~ Study Group Information ~
About Study Groups | Alaska Study Group History
About Study Groups
Urantia study groups are informal gatherings of individuals who wish to study and socialize The Urantia Book with others. They usually meet at the home of a host reader, however, there are study groups that have been meeting for years in churches, libraries, community centers, and in some places at local coffee shops. Some meet on a weekly basis, while others are more infrequent or even seasonal. There are no firm rules to hosting a study group and it usually takes on the identity of the local culture and personalities attending. For some tips on starting your own study group, there is helpful information at the Fellowship’s home site, under 'study group material' at this address: http://urantiabook.org/index_sgroups.htm
Alaska Study Group History
The first known Alaska Urantia Book study group was formed in Anchorage in 1972 when Patti Hayes engaged her husband, Tuckey, and their best friend, Tom Choquette into introductory discussions. Initially, the guys teased Patti about the woo-woo "Tarantula" book and suggested she go to Chicago and see if people at the main 533 Diversey Parkway office wore white robes and hats. She insisted on reading to them mind boggling statements and brand new concepts which challenged the perception abilities of their human minds. The men soon became enthusiastic, and then began a study that continues weekly to this day. The next year Patti placed study group notices in the newspaper, bookstores, and libraries, which brought together Barbara Maier, Eddie Harrigan, Debbie Foster, Ron Craig, and Karen Inge. We were 8 energetic youths in search of truth; willing to trust a higher and larger reality and daring enough to believe in a loving Creator we could not see.
The advanced universal concepts and new teachings in the Urantia Book provided a stimulating focus for our weekly fraternal meetings which took place in the beautiful log home of Patti, Tuckey and young Tuck during our first 20 years. Dedicated student readers like Roger Fuson, Dan and Wendy Anderson, Robert Trickett and Leanne Flickenger joined with our group, and several graciously offered to host meetings in their homes. In the earlier years when our egos were bigger and craving or shouting to be heard, we learned a lot about patience, non-judgment and compassion with one another. It was worth the effort of exercising our self-mastery muscles and sometimes to "JUST shut up!" in order to stay in unity together. In time, the strength of our will to consistently choose a higher spiritual path has been strengthened. Our new and improved self-esteem is providing for more integration of our full human potential. We have laughed often, long, and loud at ourselves and at our general human condition, while remembering our divine inheritance is love.
Outreach activities in our community and state include introductory workshops, conferences, talks, and display booths. Library placement projects, bookstore monitoring, buyer incentives, and topical study meetings have been group functions we enjoy. We've attended summer study sessions, international conferences and group journeys. We formed the Northern Light Society of Alaska in 1985 in order to become interactive in the larger international readership and organization.
There have been times both within the group and apart in our own personal lives, when each of us has experienced sacrifice, loss, anger, solitude, and ass-kicking delivered by our own self-choices. Through it all, we found comfort in knowing that our study group family would be there for us as we healed enough to rise above the shadows of our human difficulties and discontents and join again with the light and warmth of our loving circle of spiritual friends. The Anchorage study group continues to meet every Tuesday night and it remains one of the longest standing active study groups in the history of the Urantia Book revelation.
Currently, a transformative self-acceptance and appreciation for life is happening within each of us and as a group, at a deeper level than we have never experienced before. it is liberating within us the freedom to express more of our inherent creative potential. We are using this universal energy to share our story, reach out to our global community and allow the power of divine love to work within us. Marilyn Connor, the creator of this website, has been able to capture our youth, developmental growth and our love for each other and our world, when she created a DVD of our 37 year history. These pictures and songs reflect us in ways we could never have imagined as we see how far we have come. (You are most welcome to request a copy). We can acknowledge our relentless determination to grow spiritually, and rejoice in celebration of the growth of our souls. We are in awesome gratitude for the continual flow of Fruits of the Spirit moving in our lives.
Joining the International Urantia Book Fellowship
In an effort to join the larger international readership, we organized a local Urantia Book society and named it The Northern Light Urantia Society of Alaska. We were officially chartered as the 17th society of the national Urantia Brotherhood in 1985. The Urantia Brotherhood has since changed their name to The Urantia Book Fellowship. Our society is now officially called The Northern Light Society of Alaska. Advantages of being a part of the larger community are that we are informed, involved, and have had a voice in how the revelation has progressed. Also our affiliation allows us access to copies of The Urantia Book and to study aids that we disseminate throughout Alaska.
Outreach Activities
Our outreach activities have included book booths, library placement projects, and numerous social gatherings bringing new readers together throughout the years. The Anchorage study group continues to meet every Tuesday night and it remains one of the longest standing active study groups in the history of The Urantia Book revelation. In addition, we gather for special events and activities which may include workshops, retreats, and conferences around our state and ‘Outside.’ Please check the Calendar page for frequent updates and contact us if you need further information.
Statewide Readership
A study group meets in Fairbanks. Contact Dan Anderson at<bestalaska@gci.net>or phone (907) 456-5494. Several readers in other locations throughout the state stay actively connected.
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