A Visit to Urantia

Foundation.

by Rick Warren

If you have not had the opportunity to visit Urantia Foundation at 533 Diversey Parkway in Chicago, then you have a special experience in store. I had that privilege for twelve days this past August. James Woodward needed to go to Dourdan, France, so I sat in for him at the Reader’s Services desk. What an opportunity to catch just a glimpse of Foundation operation and activity!

There are no Midwayers waiting to greet visitors at 533, as I had once imagined in my early days with the revelation. I was quite ungrounded at that time, and it was quickly pointed out to me contact had been broken off well before my first call to the Foundation in the late eighties.
At first sight of the greystone edifice I recalled the passage in the Book that mentioned the Divine Counselor and the Archangel of Nebadon who could not see the building. Such different perspectives there are in Father’s Universe, depending on who is seeing! Urantia Foundation’s walls and rooms were eminently visible to me. As I wandered its halls, it was not difficult to imagine Doc Sadler turning a doorknob just fifty or seventy five years before, perhaps to enter the Forum room where he was prepared to read a freshly delivered Paper to the assembled members.

Doubtless, the angels, celestial visitors and others watched as the mortals of Urantia heard for the first time these words that just been compiled by the Revelators. Words that will ring down through the ages in the minds of countless thankful mortals affirming their faith in God, Michael and a loving universe.

Somewhere on the third floor, in one of the bedrooms where Tonia Baney and family now reside, Doctor Sadler died. But the workers and residents at Urantia Foundation do not revere these physical quarters as an icon of the Fifth Epoch. They are busily doing the work of today.
In the basement, Steve Baney dispatches the books, tapes and brochures ordered by readers from all over Urantia to the hum of the air handlers. On the first floor the welcoming room awaits visitors with photo albums of readers from all corners of Urantia along with the many editions and translations of the book. Next to that room is where the Spanish speaking world maintains liaison with Victor, a world-wise reader and tireless worker who grew up in Mexico, and who came to the Foundation to serve the people of Urantia that speak the Spanish language.

As one treads the way to the rear of the first floor, the reader’s services office is found adjacent to Victor’s cubicle. Then comes Tonia’s office, and just behind Tonia is Sheila’s and Lisa’s domain, the communication center of Urantia Foundation. To their backs Mindy, Marcia and Matthew man the business works, and finally Jay is in the rear room shepherding his computer systems, he is master of the Foundation’s website. All these servers are ginning out their respective works not thinking of what took place there fifty to one hundred years ago, but what is taking place NOW. A sweet warmth permeates this floor as earthly harmony propels the production of things Urantian.

On the second floor, at the front of 533, is the Forum room where the men and women who vetted the Papers for the first time once gathered, read the Papers, talked about them and formulated questions. There were two Study Group meetings in this room while I was there. Second and third generation readers come to study these same revelations in the very room where they were first delivered to the Forum decades ago. Study groups still convene there every Tuesday night. Just outside the Forum room, there is an overhanging balcony on which one can only imagine the conversations that must have taken place between Urantians of every stripe, many nationalities and every intellectual level, all recipients and earthly managers of the fifth epochal revelation.

Also on the second floor are guest quarters where occasionally staff and volunteers stay in comfort and enjoy the camaraderie of those who happen to be at this address for a moment in eternity. The IUA maintains its office there, next to the communal kitchen. The decorations, mouldings, adornments and fixtures are charming, and they evoke images of what living there a hundred years ago might have been like.
The third floor is, as stated, permanent living quarters. The history of this floor is of a speculative nature. One might think of Christy, the Sadler’s daughter, tapping out the Urantia text late into the night on a manual typewriter, or of the Doctors Sadler, William and Lena, hosting the Sleeping Subject on an “all night vigil”. So much went into the making of The Urantia Book that we will never even suspect!

One day, if the old building remains, (and there is an effort to have it registered and protected by an historical association of Chicago) pilgrims from all over Urantia will visit 533 to see precisely where those august events of the 20th century, indeed the most important events since the life of Jesus, transpired. Events which culminated in the evolvement of the fifth revelation to Urantia. And you may get a feel for the memories that float unfettered through this old city mansion house. You have an opportunity to see it while it is still a work center continuing the task of enlightening Urantia. Work that the Revelators began over seventy years ago.

There may be nothing of genuine spirit value there, but it will always have great sentimental worth to all who are curious about the locale of the physical origin of the fifth epoch. If you are able, go and visit Urantia Foundation, the welcome will be warm and you will never forget the experience, this I can promise.

---

 

Following the Lead

by Liz Cratty
OUA President

When new readers are gifted with the Urantia revelation, one of the first questions they ask is: “What can I do to help?” Our hearts are so touched with the calming influence of the teachings that we want to introduce everyone to the truth, to the book: all our friends, our family members, and everyone in every organization to which we belong. That hardly ever works. We are left frustrated and soon we get back to our routines of study groups and solitary reading, and smile and nod knowingly when the next new reader comes along with enthusiasm and exuberance, wanting to change the world, and do it immediately.

But social evolution takes time and baby steps. Sometimes those baby steps are flashy and showy, but usually they are subtle and cumulative.

When I assumed the presidency of the Oregon Urantia Association, I had great plans, but as I sit here today, instead of the great plans that have largely failed to materialize, I see baby steps in a direction I didn’t quite expect.

First, there was the Prison Project, a task of placing one book in every prison in this country. That was accomplished a few years ago in less than two years from its inception. Yesterday I received a letter from a prison in North Carolina requesting two more copies of the book. I couldn’t whip my checkbook out fast enough to assure that those copies were sent. Alas, not all prison chaplains and directors of education are receptive to the book, but I believe that will change, as well. The whole idea is to effect prison reform from the inside.

Then, the start of the incredible study group of some 27 enthusiastic inmates at the Oregon State Penitentiary. A core group of readers from Portland takes a study group into the prison two Sundays each month. It’s an amazing experience. I’m getting the hint. There’s a clear direction for our ministry. Those incarcerated are among the spiritually thirstiest on our planet.They need our assistance.

What else do the prisoners need?

If any of these or other tasks speak to you, please take the initiative and go forth. God supplies the funds. Society reaps the rewards, and as we all know, those ripple out through time, space and generations.

Peace,
Liz Cratty

---

Prison Study Group

by Konrad Garcia

This Urantia study group at the Oregon State Prison was started, at first, as a means to study with a friend. I have a friend who is an old biker. I happen to have been around him (in prison together) when he arrived at the point where he needed more in his life—real meaning and purpose.

I started talking to him about some of the teachings in The Urantia Book—about our origins and our destiny. I will never forget that moment when this burly biker’s eyes teared up with such a look of joy on his face as he said, “I knew it! I always felt it in my heart!”

Now my friend had not spent a lot of time in the ‘institutions of education.’ The Urantia Book is a full plate for any brain and certainly too much for Mark. I elected to study with him but the logistics within the prison would not facilitate this opportunity.

Ultimately, for us to study together, we had to do it in the chapel with outside volunteer guidance. It was frustrating to start this process from inside a prison. The Urantia Foundation contacted members of the Oregon Urantia Association who started the clearance process necessary for them to come into the prison.

We now have a study group that meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Our attendance fluctuates from as high as 17 to a core group of 7 inmates.

There is an interesting twist to this story. Two of the first outside readers to come in, Pat and Joy, both knew the man who gave me my first Urantia Book some ten years ago… That’s another story.

–Konrad Garcia started the prison study group by approaching the Oregon Prison chaplain who contacted the Urantia Foundation.

---

Two Poems

by Matthew Wayne Barrett

–Matthew is a young man just beginning his term
at the Oregon State Penitentiary.

---

 

Urantia Book Prison Ministry

"Joys of Service"

by Joy Brandt

The Urantia Book talks about the “joys of service” and that is exactly what our Urantia Book prison ministry has been for me. It is an answer to my prayers for a worthwhile service project having to do with The Urantia Book. It is an opportunity to share the magnificent teachings about the Universal Father’s all loving personality with men who are hungry to hear such things.

This service opportunity came about after a few inmates from the Oregon State Penitentiary inquired about starting a study group. The chaplain contacted the Urantia Foundation requesting that someone from “the outside” come into the prison to facilitate the meetings. Prisoners are not permitted to meet on their own, not even for religious purposes, without outside sponsorship. Pat Murnin from Oregon Urantia Association and I (not an OUA member) became interested in the possibilities and decided to do a trial visit last April.

The first meeting, 11 enthusiastic inmates showed up! Since then we have had as many as 25 and as few as 7 prisoners. Several of them are avid reader/believers in the book, and they tell others about our Urantia study group, so that in every single meeting we’ve had since May 2002, we have had one or more brand new readers attending. Several other OUA members and other Urantia Book readers have also attended these meetings. Everyone leaves with the flush of service-joy on his or her face, vowing to return again for such a grand experience in truth-sharing and brotherhood.

For these men are very interested in what The Urantia Book has to say. They come from Christian, Buddhist, and eclectic religious backgrounds. They are excited to hear the gospel message that they are God’s children and that God is never angry but is a loving Father full of mercy and understanding. These prisoners ask penetrating questions about the eternal adventure. They want to know more about Thought Adjusters. They have open minds and their hearts are receptive to the divine truths that are taught throughout the pages of the Fifth Epochal Revelation.

While the inmates constantly thank us “outsiders” for making each meeting possible, I know that we are getting just as much out of the experience as they are. We are also very grateful for the opportunity to share this revelation with such hungry souls. I look forward to each visit to the prison, and I always leave with my heart rejoicing at the miracle of God’s truth penetrating through the cement walls and barbed wire of the Oregon State Penitentiary. Truly, with God, nothing is impossible!

---

Prison study contact

by M. C.

If you would like to participate in the prison study project, contact Pat Murnin well in advance so you can be pre-approved for entry. He’ll need your name, address, phone number, birth date, and driver’s license number.

The Oregon Department of Corrections offers a special training for volunteers periodically. It is a very useful training and having taken it recently, I highly recommend it to anyone considering becoming a volunteer. The next training will be on Nov. 9, 2002 in Portland, but you need to fill out a one-page form at the next prison study on Oct. 13. A few of us plan to go there after the meeting in Eugene.

Contact Pat Murnin for details, 503-777-3236, patmurn@spiritone.com. More information about the prison study group, including the sign up sheet and schedule is available at www.oregondonter.org. Click on Projects, then Prison Study Group.

Study meetings are where the action is. The prison group has taken on a life of its own and is currently the largest study group in Oregon. The laborers from the ‘outside’ are few. Call Pat and commit to a date.

The OSP study group in Salem meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month from 5:30pm–8:15pm.

---

Foundation supporter spouts off

Copyright or copywrong?

by Dennis Gray

 

I must pose this question to all who oppose copyright protection of the UB: If you had been a Forum member, or a contact commissioner, would you have supported the concept of copyright as a means of maintaining and protecting the revelation as it was presented?

Did the revelators offer the Urantia papers as a series of treatises to be published in magazines or academic journals? Was it suggested that the separate papers be available individually, or perhaps packaged with certain other of the papers to appeal to various interest groups? Did the truth-givers provide a movie script of unprecedented proportion? Were the Urantia papers offered as an outline, to be adapted piecemeal to any socio-religio-ethnic school of thought? Would the revelation be presented to the world through a new church, replete with hierarchy and ceremony? A book, simply a book. It’s a little like Michael incarnating as a helpless baby.

The Urantia Book is not the Spirit of Truth, omnipresent and equally available to all. It is a book, just a book. It is up to us, individually and collectively, to pass on to others and to the future the book, the Revelation, as it reached and touched us. As surely as in the early days and even more so today, the text must be protected.

Many who view the copyright as an impediment to their desires are doubtless well intentioned, while others seek to glorify themselves and/or substitute their judgment for that of the Revelatory Commission. Some opponents of protection of the text naively believe “you can’t copyright truth.” In fact, we MUST copyright the truth as revealed in The Urantia Book, as the surest and QUICKEST way to promulgate the spread of the Fifth Epochal Revelation.

I question the faith of those ultra-individualists who would commandeer The Urantia Book to fit their conception of reality. Do they reject the message that these teachings are for a future generation? What part of “inviolate text” do they not understand? Is it too much of a stretch for them to understand that without protection there are plenty of people that would intentionally or unintentionally dilute, distort or seek to destroy the revelation.

The Urantia Book is not the life plasm of the Violet race, of which even the least amount will benefit humans. It is a book, a complete unit unto itself. Is this concept beyond the grasp of the copyright detractors?
And for those who are obsessively anti-Foundation, what do you offer instead? I believe such persons are sublimating their anti-authority impulses much as would an adolescent projecting his rage by vandalizing a school.

I do not think the Fifth Epochal Revelation will fail. I think it COULD have been a victim of confusion, ignorance and pig-headed willfulness had the Foundation, the Declaration of Trust, and the copyright not been in place. I believe that yet today there are some who have not lived up to the vision provided by their initial exposure to the revelation, and instead follow self-conceived notions of how things ought to be, including throwing off oppressive restraints and tearing down institutions. How juvenile!

---

Advice Column

ASK DODGER

by Dodger

 

Dear Dodger:

A good friend died yesterday, my mother is in her 80s and nearing the end of her term, and I’m not getting any younger. I understand the purpose of life on this planet, and I don’t resist graduating to the mansion worlds, but what is the purpose of aging?
—Pulling out the grey ones

Dear Dodger:

Why can’t the Israelis and the Palestinians find peace? Why can’t the Republicans and the Democrats come to a consensus? Why is Iraq so touchy? Why is my church council so divided on stupid issues? Why can’t we just get along?
—Exasperated

---

Peace Project

My desire is to send a Urantia Book to every US Senator and Representative in the nation. I believe that at this present time our lawmakers need more wisdom than ever. The Urantia Book can provide this wisdom. I am not so naïve to believe that our lawmakers will even open the book. Only God can lead them to pick it up. My purpose is to make it available to them. God can handle the rest.

This is my request: Would your study group please pray about this PEACE Project and if you feel led, will you mail a Urantia Book to me to place with our lawmakers? Or if you would like to mail a copy of the book to your own state lawmakers, let me know so I won’t have a double mailing.

I am committed to PEACE and this is one way I can promote it.

Thank you,

Rebecca Bratrude
40 Red Apple Drive
Omak, WA 98841
beccabrat@hotmail.com

---

IUA 2002 International Conference in Dourdan, France

 

by Cathy Jones

For those of you who were unable to attend the conference in Dourdan—we missed you! It was truly wonderful to mingle with 225 brothers and sisters from many parts of the world. There was not adequate space for an additional 45 applicants. They came from many countries. Hope I didn’t miss anybody

Argentina Australia Belgium Brazil Canada Chile Colombia Equador England Estonia France Finland Germany

Greece Italy Mexico Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Russia Senegal Spain Sweden Uruguay USA

The conference was held in Dourdan, outside of Paris. Dourdan is a beautiful, old-world, historical, flower-filled city. The architecture of the homes was unique and impressive. The ancient fortress and cathedral were highlights and the many shops were inviting, especially the pastry shops with the wonderful variety of delicious goodies.

The chateau that housed the conference was located on a hill overlooking the city. The French really know how to make their guests welcome! We never felt disadvantaged not speaking their beautiful language, as most of the personnel were fluent in English.
Our conference planners, Francois LeRohellec, Severin Desbuisson, president of the French Association, Christine Baussain, and especially Georges and Marlene Dupont, along with their many helpers made the days of August 3–7 very memorable.

The food was superb and lived up to everything you ever heard about French cuisine. Each session began with meditation. The program was well planned. The presenters were representatives from all continents.
Sunday, August 4— Urantia Foundation Trustee, Mo Siegel, gave the keynote address on the Status of the Revelation. Moussa N’Diaye of Senegal, Africa presented the morning speech.

Presenters for the Urantia movement in Europe were Kalevi Eklof (Finland), Peep Sober (Estonia), Severin Desbuisson (France), Johan & Karuna Vandervalle (Belgium), Clair Klein (Netherlands) and Costas Diamantopoulas (Greece).

The afternoon speech on “Personality” was presented by Seppo Kanerva of Finland. Workshops were held both morning and afternoon of the 4th and 6th, morning only on the 5th. An outstanding evening piano recital was given by Rebecca Oswald (USA), featuring many of her original compositions.

Monday, August 5— North America was featured. Presenters were: Lee Armstrong (USA), Gaetan Charland (Canada), and Liza Palm (Mexico).
The afternoon speech on “The Quality of Mercy” was presented by Lee Armstrong. Four busses carried the group on the afternoon trip to Vaus-le-Vicomte. The grandeur and splendor of the 1661 castle and gardens was breathtaking. As an American viewing the lavish furnishings and art, it was indeed another world. Urs Ruchi of Germany performed that evening a magnificent piano recital of classical music.

Tuesday, August 6— Presenting the Urantia movement in South America were Patricia Ramirez (Colombia) and Carlos Rubinsky of Southern Cone (Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile). Georges Michelson-Dupont gave a speech on “The Contribution of Personality in the Divine Plan.”
An afternoon presentation on the Urantia movement in Australia/New Zealand was given by Rita Schaad. Dramatized sketches by Kathleen Swadling and a speech on “The Ministering Spirits” by Neil Francey followed.

The conference was enriched with musical intervals by Alfons’ Choir and Saskia Mijsbergen. The “theme song” of this and other IUA conferences was “Pray Tell Me How,” a song to our Thought Adjusters, written by Michael Hanian and Rebecca Oswald.

The Council of National Presidents and Vice Presidents’ Biennual meeting was held on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 7. Except for Peru all the national associations were represented.

We are very grateful to the Association Francophone des Lecteurs du Livre D’ Urantia for a very inspirational conference. The next IUA International Conference will be held in CHICAGO in 2004. Start planning!

---

Library Placement Program

Urantia Foundation has for many years supported the Library Placement Program worldwide. There is an easy procedure to follow that makes you an active partner. We don’t just send books to libraries per reader request. Most do not accept unsolicited books in the mail. We offer a simple form for librarians to fill out which signifies their intent to accept and shelve The Urantia Book.

Readers should first visit the prospective library and check to see if the book is stocked. If the book is not stocked, ask the librarian in charge of acquisitions if he/she is interested in having a copy donated. It is best to bring a book for the person to peruse, and incidentally we are now placing the new, smaller hardcover. If the librarian wants to receive a book, have them fill out the form while you wait, take it with you and then mail it or fax it to 533 Diversey. We will then process the order.

Please understand that in today’s world, some library books that are inactive get culled. In these days of shrinking budgets and growing catalogs, librarians are clearing shelf space for popular titles. A Urantia Book that goes unloaned may get sold at a periodic book sale or even be disposed of. Occasionally checking the book out of your library may, ironically, keep it in circulation. If you find a copy in your library, look at its check-out record to see how often it’s being loaned. If it has a weak history, consider checking it out yourself (you can return it quickly). If you and a friend or two check the book out once in a while, it’s likely to remain available for discovery. Many of the readers who contact Urantia Foundation tell us that they found The Urantia Book in a library, so we know that this program is an important working partnership.

You can find the Library Placement Form at our website. Click on the About Urantia Foundation button and scroll down to Outreach Programs, or go to these links:

http://www.urantia.org/newsinfo/library.pdf
http://www.urantia.org/iua/pdf_files/library.pdf

This program has been increasingly utilized by students of the teachings as a worthy service exercise. Books found in libraries bear fruit and efforts by motivated readers continue to make it possible. Library placements have soared in the last few years, but along with this success have come the corresponding costs for each new book and shipping. Urantia Foundation is committed to this program–we both welcome and appreciate the financial contributions that ensure its ongoing success. Thank you all very much.

---

Secretary's Report

by Pat Murnin

The Annual Summer Picnic and meeting was held in Laurelhurst Park under threatening weather conditions. It tried to rain for a while but let up quickly. It was attended by the few but mighty: Dennis Gray, Liz Cratty, Jeanette Schafer, Pat Murnin, Joy Brandt, Esther and Karen Wood, Diane, Karla Webb, Maureen, Mike D’Ambrosia, Aaron Esselstrom, and MC.

After an opening prayer we received the Treasurer’s report. Bills were settled leaving us a balance of $517.22. It was then decided that we adopt the Chinese Translation for our group to contribute to, and we sent $100 for that purpose. We decided also to send $100 to the General Fund of the Urantia Foundation.

We then discussed the prison project and agreed it is a good idea to place more books in the other 12 prisons in Oregon. A donation can was put out and $110 was collected. From this amount we purchased later a case of books through Amazon.com for $107, and they are being distributed to the other institutions chapels via the prison system mail.

The business meeting was adjourned and the picnic began. Good food, good company—for a spirit filled afternoon in the park with friends.
At this point I would like to encourage all of you to take advantage of this opportunity to facilitate the Prison Study Group. It is a very positive and rewarding thing to do.

---

---