The Urantia Book Fellowship

Community Newsletter                        September 2012

In This Issue
Summer Study Session
New General Council
Past President's Message
Mary Lou Hales Graduates
2 x 2 = MORE
IT Roundtable
Lighten Life
BEST Online Search Tool!
Volunteer
Online Study Groups
Contribute
New Online Catalog
Fundraiser
Reminders
Quick Links...

 

 

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WE HAVE A NEW COVER!
New Cover 
 
Congratulations to Gary Tonge for submitting the winning entry in The Uversa Press Committee's cover contest. Our fourth printing of The Urantia Book, projected to be available in Summer 2012, will feature the Standard Reference Text and Tonge's beautifully inspiring cover art.  A special thank you to John Hay, Chair
 of Uversa Press and his committee, Paula Thompson, and Don Greene, for seeing this project to fruition. 

click here to see a larger image 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
President 
Vice-President
   John Hales 
Treasurer
Secretary General
Secretary
Judicial Chair
Membership Chair
Interfaith Chair
Outreach Chair
International Chair
Education Chair
Publications Chair
Finance Chair
Youth and Young Adult Chair

General Council

Lara Amyx

Agustin Arellano

Andrea Barnes

Larry Bowman 
Dana Bredemeyer

Robert Burns

Linda Buselli

Robert Burns

Tom Choquette

Barry Clark

Emilio Coppola

Lila Dogim

Stephen Dreier

Janet Falbo

Tony Finstad

Cece Forrester

Janet Graham

John Hales

John Hay

Tim Hobbs

Merritt Horn

Paul Klaver

Michelle Klemish

David Kulieke

Charlene Morrow

Dolores L. Nice

Charles Olivea

Teuvo Orjala

Thomas Orjala

Cristina Seaborn

Cayce Snider

Paula Thompson

Angie Thurston

Buck Weimer

Click Here to Link to "Friends of the Urantia Book Fellowship" Facebook Page. 


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2012 SUMMER STUDY SESSION:  
 

If you missed the Summer Study Session or simply  want to review something you saw there we have these videos available:

 

The New Evolutionary Philosophy, Affinity to The Urantia Book Plenary by Steve McIntosh    

 

Afternoon Workshop with Michael Painter

Increasing Inter-religious Understanding

 

Marriage, Family Life, and the Importance of Fatherhood

with Daniel Love Glazer

  

Family is the Master Civilizer  

Afternoon Workshop Panel Discussion:

Featuring Anthony Finstad, Michael MacIsaac, Richard Daunt,
Sara Blackstock and Janet Graham

  

World Cafe 

with Peter Laurence & Marilyn Kulieke

  

  

New Fellowship Leaders Elected
by Rodger Benjamins
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Once every three years the local societies select a Triennial Delegate from among their membership to represent them at the Fellowship's Triennial Delegate Assembly. For 2012, UBLA selected Mark Erickson as its Triennial Delegate to represent our society's membership. There are a total of thirty-six members on the Fellowship's General Council, with twelve positions (plus any others that have opened) scheduled for election every three years. Each term of service is for nine years.

On August 1, 2012, the Triennial Delegate Assembly elected fifteen members to the General Council. The fifteen elected are listed on the left. The remaining council is on the right.
* Indicates new to council  

  

Agustin Arellano*

Andrea Barnes
Larry Bowman  

Dana Bredemeyer*

Michael Challis

Lila Dogim

Paul Klaver*

David Kulieke*

Charlene Morrow

Teuvo Orjala*

Thomas Orjala

Cayce Snider*

Paula Thompson

Angie Thurston*

Arlene Weimer*

Lara Amyx

Robert Bryn

Robert L. Burns

Linda Buselli

Tom Choquette

Barry Clark

Emilio Coppola

Stephen Dreier

Janet Falbo

Tony Finstad

Cece Forrester

Janet Graham

John Hales

John Hay

Tim Hobbs

Merritt Horn

Michelle Klimesh

Dolores L Nice

Charles Olivea

Cristina Seaborn

Paula Thompson

Buck Weimer


 Please join us in welcoming the new and returning  

General Councilors.

  

At the first meeting of the new General Council, the following were selected for positions of leadership:   

  

Officers

Lila Dogim, President

John Hales, Vice President

Steve Dreier, Secretary

Emilio Coppola, Treasurer

Larry Bowman, Secretary General

  

Committee Chairs

Michael Challis, Judicial

Lara Amyx, Membership

Cristina Seaborn, Interfaith

Andrea Barnes, Outreach

Buck Weimer, International

David Kulieke, Education

Linda Buselli, Publications

John Hay, Finance

Special Projects (vacant)

Tony Finstad, Youth and Young Adult

  

The Executive Committee   

Executive Council
Top: Cristina Seaborn, Emilio Coppola, Lara Amyx, Andrea Barnes, Buck Weimer, Tony Finstad, Larry Bowman,  
John Hay, David Kulieke  

  

Bottom: Lila Dogim, Michael Challis, John Hales, Steve Dreier
Not Shown:  Linda Buselli

  

Michelle
Past President's Final Message
Focus, Progress, Challenges and Opportunities is what Michelle Klimesh discusses in her final report to The Fellowship.
We want to thank Michelle for her tireless service to this organization, her wisdom in administering her post, and her good humor throughout!

Click Here to Access the Full Message ->
Graduation of Mary Lou Hales
Tribute by Carolyn Kendall 
Mary Lou Hales 

 It is with a mixture of joy and regret that we bid a temporary farewell to a woman who has been a long and faithful server in the Urantia community. Mary Lou Hales "graduated" to the mansions of our universe last Saturday morning, August 4, 2012, at the age of 103. She suffered a heart attack in an ambulance on the way to the hospital from her home in Winnetka, Illinois. Her last illness began just a few weeks ago, after years of moderately good health considering her advance age.

     

Her Urantia "career" began in 1932 when she attended her first Forum meeting with her then fiance, William M. Hales, a second generation reader. When Urantia Brotherhood was organized in 1955, Mary Lou was appointed to the 36 member General Council, serving for 30 years. She was a member of the Charter Committee for 32 years, and as chairman for 13 years. During her tenure she travelled to many distant locations to install Urantia Societies, most of which are still active as Fellowship societies. She and her husband were founding members of First Urantia Society. Both were generous contributors to Urantia organizations, timewise and financially. Bill guided Urantia Foundation for its first 23 years as president, serving on the Board of Trustees for a total of 33 years. He was also a member of the General Council for 33 years.

 

This truly dedicated family includes their son John W. Hales, the current vice-president of the Fellowship, and a past president of Urantia Brotherhood. Mary Lou is predeceased by her husband Bill, and by their daughter Lynn, John's sister. Besides John and his wife Suzanne, she is survived by grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.   

 

Mary Lou has been recognized as a true lady, a warm and gracious personality, but one who did not fear to express her views on timely issues in the Urantia movement. Although her memory was failing, our memory of her lifelong spirit of volunteerism inspires us to greater service of our fellow humans.

 

 
"2 x 2 = MORE"
The Northern Light Society of Alaska invites all Urantia readers to "roam the world with us!"  We have highlighted the fruitful efforts of the International Fellowship Committee in an 18 minute video that is available on our society's webpage:  www.urantiaalaska.org  and on YouTube at  http://youtube.com/watch?v=XQa4SLYC_wM   In May of 2012, three of our Society members experienced the joy of sharing The Urantia Book at an International Book Fair in Nigeria. We established global friendships, witnessed the beginnings of new study groups, and met Africans who are hungry for the Good News! We quickly ran out of Books!  We came home excited to engage our Society and total membership in a major fundraising effort.

"2 x 2 = MORE" was previewed at the Summer Study Sessions in August and was enthusiastically received.   There have now been 350 views on YouTube and over 1,000 views on our Society webpage membership.  Donations are being received through our secure, online PayPal donation account on our www.urantiaalaska.org  site.  Our formal budget includes sending 2 more people on each IFC trip (including a young adult from the YaYa group, assisting new international study groups with emerging needs, bringing many more books and secondary works with us on these trips and much more.  The next book fair trip of the IFC is to Chile in October/November and we believe we will have the funds to start our first assistance there.

 

Please watch and share our video and even consider coming with us as we expand the teachings among the peoples of the world. We especially hope you will contribute to this sincere endeavor to grow the global awareness of our great Revelation! Help us plant these seeds! We appreciate your comments. Thank you so much for your support.

 

Officers of the Northern Light Society of Alaska

Barbara Maier, Secretary

 barbmaier@gmail.com 

(907) 351-4633


IT Conference
Announcing the Third Annual
Urantia IT Roundtable
 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: 
The third gathering of the IT Roundtable will be hosted by Urantia Foundation at 533 on October 20-21, 2012. This year, due to the growing importance of social media, the agenda will be expanded to include: A review of key technology-based reader services and collaboration opportunities, as well as, an exploration of methods to expand the Revelation's reach through various social media venues.
 
The invited guest list will include representatives from the Fellowship, UAI, TruthBook, the Foundation, and other past participants.  


Thank you! 
Meeting co-chairs:
 
Mo Siegel, President of the Foundation 
Barry Clark, General Councilor of the Fellowship
 

 

Reversion: Lighten Life
Top Ten Signs That You're Taking The Urantia Book Much Too Seriously

 

10. Your friends and family roll their eyes when you mention the book.

 

9. You paid a few hundred dollars for a first printing.

 

8. Your credit card is maxed out from going to every UB conference, retreat and gathering.

 

7. You wear UB jewelry and clothing.

 

6. You own a flag or banner with 3 blue concentric circles on a white field.

 

5. Your UB reader friends all take on nicknames from characters in the book.

 

4. You spend at least four hours daily online talking about "ultimate quartan integration" and "eventuated absoniters."

 

3. You have tattooed on your forehead the words: "Havona Or Bust!"

 

2. You talk to  "invisible friends" in a strange language you claim is the universal tongue.

 

And the number one sign that you are taking the UB much too seriously is:

 

1. You get an asbestos suit because you think you're soon to fuse.

 

Submitted by Richard Omura

 


THE BEST ONLINE SEARCH ENGINE EVER!UB Search

 

The Urantia Book Fellowship is very pleased to announce UBSearch, the best online search engine ever!  An extraordinary Urantian scholar, Troy R. Bishop, creator of the Urantia Translator's Polygloss, has gifted the Fellowship with this amazing study aid.

 

We offer our sincere gratitude to Troy R. Bishop for his stalwart service to the Father in pursuit of truth, beauty and goodness!

 Volunteer with The Urantia Book Fellowship!

We have several positions available for volunteers.  Depending on which one you choose, 1-4 hours per months is required.  We sincerely ask you consider how important it is to put your time or money or both towards what you believe is important.  For many of us that is THE FIFTH EPOCHAL REVELATION!

If you cannot donate your time to help and volunteer, then please consider donating one hours' worth of income each month. 

Click here to donate (monthly donations are excellent!)
Click here to volunteer

ONLINE STUDY GROUPS - SO EASY TO JOIN IN!

   

Tuesday & Wednesday Evening 
Pato Banton and Antoinette Hall are opening their group
to NEW READERS on Tuesday at 6 pm PST.

On Wednesdays study groups happen at noon and in the evening at 6pm pst.
Skype address is patobanton123

 


Tuesday Night   

Symmetry of Soul  6pm to 8pm PST 

www.symmetryofsoul.org

 

A weekly study of the unifying concepts of The Urantia Book, mindful of the threefold nature of the cosmos: 'philosophy, religion, and science are welded into a meaningful unity by the conjoined action of wisdom, faith, and experience.'


Wednesday Night

 Atlanta Urantia Study Group 


We post our meetings on line every week in video and mp3 format for anyone who would like to watch or listen. Our Wednesday night study session is usually posted by Saturday each week. We are limited to 10 people on Skype as a video call, but by posting the video on line everyone can listen. 
  User Name rogerpauldc email rogerpauldc@yahoo.com

  



Friday Night
Please join us for the live Skype broadcast study group with Chris Halvorson, Friday evenings at 7:30 - 9:30pm MST.....Call 720-457-3606 o
r search Skype name "perfectinghorizons". Please call in 5-10 minutes early so you are all set up before the start of class....we are unable to log anyone on after the start of class. This is not an interactive call so PLEASE MUTE your phone or computer...just listen and enjoy.

Previous audio/video classes and study aids can be found at  
www.perfectinghorizons.org  



Saturday Morning
9 AM Mountain Daylight Time

The Cosmic Citizen is a show for progressive religionists
and spiritual people who are ready to find spirituality worthy of an age of science and enlightenment. Our two hosts, Paula Thompson and Christilyn Biek-Larson are both long time students of The Urantia Book. We interview guests on topics related to modern and progressive spiritual growth and religious interests. We always incorporate Urantia Book teachings, welcome callers and have lively interactions in the live chat room. We embrace diversity, intelligent dialogue and a willingness to serve. We also feature a show for Spanish Speakers called Ciudadanos del Universo  on Wednesdays at 9 AM Mountain Daylight Time.  Please join us! 

Click here for the link. 


AND 

If you want to run virtual / telephone study groups, or support an existing physical one, I have the perfect free tool: http://www.freeconferencing.com/ I was amazed and thrilled after successfully testing this service with three phones and screen sharing. Also, people not on an unlimited calling plan can get in for free with Skype.

This tool enables the group leader/facilitator to let everyone have an equal chance to talk and to hear what's going in. It levels the playing field and encourages interaction:

�         Telephone Access
�         Skype Access
�         Up to 1,000 callers
�         Facilitator can mute individual callers
�         Facilitator can share slides pictures, a computer screen
�         The session can be recorded
�         Session can be up to 6 hours

Link to FAQ's

Happy virtual study grouping!

Sincerely,
Chris Lepine   








We welcome your contributions to this online publication.  We accept articles no more than 10 paragraphs long that deal with Urantia Book related events, ideas, outreach, gatherings, or reminders. 

 

Articles should be submitted to volunteer@urantiabook.org before the 22nd of every month. 

ANNOUNCING THE NEW UVERSA PRESS
ONLINE CATALOG

  

 

The Urantia Book Fellowship is pleased to announce that we are now offering, via our web store, many of the books that used to be offered in the Morning Star Catalog (formerly the Good Cheer Catalog.) Our newly redesigned web store is now open for
business and contains many of the great books and study aids that Urantia Book readers love as well as some brand new gems for your contemplation and inspiration.  As you peruse this new online catalog, remember that it represents how the revelation has personally inspired each individual author. Most of our authors are not professional writers, but dedicated and long-time students of the revelation who were moved to reflect, in some humble way, the light of truth, beauty, and goodness found so abundantly in The Urantia Book.
 

 

Urantia Book Fellowship Fundraiser $$$$


Get your bumper

sticker here!!

$5.00

Make check payable to Maria Downing-Tamm

Mail to:

2635 Mapleton Ave #41

Boulder CO 80304

mariadowningtamm@gmail.com

 

REMINDERS


 

LogoPlease support The Urantia Book Fellowship You can make a secure onetime contribution online at our website, Click Here or perhaps consider giving a 'gift that keeps on giving' by agreeing to make an affordable monthly donation (auto-debit donation) that is automatically deducted from your bank account (available by clicking the above link). As always, we'll send a deluxe leather Urantia Book to all new monthly auto-debit donors who pledge to make at least a $20.00 monthly donation or a onetime equivalent.

 

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FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Are you a member of The Urantia Book Fellowship?  Maybe you're not sure?  If not please contact us and we'll let you know.   
Contact Membership by clicking here.

 

If you would like to become a member please click on this link and fill out the easy online membership form.  Your credentials will be sent to the Membership Committee for consideration.
Please join us! - click here for the online form.