June 14, 1990
FIFTH EPOCHAL FELLOWSHIP for readers of The Urantia Book
Trustees of Urantia Foundation
533 Diversey Parkway
Chicago IL 60614Dear Trustees:
We are disappointed in your May 14, 1990 letter refusing to meet with us on April 29, 1990 as we had requested some time ago to discuss matters of mutual importance to the well‑being of the work on behalf of the Fifth Epochal Revelation which we share in common. As you know, we have been working diligently to resolve in an equitable fashion those issues resulting from our organizational separation. This resolution process has been extended by you as well in the interests of equity and at a substantial cost of monies and time on both of our parts (we just granted you the two-week extension requested by your attorney).
With regard to your claims of assault on the Foundation, we think it fair to point out to you that the readership‑wide distribution of your 'Special Report' and continued claims by trustees and others about our organization's non‑existence have contributed significantly to the current climate about which you now indicate concern. We find it especially curious in this context that three trustees are still members of Fifth Epochal Fellowship, one of whom serves on the governing board of a constituent society. Nonetheless, we welcome their support as an action which speaks louder than words.
In view of our shared commitment to the well‑being of the revelation which gave birth to the existence of both of our organizations, we remain open and willing, to meet with you face‑to‑face to discuss those matters of mutual import. For us, personal dialogue is highly desirable since we are becoming concerned about the unseemly nature of the constant resort to attorney‑to‑attorney communication which has been taking place. This legalistic, secular approach seems increasingly inconsistent with the revelation we profess to represent and wasteful of contributor monies. We therefore plan to refrain from any further interaction with you on that basis, unless absolutely necessary, and have so notified our attorney.
We are convinced that as mature adults and readers committed to the teachings of The Urantia Book we can find it in our hearts to communicate personally as sons and daughters of a common Father. Accordingly we invite you to put aside your particular organizational concerns and meet with us in friendship to discuss our problems and the opportunities represented by the differing but related purposes of our organizations.
We await your response to our invitation. Thank you.
In fellowship,
David Elders, President
For the Executive Committee
Headquarters:
529 Wrightwood Avenue,
Chicago, IL, 60614
USAPhone (312) 327‑0424, Fax (312) 327‑6159