© 2023 Aprilhelen
© 2023 The Urantia Book Fellowship
| Spirit-Led Teamwork: The Pearl of the Universes | Summer 2023 Issue — Index | Memories of International Conferences |
By Aprilhelen
International Conference 2023 (IC23): “Living the Teachings: Heart, Mind and Soul” (see urantiabook.org/ic23) is designed to be family friendly. The Children and Teen Program team, in collaboration with Urantia Family Life (UFL) and the Youth and Young Adult (Ya YA) Committee, is pleased to announce plans for a meaningful, creative, and fun-filled program for all ages.
This coordinated program will provide a variety of enriching experiences for the youth that also enables parents to attend plenaries and workshops. The age groups that have been created are as follows:
- Infants and Toddlers (ages 0-2)
- Preschoolers (ages 3-5)
- Preteens (ages 6-12)
- Teens (ages 13-18)
Note that accommodations and meals for kids under the age of 18 will be at no cost when they attend with an adult.
¶ Intergenerational Activities
We invite you to spend time with us in intergenerational musings. We are taking lessons from The Urantia Book to have the various ages interact occasionally throughout the week. The worship sessions before the morning and afternoon plenaries are one of these all-ages activities, as well as the family game night. There are also moments throughout the week for the different age groups to spend time in reversion (relaxation and humor) and service opportunities.
¶ Programming for Parents
Urantia Family Life is curating a workshop series geared toward parents and all people interested in family life to include focuses on marriage, parenting, and religious culture. The team will also be organizing various social gatherings designed to foster engagement between parents, and to cultivate a stronger family life community within the readership of the Urantia Book community at large.
¶ Young Adults Needed (Ages 19-25)
The Youth and Young Adult (Ya YA) Committee is announcing a special call to action for young adults, ages 19-25, to serve as mentors. The Ya Y As are using the opportunity at IC23 to seek new members for the committee who are willing to collaborate on the vision and implementation of new initiatives. They are excited to welcome more of the unique perspectives and enthusiasm to share with the youth of the Urantia Book community during IC23 and beyond.
¶ Join Us in Music!
With the intention to engage in community worship, there are opportunities for children of all age groups to participate in the music program. Please let us know if your Child or teen would like to be part of this with their voice, an instrument, or both! Rehearsals Will start online soon. Contact aprilhelen@urantiabook.org for more information.
¶ Volunteers Needed
If you have the heart to serve the important next generation of revelation-led souls, please contact aprilhelen@urantiabook.org as soon as possible With yout- availability, ideas, and any resources you can lend or donate (e.g., instruments, art supplies, games, and infant room items). All volunteers working with minors will need to pass a background check.
If you have questions or need help with registration or scholarship, please contact fellowship@urantiabook.org.
The family of God is central to The Urantia Book. The Children + Teen Program is pleased to help make family life a central theme of IC23, as we are living the teachings. Plan to bring your whole family for a spiritually enriching summer vacation!
Your enthusiastic prayers are much appreciated. If you would like to help families attend this and other events, please consider donating to our scholarship fund on the registration page.
With love and anticipation from your IC23 Family leadership team,
- Robert Arkens, IC23 Children + Teen Program Lead
- Aprilhelen, YaYA Chair, Teens Lead, and volunteer coordinator
- Landon Arkens, Preteens Lead
- Martha Babatola, Preschoolers Lead
- Missy Theiss, Infants and Toddlers Lead
- Ruthie Wilde Wenger, Urantia Family Life Chair
- Anthony Finstad, Urantia Family Life Chair, Elder Chair
¶ External Links
| Spirit-Led Teamwork: The Pearl of the Universes | Summer 2023 Issue — Index | Memories of International Conferences |