately.  There is a different form of math that applies to groups and social organizations such as: one plus one equals three, two plus two equals eight etc.

“We all know this but we often try to go it alone because it is easier to do something ourselves than to try to get others to help us. Some people don’t want to help. Some say they will but don’t. Some think your idea is good but that their idea is better. So leading is often frustrating but from what The Urantia Book says I suspect we need the practice.

“Until people learn to teach and lead themselves through self-mastery, they need teachers and leaders to help guide them along through life. Children need parents. Students need teachers. Employees need managers. Citizens need political leaders and civil authority. This Urantia revelation needs social organizations to train teachers and leaders.

“Everything from Paradise on down to your child’s birthday party is organized. The potential of such organization is the multiplication of power whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual power.”

Jeffrey W, Ohio, USA

Jeff presented two workshop sessions. On November 11th he led a session about “Leadership and Teamwork,” and on November 18th another one on “Teaching.” One of his most inspirational remarks was:

“Whether our gift for leadership is large or small, developing that gift is a part of becoming like God. God-knowing creatures have only one supreme ambition, just one consuming desire, and that is to become, as they are in their spheres, like him as he is in his Paradise perfection of personality and in his universal sphere of righteous supremacy. [Paper 1:0.3, page 21:3] To become like God in our sphere, means (in addition to acquiring self-mastery and the beautiful wholeness of righteousness) becoming a good leader, even in such a temporary, mundane activity such as showing another person how to do something simple, or organizing a few people to prepare a meal. We all have opportunities for leadership, whether we think of it in that way or not; and we do well to study the ways of divine leadership, and its profound connections with service and teamwork.”

If you want to read more about this beautiful lesson, please go to: https://sites.google.com/site/ubquestionsandstudies/training-leaders/principles-of-leadership-and-teamwork

Future Workshop sessions will be presented throughout the rest of November and December by Chris Wood, on the theme “A Life of Service,” (November 25th, 2017) and Guy Perron who will continue presenting his course on “The Inner Life” (December 2nd and 9th 2017.)

If you would like to view the Workshop videos, please visit the Urantia Association International’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_a2gwYGKpctnii4_nx8_vA

 

Gothenburg Book Fair – Sweden

Steve Sycamore and David Fabe

Over the course of four days starting September 28th we manned a booth at the Gothenburg Book Fair in Sweden. The event was really much more than a book fair. It is essentially Scandinavia’s largest cultural gathering of the year with roughly 100,000 visitors. The floor space was mind-bogglingly large with many rooms and levels. It was quite easy to get temporarily lost as we explored the various other presentations and seminars.

Our booth was situated in probably the least visited alley although it was next to a food court with a stage where authors, even among the most well known in Sweden, gave talks. Our near neighbors also had sound systems and gave audio presentations at times during the day.

The Urantia Book is largely unknown in Scandinavia; hence, few books were sold. One of the most common questions we were asked was who the Swedish translator was. We could only give scant details but after doing some initial reading and comparison to the English edition, several people commented that the translation was very good. There were similar comments on the quality of the German translation.

It is quite expensive to exhibit at the book fair. Because of limited financial resources and available time our booth was very simplistic and rudimentary compared to most others. The amount of art and resources that went into a typical stand was stunning. We may have undergone the danger of not being perceived as a serious player in the cultural arena. Also, we didn’t seem to have a lot of drawing power which could have been attributed to the simple appearance of the booth. One could argue that it is difficult to portray spiritual inspiration and transcendent wisdom to a crowd which doesn’t spontaneously appreciate such things, even though the Catholic Church and Emanuel Swedenborg exhibits seemed to have interested visitors most of the time.

A good percentage of the people who showed the most interest or curiosity in the book were fellow exhibitors and in our spare moments we visited other stands and engaged in many interesting conversations. It was refreshing to be able to converse freely with many different people about our interpretation of the nature and value of this revelatory masterpiece. We have high hopes that one day soon this masterpiece will be recognized and fully appreciated in Scandinavia by forward-thinking people of all kinds. The Gothenburg Book Fair could be of the major means to that end, however, we may need a significantly boosted investment to really crack the ice.

Finnish Prison Program

Kaija Lindström, Finland

The Finnish Urantia Association donated Urantia Books and Audio Books to Finnish prisons. There are 26 prisons in Finland and each of them received one book in Finnish and four prisons also received books in English. We placed a plastic coating on the covers of the books and posted them to the prisons in the hope that as many prisoners as possible would get to know The Urantia Book. In the picture you can see the team: Sini, Eija, Risto and Osmo.

Dancing with God: Emerging in Sacredness – A Retreat for Women

Line St-Pierre

September 21-25, 2017

What can be expected when thirteen women gather for a retreat called, Dancing with God: Emerging in Sacredness? From the very moment of arrival at Urantia Foundation, the atmosphere of welcome, appreciation, and joyful anticipation was palpable. Thank you for the feminine touches, Joanne, Jen, and Tamara at 533!

It was in a milieu of trust created on the second floor of the Foundation that thirteen women, all students of The Urantia Book, gathered for this special time. The retreat facilitators used the Fishbowl method of conversation, in which leaders sit in the middle of the circle and begin a conversation that the outer circle later joins into. We contemplated and delved into two questions: How do I become aware of the sacred in the drudgery of everyday life? And how do we as women emerge in sacredness?

After three inspiring days of sharing, meditation, prayers, and laughter, we came to a better understanding of how the divine presence works in us and around us. We have become more aware of our responsibility as the moral standard-bearers and the spiritual leaders of mankind, daughters of God.

Following are some comments from the attendees of the retreat as they danced with God.

  • To have been privileged to participate in this emergence in sacredness has been a blessing beyond anything I could have imagined. The friendships formed, the knowledge gained from the life experiences shared by others, the realization that we, as women, share a deeply spiritual common goal for ourselves, our children, and all of humanity on this planet, will serve to inspire and motivate me in the future to “take my place” as a daughter of God emerging in sacredness.

  • I never experienced anything like this, going so deep where my heart and spirit released so many emotions of laughing and crying.

  • We shared our lives, bared our souls, and came away with a better appreciation of The Urantia Book and how we can apply its teachings to our everyday lives. Thank you for the warm and safe atmosphere where we delved into our hidden inner beings!

  • Almost all of us have been wounded on this planet. Loss, disappointment, abuse, and grievous tragedies abound. Often, we don’t share the real heartbreaking stories of our lives with others. Last weekend was a rare opportunity for a small group of women to share some of our deepest sorrows in a safe and supportive place. A lot of healing transpired. It was surprising to learn how many women carry heavy burdens, but it was even more inspiring to hear story after story of ways in which individuals have experienced the Spirit responding to prayers for help and leading them out of dark places. The weekend was a remarkable testament to the love of our divine parents for their children. Only in a Urantia gathering could one expect to find so many people consciously aware of the divine presence in their lives, transforming sorrow into joy. What a blessing to be there among the women!

  • I am so grateful for the support of all my sisters. In this retreat, there was no pressure, and it became easy to be intimate with meaningful sharing.

  • Though we were a disparate group and from different parts of the country, we began using the Fishbowl method of tackling questions and almost immediately felt the love of God in our midst. Rarely can such a trusting, spiritual environment develop among people in such a short time. I have made twelve new “forever friends.” We played, too, adjourning to a Chicago piano bar to hear the multi-talented Bob Solone, who sang “Georgia on My Mind” and many other standards.

  • Coming from that group and into the world made me see people differently and how giving time and attention makes the world a better place for me and those I come in contact with. I better understand now how to bear and show the fruits of my faith.

  • The sharing with women quickly turned into an intimate sisterhood naturally fostered and held together by trust, safety, and respect. Hope and healing prevailed. My intellect knew I was a special child loved by God. Now it’s in my heart where it rests today. I experienced sacredness as a woman, an elusive state for me until this special weekend. Thank you, daughters of God, for thirteen new friends in the Spirit and for helping me into a deeper relationship with the One who continues to shape my soul.

The Daughters of God group, facilitated by Katharina Becker, Doreen Heyne, Carolyn Prentice, and Line St-Pierre, would love to share this model with other groups to help them encourage more women to appreciate their value and calling. If you would like to experience this retreat, we would be happy to travel to your retreat site to meet with your group. If you plan a date, gather six to eight women, and reserve a venue, we will commit to meeting with your group. We look forward to empowering more women to follow their spiritual longings for sisterhood and outreach. Please contact Line St-Pierre for more information at line.stpierre@gmail.com.

First National Meeting – Urantia Association of Peru

8th to 10th December 2017

The first National Conference for the Urantia Association of Peru will be held in the town of Pachacamac which is in beautiful countryside region of Lima just 30 minutes away from the city.

The Urantia Association of Peru has recently been incorporated and its Governing Board members are working very hard to promote the study of The Urantia Book and the spreading of its teachings by fostering study groups in their region of the world. The aim of this National Conference is to get to know, relate, interpret, be inspired and act upon the legacy of Jesus teachings, as well as to promote spiritual brotherhood. The conference will be in Spanish and will be utilizing plenary presentations as well as experiential workshops throughout the weekend.

Some of the topics for discussion include Jesus, Following in His Example of Service, The Human & Divine Mind of Jesus of Nazareth, The Inevitabilities, Jesus and Teamwork and, Theory vs. Living Truth on the Spiritual Path.

For more details on the program and registration go to: https://urantia-association.org/2017/national-meeting-urantia-association-peru

If you have any questions, please contact: congresonacionalurantiaperu@gmail.com

African Urantia Conference – Ghana

Pato Banton and Antoinette Rootsdawtah Hall

20th to 22nd April 2017

Minister Pato Banton is joining forces with The Urantia Book Readership in Accra, Ghana and across Africa for a beautiful international spiritual gathering—a visionary conference with fraternal fellowship with live musical performances, refreshments and dinner for everyone in attendance.

This event will be sponsored by Urantia Association International.

If you would like to travel to Accra Ghana and join us on this amazing adventure to Africa, please contact Antoinette Hall at [gwarntravel @ gmail.com] for information on flight costs, hotel fees and visa requirements.

For further information on the program and registrations visit: https://urantia-association.org/2017/african-urantia-conference-ghana

Items of Interest from the Website

Have you seen Urantia Association International’s Study Aids & Resources section of the website?

Many students of The Urantia Book produce study aids and derivative works—creative tools that can help others understand the complexity of The Urantia Book. *

The Association has developed a resource library where many of these works are available. The full index of subjects can be viewed at the Topical Index of Articles section of the website. Here are a few specific links that may be of interest:

Videos: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/videos

Science & Cosmology: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/science

Philosophy & Religion: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/philosophy-religion

Self-Development: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/self-development

Books: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/books

Personal Testimonials: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/personal-testimonials

Introductions to The Urantia Book: https://urantia-association.org/category/introductions-to-the-urantia-book

Teachings of Jesus: https://urantia-association.org/category/study-aids-resources/teachings-of-jesus

History of The Urantia Book: https://urantia-association.org/category/history/the-urantia-book-history

*Please note that the opinions expressed in these works are those of the individuals who created them. Including them into this resource library does not imply endorsement of content by Urantia Association International. We consider much of the material in these works to include useful information and they are provided as a convenience to readers.

Global Member Survey 2018

Luis Garcia-Bory, Membership Committee Chair

Our Membership Committee at Urantia Association International gladly invites you to participate in our “Global Member Survey” which will be launched during the first quarter of 2018.

Following is a sample of the questions that will be part of the survey, which will be tailored country by country to better respond to your specific needs:

  • What made you choose to be a member of Urantia Association International? 
  • What drives you to be part of the Association? Do you feel part of our international family? 
  • Are we serving you well at the international level? What can we do to help you more?
  • What can leaders in your country and city do to serve you and meet your expectations better?
  • How can we engage more effectively with younger readers and truth-seeking friends in your community?
  • Would you be interested in participating more actively in our outreach programs or international activities and projects? 

The survey will give us a unique opportunity to start a conversation with you and use your valuable opinions, ideas and suggestions to keep our focus on our most important objective: to constantly improve the way we serve you.

Your responses to this survey will be anonymous and collected centrally by the Membership Committee of the Association. Feedback to our leaders and volunteers will be provided on a no-name basis and all the information you give us will be used to improve how we communicate with and support our independent and institutional members in every continent.

If you have any questions or suggestions about other aspects that the survey should include, please send them to Luis Garcia-Bory, Membership Chair members@urantia-association.org by 31st December.

We thank you in advance and very much look forward to your participation!

Wishing you an enjoyable holiday season,

Luis Garcia-Bory,
Membership Committee Chair

 

Upcoming Events

Check out Urantia Association International’s Events Calendar at http://urantia-association.org/events-list. Upcoming events can be viewed in a List or Calendar view.

Urantia Book reader events provide opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of the ideas and concepts presented in The Urantia Book and help to facilitate a personal commitment to the ideals of spiritual living. We hope you can make it to some of these events and experience the joys of meeting and studying with fellow readers.

If you’re planning a Urantia Book reader event in your region and would like help in promoting it, please send us your information and we’ll consider it for our Events Calendar.