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Community Newsletter

October 2010
In This Issue
GC/ EC Meeting Dates
From the President
National Forgiveness Day
Confessions of a Missionary
IC11
Heart of the Mountains
FreeSchools
The Felowship's Website
The Guardian Plates
Celebrations
Alter Your Life
Stephen Hawking's Valiant Flub
United Urantia Festival Recap
About The Urantia Book Fellowship
Quick Links...
 
Join Our Mailing List
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
 
President 
 
Vice-President
   John Hales 
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary General
 
Secretary
 
Judicial Chair
 
Membership Chair
 
Interfaith Chair
   Susan Cook 
 
Outreach Chair
 
International Chair
 
Education Chair
   Lila Dogim 
 
Publications Chair
 
Finance Chair
   John Hay 
 
Special Projects
   Tim Hobbs 
 
General Council 
 
Lara Amyx
Larry Bowman
Robert Bruyn
Robert Burns
Gary Deinstadt
Avi Dogim
Stephen Dreier
Janet Falbo
Tony Finstad
Cece Forrester
Marvin Gawryn
Janet Graham
Merritt Horn
Jack Kane 
Al Lockett
Charlene Morrow
Dolores Nice
Charles Olivea
Thomas Orjala
Phillip Taylor
Jo Ann Wiedman
 
 
 
Upcoming General Council and Executive Meetings

Executive Committee
- October 21-22 Radisson Hotel, Chicago

- October 24  Radisson Hotel, Chicago

- November 13-14 Budget meeting via conference call

General Council
February 11-13, 2011 in Dallas-Fort Worth area

Joint Meeting EC and ISB
- October 23  Urantia Foundation Office, Chicago
 
 
 
Greetings!

Over the next few months we are updating our database and it would be a great help if you would review the contact information we currently have for you below. 

Please contact Paula Thompson with your changes or additions at [email protected] ONLY if you see information that needs  to be added, updated or deleted.  We DO NOT need you to confirm the information, we only need the changes, if any.  

A quick thank you goes out to all of you that have submitted articles, checked content of the newsletter and help proof read these articles.  Special appreciation goes out to Paula Thompson and Bobbie Dreier.  Your efforts along with those who submit articles make this newsletter possible. 
 
Also, if you have articles or news for this email publication please send them to [email protected].  For submission into our Herald or Mighty Messenger, our newsletter and magazine that is mailed to our entire reader list, please submit them to our Publication Chair, Linda Buselli, at [email protected]
 
If not you, then who?
 
Yours in faithful service,
 
Robert Burns 

INFORMATION WE HAVE ON FILE:
 
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
City:  
State: ,
Zip:  

Phone:   
 
 
This edition of the Community Newsletter is dedicated in loving memory to Bonnie Waldine Stump and Joe Pattin, who graduated in September 2010.
 
 
A Word from the President - August 2010

Michele Klimesh

101:10.9   At last all creatures become conscious of the fact that God and all the divine hosts of a well-nigh limitless universe are on their side in the supernal struggle to attain eternity of life and divinity of status. Such faith-liberated sons have certainly enlisted in the struggles of time on the side of the supreme forces and divine personalities of eternity; even the stars in their courses are now doing battle for them; at last they gaze upon the universe from within, from God's viewpoint, and all is transformed from the uncertainties of material isolation to the sureties of eternal spiritual progression.
 
This quote has little to do with the President's message this month, other than being a welcome reminder that the universe is on our side as we go about our mortal duties.
 
The Executive Committee of the Fellowship has a full plate in October.  During our first meeting, we will review our committee structure and constitution, brainstorm our future needs, and prepare the 2011 Fellowship budget. Your committee chairs have been so active this year! Our dreams on behalf of the revelation seem to have a life of their own.  There is much to be done, and a great passion among us for being about the Father's business.
 
Following that meeting, the Executive Committee will gather with the International Service Board of the UAI at Urantia Foundation headquarters in Chicago. The two governing bodies will get to know each other, learn about each organization's structure and mission, and explore areas of potential cooperation between the two groups.
 
Your prayers, as always, are appreciated.

To Progress!   Michelle Klimesh
National Forgiveness Day

Fifth Annual
National Forgiveness Day
A Celebration Of The Power
Of Love & Joy Of Forgiveness

Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010

for more information please visit: 
CONFESSIONS OF A MISSIONARY
by Pradhana Fuchs UNO
 
In doing missionary work with UNO (Urantia Nations  Outreach) spreading the Urantia Book, I have found that the most effective method of approach is to show sincere interest in another person's way of seeing the spirit. My experience has shown me clearly how this attitude opens all the doors. By showing brotherly interest in them I soon find an appropriate time to share the Urantia Book and its teachings with them. The book is then well received by brothers and sisters who see me as an open minded spiritual seeker. Believe me, in the past 15 years of using this method, people from different cultures have opened their hearts to me and I have also learned so much from them.
 
I'm asking for your help and support for our next mission to the villages and cities in northern Chile. When we first started doing these missions it was the thirst for adventure driving me, a young spiritual seeker, even though I was always aware of the importance of the seed we were sowing. Now, after many trips around the world and having my own family, a house, a job and all the responsibilities, these seeding missions have a different meaning. I now have a new understanding of the deep need for disseminating our Urantia Book and that is my only impulse. Now, it's not just a spiritual adventure, it's the responsibility of doing the work of the Kingdom of Heaven.
 
Please from your hearts, have a look at what UNO is doing. We need your help! We have 120 books donated by the Urantia Book Fellowship and Urantia Foundation, we are ready to deliver them to places where getting a copy of The Urantia Book is nearly impossible. We will not be able to deliver these books to the libraries in remote Chilean towns without funding for the journey. Can we count on your help?   Please visit our site to donate to this important mission: www.ubla.org/uno/donate.php
 
Thank you Father for the privilege of being your worker!
 
Thank you dear reader, for your help!

 

IC11
The Revelation in Action: Act Globally, Grow Cosmically
Salt Lake City, UT     July 27-31


IC11 logo
 
Nestled in the beauty of the mountains and nurtured by music, inspiration and education, IC11 is being carefully and lovingly designed by a team of dedicated Urantians to immerse you in an energy that will rechargeSalt Lake your spiritual batteries and make you float. Did you attend the last IC in Los Angeles? Enough said!

 
 
Tom aTom and Frednd Fred will be taking the Truthseekers on a Quest and they'll return to us on Saturday morning to present an all-youth plenary. We'll enjoy young musicians, speakers, and hope in our growing youth.
 
 

 
ChapelThis centrally located chapel is where all meditation and healing practices will occur. To offer your services of yoga, massage, Reiki and other healing practices, please contact Susan Cook at [email protected]

We've created all-inclusive packages for everyone's budget, from $440 per person for a shared dorm room w/shared bath to $850 for a totally private hotel room. Packages include all registration fees, rooms, meals, the banquet, and even parking.

Hotel space is incredibly limited and is based on first come, first served basis. When the hotel is sold out, there are plenty of dorm rooms. You must register to book a hotel room. Registration will begin in mid October and available via the IC11.org website which will have all information regarding the conference and on our Fellowship website.
YaYA Committee
by Tony Finstad

We are excited to announce the formation of a new committee, named the Youth and Young Adult Committee, or YaYA for short. It's an adjunct formation of the Fellowship's Outreach Committee.
 
I'm the 'seasoned reader' who is trying to keep up with this talented core of workers who are all second generation readers currently ranging in age from 12 to 28.
 
Here's our Vision Statement:
The Youth and Young Adult (YaYA) Committee strives to engage youth and young adult Urantians through study, socialization, support, service, and outreach on the local, national, and international levels. It's our goal to increase the realization and manifestation of The Urantia Book's teachings through each successive generation.
 
We are already getting started on all fronts. Here are some of our preliminary ideas:
 
Study:  We are focused on helping to create new Urantia study groups for youth, and on engaging youth in existing study groups. Currently, there are only a few study groups that are designed for youth and young adults, but we feel this can change. We are a support team for any new group that would like to get one started. We're here to help families and build communities of younger readers.
 
Socialization:  We are planning a youth and young adult gathering in Boulder, CO this winter to give our young leaders a chance to get together and strategize our next steps, while also getting to know each other in a fun and beautiful setting. One year (or sometimes three years) is too long inbetween seeing each other. If you know anyone who might wish to participate, please let us know!
 
Support:  We recognize all the devoted parents and teachers who have come before us. For this, we are very grateful. It's our desire to gather up as much experience and history as possible. What has worked for you as parents? Also, what can our committee do to assist in your efforts to share this revelation with your children? Send us your stories. We want to communicate and work together.
 
Service:  We are committed to integrating active service into our work as a committee. We would love to hear your thoughts on service projects that would be particularly important and compelling for our youth and young adults. Service is what brings us together.
 
Outreach:  We're working on outreach projects for young adults that are designed by young adults. Who better to promote The Urantia Book teachings to the truth seeking young adults than our very own. Ideas include a website, using social media networking, creating book booths, campus programs, and hand-outs that are attractive to the younger generation, and even putting on Cosmic Road Shows that are geared for the young adults. We have readers in our Fellowship who want to do this type of ministry. They are asking for our support. Just a little guidance, encouragement, and some funding can go a long way.
 
We have a huge population of those who are under forty years of age who are ready for this revelation now! So how do we reach them and invite them to be apart of the Urantia Book community? Also, how do we reach out to all the "second generation" children who now have children of their own? It is time to invite them back into our Fellowship.
 
On that note, the International Conference of 2011 is coming soon!  The theme is: "The Revelation in Action: Act Globally, Grow Cosmically." This is an engaging topic for our youth and young adults who are eager to grow and ready to act. The YaYA Committee is involved in planning a significant portion of the programming for IC'11 to ensure it is family friendly and includes opportunities for study, socialization, and service for all ages. The IC'11 Planning Committee has done a great job in securing a location that is reflective of the family budget concerns.
 
Please pass this along to your study groups and send us your thoughts on how best to serve this exciting new movement within The Urantia Book Fellowship.
 
On behalf of the YaYA Committee, thanks for listening and for caring about the future of this revelation.
 
Tony Finstad  -  Chair
Angie Thurston, Mae Thompson, Teuvo Orjala, Ella Tommer
 
Email us at [email protected]  or call 907.830.8816  (a new website is in the works)
 
If you're interested in joining our committee, please let us know.

Heart of the Mountains Retreat Experience
 
Valle Crucis Conference Center is located between Boone and Blowing Rock in the beautiful green mountains of North Carolina.  On the weekend of Jesus' birthday in August, a group of 47 Urantians from the southeast of our country gathered to celebrate his birthday and build or renew bonds of friendship.
 

 
 
We gathered for meals, a Last Supper celebration, the viewing of videos, workshops, singing and just rocking and talking on the porch of the 100+ year old Inn.  On Saturday evening, we were serenaded by a combined youth church choir from Charlotte, NC.  We had a Taize service in the Episcopal Church on the grounds of the center.
 
We were a diverse group, from all over the Southeast, and we were ethnically diverse as well.  Many expressed pleasure that there were ten African-American Urantians there to share the experience with us.
 
Many people contributed to making the retreat a spiritual experience and social success.  Rabia Harris coordinated it all and made it happen.  The Millers provided soulful music with hammer dulcimer and guitar. Some led workshops, guided us in meditation, and others facilitated other meaningful activities.
 
Everyone no doubt has a favorite something about the retreat.  For me, it was making new friends and seeing a few old friends again. And there was sitting on the porch of the Inn, rocking and gazing at the miniature appearing cattle down in the valley as well as seeing the sun set behind the green mountains across the valley.  It's a quiet time when a person can connect with his or her own soul and experience God's presence.  God is with us always, but sometimes we need to retreat from the cares of the world and find a quiet spot to realize God's presence.
Free Schools World Literacy -USA
By Susan Cook 

FreeSchools
 
Free Schools was started by two people in 2005 with a modest goal to educate girls and children in the areas of India and Thailand. These areas suffer from human trafficking and the cycle of poverty.  Illiteracy is a way of life.  Take a quick look at a video showing what FreeSchools is accomplishing and what we are up against at www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8hTbdHmlTs&feature=player_embedded#! 
 
Free Schools started with one donated space, a willing competent teacher, and great persuasion skills - they had to persuade the fathers to allow their daughters to be educated.

Free Schools teaches reading, writing, summing, basic hygiene, and how to avoid being trafficked. Human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar business.

These schools teach Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Christian children, accepting those from all religious backgrounds. We now have 80 schools supported by three united but separate organizations, FreeSchools-Canada, FreeSchools-Australia and Freeschools-USA.

We are fund raising for Free Schools.  Susan Cook is willing to come out and tell the Free Schools story.  It costs as little as $15 a year to educate one child in India (slightly more in Thailand) and about $1200 - 1500 a year to educate an entire school. We are currently educating 3,200 children and paying salaries to local Indian teachers. Our budget is a little under $200,000.

Given that there are deeply held biases against educating girls in our target areas, we give a priority, though not exclusivity, to educating girls, because when you educate a girl, you teach so many others

We want to open more schools and a documentary is in the making now for public television. The purpose of this documentary is for fund raising. Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea) wrote two books to use as fund raising tools and they are an enormous financial success. We are making a film for exactly the same reason.

We believe we aren't just changing the lives of girls, but are changing the planet. Imagine the change in our world when girls and women are empowered with education. We have joined a wave of many who are doing this same work in different parts of the world.

For more information go to www.freeschools.org or contact Susan Cook directly at [email protected]

 
The Fellowship Website 
 
Great study and resource materials!
The Guardian Plates 
 
http://www.guardianplates.com
 
A public repository for the original text of The Urantia Book, accessible from any place on the planet.
 
In the year 2010, a team of data-conservator Urantia Book readers, with the support of the Greater New York Urantia Book Society and the Urantia Book Fellowship, scanned a copy of the 1955 First Printing of The Urantia Book into a set of computer files. The files thus obtained are in the public domain. The master copies of these images are called "The Guardian Plates," and are perpetually maintained unchanged and copies made publicly available around the world by a small group of conservators called "The Guardian Plates Conservatorium.
Celebrations of Jesus' Birthday

Chris_Kelli_Claire_Andrew
Celebration at Presidio Park in San Diego with eleven in attendance.

Spokane
Spokane, WA/Coeur d'Alene, Idaho group. We had a wonderful weekend eating and meeting and enjoying each other.



Alter Your Life
by Emmet Fox - 1933

There is a simple test by which you can tell a true teacher from a false one.
 
It is this: If they point you to their own personality; if they make special claims for themselves; if they say that they have received any special privileges from God that are not equally accessible to the whole human race anywhere; if they attempt in their own name or in that of an organization to establish under any pretense a monopoly of the truth about God, then, however imposing their credentials, however pleasing their personality may be, they are a false teacher, and you had better have nothing to do with them.

 
If, on the contrary, they tell you to look away from themselves, to seek the Presence of God in your own heart, and to use books, lectures, and churches only as a means to that one end, then, however humble their efforts may be, however lacking their own demonstration may seem, they are nevertheless a true teacher and are giving you the Bread of Life.
Stephen Hawking's Valiant Flub
by Larry Mullins

The Wall Street Journal recently printed an excerpt from Stephen Hawking's book The Grand Design (Why God Did Not Create the Universe). Hawking is a great scientist, but his excerpt proves only that he is no philosopher. Just as science has its rules, so does philosophy.

Hawking states: "As recent advances in cosmology suggest, the laws of gravity and quantum theory allow universes to appear spontaneously from nothing." The mystery of matter apparently emerging from "nothing" on the quantum level cannot be answered by science, and yet it should not be ignored. It is a question for the philosopher (who has yet to answer it).

There are three disciplines that broadly lay claim to truth: science, religion and philosophy. It is generally conceded that philosophy occupies a place between science and religion, and should seek to mediate between the two. Philosophy then could establish a synthesis by means of an integration of scientific fact and spiritual insight.

Unfortunately, such a tri-part solution as this is denied the expert-specialist because Aristotle confined all disciplines into logic-tight compartments. They do not communicate.

However, uncommon sense permits lay persons to avoid being defenseless against the a priori assumptions of compartmentalized science, philosophy and religion. In this light, the theologian might suggest that matter seems to "disappear" and "reappear" from nothing on the quantum level for a reason. Perhaps the laws of time, space and matter seem invalid on the sub-atomic level because we are looking into the impenetrable mind of God, from whence all matter emerges.
 
Students of the Urantia Papers recognize this as yet undetectable source as the Unqualified Absolute, the unimaginably immense reservoir of the material cosmos.

http://urantiapapershistory.com/blog1/2010/09/stephen-hawking's-valiant-flub/
 
The United Urantia Family Festival Recap

by Harry Menton

For three days in early July, 2010, Urantia Book believers from around the world gathered in Montreal, Canada for The United Urantia Family Festival. This conclave was one of the first of its kind in that it assembled individuals who functioned as representatives from nearly every known Urantia Book-related organization currently known to exist.
These individuals met for 2-3 hours/day during the conference with the expressed goal to uncover the shared wisdom of the communities in identifying what the Urantia revelation needs most from its organizations; to discover novel and viable means for meeting those needs; and to collectively concur upon which projects would be taken up as the best options. Participants were strongly encouraged to think outside of the confines of their respective organizational modus operandi and to attempt to address the requirements of the movement as a whole. It was a substantial undertaking.
 
And it had never been done before.
 
Disagreements and conflict were inevitable; the likelihood of those conflicts reinforcing the separatism which was believed to have existed seemed undeniable.
However, something different happened ... the spirit of unity prevailed, and all participants were strongly in favor of this process going forward, strongly in favor of participating in it fairly; strongly in favor of helping to bring forth a new paradigm in which the needs of the whole Urantia family are considered as primary, and that the arguments of past days are truly finished: The dead hand of the past should no longer hold sway over the current or future affairs of the Urantia movement.
 
As a group, we came to decide strongly upon two things:
We would return home to our own study groups and advisory boards and service projects with the belief that we would actively encourage support of others' projects; that we would actively discourage the disparaging commentary which has so often characterized inter-organizational communication, particularly in online communities.
 
We all believed, and affirmed--with no dissent--that this process of inter-organizational dialogue, characterized by equanimity, freedom of expression and respect is what is most needed at this time in our development.
 
As a moderator watching this process unfold, I must say that I continue to be dumbstruck that we all could have been so willing to put so much of the past behind us, and that we were all in agreement that we need to be working together in this new dispensation of respect and understanding. It was a humbling and remarkable experience to witness ... I wish everyone involved in the Urantia movement could have been there to see it.
But in the most important respect, we all were there ... or soon will be! As these ideas and this new sentiment take root back in our local organizations, the divine virus of love will indeed begin to spread worldwide among our communities.
 
I simply can't wait to see what the future will bring ... it is so promising that I scarcely have words for it.
The Urantia Book Fellowship
 
The Urantia Book Fellowship -- founded in 1955 as Urantia Brotherhood -- is an association of individuals, families, and various groups inspired by the teachings of The Urantia Book. The Urantia Book Fellowship supports the study and dissemination of The Urantia Book worldwide and is committed to the ideal of spiritual unity, which embraces individual diversity, as embodied in the teachings of The Urantia Book.  
 
Reader Services and organizational business are managed by the General Council consisting of 36 members elected from the readership. The Council is assisted by an Executive Committee comprised of Council members who manage various working committees of The Fellowship. The Urantia Book Fellowship is a member of the North American Interfaith Network.  
 
For more information, visit  About The Urantia Book Fellowship  or our home page at www.urantiabook.org  
 
The Urantia Book Fellowship
PO Box 6631
Broomfield, CO 80021
Toll Free 877-288-3772