© 2019 Line St-Pierre, Normand Laperle
© 2019 Urantia Association of Quebec
¶ Word from the President
Line St-Pierre
president@urantiaqc.org
In this June 2019 Réflectivité, you will read the results of the 2018 activities of the Quebec Association and will be able to better familiarize yourself with what we do and what we wish to continue to do for readers and also to stimulate the appetite of other truth seekers.
Jesus said the harvest is great where are the harvesters? I have had this same reflection for several years. The desire to raise one’s hand is lukewarm and we pray that other volunteers will put their shoulder to the wheel to advance the 5th revelation in the projects and activities that we have.
When a friend tells you: …you really missed a good show last week; if you want to catch up, you can probably see that show again somewhere else in another city, but that’s not the case when you miss a thematic meeting or any other meetings that we organize for you!
Last week, the turnout of readers in Drummondville was disappointing for the speakers who gave their time and heart in their superb presentation and disheartening for the event organizers.
Is it by reading a cookbook that we become a great cook, or by reading a medical book that we become a doctor? Does reading a spiritual book make us more spiritually advanced beings? Let us answer the question honestly.
Isn’t loving God and sharing our understanding of Him with people who read the same book part of brotherhood? What about our commitment to brotherhood?
As for a good show, let us be present in the lodges of the Urantia movement!
¶ Drummondville — Advocacy for growth
Normand Laperle
Lévis
The theme of the Drummondville theme this weekend (May 26, 2019) was: “Personal religious experience - practice”. By this title, I understand the spiritual experience that makes the soul grow with its direct impact on our lives.
If you were NOT there, I would like to try here to make you experience, through an inner contact, a little of the theme.
Growth
- Whatpushes us to grow internally?
- Whatpowers it?
Stop for a moment. Close your eyes. **Go within.
Ask yourself: “What is it that motivates me to grow internally?”
To answer this question, do not rely on others, on books, nor on the “Urantia Book”. Do not look into what you already know.
Trust… your inner vision, your ability to “see” internally, the “observation”.
Place yourself in the very moment, the here and now. Search deep within yourself…
You are looking for a “drive”; the drive to live, the “drive to grow”. You let yourself be guided by sensations, by “feelings”. You are looking for the “inner contact”, the “experience” of growth. The words to describe what you will see will come later, after the inner discovery. Let yourself go into that. Take your time.
When you find it, you will have a sensation of “touching”… by awareness, as if you were rubbing against it.
Sharing
In Drummondville there was another experience to live. The experience of sharing. Sharing between people. Sharing what I am by MY simple presence and what the other is by HIS simple presence.
The more I discover myself - in the smallest corners - the more I discover that the other resembles me, the more I love myself and the more I love the other; which generates a drive towards the other, a desire to know and share.
“We humans” are surprisingly similar especially in our inner questions, problems and struggles; in our difficulties to resolve. We all have to go through the same inner trials. Where is all this going? We are moving towards mastery of what we are and become, by personal choice.
Which brings me to another realization: If others have the same inner vulnerabilities as me, the same questions; why not share our own vulnerabilities openly and help each other…between us? Decide to “open up completely” to the other. Be totally transparent in what I am. I accept myself. I love myself.
By exposing my vulnerability in an open way, I open myself, not only to the other, but also to myself. By exposing my vulnerability, the other will open his to me. Which opens up the opportunity for a spontaneous sharing-exchange with others at the level of being. We are all in the boat of growth.
How much more would our inner growth accelerate? There is more to gain than to lose. Let us not forget that inner growth is eternal. We must move towards this growth rather than resist it. Live, rather than survive.
It must be made a way of life.
In Drummondville, I saw beautiful sharing made by beautiful people through their vulnerability. I recognized myself in them. I feel united.
The real is beautiful.
Thank you for your openness to everyone who was there.
¶ 2018 Activity Report
Urantia Association of Quebec
¶ Activities of the Board of Directors in 2018
Six Board of Directors meetings were held for the Association’s current business:
- January 14, March 4, May 6, June 14, September 9 and November 18
A thematic day:
- May 27, with the theme: “Life after death”
- 34 people were present.
- Three presentations by: Hélène Boisvenue, Gaétan Charland, Robert Cadieux.
- Discussions and animation: Marc Belleau
A meeting-presentation for study group hosts:
- September 30
- 9 people participated
- 3 speakers: Jacques Loranger, Gaétan Charland and Robert Cadieux.
A public presentation of The Urantia Book:
- October 14
- At the Grande Bibliothèque located in Montreal
We had two reader social gatherings:
- August 26: Picnic for the feast of Jesus at Mount Royal Park.
- About 30 people — (Rain)
- Organized by Julien Audet and Bertin Perron
- December 9: Holiday Brunch
- 23 people
- At the Best Western hotel in Saint-Jérôme.
¶ Book distribution
The Association funded the purchase and shipping of 33 Urantia books in 2018:
- 16 books to Haiti
- 2 pounds in the United States
- 1 book was posted to Algeria (Following an online request)
PIRT (Prisoner Inquiry Response Team):
- Sending books to prisons is well underway thanks to the good care of Chris Gravel, head of the committee. We would like to acknowledge Chris’ commitment to this project since 2016. Here is a summary of what was done in 2018:
- 14 books distributed in Ontario and the Canadian prairies.
-To date, all federal prison institutions have received a copy of The Urantia Book. - The sending to provincial institutions is in progress. We had a request from a particular inmate of a provincial institution. We sent him a copy at the beginning of 2019.
- 14 books distributed in Ontario and the Canadian prairies.
¶ Study Group Committee
Study Group Directory
The Study Group Directory has been given a facelift with a new look and feel. It lists over 480 study groups from around the world, in multiple languages. There is also a section for virtual study groups, which have seen remarkable growth over the past two years; at last count, there were no fewer than eighty-four.
Study Group Brochure
A new study group brochure was created in 2018 and is expected to be published in multiple languages shortly. This brochure highlights the importance of study groups as a means of integrating and sharing the teachings of The Urantia Book.
Guide for Study Groups
The study group guide produced and published by Urantia Association International is currently being revised and an improved version is expected to be available by the end of 2019.
Study Group Committee Meetings
Virtual meetings for study group hosts were held with a group of readers from Senegal several times towards the end of 2018 and are continuing in 2019 at a rate of one virtual meeting per month. These meetings allow each participant to explore a variety of spiritual topics that can be used to improve the quality of study groups.
Project for study groups
Currently under consideration is the creation of French webinars to help study group hosts in improving the management of their group. One of these webinars has already been produced in English and published on the Urantia Association International YouTube channel.
Internet component
A blog designed and produced by a young reader from Quebec, Emmanuel Audy will soon be available on the association’s website through a link that will be visible under the publications tab. This blog brings together the majority of articles published in the newsletter Réflectivité. These articles will be listed under different subjects and will be subject to advanced searches by theme.
¶ Another addition to our website
A new tab entitled “Study Groups” has been added to the association’s website to highlight the importance of study groups in the mission of The Urantia Book. Within this tab, five sections have been created each reflecting a specific activity. Here they are in chronological order:
- Study Groups — This section provides a description of what a study group is with the option to download a PDF document titled “Study Group Guide”
- Study Group Portal and Directory — provides access to the link to access the study group portal on the internet. This directory was created in conjunction with Urantia Foundation, The Fellowship, and Urantia Association International to facilitate the search and discovery of study groups throughout the world.
- List of study groups — provides a complete list of study groups available in Quebec and a list of potential groups that are looking for participants. Among these groups, there are some that combine two types of meetings, in person and virtual or one of both.
- Study Group Texts — Here you will find some literature prepared by readers that can assist in the organization, management, quality, and effectiveness of study groups in learning the teachings of The Urantia Book.
- Study Group Videos — directory of videos to aid in understanding certain concepts from the teachings of The Urantia Book.
¶ Writing
During 2018, Gaétan wrote various articles that were published in the AUQ newsletter “Réflectivité” and in the Urantia Association International magazine “Tidings”.
¶ Participation in the “Parliament of World Religions”
The Urantia Movement was present at the 7th “Parliament of Religions” held in Toronto from November 1 to 7, 2018. There were 8,324 participants from 118 religious movements from around the world.
AUC and AUQ were represented
There was a URANTIA Kiosk where Gaétan, Line, Alain Cyr and others participated as volunteers to inform those who were curious enough to come and find out about The Urantia Book and its growing worldwide distribution.
¶ Women’s Committee: President-Line St-Pierre
In January 2018 Line has a week-long meeting in Florida to prepare for their annual activities with the women’s team, “The Daughters of God” with whom she works.
- In February Line participated in the Dakar Summit
- At the Association’s International Congress in Amsterdam from April 10-15, Line led 2 workshops entitled: “As she passes by: Bringing Jesus’s teachings to life”.
- She facilitated a retreat at the Foundation in Chicago from September 13-16 with the theme “Dancing with God — Courageously Living His Love”
- Monthly she participates in a conference call with the women on her team.
- From October 19-26, the Urantia Association of Peru invited her to speak at their convention on the theme: “The Sisterhood of Women — May we be the servants of all.”
- Also, 2 other meetings were organized for Line to meet and talk about spirituality with Peruvian women.
- She attended the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto from November 1st to 7th and also volunteered at the Urantia booth to answer questions from passersby.
¶ Member Support
Line has answered numerous emails from people wanting more information about either participating in a study group, Association meetings and/or obtaining The Urantia Book. Six new people have joined the AUQ and received a welcome letter and their membership card after a telephone conversation.
In the tasks of this committee, Line also takes care of the mail and of making the deposits of donations and contributions of the members.
¶ Communications
- Line follows up on correspondence from readers who write to the association’s address; routine telephone communications from readers requesting various information concerning The Urantia Book or the Urantia Association of Quebec. She regularly informs Normand Laperle and Marc Belleau of all changes of address of recipients of the paper format Réflectivité. For the AUQ files, she forwards correspondence and responses to the secretary who archives them.
- She handles conference room reservations when necessary. Line also acts as French-speaking contact person for Urantia Association International to follow up on correspondence requiring the use of French.
- As president
- During the public presentation of the Urantia Book held on October 14 at the Grande Bibliothèque in Montreal, Line presented the Association and spoke about its role for readers.
- Line participated in March 2018 in the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Association via videoconference with ZOOM.
¶ Réflectivité
Ten (10) issues of this important communication and dissemination link were published in 2018.
Normand Laperle, editor-in-chief, assisted by Gilles Bertrand took care of the collection of articles, the editing, the layout, the handwritten transcriptions, proofreading, printing, and postal mailings for 70 people for each edition.
Every January, a mass mailing of Réflectivité is mailed to nearly 400 people in the database, to ensure that we maintain a connection with readers we don’t hear from or see.
All this represents a considerable amount of work, the scale of which we are not aware of.
A big thank you to these dedicated workers.
¶ Translation Committee
- The “Translation Committee” was formed in 2017
- President: Jean-Pierre Cadieux
The AUQ Board of Directors has formed a Translation Committee to draft and oversee French translations of important documents. This committee makes translations that the AUQ believes are relevant to the interests of its members and the French-speaking community.
Committee work in 2018
- Translation of Chris Gravel’s letter regarding the PIRT committee
- Translation of Tidings
- Translation of incentive cards
- Translation of incentive bookmarks
- Translation of the text “Participate in a Cosmic Event”
- Translation of the documents from David Linthicum’s presentation in Amsterdam
We are looking for collaborators to translate from English to French or to proofread for corrections after translation. Those who can provide assistance are invited to contact us at traduction1@urantiaqc.org
¶ Finances
During the year 2018, our treasurer — Marc Belleau — took care of the following tasks:
- Finalization of the strategic plan and presentation of this plan at the 2018 AGM
- Presentation of budget reports for CA meetings
- Entry of financial data and member contact details in the Etapestry database put online by the AUI
- **Learning how the Etapestry database works
- Budget update (continuous)
- Sending thank you letters to donors (continuously)
- Receipts and Disbursements
- Work with the accountant for the preparation of financial statements and forms to be produced for the 2 levels of government
- Creation of expense reports for the various AUQ stakeholders
- Participation in CA meetings
¶ Make yourself useful
The AUQ Board of Directors would gladly accept assistance from members of the association or readers who would like to get involved.
It is not necessary to be a member of the AUQ to participate in the various committees or offer assistance. Anyone can contact us for this.
It is easy to see, after reading the above, that Line St-Pierre’s activities go well beyond her duties as president. She would accept help from readers or members of the association who would like to get involved.
These people would be welcome and of great help.
Those who want to come and support the actions of our association through volunteer work can contact us. We will be delighted to integrate them into the AUQ’s mission.
¶ Did you know?
Interesting quote:
“Originally, the seraphim were definitely assigned to the separate Urantia races. But since the bestowal of Michael, they are assigned in accordance with human intelligence, spirituality, and destiny. Intellectually, mankind is divided into three classes:” (UB 113:1.2)
¶ Upcoming activities
Michael’s Birthday — 2019
Come and fraternize…
Sunday, August 18, 2019, 11am-3pm you are all invited to the feast of Jesus on Mount Royal — near Beaver Lake, between the restaurant and the paid parking lot (around $8 in 2018).
As usual you will just have to follow the directions with the concentric circles from the parking lot.
Bring your own food, chairs and musical instruments.
Bertin Perron and Julien Audet.
“Urantia will not enjoy lasting peace until the so-called sovereign nations intelligently and fully surrender their sovereign powers into the hands of the brotherhood of men—mankind government.” (UB 134:5.10)
¶ HAVE YOU PURCHASED YOUR FUNDSCRIP CARDS? THIS MONTH?
Every time you buy Fundscrip cards, a percentage of your purchase is donated by the company to the Urantia Association of Quebec. A smart way to support the AUQ for the price of a stamp.
If you would like more information, go to the website of the Urantia Association of Quebec and click on the “Contribution” link, or you can read the excellent article written by Marc Belleau in the April 2017 Réflectivité.
You can also register immediately on the FundScrip website, by clicking on the following image.
¶ Urantia-Association-of-Quebec — 2019 Calendar of Activities
| Sunday, January 13 | Board of Directors | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday March 10 | Board of Directors | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, April 27 | Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Drummondville | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday May 5 | Board of Directors | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, May 26 | Theme Day | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, June 16 | Board of Directors | 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. |
| August 9, 10 and 11 | AUQ Regional Congress | |
| Sunday, August 25 | Picnic for the Feast of Jesus — Mount Royal Park | 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. |
| Sunday, September 8 | Board of Directors | 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. |
| **Sunday, September 29 | Presentation of The Urantia Book | |
| Thursday, November 14 | Board of Directors — (online with Zoom) | 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, December 8th | Holiday Brunch | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. |
¶ Study groups
This activity allows several readers of different levels of understanding to share and study together the teachings of The Urantia Book. It promotes spiritual progress by allowing its participants to find practical applications of the teachings of The Urantia Book in their daily lives. This important practice helps to maintain a broad perspective on concepts of truth.
You wish to participate or form a study group; we will be happy to assist you. If you wish to have your study group appear in this list, contact the person in charge, via email association.urantia.quebec@gmail.com or at 450-565-3323.
Outaouais Group
Region: Gatineau
Wednesday, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Maurice Migneault (613) 789-6833
Group : “Le Pont”
Region: South Shore of Montreal — Brossard
Thursdays, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Guy Vachon (450) 465-7049
Group: “Uni-Terre”
Region: Joliette
Sundays at 10:00 am
Contact: Eric Martel (450) 756-9387
Group: “Découverte”
Region: Laurentides — St-Jérôme
Mondays, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Gaétan Charland and Line St-Pierre
Tel.: (450) 565-3323
Sherbrooke Group
Region: Sherbrooke
Every 2 weeks: Tuesday or Wednesday, (to be confirmed) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hélène Boisvenue and Denis Gravelle Tel.: (819) 569-6416
Group: “The United Family of Urantia”
Region: Montreal — Downtown
Wednesdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mrs. Diane Labrecque (514) 277-2308
Group: “At Maisonia”
Region: Quebec
Every 2 weeks: Sundays, from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Gilles Bertrand & Louise Renaud (418) 871-4564
Virtual Study Group, French
Every Monday from 2pm to 4pm Eastern Time
Via Zoom: https://www.zoom.us/j/9084766734
Responsible: Guy Perron (438) 495-7747
Potential Study Groups Seeking Participants
Group : “Le portail du bercail”
Region: Sorel
Mrs. Eva & Ernest Asselin
(450) 517-0136
Group: “Saguenay”
Region: Saguenay
Contact: Jean-Guillaume Tremblay (418) 693-2049
¶ Réflectivité
Responsible: Normand Laperle
Assisted by: Gilles Bertrand.
(418) 835-1809 (Normand Laperle)
(418) 871-4564 (Gilles Bertrand)
Publication (monthly)
In the second week of the previous month.
To submit your articles:
Send them to: reflectivite.auq@gmail.com
Add: Your name and city of residence.
Warning :
All submissions of articles or otherwise become the property of the journal and none will be returned.
We do not guarantee that all articles in our possession will be published in the next Réflectivité.
For the sake of fairness, we operate on a first-come, first-published basis. There is one exception to this rule: if I receive an article that discusses recent, past, or future events, it will be given priority over all others.
We reserve the right to edit articles for the benefit of the readership. However, in certain specific cases, these changes will be submitted to the author concerned for final approval before publication.
Any interpretation, opinion, conclusion or artistic representation, stated or implied, are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion and views of the UAI or national and local level associations.