The primary objective of the Publications Committee over the past year has been to publish an ontime quarterly newsletter, something which The Fellowship has not done in recent years. In order to fill the then perceived communications gap between the Fellowship as an organization and the Urantia Book reader community, the Executive Committee had appointed in February 1997 an ad hoc newsletter committee of which this current Publications chair was a member. The ad hoc committee published the first issue of the Mighty Messenger in the spring of 1997 and subsequent issues have been published on schedule by the Publications Committee. The fifth issue of the newsletter is at the printer's as of this writing.

The purpose of the Mighty Messenger is to keep the reader community informed regarding current events and to provide readers with a forum for the expression of their views on issues of interest to this community. While the reporting goal has been achieved with moderate success, the committee hopes to see a substantial increase in letters from readers, which to date have been rather sparse. Next on the agenda for the MM is the improvement of its looks through the use of graphics and a better layout.

As reported in the newsletter's upcoming issue, The Fellowship will add to its publications menu a sixteen page journal called The Fellowship Herald, which will devote space to articles of spiritual, social and scholarly interest as well as to artwork and poetry. The first issue is expected to see light later this summer.

The increased workload of the committee during this year has prompted some personnel changes, three members resigning due to competing commitments and new members, eager to participate in the publications process, joining in.

In order to improve and expand its work, the Publications Committee needs to remain dynamic, balanced, creative and unified in its purpose of meeting the publications needs of The Fellowship. As in all departmental committees, each member needs to be given an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way and to take full advantage of this opportunity. Moreover, the committee will endeavor to enlist the participation of talented individuals throughout the Urantia Book reader community. "Come work with us", is something we would like to say to all the potential contributors worldwide.

Respectfully submitted by

Avi Dogim, Chairman Publications Committee

Carolyn Kendall
Stephen F.
Linda Buselli
Sage Waitts
Geri Johnson
Nancy Johnson