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about 13% and downloads Trustees approved setting budget of $750,000 except from urantia.org were also the price of all e-books at for a onetime write-off of down about 13%. The most $4.99. This decision means $21,000 for old Hungarian significant reason for the a major price reduction in books due to slow sales and decline was the the price of e-books for each aging inventory. These books exceptionally high sales of translation. are still in storage and are German books in 2017 that sellable, but good accounting did not reoccur in 2018. The 2018 Budget practices require we write off good news is that English slow-selling inventory based sales are up slightly and Our objective in 2018 is to on an agreed-to formula. It Spanish sales are up 19%. raise $700,000 in will make no difference to unrestricted donations, our cash flow. One thing is for certain— $25,000 in restricted selling books in 2018 is donations, and $250,000 in The great unknown for 2018 difficult! Barnes & Noble is restricted donations was an unexpected property in serious financial trouble, earmarked for future tax increase from the city of and most other major brick- generations in the Chicago for Urantia and-mortar bookstore chains Revelation Bridge Fund. Foundation Headquarters at are already out of business Assuming we have a 533 W. Diversey Parkway. in the United States. successful year-end The increase they levied this By Judy Van Cleave, trustee, matching fundraising past year was abnormally Urantia Foundation, Idaho, campaign, we feel positive high. We are currently in the The board reviewed the United States about reaching the process of appealing it and pricing of the Foundation’s $725,000 target for have reason to believe that e-books. The current price of Book Sales and Distribution unrestricted and restricted there will be a successful the English e-book is $4.99, donations. At this moment outcome, bringing the taxes but all other translations Tamara Strumfeld and Henk we have $440,000 to raise back in line with past years. were priced at $8.99. Mylanus, our European sales between now and December Amazon indicates that the manager, reported on year-to- 31. A special thanks go to Sherry best price range for an e- date book sales. At the end of Cathcart Chavis, Guy Perron, book is between $2.00 and Q3, book sales were down We expect to be at or below and Minoo for their $4.99, therefore, the the 2018 operating expense outstanding work in

Relevant Book Industry Information to Our Mission

How many new books are published in the United States every year?

There are somewhere between 600,000 and 1,000,000 books published every year in the United States alone. Many of those—perhaps as many as half or even more—are self-published. The relevancy of these statistics is the sheer number of new books each year competing for the shrinking brick-and- mortar shelf space. With Amazon and other online booksellers increasing their dominance in the world book market, we are learning how to help spiritual book shoppers find The Urantia Book in the vast and growing sea of published books.

The average book sells 3,000 copies in its lifetime. What a remarkable testament to the strength of the Urantia Revelation that a book published in 1955, which begins with a difficult-to-read Foreword, continues to sell so well. There are over 800,000 physical Urantia Books in circulation, and hundreds of thousands more have been downloaded. The Urantia Book is spreading and the text inviolate is protected. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

developing a fundraising presented the investment are dedicating many years of campaign this past fall that results year to date. As their lives to creating a higher- Urantia Foundation is one of provided the funds necessary always, we continue to invest quality Spanish translation of four organizations that to enable the Foundation to the Foundation’s funds in The Urantia Book. provided funding and staffing send 600 Spanish books to moderate-risk stocks, bonds, for a booth at the Parliament many areas in Latin America and money market funds. Education of World’s Religions from where there is no established November 1 to 7. Joanne book distribution. Translations In September, Urantia Book Strobel, Cristina Seaborn, Internet School (UBIS) Minoo, Gary Tonge, Alain Cyr, 2019 Budget The board received the unveiled a newly upgraded and the Parliament Organizing Translation Committee Moodle platform for students Committee did an amazing job October’s board meeting was Report from Georges to register and take their preparing for the event. Over important because it was the Michelson-Dupont and online courses. During this fall 70 Urantia Book readers annual budget meeting. The Marilynn Kulieke. The trimester, thirteen courses attended the Parliament, trustees reviewed the 2019 progress of the current were offered—seven in many of whom worked at the budget and adopted a simplified Chinese English, three in French, and Urantia Book booth. resolution to approve a break- translation was discussed. three in Spanish. even budget annually. The The importance of securing a During Q3, 600 Urantia Books effect is that Urantia copy editor for this It was also announced that were sent to Latin America as Foundation will create a translation, along with the the new executive director of a part of an Outreach balanced budget each year. long-term need for a UBIS will be Joanne Strobel. Committee project. These Expenditures must equal traditional Chinese Congratulations Joanne! If you books are being used for annual income, and no deficit translation, was presented. want an excellent educational various book fairs and other spending is allowed except There will be a special Urantia Book experience, UBIS outreach efforts in Colombia, under dire circumstances. This fundraiser in 2019 to secure might be perfect for you. Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and policy protects the Revelation funds for this very important Please visit us at Peru. Many thanks to Bridge Fund and the Perpetual translation. ubis.urantia.org. everyone who generously Printing Fund from being used donated to make this happen! to pay annual expenses. Thanks were expressed for Claire Mylanus, Marta Elders, the efforts of the Portuguese and Marilynn Kulieke gave an Community Relations We are on track for a revision team, led by chief update on the agenda for the productive 2019 even though reviser Ms. Susana Hüttner Cultural Symposium, The presidents of Urantia some difficult belt tightening Palaia. She has been a scheduled for April 11-15, Association International, the was required to balance the mothering presence to team 2019, at Urantia Foundation. Urantia Book Fellowship, and budget. This upcoming year members and is beloved by More about this event will be Urantia Foundation met via comes with tougher than usual those who are working with presented in January. videoconferencing during Q3. challenges because the her. All three presidents want and financial markets appear risky, Gard Jameson reported on the will work toward positive and there are many important After many years of diligent progress of 1) the multi- cooperative actions between programs to fund, and costs hard work and thousands of organizational exploratory the organizations. continue to increase. We are volunteer hours, the long committee for the Center for prioritizing mission-critical awaited Spanish revision of Urantia Studies, 2) the History Urantia Foundation and the programs that further spread El libro de Urantia is moving of The Urantia Book project, Urantia Society of Greater New the revelation throughout the towards completion. The and 3) the Truth, Beauty, and York are planning to meet and world while maintaining the arrival date for this Goodness seminar by Jeffrey discuss translations. With both financial stability of Urantia significantly improved Wattles that took place in organizations translating and Foundation. On the next world, revision is in early 2020. You early November. distributing translations in the we will be held accountable for will be hearing a great deal Korean and Russian how we spent our time on about plans for the revision Outreach languages, we hope to better earth. On this world, when during 2019. Gaétan understand each other’s analyzing our budgets, we are Charland and Víctor García- The objective of the Outreach purposes, quality control accountable for how effectively Bory, co-chairs of the Committee is to partner with processes, and long-term we spend our time and donors’ Spanish Revision Launch individuals and organizations plans, and to discuss readers’ money. Project, gave a PowerPoint in projects such as the experiences with multiple presentation on the Parliament of World’s translations in a country. Investments projected timeline and Religions, conferences, book schedule for the rollout. Our shows, book placement The Foundation’s treasurer, deepest gratitude goes to the programs, and the creation of Trustee Gard Jameson, selfless team of revisers who Urantia Book–related materials. The presidents of Urantia Association International, the Urantia Book Fellowship, and Urantia Foundation met via videoconferencing during Q3. All three presidents want and will work toward positive and cooperative actions between the organizations. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE UBIS GETS A MAKEOVER to George Bernard Shaw. In consider, including better Do we refashion the current 1921 he wrote, “That old one support for today’s mobile suit of clothing or do we tailor- who saw you out of your shell phones and tablets. While make brand-new, couture has gone off to moodle about most of us in the United attire? Not only did she advise doing nothing” (Back to States enjoy reliable and high- us to do the latter, we also Methuselah, p. 251). speed Internet service, that is needed a new mannequin to not always the case in other wear the clothes (Joanne- And in 1928: “Napoleon often countries. For this reason speak for a new server). moodled about for a week at a many of our international time doing nothing but play students take courses using She hit the ground running, with his children or read trash smartphones instead of a scrutinizing the former site to or waste his time helplessly.” computer. make note of current (The Intelligent Woman's Guide customizations. She to Socialism and Capitalism, Although Moodle had performed the initial server p.328) released a number of new setups, recommended and versions since we first began installed the latest Moodle Far from aimless, Moodle is an using it in 2014, Michael version, and transferred data By Joanne Strobel, Urantia example of a Learning Zehr, our UBIS web from the old server to the new. Foundation, Illinois, United Management System, or LMS, administrator, soon realized All of the student profiles, States which delivers and manages that Moodle is not known for including course history, were all types of content such as ease of upgrade. This maintained and migrated. As Urantia Book Internet School courses, documents, and presented a choice: continue that progressed, our small (UBIS) enjoyed its twentieth video. In the area of higher to try to change and modify team of three worked diligently anniversary this past year. education, platforms like our current system, or to complete the configuration. From humble beginnings as an Moodle offer colleges and undertake the major task of a Michael couldn't simply copy email correspondence school, universities a variety of full upgrade. We began the and paste text from the old back when the Internet was distance learning functions summer hiatus attempting site, so entirely new still considered fairly advanced that not only fit the teaching the former. But it became programming was required. technology, UBIS has grown philosophy of UBIS, namely, increasingly clear that the Once the style of the new into and out of a series of facilitated self-learning, but newer tools we needed, clothes, or “theme,” was websites. The newest one, a also offer a discussion forum, including mobile selected, work began in major upgrade from our and the ability to gather responsiveness and multi- earnest to configure, previous site, uses a platform statistics and analyze language capability, were customize, and translate the called Moodle. performance. simply not compatible with site into French, Spanish, and our five-year-old version of Portuguese. It’s a funny sounding name, In the spirit of definition Moodle. The decision was isn’t it? Moodle stands for number three, students and made to proceed with a full The new and improved UBIS Modular Object-Oriented teacher-facilitators are able to upgrade. So next we needed makeover debuted on Monday, Dynamic Learning access virtual classrooms at to find a trained Moodle September 16, opening day of Environment. As well as being their leisure, with no programmer. the 2018–2019 academic a memorable acronym, the prescribed meeting times. year. By Wednesday, 300 name was chosen because of Courses follow a weekly We began searching on a site users had logged in and more the dictionary definition of format, allowing for plenty of called Upwork. There we than 150 requests for course moodle: verb time to read the assigned found Goldie Jordan, a young enrollment had been Urantia Book papers and lady who works as an LMS registered. Thirteen courses in respond to several thought- Technical Analyst at Southern three languages are currently 1. To dawdle aimlessly, to provoking questions. Alternate University–Baton Rouge being offered on a site that idle time away. weeks are spent sharing (SUBR), in the Division of now looks attractive, modern, insights, discussing various Information Technology. and user friendly, and which 2. The process of lazily interpretations of facts, Goldie was also a freelance accommodates phones and meandering through meanings, and values, and web designer with a passion tablets as well as computers. something, doing things getting to know their fellow for coding and design. She as it occurs. agondonters. But I digress. declared herself to be Best of all, we now have two efficient and speedy, which separate sites, a “testing” site 3. An enjoyable tinkering For the past year we had was important since by this for Michael to try out future that may lead to insight discussed the possibility of a point we had only four weeks upgrades and the actual and creativity. fresher look for UBIS. Even left until September “production” site where he though the desire for an registration opened. She also implements those changes. While the true etymology is upgrade was driven by had the necessary skills to unknown, there are instances appearance, there were also describe to a layperson like of prior usage, both attributed important technical factors to me exactly what was involved. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

We went from drab . . .

To fab!

Students enjoy seeing pictorial representations of their online course themes.

Our Moodle site looks better than ever, students and teacher-facilitators are thrilled, and the UBIS board can relax in knowing that our site should function beautifully for the next six years! URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

OUR EXPERIENCES AT THE 2018 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

they all passed by our booth at As in previous events such as The single most compelling some point in time, but I did this prestigious one, Urantia experience I had was lose count of them all organizations were faithfully observing the unity that was throughout the happening. I’m supportive in co-sponsoring shared in religious diversity, sure that this was because I the costs inherent to our lovely there being over two hundred was too busy just appreciating Urantia Book booth. And as of the world’s great religions the numerous smiling faces of Canadians, we were honored represented at the conference. the people present, passers- by the presence of all who At the Urantia Book booth, 72 by, and the many I contributed by participating in comrades endlessly took turns encountered and fraternized person. sharing our understanding of with in this huge Metro Toronto true religion with individuals Convention Centre. I enjoyed passing by, including many the contact of their open and discussions on the ideals of seeking souls; people were truth, beauty, and goodness. I thirsty for world peace! believe that most came away with good thoughts about what This message was particularly was said of the teachings in felt within the global call for The Urantia Book. I heard a unity that was highlighted few people say that they had within presentations and heard of the book; some of By Alain Cyr, Québec, Canada, plenaries (at least in the ones I them picked up printed and Nathen Jansen, British recalled attending, although information or bought one of Columbia, Canada there were too many for me to the books. recount them all!). What Editor’s Note: The Parliament particularly hit me, though, During the event there was a of the World’s Religions, which was this interfaith full lunchtime meal called takes place every three years, phenomenon that is “Langar” offered almost daily was held November 1–7 in experiencing growth globally. Reflections from Nathen to all 7,500 people at the Toronto, Canada. The Urantia There is an increasing Jansen conference. This meal, Book booth was staffed by willingness to collaborate. including dessert squares and many readers from Canada, People of all faiths are As a participant at the masala chai tea, was provided the United States, and gathering here and there on Parliament of the World’s by the Sikh community of elsewhere. Two booth Urantia to foster joint-venture Religions 2018, I found myself Toronto. (Langar, from a word volunteers share their projects on behalf of social reflecting on a mind simulation meaning “kitchen,” is a comments. progress. This is quite of what it might feel like to be centuries-old tradition, now encouraging! The Most Highs at a future Urantia conference practiced all over the world, of Reactions from Alain Cyr can only delight in such where 7,500 personalities a free meal, always vegetarian, happenings—as they rule in were in attendance. “The that is served to all, without I was told that some 72 the kingdoms of men (and Promise of Inclusion, the distinction of religion, caste, Urantia Book readers were women of course). Power of Love” was this year’s gender, economic status, or present at this event. I guess theme. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

ethnicity.) This offering was no one is a stranger to me, I dates and place yet to be So it went for seven days served with much joy by the am a friend to all.” announced. I would encourage under one roof—getting to Sikh adherents, all wearing the Urantia community at large know one another’s beliefs bright yellow headdresses, a The Parliament’s program to attend the event, which may about God, our Universal color typically worn for schedule was filled with events be a highlight of their lifetime, Father, and building a religious occasions. The Sikh almost beyond count, all an opportunity to experience harmonious foundation for a version of the golden rule is pursuing understanding, this dynamic, service- more peaceful and friendlier truly a good example. In the reconciliation, and global motivated, worldwide interfaith worldwide interfaith words of the 10th guru of transformation. The next movement. community with His mortal Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib, “I Parliament of the World’s sons and daughters. am a stranger to no one; and Religions will be in three years,

DANCING WITH GOD: THE FIFTH ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT

of being Daughters of God by students of this revelation about heart-held stories, and honoring their value and were courageously living God’s seeking what God has to offer importance, and by co- love around them in the world are part of the Sacred Circle operating with the divine spirit even amidst challenges and where women bare their souls within to bring forth the life crises, which was the sub- and detach themselves from beautiful harvest of the fruits theme of the retreat. what is not working in their of the spirit.” lives in order to go back to Throughout the weekend, we their communities with Report from Line St-Pierre experienced transformation different perspectives, new through the Spirit, united in ways of doing something for The second floor of 533 was spiritual essence for our the Supreme.” blessed with prayers, laughter, eternal destiny. and tears by participants in the “Every year brings its share of Dancing with God retreat, In our spiritual circle of trust, joy and progress. We come for facilitated by Carrie Prentice, we reflected on and shared ourselves and we uplift each Doreen Heyne, Katharina who we are as women, what other, which has a ripple effect Becker, and Line St-Pierre—the our gifts are, and what we can that guides our every step By Line St-Pierre, associate “Daughters of God” team. contribute individually and as a while we are Dancing with trustee emeritus, Québec, group, confident that we are God.” Canada, and Jodi Niggemann, As The Urantia Book reminds doing the right thing to share South Dakota, United States us, “Man does not unite with and spread the revelation. The Daughters of God group the Supreme and submerge Here is how some of the would love to share this model Editor’s Note: The fifth annual his personal identity, but the participants in this sacred with other groups to help them women’s retreat, held universe repercussions of the circle expressed their encourage more women to September 13–16, at 533 W. experience of all men do thus appreciation for the growth appreciate their value and Diversey Parkway in Chicago, form a part of the divine and connection they calling. If you would like to was titled “Dancing with God— experiencing of the Supreme. experienced: experience this retreat, we Courageously Living His Love.” ‘The act is ours, the would be happy to travel to In addition to the four consequences God’s.’” “The Daughters of God Retreat your retreat site to meet with facilitators, there were 10 117:5.5 (1286.3) for Women connected women your group. If you plan a date, participants from as far away who have endured pain, gather six to eight women, and as South Africa. The Among our group of 14 sacrifices, and life experiences reserve a venue, we will facilitators express the mission women, we had the immense which allowed us to grow commit to meeting with your of the retreats as “To enhance pleasure of hosting a guest closer to God, know His voice, group. We look forward to the status of being a woman who came from South Africa to and share the wisdom we empowering more women to dedicated to spiritual growth, literally “see if Urantia learned and are still learning in follow their spiritual longings intellectual advancement, and Foundation was real.” How order to assist other women.” for sisterhood and outreach. moral progress,” and the delighted she was to find out vision as “To touch women's that not only was the “Reopening wounds for real Please contact Line St-Pierre hearts by exploring the dignity Foundation real, but many closure, breaking silence for more information at [email protected]. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

of bright spirit and warm heart. mine. When the plane landed, I content, as I just had a most Our conversation began even felt disappointed to leave him remarkable dance with God before buckling seat belts, as and say goodbye. I knew our where I courageously lived his the thread of God and spiritual instant friendship wasn’t over, love, and for that I am most living embraced us in a cocoon but just a beginning to grateful. I truly thank the of safe sharing. We offered something greater. I saw him women of the retreat, God, my stories and knowledge to each briefly again the next day, and Thought Adjuster, and all the other, which turned out to be we had lunch together the day spirits that move us to do vital for each other’s next after that. My heart has grown what’s right, without hesitation steps in life. We exchanged three sizes from meeting this and without getting in our own hope, inspiration, and beautiful man. Together we’ve way. I am a lighthouse, shining information that we both inspired each other to move bright into the darkness to needed to continue our current forward in places where we light the way for others to see work, God’s work, on earth. perhaps felt stuck: for him— home. May we all find this light writing his third book; for me— within ourselves, for when To say my love for this man helping support a dear young everyone in the world comes to was almost instant is not a far man without parents in his shine this way, we will finally Reflections by Jodi Niggemann stretch. The moment I looked efforts to get into college. see the true brilliance of God on her experience into his eyes, really looked, I revealed. knew I was speaking from my I don’t know how God intends I left the women’s retreat with light directly into his, and his to weave our lives together in a mixture of exhaustion and light was speaking back into the future, but for now I am renewal of spirit. My soul was full and sore, having been stretched, maneuvered, and reformed. I had taken in the stories of other women whose wounds, pains, problems, and concerns echoed my own. I understood them, I cried my own tears for them, and I prayed with them for better days. I had taken in their smiles and their laughter, their stories of love and family, and I prayed with them for more days of this ahead. I had taken in a unique experience of sharing, listening, growing, unfolding, and unseen awareness that will linger in my conscious and unconscious self for many days to come.

My personal breakthroughs that weekend allowed me to leave 533 W. Diversey Parkway with a greater capacity to shine my love out to the world as I acquired an inner glow that felt palpable. I left a lighter, brighter, more confident version of myself, which God didn’t hesitate in rewarding—quickly.

It was on the plane heading Back: Doreen Heyne, Katharina Becker, Joanne Strobel home to South Dakota that I Middle: Karen Woodbury, Patricia Hall, Theresa Hall found myself sitting next to an Front: Mary Huggins, Theresa Schumann, Carolyn Prentice, Cheryl Glicker, Jodi Niggemann, older man, a Vietnam veteran, Line St-Pierre

“I am a lighthouse, shining bright into the darkness to light the way for others to see home.“ URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE SEEDING THE URANTIA BOOK IN ROMANIA

book.) The director could see Romania, which is a majority director requested I fill in the that The Urantia Book was a Christian country dominated by necessary form for donations quality piece and asked some the Romanian Orthodox and when I saw the box to very probing questions Church. Marcel suggested I indicate who the author(s) regarding its nature. I knew I donate a book to the were, I paused. We Urantia had to answer very carefully: At Patriarchate of the church, and Book readers know that The that time many American I considered the suggestion, Urantia Book has multiple evangelical groups were in but I wasn’t mentally prepared authors who are non- Russia proselytizing their form for such an interaction. From terrestrials, but try and explain of Christianity, and there was my reading of Romanian that to a Director of Foreign beginning to be a backlash by history and from what I Book Donations. And so, I just the Russian people and the observed while I was there, I wrote “Urantia Foundation” as Russian Orthodox Church. So, don’t think it would’ve been the author. The act of donation when the director asked what well received by the senior seemed a bit anticlimactic the book was about, I replied it priests in the Romanian after all the preparation, but By Timothy Minasian, New was about metaphysics, Orthodox patriarchy anyway. who knows who will eventually Hampshire, United States geology, the nature of the find the book, begin reading, universe, religion, and other Instead, I donated a book to and take it to heart. Editor’s Note: In this story, an subjects. Broadly speaking, I the National Library of American reader tells of his knew the Russians are very Romania, an impressive, I enjoyed my trip to Romania recent trip to donate a book to interested in the metaphysical, modern structure of glass and and came away with positive the National Library of so I chose to highlight that steel. Peter and I presented feelings for the people and the Romania. aspect of The Urantia Book. It ourselves to the receptionist in country in general. I believe seemed to work in Moscow, so the lobby and said we wished that Romania has a strong In October of this year, I flew I decided to use the same to donate a book. She called potential to be a prosperous from Boston to Bucharest, approach in Bucharest. the Director of Foreign Book and peaceful country. This is Romania, for eight days to visit Donations, who met us in the why it is so important to a British friend I knew from During the summer of 2018 I lobby. The director walked us engage in seeding The Urantia living in the same residential spoke with Tamara Strumfeld down the hall and into a large Book everywhere in the world, compound when I worked in at Urantia Foundation and room filled with books stacked including smaller countries Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Peter asked if there were any high on long tables, where and those with a turbulent and I remained in contact over Romanian readers I could three ladies were classifying history. It’s for the future. the years, and when he and contact during my trip. She put and cataloguing books his wife, Angela, invited me to me in touch with Marcel donated by foreigners. It visit them in Bucharest, I Tudoran, a teacher in the looked like a big job. The readily accepted and began Romanian province of planning the trip. Moreover, I Transylvania and a figured my trip to Romania devoted Urantia Book would provide an excellent reader. We tried to opportunity to donate a copy of coordinate a meet and The Urantia Book to the greet while I was there, National Library of Romania. but our individual schedules didn’t allow I’d done something similar in it. 1995 when I traveled to Russia and donated my The faith is strong with personal copy of the book to Marcel, and he has the Russian State Library in helped the Foundation Moscow. I got to speak with with the Romanian the Director of Foreign Book translation. However, Donations, who spoke perfect he seems frustrated English. My personal book was with the lack of a 1955 first printing. (Upon progress in the reflection, I wish I’d kept that dissemination and book due to its sentimental acceptance of The value and donated a newer Urantia Book in URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

WHAT THE URANTIA BOOK MEANS TO ME

As I grew up and finished During the five years I spent in experience—a response to a learning to read and write, I France, I read hundreds of very personal prayer—made was interested in deciphering works in the esoteric me clearly understand that everything around me, bookshops of Lyon, some in God is not outside of us, but especially things that I did not their entirety and some in part. within us. This experience also understand, or rather that I I realized very quickly that made me understand that understood in my own way. most of these books went in when we pray to God within, Topics of interest were: circles with no outcomes. So His answers come through the psychology, esotericism, when I visited home in Senegal world outside of us. occultism, God, religion, and discovered that my father hermeticism, theosophy, divine had started a study circle, I That year, the study circle sciences, and sacred arts. eagerly participated. Their decided to seek a direct and There took form in my study took the form of structured teaching and developing mind, as early as questions and answers on all replaced the forum of primary school, an interest in subjects, without exception. questions and answers on understanding the answers to This circle was composed of Saturday afternoons. Since the scientific questions of about 50 people, young then, the group has had a By Moustapha N’Diaye, Dakar, “how,” and to the more academics for the most part, structured teaching format Senegal difficult questions of “why.” with women in the majority, and has provided spiritual

who were meeting every education to several hundred For as long as can remember— However, it was not really a Saturday afternoon in the people, mostly of Muslim faith as is probably true for most conscious quest—at least not home where I grew up. (Senegal being a men and women—I have yet. It continued during my predominantly Muslim always asked myself high school years in a military I soon realized that the country), but also to some questions, consciously or academy in the city of Saint answers given to the various Christians. We are currently on unconsciously, about Louis, located 270 kilometers questions were far more the third batch of students explanations of things and (167 miles) from the city of satisfying to my mind and who have become teachers phenomena around me. It was Dakar, where I was born and made me more conscious of themselves. mostly about natural grew up. After graduating in my soul, than all that I had phenomena, especially when 1975, I pursued engineering acquired from reading all We came to realize that we they attained frightening studies in Lyon, France. This those books. owed this intellectual and proportions, like storms. The time there emerged a real spiritual clarity, coordinated same questions arose in other questioning of the order of In 1981, a very personal and with our personalities, to an forms every time I learned that science and the very purpose highly impressive experience intelligent implementation of an old person I knew had just of life. helped me change my the truths of The Urantia Book, died. The death of a young approach to the understanding adapted to our cultural and person seemed even more of living reality. In fact, this social setting. Our teacher had terrible.

Assane Diagne, Ndiawar Ndiaye, Salimata Bamba Diagne, Line St- Pierre, Gaétan Charland, Amadou Diagne, Moustapha Ndiaye, Guy Perron, Cheikh Ndiaye, Lamine Ndour, Khatabe Ndiaye. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

received the first French French-speaking country) to not have fully appreciated the thought that is not strictly translation, La Cosmogonie pick up the books that were value of the teachings of The religious but is responsive to d’Urantia, in the sixties from shipped from the port of Urantia Book if I had not truth, as is all normal thought the translator, Jacques Weiss. Marseille to the port of Dakar. followed this chaotic path in by creation. Finally, it has In 1998, at the request of our Norman had planned to stay my personal search. I now see allowed me to see for myself study group, I phoned Urantia two or three days in Dakar that The Urantia Book is much how much the spiritual sharing Foundation. Because I spoke before continuing his drive to more than just another with other people of the French, my call was redirected South Africa, but ended up religious book. The Urantia manifestations of our personal to Trustee Georges Michelson- staying in my home for almost Book is a prodigious and faith, however different and Dupont in France, and so our a month. That is how we indispensable "toolbox" for even divergent, is possible— link was established with the received our first Urantia future teachers, whatever the when it is founded on the Urantia movement. Books in English. human framework in which sincerity of the personal they must operate. It presents, search, on the truths of the The first face-to-face contact Looking back, I now realize with authority and wisdom, the teachings of The Urantia Book, with readers outside our group that through all this adventure heart of all human religious and on the love of God that is took place in December 1998. characterized by an early traditions that recognize the illustrated so perfectly by the Georges connected us with interest in reading all kinds of inner life and the Thought life in the flesh of the Master Norman Ingram, who was religious literature, my Thought Adjuster. Son of our local universe. distributing English copies of Adjuster was preparing me for The Urantia Book in English- the progressive and ever- The book also provides, in a speaking African countries. He expanding expression of God human sense, an ideal needed a contact in Senegal (a in my spiritual growth. I could framework for all human Announcements

URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

Urantia Foundation is excited to announce that we have started an Instagram account! You can see daily posts of the goings-on in our office in Chicago and worldwide. With increased activity among Urantia Book readers around the globe, Instagram allows us to stay connected.

Instagram is a social networking app made for sharing photos and videos. It is available for free on iOS and Android devices— simply download the app and create an account. It can also be accessed on the web from a computer. When you post a photo or video on Instagram, it will be displayed on your profile. Other users who follow you will see your posts in their own feed. Likewise, you'll see posts from other users whom you choose to follow. It's the perfect way to engage with your community!

Follow @urantiafoundation ( www.instagram.com/ urantiafoundation ) and encourage your friends to follow us and help us further seed The Urantia Book and its teachings around the world. URANTIA FOUNDATION’S NEWS ONLINE

F ARSI NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Volume 12, Issue 4. December 2018

Urantia Foundation 533 W. Diversey Parkway Chicago, IL 60614 USA

Telephone: +1 (773) 525 3319

Email: [email protected]

Credits for News Online

Editors: Lainey Doremus, Cece Forrester, We are excited to announce that the Farsi translation is now Marilynn Kulieke, Tamara Strumfeld available online at urantia.org/fa. Our Farsi team would

Writers: Judy Van Cleave, Joanne Strobel, love to hear feedback on this work. Please help spread the Alain Cyr, Nathen Jansen, Line St-Pierre, Jodi Niggemann, Timothy Minasian, word to any readers you know, encourage them to visit the Moustapha N’Diaye site, and send feedback to Tamara Strumfeld at Production: Urantia Foundation [email protected]. Thank you!

Urantia Foundation Trustees

Gard Jameson, Marilynn Kulieke, Georges Michelson-Dupont, Mo Siegel, Judy Van Cleave

Associate Trustees

Gaétan Charland, Gary Deinstadt, Marta Elders, Víctor García-Bory, Mark Hutchings, Sherry Layton, Guy Perron, The real universe Minoo, Ralph Zehr is friendly Staff to every child Kelli Doremus, Cece Forrester, Ashley Hayes, Bob Solone, Joanne Strobel, of the Tamara Strumfeld eternal God. “Urantia,” “Urantian,” and are registered trademarks of Urantia Foundation. The Urantia Book, This is a Urantian® publication. 133:5.8 (1477.3)

On the web at www.urantia.org