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Issue 4
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First Encounters Janet Nilsen |
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by Janet Nilsen Something all URANTIA Book readers have in common is some kind of first encounter with the great book. Hearing of others' first encounters is always intriguing to me, for we can often catch glimpses of the seamless underpinning of spirit involvement and its direct effect in our mortal lives and in the dissemination of the book itself. I offer an account of my own first encounter in the hopes that our readers will also share their experiences, perhaps to be included in future newsletters. In the early 1970's, I was a young mother with two small sons. My husband and I were building our own home, in a tiny rural neighborhood, with very little experience or money. Times were often a little challenging, and I found myself in dire need of some sort of spiritual transfusion, and some straight information on how best to deal with the difficulties of life. And please, dear God, soon! Around that time a nice young man, who was interested in UFO's, was staying with a neighbor. This fellow mentioned to me in passing that his sister had told him about a book written by aliens—that it was very thick and had little teeny printing. I am a reading addict who loves thick books, and I remember thinking, "H-mm, maybe that would be something I could really sink my teeth into—a fat book by aliens! How interesting." And I submerged the thought in a corner of my mind. During the next few months I investigated some of the current "spiritual" trends of the era—TM, mantras, yoga, mysticism. I dusted off my old Sunday school Bible, read it, and once again came to the conclusion that the Old Testament was wise but barbarous. And I felt deeply that I loved Jesus, but that he had been grossly misrepresented by the men who wrote the Gospels. I needed to know about the REAL Jesus. And soon please! Shortly thereafter, a new couple moved into the neighborhood. I was slightly acquainted with the woman, and so I helped them move boxes from the van to the house. I picked up a box of books—the fellow's small but varied library of spiritual books, and on top of the stack was a beautiful, big, blue book. I knew in a flash that this was the book by the "aliens"! My hunch was confirmed when I flipped it open and saw the list of titles and authors—Lanonandeks, Vorondadeks—yep, this was indeed the book! I borrowed the book, started reading it that day. I gobbled it up the next month or so, starting with the Life of Jesus, and anything in the front sections that caught my fancy. After I finished the Jesus papers, I started at the Foreword for a proper front to back reading, the first of many. As I was reading The URANTIA Book, I also had a chance to peruse the rest of the neighbor's collection of spiritual books. All were interesting, some perhaps "inspired" but none were revelations and all suffered by comparison to the incomparable blue marvel in scope, in language and in direct spiritual aid. I was thrilled by this book and thought everyone should read it. I scraped together twenty dollars and bought my own copy at an "esoteric" bookstore. It seemed to me that any literate and somewhat spiritual person should want to read the Book—should be thrilled to know more about Jesus, God and the universe. My nice local Jehovah's Witness representative was the first to get an eyeful of Big Blue. I incorrectly reasoned that because I read his pamphlets, that he might like to read my new book. He opened it—to the Ovecontrol of Evolution. One glimpse of the E word and he slammed the book shut!! He was truly concerned for my welfare as he thought I had become involved in a Satanic cult. He told me he would pray for me and left quickly! A friend borrowed my book. She thought it was "cool", and then lent it to a fellow who was seeking spirituality, enlightenment and acclaim by decoding prophecies from measurements of the Great Pyramid. He also meditated a lot in a home-built pyramid. He had invested a great deal of time and ego in his theories, and my friend thought he should broaden his outlook with the U. B. It was only a week or so later that I received a long, argumentative letter from the Pyramid Guy asking me to explain discrepancies in dates of Christ's birth. He wrote: "The pyramid measurements indicate he was born in 2 B.C. The URANTIA Book says 7 B.C. If your book is wrong on this, then it is wrong about everything and is a total hoax!" He also expressed concern over my spiritual well-being as it was obvious to him that I believed the entire scurrilous text to be true. I readily admit that I did. I was very disturbed that so few people who ought to want to read the Book, actually did. The fellow who first mentioned it to me, turned out not to want to read it, it was too thick. The neighbor, who's book I first saw and read, was actually a devotee of the plump young Guru Mahara Ji, whom he believed to be the current incarnation of Michael of Nebadon. Excuse me?! The esoteric bookseller stopped carrying The URANTIA Book in his store when he realized it denounced astrology as superstition. "What is with these people?" I wondered in frustration. Obviously, they weren't ready for the great revelation. Weren't ready to give up the intellectual quibbles, emotional roadblocks, and religious sacred cows. The URANTIA Book eats sacred cows for lunch. It threatened those folks who were totally satisfied with their spiritual status quo. Fortunately, my tactics of sharing my beloved book soon became much more discreet and more effective. I hope that any blunders I committed in my youthful, thoughtless zealousness have since been made right by higher intelligences! It has taken me far longer to realize that my enthusiasm was mixed with more than a dash of arrogance. How presumptuous of me to think that I knew what these people ought to want to read and believe! It's been twenty-odd years now since my own fortuitous introduction, for which I had been so gently prepared. It has remained for me a potent reminder and illustration of the elegant, effective ways in which our celestial mentors conduct their business. Always precise, subtle and appropriate—custom tailored to the unique spiritual needs of the individual. Many times, I am still very much tempted to say "The URANTIA Book says..." but these days, when talk turns to matters spiritual, I try to share my version of the gospel of Jesus—"you are a child of a loving God, and a member of the Universe Family." I have not yet met a single person who has taken offense at these words. My hope for all future readers and disseminators of The URANTIA Book is that they have as wonderful an introduction to it as I did, and that they take the teachings deeply to heart. Most important, in response to Jesus' request, I hope that they become ardent proclaimers of his gospel—the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. —Janet Nilsen, a jeweler, and her family, moved recently to a 35-acre spread. We are looking forward to a NUA meeting there next year. We need space...
by Liz Engstrom I heard someone once say that she wished she could wake up in the morning and find a note taped to the bathroom mirror. On it would be written, "Dear Tina: Here is my will for you today," followed by a list of things to do, and signed, "Love, God." All of us wish to do good works: to be of service, to love our neighbors, to be excellent friends, parents, partners. All of that—and more—comes under the umbrella phrase of "doing God's will." Like everyone else, I used to cast about, searching, wondering. Is pursuing this relationship God's will for my life? Is it God's will that I write this particular book? Or take that trip? And then somebody would say, "If you're doing it, it must be God's will." That never sounded quite right, although I didn't know why. Further confusion. How can you tell? And then I discovered the origin of the word ENTHUSIASM. The word enthusiasm comes from Greek, translated to mean "inspired by God within." When I get excited about something positive, it's the God within me urging me forward. I can have much enthusiasm about a certain project, against all the advice of all my well-intentioned friends who can see that my chosen path is strewn with obstacles. But my friends can't discern God's will for my life. Obstacles? No problem. If I have great enthusiasm, if it is meant to be, the obstacles will be overcome. The same with relationships. I can be most enthusiastic, but if the other person doesn't share the same enthusiasm, then that is God telling him, and God telling me, that this enthusiastic energy would be better invested elsewhere. I have tremendous enthusiasm for my career and learning my craft, because I believe I'm in training for an eternal communications job in my Father's service. Who could fail to be enthusiastic about that? I've always been really enthusiastic about a part-time endeavor I've been involved with, but now I can feel my interest waning. The years I've spent there have opened doors for me that were meant to be opened, and now that I've shot through them, taken the gifts and left behind a few of my own, one of these days I'll find something else to be enthusiastic about, and that avocation will be replaced. During periodic times of doubt, I see myself as overly aggressive. Later, I can see it not as aggressiveness, but as enthusiasm. I get an idea and run with it. If my enthusiasm falls away, then I figure it's not God's will and I find something else to be enthusiastic about. If the project doesn't go as planned, but my enthusiasm still holds true, then I just figure a little flexibility with determination is in order. And, of course, there comes a time when no matter how much I want something, no matter how much sweat and head-banging I put into it, if it isn't happening, I have to recognize that it isn't God's will at all, but my will. Self will. Those lessons in disappointment are always the hardest to learn. But disappointment is also a necessary part of the pattern in the fabric of life. I try to wield my enthusiasm with plenty of prayer and meditation, seeking only knowledge of God's will and the power to carry that out. That's the way to learn discernment. I have said for many years that I lead a charmed life, because it does indeed appear to be so. Now I know why. Enthusiasm. It isn't a charmed life at all, merely an enthusiastically God-led one. —Liz Engstrom has been touring the globe lately, promoting her most recent novel, Lizard Wine. Check out her website at, click: http://www.sff.net/people/elizabeth_engstrom/
by Carole Jett The formation of a United States national organization was official as of February 1, 1996. The national Association was formed to assist and facilitate representation for all regional IUA associations of the United States in both the national and international arenas. There are fourteen regional associations in the U.S. The birth of this organization was more than two years in its gestation period. At the 1994 International URANTIA Association Conference in Nashville, the formation of a USA national chapter of IUA was discussed. At that time, because so many of the regional associations in the United States were in their early developmental stages, it was decided to postpone this agenda item. During the 1995 IUA meeting at the Nashville Conference, the Coordinating Committee, with the gentle persuasion of our international friends from Finland and Australia, emphasized the need for a representative body from the United States. This was in accordance with the IUA Charter and Bylaws. Therefore, the Coordinating Committee convened a pro tem body of officers who served until the democratic voting process could take place. The official name of this new organization is the United States URANTIA Association (USUA). USUA was formed as a service organization. It is not an administrative body. Its purpose is to act as a liaison between all regional associations and overseas associations. A Nominating Committee coordinated the election of term officers. Nominations were solicited for each office. Every member of the regional associations was contacted by mail. The voting process took place, and, on February 1, 1996, the elected officials formally took their respective offices. The president is Richard Brinkman of Sarasota, Florida. A newsletter is presently being formulated. (The first issue came out in June--ed.) The United Staes is such a large and diversified country. We, the officers, are hoping that the USUA will increase cohesion and add strength to the IUA. By drawing upon the wealth of each county's unique talents and resources, we can pool our personalities to disseminate this majestic Revelation of God to Man in the patient and refined manner in which it was orininally mandated. (Reprinted with permission from IUA Journal, Issue 1—1996)
by Pat Murnin For the past year we have had a business checking account with First Interstate Bank. We felt we needed this to process checks made out to Northwest URANTIA Association, and to write checks for the needs of the association. The first six months that we had the account was free from service charges. After that we started paying $6.00 a month in charges. Last year, we wrote only four checks to take care of expenses relating to the printing of the newsletter, and to pay for snacks for the meetings. Also, in order to open a checking account under the name Northwest URANTIA Association, we had to register the name with the State of Oregon. This opened a can of worms with the Internal Revenue Service. In order to avoid paying taxes on this account, we had to file about ten pounds of forms requesting a tax exempt status because we are a religious organization. This is also a process the IRS wants us to go through quarterly. The governing board has decided that this is more trouble and expense than it is worth to maintain a checking account with a balance of $230.30. So we have closed the account and I am holding it in my own account for the purposes of petty cash to cover our operating expenses. At the last general meeting the membership decided that the dues for this year would be $40 per person and $60 per couple. We would like to collect the dues at the next meeting on August 25. In the past year we spent $110.07 in the production and mailing of the Northwest Urantian newsletter. I think this has been money well spent. Many thanks to those who contributed articles, and a special thanks to MC for the production of the newsletter. In the next year we have many new challenges with the prospect of helping the IUA from Southern California to organize the 1997 USUA National Conference. We will discuss this topic at the August 25 meeting. It looks like we will have a very interesting and productive year coming up. Keep up the good work. —Pat Murnin drives a Tri-Met bus when he’s not jamming with his band.
French URANTIA Association or Association francophone des lecteurs du Livre d'URANTIA (A.F.F.L.U.) was formed at a meeting of French speaking readers, held at Montereau on 2 and 3 March 1996. The new association, which at this stage unites 26 members, will foster in-depth study of Le Livre d'URANTIA, disseminate its teachings, and be of service to the readers of the book. Georges Michelson-Dupont serves as the interim president of the association until the next general meeting to be held within a year. The French Association will publish a newsletter titled Le Lien Urantien.
at Dennis Gray’s house, Portland, Oregon PRESENT: Dennis Gray, Bruce Porter, Pat Murnin, Janet Nilsen, Mike D'Ambrosia, Mark Alexander, MC Our second meeting for 1996 takes place at Dennis Gray's place. His house sits at the foot of the hills near the industrial section of northwest Portland. We begin the meeting with six members, one short of a quorum. NUA President Bruce Porter says the URANTIA Foundation now has a world wide web home page at http//:www.urantia.org. At our major meeting next year, we will hold an election to replace two of the four members of the governing board. Although faced with another ‘un-quorum’ meeting, the pilgrims are in good spirits. If only more members would come so that we can make some real decisions.... Speaking of the devil, I mean, angel—enter, Mark Alexander. Now we're talking. Annual Dues & such—By a majority vote, we decide that member couples pay $60, rather than $80, and individual member dues remain at $40. Pat Murnin mentions there are members who have not even paid for their annual dues for last year. He is also concerned about a $6 monthly fee on the checking account nibbling away at our financial pie. This adds up to $72 a year. Should we close our business account? (See page 4). Library Placement—Mike D'Ambrosia reports that the Foundation sent the books to Multnomah County Library last November, but the library claims it has not received them. The books may have been lost. It is suggested we resubmit a request, but Mike says one library staff member is not too keen on reordering the books. Publication—We form a publication committee. Janet Nilsen, Bruce Porter, and Mike D'Ambrosia volunteer to help me. We have yet to decide on the number of issues to do annually. We need regular contributors. Conference—We create a conference committee to work on a future Northwest regional gathering. Bruce Porter, Pat Murnin, Janet Nilsen, and Mark Alexander sign up. A 1997 conference to be held in California is in the works. NUA was asked to help. More on this later. Bruce Porter and I will attend the IUA International Conference in Nashville next week. We shall share our experience with you at our August 25 meeting. See you soon. —MC, NUA Secretary by Betsy Engstrom A student of The URANTIA Book since 1967, Ms. Baney has held a weekly study group in her home since 1979. She was instrumental in forming the International Urantia Association (IUA), first through the ACT (Advisory Committee to the Trustees), then as Chair of the Coordinating Committee. "My experience has taught me the necessity of teamwork in study groups and other life endeavors," she said. The Executive Director manages the Foundation's daily business, and reports directly to the Foundation's Trustees. "My policy is 'user friendly'," she said. "I am open to ideas for making the revelation more accessible within the mandates set forth. We have two toll-free numbers and I hope all readers everywhere will utilize them. Our new Urantial internet system will help readers worldwide communicate with the Foundation as well as with each other. I want to not only hear from readers, but to have them stop by the office on a regular basis." Baney comes from a high-level management and artistic background. She has been the Executive Director at the Hui No'Eau Visual Arts Center, the Marketing Manager for Wailea Development Company, the Advertising Director for Kapalua Land Company and the co-owner of Baney, Gutzmer Advertising, Inc. as well as a full time professional portrait artist. She had been residing on Maui with her husband, Steven, her son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and two cats.
by MC Or, the warm season invites the unsuspecting pilgrim to pursue and get entangled in a myriad of activities. We are running one month behind schedule. We should have held our meeting in July. Instead, we will do it Sunday, August 25. Details on the back page. Monthly Teleconference Inactive Members In our meetings, the number of no-shows always makes up the majority. Should the minority of active members come to yet another meeting to find they do not quite make a quorum, and therefore, are unable to make bonafide decisions? This leads to the next issue. Number of Meetings Last week, I talked with Carole Jett, president of Southwest URANTIA Readers Family (SURF). She said that at first, SURF met often, and they experienced what we at NUA are currently going through. Then, they decided to have one annual meeting. Just about everybody showed up. They are planning to meet a second time this year. I propose that NUA meets twice a year—around April and September. Or, if we really have to, three meetings at the most—March, June or July, and October. Newsletter —MC is your typical 99% disgruntled mail carrier.
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