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As faith-enlightened and spirit-liberated sons of the kingdom of heaven, you face a double responsibility ofduty to man and duty to God while you voluntarily assume a third and sacred obligation: service to the brotherhood of God-knowing believers. [178:1.5]
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Dear EC members,
First, thank you Robert for your excellent summary report. Here are my
supplemental reflections on the events of our visit. It is critical that these
comments be kept confidential to the EC
On Wednesday, the day after our Tuesday late night arrival, Robert and I were
able to confer before driving in to pick up Seppo in Toronto, and agreed on
sharing possibilities with Seppo in the three areas of potential collaboration
Robert mentioned:
1. A broad Urantia community endowment fund run by a board comprised of
representatives from the Fellowship, Foundation, hopefully the UAI, and possibly
independent service organizations.
2. A two pronged approach to translations, with the Foundation continuing to
publish hard copy initial translations and periodic revisions in each language,
and the Fellowship providing "living" electronic versions in each language that
would be cumulative, hyperlink annotated interactive editions that all members
in a linguistic community could contribute to over time.
3. A variety of collaborative publishing functions such as co-managing booths at
publishing industry events like the ABA, and working together to increase shelf
space for all UB editions in bookstores.
On the two hour drive back to Silver Springs with Seppo Wednesday evening we
talked much about the challenges posed by the history and culture of the UAI,
especially the USUA. We also touched introductorily on the 3 areas above. Both
Robert and I felt Seppo wanted very much to work with the Fellowship and that he
felt the potentials for partnership currently were likely more promising than
with the UAI. He expressed strong committment to taking the hard steps
necessary to develop these potentials.
The next morning, after the powerful time of prayer Robert described around our
giving the Uversa UBs to Seppo and Sue, the three of us spent about four and a
half very focused hours in discussion on the collaborative possibilities
outlined above, as well as others Seppo brought which must remain confidential
at this point. I think Robert would agree that the three of us enjoyed complete
consensus on the need to try to move forward in each of the areas discussed, and
to provide unmistakable visible evidence to the readership community that the
Fellowship and Foundation, and hopefully the UAI, have begun working in
heartfelt partnership for the progress of the revelation.
We agreed on bringing our conclusions back to our respective deliberative bodies
(Trustees, EC/GC) for decisions and next steps, and on the need for persistent
efforts to reach out to the UAI leadership. We then adjourned for Seppo to rest
and Robert and I to pick up the Trustees and Associate Trustees in Toronto,
which we did from 3:30 pm to about 9 pm. After eating and some late night
discussion touching a bit on the results of our 3 way talks, we all hit the sack
around 11 pm.
The next morning the Trustee group convened. They had a very full agenda, but
graciously allowed us about an hour and twenty minutes, during which Seppo,
Robert and I shared the gist of our talks the day before, followed by spirited
discussion. Seppo was adamant that we must move forward in working together,
and he said twice that if he was not able to effectively facilitate that process
he would "step down". It was a powerful moment. (Please remember, all of this
must be kept strictly confidential.) Mo, Georges and others around the table
expressed hearty agreement. (Gard was not able to make the meeting as his
mother was in intensive care at the time.) Richard was the only one who was
quiet and pensive. We then all thanked each other, said our goodbyes, and
Robert and I left the meeting, packed and drove to Toronto
We do not know what the Trustees concluded in their meeting on the possibilities
we discussed, but they subsequently asked us to stay very quiet about what had
transpired until they could talk with the UAI leadership during the following
week. My hope is that they made some tough decisions that they were going to
have to present to the harder line subgroup in the UAI (really only in the US).
They all deserve our prayers.
Sometime soon it may be good to schedule a conference call to more fully share
what transpired, try to reach some conclusions, and decide on next steps if
indicated. I know both Robert and I are eager thus to proceed.
I want to thank all of you for supporting this effort and our trip to Silver
Springs. I think, in retrospect, we both felt it was vitally important and
successful beyond our best hopes, a powerful relational and substantive
breakthrough.
With much affection and respect,
Marvin