The Value of Interactive Education
When Students Study Together
In his recent President’s Letter, Mo Siegel of Urantia Foundation reflected upon the past twelve months and expressed deep gratitude to staff, volunteers, donors, and board members for the many accomplishments that helped advance the revelation. He observed that evolution is slow, but certain. He encouraged us to be patient and said that none of this happens without committed people. He said, “Your efforts matter and are making a real difference.”
There are many worthwhile Urantia projects deserving of our time and efforts. The one that remains nearest and dearest to my heart is Urantia Book International School (UBIS).
Try to remember what the internet was like back in 1998 when the “World Wide Web” was still new for most of us. Those dial-up modems took forever! But Trustee Emeritus, Georges Michelson-Dupont, had a vision of harnessing this vast network to give isolated readers an opportunity to connect with one another from anywhere in the world. He envisioned readers studying The Urantia Book together, with the revelators as the true teachers, and committed volunteers facilitating the process of self-discovery of revealed truth; where interpretation is not imposed, and students are consistently guided back to the text.
Georges shared his vision with Dorothy Elder, a Urantia Book scholar and retired educator, who embraced the concept wholeheartedly and began planning and recruiting. By September 1999, several courses had been developed and were offered in “correspondence school” format. Volunteers worked tirelessly to develop and present courses, three times a year, initially in English, then in Spanish and French, while recruiting and training new facilitators. Eventually the school progressed to an online platform.
Ten years later, Dorothy retired and Georges took over. At the twenty-year mark, he presented an ambitious expansion plan. We changed our name to “International School,” retaining the UBIS acronym while adding even more languages. By this time the French and Spanish branches were thriving, so we added Portuguese, then Hungarian, German, and Polish. Last year we introduced Chinese and Indonesian. We anticipate Korean within the coming year.
Is it possible that we could eventually offer courses in as many languages as we have translations? The answer may depend on you!
As I reflect on Urantia Association and its many constituents, I often wonder why more affiliate members don’t volunteer for UBIS. If you genuinely believe that the teachings of The Urantia Book have the potential to rejuvenate spirituality in the world and enhance the comfort, happiness, and well-being of every person living here, then why not avail yourselves of our free educational outreach program?
Every UBIS teacher-facilitator (TF) is a trained volunteer. Each has read the book from cover-to-cover at least once—the same criteria as being a full member of Urantia Association. We provide training in our non-interpretive pedagogy. We also provide a state-of-the-art Learning Management System that can be translated into an endless number of languages. Everything is underwritten—paid for—by Urantia Foundation, and it is offered freely to all.
We often talk about the importance of establishing study groups around the world, some say 1000 by 2050! Any TF will tell you that their UBIS class is a study group. Each asynchronous course brings diverse individuals together to study the book over several weeks, giving them an opportunity to experience the text first-hand, and allowing their Thought Adjusters and the Spirit of Truth to illuminate their minds. Alternating discussion weeks give students a safe and private forum in which to share soulful thoughts and experiences. Relationships are strengthened, and enduring friendships are fostered.
The faculty of UBIS is diverse, and our courses are open to all, regardless of religious or organizational affiliation. Many of our volunteers are active members of Associations, while others work with The Center For Unity (CFU), Urantia University Institute (UUI), and The Urantia Book Fellowship.
UBIS has succeeded as an effective outreach program for 26 years. It will provide you with the tools necessary to disseminate the book and its teachings to readers across the globe. Like a giant wheel that never stops turning, the school offered 53 courses in three trimesters last year, enrolling 735 students in eight languages. We also offer a monthly Spotlight Series, which is an opportunity to shine a light on specific topics from the book in 90-minute Zoom sessions.
The entire ascendant plan of mortal progression is characterized by the practice of giving out to other beings new truth and experience just as soon as acquired. You work your way through the long school of Paradise attainment by serving as teachers to those pupils just behind you in the scale of progression. 30:3.9 (339.6)
As Mo observed, the revelation has been quietly taking root. Let’s support each other in furthering the progression of this exciting ascendant plan. UBIS is making a real difference, and it needs people like you. Will you join us?