A. Brotherhood Educational Activities.

As individuals, the members of the Education Committee unite with readers of The URANTIA Book and other Urantians in that greatest of personal adventures, seeking to do the Father's will. As an arm of the URANTIA Brotherhood, the fraternal organization of students of The URANTIA Book, the Education Committee has a social function. The Brotherhood constitution charges the committee to find, prepare, and qualify teachers for the purpose of disseminating the teachings of the book in order that each mortal may be aided in achieving his/her personal spiritual goals. Thus, it is the committee's task to encourage intensive study of the papers together with study of evolutionary knowledge, secular and religious., We do not maintain that such study is an end in itself, but we do affirm that it can be invaluable when coupled with communion between the individual and her/his Thought Adjuster, when enhanced by the individual's cooperation with other superhuman agencies, when assimilated into the individual's life pattern. The committee, in its coordinating role, arranges to bring people together on our time-space sphere where they, through the study experience, may contribute to their own education and to that of others by sharing.

B. Workshops.

As part of the attempt to achieve the afore-mentioned aims, the Education Committee has initiated a series of workshops with the following specific objectives:

1) To provide a framework for study of the teachings of The URANTIA Book with the idea of improving quantitative and qualitative knowledge of these teachings.

To provide a laboratory practicum in which participants may try various techniques in and of the teaching/learning process for use in other situations (i.e. the local study group, the family). This practice in socializing learning may well facilitate the development of those skills which promote awareness of values and meanings in addition to facts.

3) To provide a climate in which personalities may interact cooperatively in such study--to provide generally yet-another experience in living. The committee feels that other benefits not related to education (except in the very broadest sense) may accrue for both the individual and the group. The members enjoy speculating that these workshops may even become one of those alternative institutions of self-gratification which civilization is encouraged to develop. (P. 772)

In the current series, three programs have been offered--1978, 1979, and 1980--either as part of a General Conference or in cooperation with other standing committees of the Brotherhood.

C. Workshop for 1981 General Conference.

The committee would like to acquaint more readers of the book with the workshop activity outlined above. Hence, in 1981 we are offering a "demonstration" workshop consistent with the theme of the Conference. Our topic is "Recognition of the Gifts of the Father," with the focus on those gifts--not always obvious--that we can utilize as we pursue in depth our studies of the truths contained in The URANTIA Book. We are hopeful that the participants will become so engaged in this kind of activity that they will join in future workshops, broadening and deepening their own experience while contributing to the growth of others.

D. Study Aids.

The Education Committee does not have the authority to make decisions on the reproduction and dissemination of study materials on The URANTIA Book Such power rests with the URANTIA Foundation. It is true that the committee, operating through the Executive Committee of the URANTIA Brotherhood, may make recommendations to the Foundation. However, the Education Committee has found from experience that the most valuable aids are those which, through study, one provides oneself and those which accompany personal interchange. Knowledge and understanding can also be strengthened by individual pursuit of interests "inspired " by reading the papers.

E. Conclusion.

The committee hopes that this summary of its thinking, by no means exhaustive, will serve to promote an understanding of its concerns and functions.

Education Committee Members:

Marjorie Reed K. David Schlundt Marilyn Hauck Stephen Dreier Helen Carlson, Secretary Lynne Kulieke, Chairman

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