Looking Forward

by Jeanette Schafer
NUA President

Our association has been weathering a major storm for the better part of this year, and as of this writing, there is a clearing on the horizon. The storm is lifting, and we will find ourselves enlivened and refreshed from the rain, filled with the promises of a new day. This storm caused a myriad of trials and tribulations, and the emotional responses surfaced as we endeavored to sort through the details of last spring’s election challenge.

In short, we’ve had much in the way of growth opportunities. It should be acknowledged that this disruption has also affected our association in these areas: In the short term, our ability to move forward with existing programs as well as initiating new ones. On a personal level, the amount of time and energy that has been taken away from family life. However, there is a positive side for having gone through adversity; it has not been for naught. It may prove in time that the good that has come from this will have immeasurably outweighed the negative aspects. This controversy required us to act, and we met this challenge admirably. We initiated positive direction for our association and because of this, we have achieved much that is desirable:

1) We are stronger administratively by cleaning up and tightening that which had been loosely administered in the past. We will now adhere more strictly to existing bylaws and processes. We have put into place a mail-in election procedure, and we are in the process of adding new procedures that will facilitate a smoother functioning association.

2) Our membership roster has been updated and we have had more members come forward with their dues than in any previous year.

3) Our association banded together to work through this problem and in so doing we achieved a real sense of solidarity. We are stronger for this and more bonded to one another than ever before.

All of this is valuable growth-growth that may have been wrought through adversity, but nonetheless valuable to our progress personally and collectively.

I believe the future is bright for the Northwest Urantia Association. We can achieve much together that will benefit the whole. The dark days of the storm will soon be past us. We are in a better position than ever before to make some real progress in the business of kingdom building—in achieving “The Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.”

From the Editor

It is the purpose of this newsletter to educate, entertain and uplift those who read it. We encourage submissions of all types, as long as they are not inflammatory or overly political in nature. We reserve the right to edit submissions. Please read this newsletter and pass it on to your friends and other organizations; it is the cross-fertilization of ideas that enrich our lives. Share with us your experiences of life, study, travel, and worship. Send your contributions to Crattys@earthlink.net, or to Liz Cratty, 598 Brookside Dr., Eugene, OR 97405.

Coast is Clear at the Cape

by Pat Murnin

The Urantia family campout (U. B. CAMPING) that occurred on the weekend of July 14th was a wonderful experience, and a good time was had by all. At this point I would like to give a warm thank-you and congratulations to the organizers of the campout. They worked on it for over a year, and all their hard work paid off in a big way. The organizers were Joy Brandt, Laureen Oskochil, Ester, Dennis, and Karen Wood, Andrew Rux, Pat Maloy, and Jim Needham.

Urantia conferences and gatherings always have a special feeling of love and spiritual unity that can only occur when the spirit moves through the brothers and sisters of God's spiritual family, and it seems to me that the spirit starts its movement through those that bring the group together, and then goes on from there.

U.B. CAMPING was a great balance of worship, inspirational presentations, and lots of time to just hang out on the beech with good friends. The Weather was great for the Oregon coast, sunny and 70's with no rain. Hard to believe even in July.

Presentations were made by Jeanette Schafer, Larry Johnson, Recca Maze, and a special presentation by Norm Ingram on his mission of taking The Urantia Book to the continent of Africa. It was amazing to see how well The Urantia Book is being received in places you wouldn't think possible. There's that spirit again. He is going back to Africa to cover the east coast of the continent this time. There are some pretty scary places he'll be going through, but I know that our prayers and the angels are with him. God speed Norm.

The organizers had a hard time finding a place that met their needs. Quality campgrounds that could accommodate that large of a group, 75 attended, are hard to come by in the Oregon summer. Even planning a year in advance proved to be difficult, but they got into Cape Lookout, and it was perfect.

It's amazing what can be accomplished by a group of readers with an idea, working together to make it happen, and without any political affiliations, or government structure in place. Just a bunch of spirit led folks with the will to follow through ...hmmm!

—The Urantia Family Reunion website is at http://www.geneonet.com/Community_Unity/. More photos and in in color by Jim Needham, website designer, under the “We Missed You” button.

Foundation Swings By Portland

Notes from UF's Visit

In June 2000 we were honored by a visit from a Trustee and other officials from Chicago, spreading the good news. Their presentation conveyed a strong sense of rolling on with the mission, rising above the problems with the Fellowship and other challenges to the Foundation’s role and authority; not necessarily solving problems, but transcending, assimilating, growing larger than the problem, minimizing the sad business and moving on.

It is reassuring to see the Foundation alive and well, fully functioning, and fostering global growth of the FER. I sense wisdom in the stewardship of our cause. Also, I heard a frank and clearly stated intent to cultivate persons of means to aid the cause. I conclude that managing the revelation, whatever else it may be, is, like politics, a money game. —Dennis Gray

Richard Keeler, Tonia Baney, and Cathy Jones stop by in Portland, one of eight cities in their recent tour, to meet with and exchange ideas with readers in this area. They want to hear what readers from all over want the Urantia Foundation to do. The Foundation’s mission is to print, translate, and disseminate The Urantia Book. The Matthew Project is devoted to making sure there are enough funds for the perpetual printing of the book.

The task in the early years is to lay down the infrastructure. We are only in our 50th year with the Fifth Epochal Revelation, which is intended to last 1,000 years. We are charged to get the teachings out to the four corners of the earth. ‘Mugging’ people with our UB doesn’t work. Jesus first asked what his listener needed, and then he added his own piece of wisdom. These early years are exciting times, like living in Jesus’ time.

Although translation is an interim project, the goal is to translate the UB into 60 languages by 2030. By that time English might become the official language of Urantia. The Angels of Progress take over in 2035. Richard mentions an interesting idea: Where does one fish? Where there is the most fish and where the fish are the most hungry. —MC

Ask Dodger

by Dodger

Dear Dodger:
My sister has moved in with my family to get away from her alcoholic husband. We let her move in because we want her away from him, but it’s been three months now and she still has no job. Now she’s talking with him every night. It’s tearing my family apart and I think she’s about to go back to the jerk. Any advice? —Gritting teeth

Dear Gritting teeth:
No member of your family knows God’s will for your sister’s life. Do not presume to advise her with regards to her marriage. Instead, advise her to commune with the spirit within to find her own path. Look to your own spiritual growth instead, in making your self and your family stronger, transcending conflict and growing in love.

Yo Dodger!
Jesus turned mere water into a superior wine at a festive event while he was here and there is reportedly water on worlds in the afterlife. Is there any chance that fine wines will flow on the mansion worlds? —Concerned Connoisseur

Dear Concerned:
Flow, they do, and much finer than anything you can imagine and non-toxic, besides. (Translation: no hangovers!) You will be provided with brand new taste buds sufficient to savor the wines of Mansonia, and a new vocabulary with which to describe them.

Dear Dodger,
Some days I feel like I’m doing time in space. Is that normal? —Wilber Sneed

Dear Doing Time:
Quite normal. Your Adjuster wants to tell you that in actuality you are already living in eternity. Ahead of you is a vast universe for a playground. However, your services are most needed where you are at the moment.

Dear Dodger,
I’m on a quest for the world’s finest chocolate. Should I be happily headed to Switzerland? Chocolate isn’t the stuff of Satan, is it? —Toby Toblerone

Dear Toby:
1. Take a friend with you to Switzerland—while chocolate is material, friendships are eternal; 2. Satan prefers black licorice, everybody knows that.

Service

by Cathy Jones
IUA Administrator

IUA associations are valuable building blocks in the worldwide spread of this Revelation. We regard each association’s area as a trust region in which the association assumes tasks and projects to further the dissemination of the teachings. For those of you who have been so touched by The Urantia Book and have joined an association wishing to further the dissemination of these teachings as a group, there is no end to the kinds of tasks which need to be done. When an association as a group embraces and facilitates a project, it can energize, unify, and mobilize the group. A project can also give opportunities for leaders to naturally emerge. These ideas are submitted as possibilities to stimulate more and better ideas, to be adapted by you for the diverse cultural differences we find on our planet as they are in your part of the world.

SKILLS SURVEY

A good place to start is to survey the members of your association to see what special skills exist. Some may have great computer skills, one could be a librarian. There is no skill too small that it cannot be put to use in service of our Heavenly Father! Knowing people’s talents and skills will be helpful in deciding what projects will most appeal to your group.

LIBRARY PLACEMENT

Along with the person-to-person spread of the book, it is vitally important that we make use of the channels of communication which already exist on our planet. Books are naturally found in libraries. Associations can best assist library placement projects in their local area. Public, prison, and college libraries are all important places where people have found The Urantia Book. The Urantia Foundation has a library placement program in place and will be very happy to work with you. Simply notify the Foundation your interest in this program and you will receive the form, “How Library Placement Works.”

STUDY GROUPS

Along with disseminating the teachings of the book, a goal of IUA is to foster in-depth study of the teachings. An association differs from a study group. While an association may well have study sessions at their meetings, an association will assume other needed tasks. However, facilitating existing study groups with referrals and encouraging study group formation in areas where there is a need is an important project for an association. It is so individual to each local area, that there is no one way to best do it. Study groups are organized to study The Urantia Book. Without meaning to limit the scope of study from other sources, the main focus of the group should be on The Urantia Book rather than on other materials. Study groups should be non-political about issues in the Urantia movement.

—This article is part of a recent post by Cathy to the IUAList.

Freedom and Faith in a Lawful Universe

by Carl Ramm
Anchorage, Alaska
ramm@alaska.net

"Happy are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Genuine meekness has no relation to fear. It is rather an attitude of man co-operating with God—”Your will be done.” It embraces patience and forbearance and is motivated by an unshakable faith in a lawful and friendly universe. It masters all temptations to rebel against the divine leading. Jesus was the ideal meek man of Urantia, and he inherited a vast universe. P.1574 - §4 3.

In and through all this extraordinary experience, God the Father chose to manifest himself as he always does—in the usual way—in the normal, natural, and dependable way of divine acting. P.1331 - §6

The function of Creator will and creature will, in the grand universe, operates within the limits, and in accordance with the possibilities, established by the Master Architects. This foreordination of these maximum limits does not, however, in the least abridge the sovereignty of creature will within these boundaries. Neither does ultimate foreknowledge—full allowance for all finite choice—constitute an abrogation of finite volition. A mature and farseeing human being might be able to forecast the decision of some younger associate most accurately, but this foreknowledge takes nothing away from the freedom and genuineness of the decision itself. The Gods have wisely limited the range of the action of immature will, but it is true will, nonetheless, within these defined limits. P.1300 - §5

It is repugnant to the divine nature to suffer any sort of deterioration or ever to permit the execution of any purely personal act in an inferior way. It should be made clear, however, that, if, in the divinity of any situation, in the extremity of any circumstance, in any case where the course of supreme wisdom might indicate the demand for different conduct—if the demands of perfection might for any reason dictate another method of reaction, a better one, then and there would the all-wise God function in that better and more suitable way. That would be the expression of a higher law, not the reversal of a lower law. P.137 - §6

INTRODUCTION

If we can trust God to be perfectly just and merciful and wise—perfectly loving—now and forever, how can we be also believe that God is truly free? If God is truly free, how can we rationally trust in God’s continued providence? For that matter, how can we come to trust in our own eventual dependability in God? How can we, to any extent, trust in the actual or potential dependability of any of our sisters and brothers?

Needless to say, this is a serious problem for any philosophically minded child of faith. Not surprisingly, the issue has been debated and discussed for millennia. I am hoping, in the next few essays, to provide a rough (very rough) framework for a solution that both stands reasonably well on its own and can also be integrated with, and explanatory of, the teachings of The Urantia Book. The general solution is by no means original with me, certainly almost no specific component is. Still, I believe that much of it will be new to many readers, and I am unaware of any previous works that address the subject in relation to the teachings of The Urantia Book.

Enough printed material has been generated on this subject, over the centuries, to sink a good-sized ocean-going vessel. For this and other reasons, it is not my intention to provide a comprehensive historical overview of the subject, or to consider all possible arguments and counter-arguments. I can only hope to provide a brief outline of the theory I wish to argue for, considering only the most serious objections of which I’m aware. My hope is to provide at least a workable framework that will be useful for others’ consideration of the issue, and perhaps bring up some points which some readers might not otherwise have considered.

In brief, I will take the position that the apparent contradiction between freedom of will and perfectly dependable divine law (which I will call determinism, using the term in the broadest possible sense) is the result of a misunderstanding of the natures of both freedom and determinism. What makes an action free is not that it is without objective constraint but that it is based on desire. This position is generally known as compatabilism. I will argue that determinism is based on the fact that all things—qualities or quantities, spiritual or physical, personal or impersonal—act in accordance with their natures and the potentialities for action inherent in their natures, and cannot do otherwise. What makes an action truly free is that it is based on the individual’s desires; in the divine sense, that it is based on love. What makes God both free and completely dependable is God’s nature. What gives mortals reason to believe in their eventual dependability is God’s grace and their ability to become God-like.

To better explain how I believe this to be possible, and why I believe this to be in harmony with The Urantia Book, will be the task of the essays to follow. The next essay in this series will treat further the nature of causality and determinacy as relates to things physical mental and spiritual; the next will consider more thoroughly the nature of freedom, and the final will attempt to further explain how both lawful causation and moral freedom can coexist without either detracting from the other.

(The next two essays by Carl, northernmost member of NUA, will be published in future issues of this newsletter.)

Around Angels

by Ron Lawson
Lacey, Washington
arell1@home.com

It came as quite a surprise to me at age six. An otherwise routine appen- dectomy had prompted doctors to warn my parents that I was to live a sedentary life. No sports, no horseback, no rough house play. A tall order for my farming Mom and Dad. And strange for me to believe because I was sure some one had visited me after the operation and he told me I was going to be well soon. Even though I was only six this strange visitor didn’t frighten me and I felt he intended for me to have a pretty regular life, in spite of what the doctors said.

Over the next fifty plus years I’ve circulated through the many experiences of a very active and normal life style for a healthy male.  No matter what I occupied myself doing, or where on earth I might have been I’ve always felt the presence of that individual nearby. In some of those experiences, had anyone asked me if I believed in angels, I would gladly told them of this odd but very real attachment I felt.

On December 31, 1999 at 2:45PM Pacific Standard Time I finally got proof that I have lived a charmed life. I was homeward bound from the manufactured housing sales center I had been managing, traveling east on a four lane highway. The median separating the west and east lanes was a typically grassy space with a ditch like depression decorated with an occasional brushy area. Suddenly, and without warning, a sedan traveling west lost control and swerved across the median popping up in front of me like an arcade game bad guy. Only this was real life and there was no defense available.

I don’t remember the crash at all. In fact as hard as I try all I can remember that afternoon after leaving the sales center is setting the cruise control and thinking about the evening my wife and I had planned. My next memory is a foggy awareness of a person asking me what my name was. I think I answered but can’t tell for sure. When I woke up again I saw my brother and my wife looking at me with very frightened expressions. Then the morphine swept me back into unconsciousness.

That was my life for the next two weeks. Except that I kept hearing this voice telling me I could help heal myself. It seemed to be saying, “Don’t lose faith. We’re here and you’re going to be okay.”

Eventually the work of world-renowned surgeons and that voice got me through the initial stages of healing. My wife and Brother came to visit me often and get well cards and wishes arrived daily from friends and family all over the country. I have one clear memory of a conversation with one of the many teams of surgeons who patiently stitched my broken body back together. They were telling me about an impending surgery and cautioned me about the level of infection my body carried because of the numerous broken bones and wounds. All the while they were explaining the chances of failure/success to me I heard this reassuring humming in the background.  At the time I thought it was just hospital machinery, and maybe it was.  But now I’m not so sure.

Well, I’m home now. It’s the end of June. Summer just became an official fact of life.  My life is still intact, albeit I won’t be returning to work for another six weeks or so. Every day I work at doing something to strengthen the muscles that have been on vacation for six months.  I get frustrated with the struggle to walk normally again. And my right hand is still only beginning to work after reconstructive surgery.

I’ve read the accident report and reviewed the pictures the state patrol took that afternoon the last day of 1999. My brother went to the wrecking yard where they towed my beloved little Dakota pickup and took pictures of it; which are now part of my “accident” file. You might find this a strange comment, but I think I’m lucky. You see there’s simply no way anybody could have lived through that accident. The wreckage is too awful and too complete to have allowed a human to have survived.

But I did. I have broken ribs, a broken elbow, a broken pelvis and femur on one side, a severely shattered lower leg and ankle on the other side, and broken bones and torn tendons in my right hand. Amazingly though, there was no serious damage done to my face/skull/brain and no spinal damage.

Lucky? Yes, for sure. In my mind there is only one explanation. I’ve lived my life around angels. Come to my house and look at the pictures if you’d like.  There is simply no other explanation for this story. But please call first. This experience has put my wife through the wringer and she’s in no mood to handle surprises for quite a while to come.

—Ron Lawson is a student of The URANTIA Book for over 30 years. Ph: (360) 459-9532.

An Open Letter from a “Free Range” Brother

by Jon Wilson
Lopez Island, Washington
rotnjon@rockisland.com

It started in dribbles; a few sporadic emails, a couple of phone calls from friends attempting to ascertain my position and opinion on impending matters. Within a matter of days the dribbles became a torrent. Emails, heavy with invective and diatribe filled my InBox. I thought to myself, “Egad, is this really the NUA? I felt I knew most of the players in this melee, how can this be happening?

Living at some distance as I do, I was unaware of circumstances relevant to the issue and how it evolved, so I was even more perplexed at the gathering storm clouds I saw on the horizon. I live in an isolated and idyllic environment, (6 hours minimum from Portland) and quite distant from the storm’s epicenter. Still, I faithfully read each email, (even the duplicates); I pondered the “official” snail mails and listened attentively to the various callers. Being somewhat starved for UB fellowship here, I maintain an extensive Email network of UB confidants with whom I shared the highlights of the developing intrigue and chicanery and,…. Frankly speaking, we were all astonished and under whelmed!

Living where I do, I am very fortunate. I can reflect upon things in an ideal setting, unfettered by undue influence or interruption. The following are a few of the thoughts that formed as I pondered this turbid topic.

The first thoughts were questions, these are but a few that came to mind. “What in heavens name has any of this to do with The Urantia Book?” “Our Urantia organizations, including our scattered reader groups are really quite small when compared to other religious groups; why do we seem to be a magnet for such an inordinate amount of strife and contention?” “How is it that a small group of readers like the NUA, significantly smaller than the weaving guild here on Lopez Island, are able to entangle themselves in such a divisive issue?” “If they are indeed sincere readers, (believers even) what is the momentum that allows this matter to move past the reach of common sense?” and finally, “What impact will this have on me, how should I respond to all of this?” These are but a few of the questions that surfaced in my mind as I reviewed the avalanche of NUA communication.

Without elaborate explanation, I would like to share some things that floated into my consciousness as I pondered the aforementioned queries. They are random and in no particular order.

Initially, I was reminded of the admonition in the UB regarding ambition,.. “Ambition is dangerous until it is fully socialized.” Page 556, Para 17. Morontia Mota.

Second thought,… it is virtually impos- sible to have contention at this level without one or more of the parties to the conflict embracing strong personal agendas. The whole election process is inherently, Political, and it appears there is an extraordinary concern over who will occupy these positions. Ideally, as sons and daughters of the Creator, these are positions of “service” and not power! The desire for power can be subtle and insidious, layered with sophistry and speciosity. It is addictive, and if not truly serving the Father’s will, it is evil, even when it attempts to cloak itself in “noble purpose”.

I was further reminded of the “Temple of Religion” at Urmia in which more than 30 different religions and cults expressed their various philosophical and religious views without destructive contention. “Intolerance, a contentious spirit, or any other disposition to interfere with the smooth running of the community would bring about the prompt and summary dismissal of the offending teacher.” Page 1486, Para 1. I find it encouraging that there was once existed, a group of widely dissimilar viewpoints that didn’t feel the need to tear itself apart!

For the moment, reader groups would be hard pressed to come up with something better than the Temple at Urmia. At best, UB reader groups should provide a free and open forum in which UB readers can develop warm and loving fellowship and share their comprehension of The Urantia Book. There is no place for priests, gurus, seers, or intermediaries among us. Try as they may, Absolutely No One has a concession on this revelation; neither do we need to be guided by the supposed “wise”. Spiritually, all men are equal. The kingdom of heaven is free from castes, classes, social levels, and economic groups. You are all brethren. Page 1487, Para 4.

Those who would set themselves up as experts on this revelation deceive themselves. One could spend a lifetime studying this marvelous work and still have an eternity of further study ahead of them. In fact, genuine comprehension should ideally lead one to a state of greater humility and awe, an overriding desire for service and a more complete understanding of what Jesus meant by the “last being first”.

For any organization to work smoothly, it must have a consensus of purpose and agree to be subject to higher authority. Freewill beings who regard themselves as equals, unless they mutually acknowledge themselves as subject to some supersovereignty, some authority over and above themselves, sooner or later are tempted to try out their ability to gain power and authority over other persons and groups. Page 1487, Para 6.

As brothers and sister of the Kingdom, our relationships within this family are far more important than the popularity contest of elective office. I often fail to discern God’s will in things, but I can state with supreme confidence that our efforts to sincerely love one another, takes precedence over all other human activities. Loving one another as He loved us is one of the two “great” commandments; it is God’s Will!! If “intrigue and chicanery” prevail over our loving fellowship, we have failed. The hair splitting about quorums, paid and unpaid dues, how far away a member is or whether they have attended meetings sufficiently, proxy/no proxy, who has the banner??, and all the other minutia are not relevant to the real issue. The real issue is self-determination and assertion of personal agendas. It is the personal agendas that have everyone scrambling for a copy of the bylaws! Nobody gave a fig for the bylaws prior to this flare-up!

Then, I thought about how Jesus washed His apostles’ feet moments after they schemed among themselves as to their respective positions at the Passover table, ”to give way to their old predilection for honor, preference and personal exaltation”. I wonder if we could do that for each other,...? How do we really feel about one another?

I thought about our “tiny” reader group, (2 members) up here on the Island and noted that we do not require that the entire book be read, nor do we insist that we swear allegiance to the Foundation or the IUA. We would find the matter of who is the President of our group laughable. Our treasury amounts to nothing more than pocket change we pool for a latté from the Village. We simply share the book on a regular, if not sometimes sporadic basis and attempt to enlighten each other to the higher meanings and values woven within its pages. Yes, I agree, larger groups can’t be that simple, but we should always realize that our groups really started there and underneath, were never more than that.

I recalled the fact that of recent, I have become reticent to direct or introduce a new reader to any Urantia group. Honestly, I am not sure how I would reconcile the book to our actions.

Finally,.. I realized that although I might hunger for a harmonious organization that espouses and coordinates the teachings of the book, it is not essential to my faith. I have a vision of brothers and sisters working together in harmony, sharing fellowship as they endeavor to bring God’s Kingdom to Earth, but my aspirations may be premature. It may be sometime, ages even before the message of The Urantia Book takes form as a harmonious and unified group. Back to square One; my faith in God was kindled and consolidated because of my discovery of the Urantia Book. I must always remember that it started there. I read the book for more than 30 years before I ever met another “organized reader” and the book was no less dynamic or instructive during those years. I sincerely crave genuine spiritual fellowship,.. but I prefer the company of a stranger on the ferry or insightful solitude to any substitute.

And I thought again, “What impact will this have on me, how should I respond to all of this?” I seriously doubt that my taking a position on any of these issues will impact the matter positively. For the moment, it appears that my aspirations in being a member of the IUA/NUA are not consistent with its current momentum and goals. After some considerable thought and prayer, my feelings instruct me to disengage from the fray, to watch from a distance until the fires of discontent die down. Accordingly, I have decided to remove my name from the NUA member’s list. Besides, I was a lousy dues payer, a remote and infrequent member, one not given to protocol and convention. Most of you, knew all along I was secretly a “Free Range” Urantian. I sincerely wish every one of you the best! It will be interesting to see what NUA becomes as the dust settles about you.

These shared thoughts are nothing more than mental aviation, a feeble attempt to grasp the significance of the current NUA issue with filtered and limited information at hand. They are directed at no one in particular!!! You are free to pick and/or discard anything from the basket. r New grandpa Jon Wilson resigned from NUA July 2000.

—Jon Wilson resigned from NUA July 2000.

Idealists and Ideists

The revelators continued to guide the group [the Forum] during this period, advising in 1946 that we cannot expect widespread acceptance of the Urantia revelation until 90% of the followers attain unity of purpose, just as there will not be peace in the world until 90% of the nations want peace. Unity was often a theme of the counsel given by the revelators to the Contact Commission and shared with the Forum.

Some of the most often quoted advice from the revelators was their guidance about ‘idealists and ideists’ with regard to the wisdom of organizational development:

Some idealists will join you but they will later go off in their own way just like Abner and they will do good work, and you will wish them well because you have an organization which prevents anyone from being restricted or inhibited; therefore we will bid Godspeed to all idealists who will not have an organization.

You might consider asking an idealist if he thinks The Urantia Book should be copyrighted or just trust to the Spirit of Truth to take care of that? Do not argue with idealists on their level. Be patient until they get halfway down the landing, where they can be more practical. Idealists are just like the rest of us the moment they go down one flight of stairs, but remember, when they talk to you from their level, do not argue with them…. When this book is once published, if the idealists control it, they would provide no organization and soon a lot of selfish people would start to make a name out of it…. Marry idealism to egotism and you have a fatal combination.

Abner was an idealist, a wonderful man. He loved the truth. Paul was an ideist. He had ideas, and it was a great pity they did not work together; then they would have had a religion for the Orient and a better religion for the Occident. If idealists and ideists could work together, it would save a lot of time and lives. An idealist is an impractical thinker. An ideist is a practical thinker.

Regarding Abner and Paul: One refused to have an organization; he was impractical. The other (Paul) built an organization and he knew he was building in a practical way. We can love Abner but we must respect Paul. Abner failed; Paul’s cause lived….

Be patient with an idealist; patience will do a great deal for them. As far as possible in dealing with them, see if you cannot win them to a greater body of truth. Expose them to the truth and many you will carry along with you…. You are going to have a lot of them come along now. Some ideists but mostly idealists.

—An excerpt from “100 Years of Revelation—A Historic Perspective”. Compiled by Barbara Newsome, Carolyn Kendall and Urantia Foundation Staff. Page 12-13. Reprinted with permission from Urantia Foundation.

Latin Library Placement Project

Aloha. I would like to take a moment of your time to fill you all in on how our plans are moving along on the Latin Library Placement Project (LLPP). Marian Hughes from Hawaii, Carolina Arana de Gutierrez from Bolivia, and Doctor Martha Villuendas from Argentina plan to depart from Pt. Montt, Chile on or about Nov. 17th on a mission to place Spanish Urantia books in the major libraries and universities in the south of Chile.

We will be driving through the Lake District north to Pucon, Chile. After a short stay in Pucon we will cross the Andes to St. Martin, Argentina and proceed south to Bariloche. On Nov. 26 we will host a one-day retreat for readers of The Urantia Book in Bariloche, Argentina. Carlos Rubinsky will be joining us to co-host the retreat. We will then proceed down through Argentina to Parque Pumalin in the far south of Chile.

Janet Nilsen has been kind enough to give us some beautiful concentric circle earrings which we would like to sell for $100 to help Carolina pay for her air ticket to Chile. If any of you are interested in buying a pair please contact me. We could really use some support from the IUA groups. The Hawaii Urantia Local Association is sponsoring this trip so we would be glad to acknowledge your tax-free donation.

Many people in South America have discovered the book through the work that Norm Ingram did quite a few years back; I know this to be a fact because I met many of them when I was in Santiago. We will be covering territory where Norm left off. The Foundation will donate all the Spanish Urantia books that we will need. Since IUA is a task-oriented organization I hope that you will consider this to be a worthy task worth your support. No contribution is too small. Thank you all for taking time to read and consider this.

In our Father’s service,

—Marian Hughes
PO BOX 67, Kamuela, HI 96743
808 885-7295, ellanora@ilhawaii.net

NUA Meeting--July 23, 2000

by Dennis Gray
Interim Secretary

Northwest Urantia Association. Minutes. Notes of meeting of July 23, 2000, held at the home of our President, in Corvallis, Oregon

In attendance: Pat Murnin, Dennis Gray, Bruce Porter, Liz Cratty, Mark Alexander, MC, Jeanette Schafer.

Meeting opened with brief prayer.

1) Discussion of developing events in election controversy, leading to discussion regarding meeting next in Washington , or elsewhere. Discuss NUA response to investigation.

2) Presentation by Jeanette Schaeffer, Pres. regarding group dynamics, leading to discussion of NUA purpose, goals: “What is the business of NUA?”, need to brainstorm Mission Statement.

3) General discussion of new projects, fund-raising projects, need for funds for newsletter, success of Prison Book Placement Project.

4) Meeting schedule for at least one year in advance, as follows:
· Oct. 15, 2000—D. Gray
· Mar. 18, 2000—L. Cratty
· July 15, 2001—in Washington, Mark Alexander to coordinate
· Oct. 14, 2001—J. Schafer

5) Election process/sequence discussion. Unanimously accepted, as follows: Self-nomination; election handled by VP; sequence as follows:
· Jan. 1—Letter to membership advising of forthcoming election, self-nomination
· Feb. 1—Deadline for response
· Feb. 15—Ballots mailed
· Mar. 15—Election, prior to Spring meeting

6) Newsletter discussion confirming following points: publish three times annually; mail 10 days prior to meetings; wide mailing distribution including other UA’s; ASK DODGER column added.

Treasurer's Report

As of October 4, 2000

Balance Received from Anne James, NUA Outgoing
Treasurer, 3/26/00.................................... $178.34

Receipts:

Members’s Dues ...........$610.00
Total Receipts ....................................$610.00
Total ..................................................$788.34

Disbursements .............................................0.00
Balance on hand 10/4/00 ..........................$788.34

Expenses for printing and mailing of this newsletter issue coming up shortly. Deadline for NUA dues is May 15. To restore your voting status pay annual dues, $40 for singles and $60 for couples, to treasurer: MC, 4025 NE Shaver, Portland, OR 97212.