Urantia Group Leaders Conference in Uganda
The conference with the Urantia group leaders in western Uganda was very successful. Our leaders fraternized and shared a lot during the conference. We discussed our experiences of sharing The Urantia Book and its teachings in our groups and how we manage the groups during and after our meetings. During the mentoring session, the leaders shared their group management and Urantia Book sharing strategies. It is during this time that the Study Group Guide was introduced and studied among the leaders.
Using the Study Group Guide, The Urantia Book and other associated material, the leaders were facilitated in how to study and disseminate The Urantia Book among the peoples of western Uganda. This was mostly guided with the UBIS non-interpretive pedagogy regarding Urantia Book meaning, fact, and value when facilitating and disseminating its teachings.
During the sharing, leaders created a network (WhatsApp) on which they were to share their insights and inspirations and ask questions and get answers from the group members.
In the workshop, leaders came up with thoughts on how best they can promote and improve on the study of The Urantia Book in western Uganda. Some of these thoughts were:
- 1. Have periodic workshops/conferences for leaders.
- 2. Due to the poor reading culture and book concepts being difficult (most of the group leaders attested to this) to read and understand, it was suggested by all the group leaders that it would be useful if the following projects were adopted to make easy the understanding and reading of the book by all truth seekers. Leaders hope that these projects would help promote the book easily in western Uganda and among other truth seekers in Uganda.
- a. Form regional study group debates and quizzes inspired by The Urantia Book among study groups in the region.
- b. Introduce edutainment in spreading the teachings. This shall entail:
- i. Poetry in the local language.
- ii. Local language video clips and skits inspired by The Urantia Book (mostly for social media presence for example; TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc).
- iii. Comedy and drama (theatre) inspired by The Urantia Book teachings.
- iv. Bonfire/camp fire socialization.
- v. Folk stories and tales (adopted from and inspired by The Urantia Book).
- vi. Urantia Book Writers Club; these would help write articles and document members’ Urantia Book experiences and what is happening in their groups.
- vii. Periodic Television and Radio programs to promote the teachings of The Urantia Book.
- c. Study group to study group visitations and tours mostly for those that are in close proximity.
- 3. Have periodic seminars, workshops and conferences to promote fellowshipping and communing among study groups within western Uganda.
- 4. The Urantia Association International should have an outreach program to support some if the community projects or respond to community challenges such as supporting the construction of schools and clinics in the community, providing boreholes as a source of water for the community. Such projects give presence to the Association and strengthens the group’s bond in the communities as they shall have reference and relevance within the community.
In conclusion therefore, The Urantia Book teachings have taken root in Uganda and need nurturing and attending to elevate them to desirable levels. To do this, we should among other things embrace the above recommendations and encourage all study groups to be proactive in their study of the book at all levels (individual and group level).