Compare 02/08/10

We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.
  --Maya Angelou, poet (b. 1928)


P.584 - §6 (51:4.4) The evolution of six—or of three—colored races, while seeming to deteriorate the original endowment of the red man, provides certain very desirable variations in mortal types and affords an otherwise unattainable expression of diverse human potentials. These modifications are beneficial to the progress of mankind as a whole provided they are subsequently upstepped by the imported Adamic or violet race.

P.1591 - §7 (141:5.2) In this way you may experience a perfected unity of spirit purpose and spirit understanding growing out of the mutual consciousness of the identity of each of your indwelling Paradise spirits; and you may enjoy all of this profound spiritual unity in the very face of the utmost diversity of your individual attitudes of intellectual thinking, temperamental feeling, and social conduct. Your personalities may be refreshingly diverse and markedly different, while your spiritual natures and spirit fruits of divine worship and brotherly love may be so unified that all who behold your lives will of a surety take cognizance of this spirit identity and soul unity; they will recognize that you have been with me and have thereby learned, and acceptably, how to do the will of the Father in heaven.



Maya Angelou is an American autobiographer and poet who has been called "America's most visible black female autobiographer" by scholar Joanne M. Braxton. She is best known for her series of six autobiographical volumes, which focus on her childhood and early adulthood experiences. The first, best-known, and most highly acclaimed, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), focuses on the first seventeen years of her life, brought her international recognition, and was nominated for a National Book Award. Angelou has been highly honored for her body of work, including being awarded over 30 honorary degrees and the nomination of a Pulitzer Prize for her 1971 volume of poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie.
    Angelou was a member of the Harlem Writers Guild in the late 1950s, was active in the Civil Rights movement, and served as Northern Coordinator of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Since 1991, Angelou has taught at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as recipient of the first lifetime Reynolds Professorship of American Studies. Since the 1990s she has made around eighty appearances a year on the lecture circuit. In 1993, she recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration, the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at John F. Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. In 1995, she was recognized for having the longest-running record (two years) on The New York Times Paperback Nonfiction Bestseller List.
    With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou was heralded as a new kind of memoirist, one of the first African American women who was able to publicly discuss her personal life. She became recognized and highly respected as a spokesperson for black people and women. Angelou's work is often characterized as autobiographical fiction. Angelou has, however, made a deliberate attempt through her work to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books, centered on themes such as identity, family, and racism, are often used as set texts in schools and universities internationally. Some of her more controversial work has been challenged or banned in US schools and libraries.

Wednesday Night Jesus Papers, 02/03/10

We finished the four eventful days at Capernaum, and had much discussion of Jesus' healing 683 people. After some deep contemplation, we mulled it over with brownies. We will be at Jotapata next week.

Cabot

Sunday Night Class 01/31/10

Friends,

Jill, Cabot and Beth braved the treacherous weather and icy roads to come to class and join Tom and Karen.  We studied various sections in Paper 91, "The Evolution of Prayer".  We wanted to put off our study of the Morontia life until more people could safely come to class. Beth took the leadership tonight.  Michael arrived after class fresh back from the Pacific Coast where the General Council held sway.  Charlene was unable to attend due to the inclement weather last week.

Karen shared her Amish friendship cake which is absolutely delicious.  Back to normal next week, so we would love to see you.

Tom 

Wednesday Night Jesus Papers, 01/27/10

We had a good crowd to finish up the apostles time in the Decapolis, and continued on into Four Days at Capernaum. Jesus showed his fishing expertise as we had several good discussions which continued into his teaching at the synagogue. We finished with a centering prayer, the believer's prayer, and then brownies. I think they have less calories after meditation. They certainly taste better.

Cabot

John Lange's Study Group Impressions

[This was posted to SocAdmin form John Lange on November 17.  It is a lovely reminicence]
 
To Bobby Drier and Friends;
 
I have enjoyed everyone's contribution regarding our study group experiences. After some contemplation, I should like to add a few impressions of my own.
 
I joined the the Oklahoma Society in 1971 when I moved to Oklahoma City and started medical school. There I attended study group twice a week. One meeting was held in the basement of the a Methodist church on Tuesday night. The other was held in the home of Berkeley Elliott on Sunday night. These four years slowly transformed my life. I became more humanistic in my approach to science and its benefit to mankind.
 
I remember the first meeting I attended. Sitting on my left was Clyde Goodman, and independent oil operator, who never quite got all the dirt from under his fingernails working in the oil fields. He was tough, conservative, opinionated, but had a heart of gold. Then on my right was his executive secretry, Berkeley Elliott, who was gentle, liberal, loving; and with a peircing consciousness. She could look straight into and answer the needs of you longing soul. At that point I realized if this movement can appeal to this wade range of personalities who were enthusiastic but also very practical in their daily pursuits; then it may be the real deal.
 
The Oklahoma City study group was successful for many of the reasons previously set forth: i.e. consistency, devotion to the new reader, encouragement of participation, and the inclusive attributes of the group leader. It was characteristic of this era that many successful groups had a larger than life person animating the rest of the group.
 
Our leader was Berkeley Elliott, and I should like to make a few observations of the pearls of wisdom I learned from her. She was the personification of GOD's love, loving everyone as separate and "so special." But in this great measure of devotion was also the art of discernment. She could smell out an impostor miles away. In our new found enthusiam for the Revelation, she would always encourage us to think positive but also to be practical. Her watchword was, "keep your feet firmly planted on the ground." And as we moved into the realm of action she always tempered our committment with the admonition, "you must always be willing to compromise."  Thus, in the ways of "a simple Oklahoma farm girl", Berkeley left a legacy of wisdom serving as a lamp to the sprirtual path for those who followed.
 
The study group time in OKC was my core religious experience. So I have a strong bias toward this experience and its value. I feel that time spent here with study and participation fosters an environment where new leaders emerge. Perhaps the Fellowship should explore ways to encourage the local study group towards greater achievement as a social group. A current example is Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Southern CA. Althought the whole organization has 20,000+ members, but the small group is the functioning unit. He comes from a fundamentalist background, but combines the group dynamics of AA with the psychological approach of Victor Frankl and the management techniques of Peter Drucker. The result is a powerful group of people whose for one another transcends their individual theology. I feel our study groups are the main strength and the backbone of our larger organization. As we look to the future we should imagine ways to make them even better.
 
Take care and may God Bless,
John Lange     

Sunday Family Worship 11/15/09

Friends,

23 was the unofficial count of Brunch eating, truth loving souls all forgathered at the Allen house for food , fellowship and the furtherance of Urantia Book understanding and appreciation. Nicolas Allen will be 13 this week and we were privileged to have him manage the lesson for todays program. He chose to have us study the story of the wee little Publican and sinner named Zacchaeus whose desire to see Jesus amongst the throngs that swarmed him in Jericho led him up a Sycamore tree from whence he knew he could catch a glimpse of Jesus. He got a lot more than what he bargained for, as Jesus called him down from the tree by name and informed him that he was to host the Master that night in his home. In his scramble to get down, he nearly fell out of the tree, but was so transformed by the experience of the love of the Master, that in response to the cavilling of a few "Sons of Abraham" who criticized the Master for cavorting with a known Publican and sinner, Zacchaeus promised to give ½ of all his wealth to the poor, and to repay any wrongfully exacted tax payments by 400% over and above the normal recompense. 20% above was the Jewish law, but the generousity and genuineness of Zacchaeus' conversion were amply evident. Jesus confirmed that Zacchaeus was indeed a true "Son of Abraham".

Tom sang a traditional Christian song about "Wee Little Zacchaeus" and the kids all broke out and drew pictures of Zacchaeus and presented them at the end of the adult class. Very creative interpretations were evident.

Thanks Nicholas and congratulations on being a young man.

Our next Family class will be Dec 13, so make sure you attend. We'll let you know where.

Tom

Fall Forum 10/25/09

Friends,

Since Larry Geis was going to be up in this neck of the woods, how delighted 16 of us were that he agreed to give us an update on about every activity going on in the Urantia Movement today. Jerry and Bibi Pando graciously hosted the event. We brought Pot luck snacks, and they were as delicious as Larry's Presentation was insightful. Great to see old friends such as Harry and Rachel there.

Sorry you missed it if you weren't there. We had a wonderful time.

Tom

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