The Publications Committee has been active in several areas this year:
1 . Urantia Brotherhood Bulletin. A new format for the Bulletin using offset printing and photographs started with the September 1977 issue. Response to the Bulletin has been very good, so we plan to continue in this direction. People especially like the photographs, news of Urantia Book readers, news of Urantia Brotherhood activities, and the feeling of unity this creates. About 2500 copies are distributed quarterly; about 2100 go to the headquarters mailing list and several hundred are used by the offices of Urantia Brotherhood and Urantia Foundation in their correspondence with new readers of The Urantia Book. Much volunteer work goes into the production of the Bulletin, and this is much appreciated, as is the response of societies, study groups, and readers who have begun enthusiastically to contribute news and photographs for the Bulletin.
2. Translations. The Publications Committee would like to issue a French translation of Urantia Brotherhood Bulletin and has been studying means of doing so. We are considering volunteer translators, professional translators, and a combination of volunteer and professional translators. We would not print a separate French edition of the Bulletin, but would enclose a French translation of the text with the English edition. This could serve as a model for other translations, and we are thinking of other languages which may be used in the future. The Committee also wishes to keep abreast of problems in translating Brotherhood publications and to acquaint ourselves with the best means of providing translations. (The Publications Committee is not charged with responsibilities concerning translations of The Urantia Book but is charged with responsibilities concerning translations of Brotherhood publications.)
3. 1978 Publications Workshops. The Publications Committee looks forward to two meetings during the morning sessions of the 1978 General Conference at Lake Geneva. On Monday, a small group of experienced editors and staff will meet by invitation to consider common interests and possible coordination. On Tuesday, a workshop on starting local newsletters will be conducted by experienced editors for anyone who wishes to attend. These two workshops are part of an ongoing interest on our part in facilitating communication and fellowship among those in the Urantia movement who are interested in publications. We hope this summer's workshops will be a time of getting acquainted and deepening acquaintances, and will result in ways we can continue to cooperate and coordinate with one another.
4. 1978 Conference Papers. The Publications Committee and the editors of The UrantiaN Journal of Urantia Brotherhood have agreed to cooperate on publication of a digest of presentations made at the 1978 General Conference. Details will be decided after material has been received.
The Publications Committee welcomes your comments, questions, and suggestions. We would especially appreciate knowing of persons who are interested in, and experienced in publications. The new developments in publications as tools in the dissemination of the teachings and the augmentation of fellowship among readers are exciting and challenging.
Submitted by Barbara Kulieke,
Chairman Publications Committee
A Service of
The Urantia Book Fellowship