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"God's in His Heaven; all's right with the world!" Do you believe it? This well-known line from a Robert Browning poem seems to me a good thought to keep in mind as we review the past year's activity of Urantia Brotherhood. We have all participated to one degree or another, on both a personal and organizational level, in events that challenge many of us to closely examine our own long-held beliefs.

We all intellectually know that "life is change." But, I doubt that any of us were truly prepared for the actual impact of the changes of the past year.

The year's activity of Urantia Brotherhood is reviewed in the reports of the officers and committee chairmen. I do not feel it necessary to go over these details since you have already read them and will have the opportunity to raise specific questions later in this meeting.

I will highlight some events and activities I believe are important. What concerns me most at this time is the mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of all of us involved in the work of Urantia Brotherhood, be we members or friends. There is no way to avoid the repercussions on the Brotherhood of events which took place last fall as a result of an individual's personal religious experience. I must single out this event as the most potentially divisive incident facing the Brotherhood in my memory. I have witnessed the impact this has had on individuals and groups and in turn upon our activities. I am aware that I am probably so close to this situation it is hard to maintain as objective a view as possible.

I do know this event has challenged many, if not all, of us to rethink long-held assumptions about interpersonal relationships. For many, Camelot is no more. Long-term relationships have been strained or broken, leaving both parties puzzled as to why it happened. I have observed the sincerity with which friends support different sides of the issue. Most discouraging is the rekindling of old grievances and past prejudices that, when voiced, can only poison the waters of personal relationships. To combat some of the negative consequences of actions taken based on hurt or angry feelings, let each of us counsel patience, be it in ourselves or in others. We must remember that men and women will be transformed by personal experience. The Urantia teachings will be a catalyst for many activities. We have a great opportunity to gain in wisdom by this recent experience. The fact that Urantia Brotherhood does not pass judgment on an individual's personal experience should not cloud the fact that the Brotherhood must wisely choose actions that will further its goals and purposes. While these events have taken up an inordinate amount of time, as people put forth written and verbal communication, ongoing dissemination of the Urantia teachings did continue.

One of the most promising areas of work is that of encouraging and strengthening study group activity. The Domestic Extension Committee has worked with great persistence to publish the first "Urantia Brotherhood Study Group Directory." The fact of its existence will be a practical reference as well as a material symbol for many reader groups who feel isolated from other students. Although some still question the directory's true value, I believe time will help determine its worth.

Another project which has had good reception and success is that of library book placement. Not only has this provided a service outlet for enthusiastic "doers," it has been noted in letters received at the Brotherhood office that the correspondent came across the book at his local library, sometimes when looking for some other reference. It seems such a small thing. It may even seem insignificant to non-library users. This project will never end since experience has shown that books "disappear" from the shelves with regularity. Volunteers will be needed to periodically check the book's availability at their local library.

The international spread of The Urantia Book still remains a top priority for our energies and resources. In cooperation with Urantia Foundation, the Brotherhood has begun the fund-raising campaign for the Spanish translation. We are optimistic of reaching our goal, and already there is talk of what the next language for translation should be. French book sales continue at an even level with increased sales to Europe through several retail bookstores which have become regular customers. We are also aware of a weekend meeting of French readers in Paris which for the first time drew students from outside the city area. Our friends in Province Quebec, Canada, continue their expansion of study group activity. We are not as well informed of activity in non-western cultures. As we continue our activity within the United States, we must be ever sensitive to those activities that will truly internationalize the spread of the Urantia teachings.

I wish to report on receiving a request from the First Urantia Society of Los Angeles asking that societies be informed when vacancies occur on the General Council due to death or resignation of a member. This was in response to the action at last year's Council meeting when two vacancies were filled with temporary appointments until the next meeting of the Triennial Delegate Assembly. While realizing that societies do not directly elect Councilors, the Los Angeles Society believes societies should have the opportunity to inform the Council of candidates to be considered. The Executive Committee discussed this request and were in agreement. They did not feel there is a need to make a constitutional change since this request involves more of a procedural matter than one of substance. Societies will be contacted when vacancies occur.

Long-range planning has not progressed on the schedule I had planned for. In assessing the various forces at work since last September, I decided we were not ready to undertake this project until some time passed, allowing each of us to become again focused on the work of Urantia Brotherhood. Our time together this weekend, I believe, will help us move forward in this task.

Let us pray to God for wisdom in our group deliberations. We should keep in mind that we will learn "to feast upon uncertainty, to fatten upon disappointment, to enthuse over apparent defeat, to invigorate in the presence of difficulties, to exhibit indomitable courage in the face of immensity, and to exercise unconquerable faith when confronted with the challenge of the inexplicable. Long since, the battle cry of these pilgrims became: 'In liaison with God, nothing--absolutely nothing--is impossible."'

Respectfully submitted,

John W. Hales, President