© 2022 Gaétan G. Charland, Normand Laperle, Pierre Bellavance, Samuel Heïne
© 2022 Urantia Association of Quebec
¶ Word from the President March 2022
Gaetan Charland
president@urantiaqc.org
Hello readers and friends of the association,
In my previous message, I alluded to the confused and uncertain situation in which our world finds itself. I offered us tools and means made available to us by the Urantia Association of Quebec to help and support us in fulfilling our duty, that of shining the spiritual light among those who seek the voice of wisdom, love and truth.
A new way has been available since March 1st to help us share the teachings of The Urantia Book. A course called The Ministry of the Master, offered by The Ambassador School, will provide a correspondence to the way Jesus taught and shared the truth. More information can be found in the EDUCATION section of our website.
Another tool I often talk about is study groups. Don’t judge me too harshly, but I still struggle to understand why there are so many readers who are not in a study group or who do not start one? The revelators have made it clear to us that we need to create thousands of study groups around the world in order to simply and wisely integrate and disseminate the teachings of The Urantia Book.
The Urantia Association International, through our website, provides us with a guide to help us create and manage a study group. The AUQ has a list of in-person and virtual study groups, available to interested readers. Also, an international website sponsored by Urantia Foundation, the Association and the Fellowship, translated into several languages, including French, offers a wide variety of study groups around the world and is open to all.
There are numerous articles, testimonies, and seminars available on the elaboration of the intellectual and spiritual benefits and benefits that study groups offer to readers of The Urantia Book in our world. Today, more than sixty years after its publication and millions of copies sold, there are no more than five hundred study groups. This is a deplorable situation, if I may say so, considering all that has been made available to facilitate the access to and establishment of study groups.
Are we so comfortable in our material lives that the spiritual aspect and purpose of our existence completely escapes us? What will it take to wake us up? Recently I attended a meeting organized by readers from Colombia who are very enthusiastic about study groups. They are organizing a training for the creation and facilitation of study groups, and have about sixty readers interested in this training. In Quebec, several years ago, a similar meeting was organized and we had difficulty gathering more than twenty readers. In our province of Quebec, about three hundred Urantia Books are sold each year, not counting the downloaded versions, and this has been the case for several decades. Where are all these readers?
It is said that the discovery of the Truth frees us from many things, starting with our ignorance, not only does it free us from many things, but it offers us a new way of living and also invites us to share it. The Truth with a capital T, not only illuminates us, but invests us with a new responsibility, that of making it shine. Let us remember the words of the Master:
““You are the salt of the earth, salt with a saving savor. But if this salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.”” (UB 140:4.2)
““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven.”” (UB 140:4.4)
These two quotes have encouraged me and continue to support me as we face the adversity and ignorance of today’s world. We, the student-readers of The Urantia Book, have a great responsibility; much has been given to us, it is up to us to give back what we have been so abundantly given. If you do not know how to do so, join a study group, participate in online courses, attend conferences organized by our association, and visit our website for more information on how to serve the Revelation.
Internet link for Study Group Guide: https://www.urantia-quebec.ca/groupes-etude/textes-des-groupes-etudes
List of study groups: https://www.urantia-quebec.ca/groupes-etude/liste-des-groupes-etude
¶ Death of Jacqueline Harvey
Normand Laperle
Lévis
On February 2, 2022, at the age of 85, Jacqueline Harvey went to follow her path to the Father in another world. For those who did not know her, she was the wife of the late Alcide Paradis. She lived in Sainte-Foy, Quebec and is survived by two children and two grandchildren.
We knew her as one of the pioneers who actively contributed to the dissemination of the Urantia Book in Quebec. As for me, my very first experience of reading the Urantia Book in a study group was at her home.
Since Alcide’s passing, she has been known as someone who was involved locally with her own study group.
In her private life, she also occupied her free time as a painter and her paintings were sold continuously at the Château Frontenac in Quebec. She was also an experienced pianist in classical music.
I will always have a very good memory of his presence among us. I anticipate the day when we will meet again somewhere on the ascending paths of the universe.
See you soon Jacqueline…
¶ The human being and his spiritual development
Pierre Bellavance
Sherbrooke
When I first read The Urantia Book, I was pleasantly surprised by the place and destiny of man in God’s universal plan. Coming from a Catholic background, where man prays and fears God and suddenly finds himself after his death in heaven in the presence of God, I was impressed to see that a very long career of spiritual ancestry awaited me in order to prepare me to meet God. Having a strong interest in psychology, I wanted to better understand what a human being is according to The Urantia Book and how his psychological development can be harmonized and better meet his spiritual aspirations. In this research, I borrowed certain concepts from humanistic psychology to enhance them with the concepts of Truth, Beauty and Goodness dear to The Urantia Book. This research work is an essay that commits only me. It is a reflection that has helped me to better understand the sometimes very complex concepts surrounding the human being and to better guide my own approach to earthly happiness taking into account my future universal and eternal cruise towards my heavenly Father. May the reading of this humble reflection bring you more understanding and love for yourselves and illuminate your earthly steps with a light of hope and joy.
Fraternally,
Editor’s note: you will find Pierre Bellavance’s text at the following [Web] address: (https://urantiaquebec.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/documents/Textes-des-lecteurs/Letrehumain-et-son-developpement-spirituelconcepts-abordes-dans-Le-Livre-dUrantia-revu28.pdf)
“Self-mastery is the measure of man’s moral nature and the indicator of his spiritual development. (UB 143:2.3)
¶ Understanding and following Jesus in a living way
Samuel Heine
Reunion Island
Personal inspiration of a day:
For those who want to believe in a creator God and have the “certainty” of survival after this life, it is true that Jesus’ teaching or philosophy of life is very, very simple.
It is not necessary to know how to read or write to understand and follow Jesus in a living way.
We must love the Creator God and his creatures, replace hatred with love and anger with kindness (To Love is to Serve).
We must live the golden rule: “Treat others as you want to be treated.”
To communicate, commune, pray, meditate, worship sincerely with God, live in the awareness or conscious presence of God.
We must have faith and above all “total trust in Jesus Himself”, remember Him and follow His teachings (No one goes to the Father except through Me).
We must forgive freely and remain firm in personal disinterest (it is for God and for the well-being of our neighbor that we act, the actions are ours and the consequences are those of God).
Personally, I think that’s more or less what it’s all about: “following Jesus.”
These are the fundamental and universal principles on which one must live; the basis or the simple foundation. (No need for a big speech).
When this is realized, the teachings of The Urantia Book can greatly clarify our thinking and keep the spiritual flame burning in spiritual attainment.
“You must give in order to receive” is a functional and living law.
One thing that is becoming increasingly clear to me is that we should not confuse “intellectual excitement” with “spiritual fulfillment.”
Especially with a “high-tech” book like The Urantia Book, we can spend our lives addicted to intellectual excitement without ever having tasted the flavor of spiritual fulfillment that needs to be experienced!
This is a danger that at the end of our earthly life can become a heavy regret for some (especially in the awareness of the sterile and useless loss of time for the growth of the soul and the joy of living life to the full).
https://bigbluebook.org/fr/196/
¶ Conference: Science vs Religion
Sunday March 6, 2022
Richard Lachance
We will examine the state of affairs on the current debates among the most prominent scientists adhering to vs. opposing the proof of God, “Intelligent Design”, creationism vs. evolution.
We will discuss atheism and agnosticism, the example of Lucifer, the problem of pride, and the triumph of faith in a personal God.
We will then examine the current understanding of the structure of the large-scale universe according to cosmological hypotheses based on The Urantia Book in light of the latest scientific discoveries.
Suggested reading: Booklets 100 to 103; and more particularly, to whet your appetite [UB 101:2.11], [UB 103:8.4], [UB 103:8.5], [UB 103:8.2], [UB 132:2.4]
Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84855036078
¶ The School of Ambassadors
We are pleased to partner with The Ambassadors School as partners and fellow workers in The Ministry of the Master course, developed by the creators of The Christ Experiment.
Available from March 1, 2022.
The Ambassador School is the premier school of ministry designed to equip readers of The Urantia Book with the skills necessary to effectively disseminate the fifth epochal revelation.
For more information about the School and the course, visit us at:
https://fr-school.thechristexperiment.org
Line St-Pierre and Gaétan Charland
¶ AUQ General Assembly
The AUQ will hold its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m.. The meeting will be held virtually again this year.
This is an opportunity for the members of the board of directors to present the actions they have undertaken in 2021, see what is planned for 2022, and for readers, to see what is happening in Quebec.
AUQ members in good standing have received the invitation by mail and have the opportunity to present their nomination for either the position of Vice-President or Secretary.
The potential of the group always far exceeds the simple sum of the attributes of the individuals who compose it. UB 10:5.2
Article 49:
Composition: The directors of the AUQ are the members of the Board of Directors and the heads of the various standing committees of the AUQ.
Call for applications
Job Description: (taken from our corporate statutes and regulations — articles 50 and 53)
Vice-President: The Vice-President replaces the President and any other member of the Board as needed; like the President, the Vice-President of a local association liaises with other local associations and participates, as a voting member, in meetings of the national association.
Secretary: The Secretary handles mail and takes minutes; keeps the membership register, directs readers to study groups, and answers members’ questions or delegates someone else to answer them.
Any member in good standing wishing to submit their application may do so now by communicating their intention by post or email to the following addresses:
Urantia Association of Quebec
For the attention of the secretary
569 Francine Street, QC
J5J 2H7
By email: secretaire@urantiaqc.org
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81298205926
¶ Study groups
This activity allows several readers of different levels of understanding to exchange and study together the teachings of The Urantia Book. It promotes spiritual progress by allowing its participants to find practical applications to the teachings of The Urantia Book in their daily lives. This important step 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.
Group: “Uni-Terre”
Region: Joliette
Sundays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, (virtual Zoom)
Contact :
Eric Martel (450) 756-9387
Group: “At Maisonnia”
Region: Quebec
Every 2 weeks: Sundays, from 1:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Gilles Bertrand & Louise Renaud (418) 871-4564
Group: “The United Family of Urantia”
Region: Montreal — Downtown
Thursdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Mrs. Diane Labrecque (514) 277-2308
Group : “Le Pont”
Region: Montérégie
(Sainte-Julie, south of Montreal)
Tuesdays, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Claude Flibotte (438) 404-6399
NEW
Group: “Urantian Universalists”
Every Monday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Eastern Time (Montreal)
Responsible:
Claude Flibotte (438) 404-6399
Subject: Appendices of W. S. Sadler Jr.
Zoom Virtual Group. (Get informed)
Group: “Découverte”
Region: Laurentians — St-Jérôme
Mondays, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Gaétan Charland and Line St-Pierre Tel.: (450) 565-3323
Possibility to participate via Internet (Zoom)
Sherbrooke Group
Region: Sherbrooke
Every 2 weeks: Tuesday or Wednesday, (to be confirmed) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Helene Boisvenue and Denis Gravelle
Tel.: (819) 569-6416
To see the official list of study groups:
Click directly on the following link: http://urantia-quebec.ca/activites_liste_des_groupes.php
¶ Réflectivité
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| Assisted by: | Robert Cadieux Gilles Bertrand |
(438) 404-6399 Claude Flibotte
(514) 237-3616 Robert Cadieux
(418) 871-4564 Gilles Bertrand
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