_edited.png)
Welcome! This is a private page that you can only access with the link, so keep your invitation email or bookmark this page.
Emerging Leaders Retreat
An intentional, but casual hangout for rising Urantia community leaders
Hi friends,
The inspiration for this event arose from an awareness that, even though the North American population of Urantia Book readers continues to draw in new people, it leans heavily toward those who are aging and who will be graduating within the next two decades. This shift will likely bring about many questions, issues, and possibilities that the emerging Urantia leadership will need to grapple with.
This gathering will provide a dedicated space for the emerging leaders to discuss and begin preparing for this generational shift in the Urantia community.
in service,
Alice Wood, Geoff Theiss, and Angie Thurston
Purpose
-
Strengthen ties among new and emerging Urantia leaders - networking. This includes reuniting old friendships and forming new ones, and catch up on the skill sets that people bring to the table.
-
Think together about the future and ways in which we might innovate to grow the Urantia population.
-
Provide a space for emerging leaders to nourish themselves spiritually.
While we do not have an explicit goal of developing any sort of formal plan for the future at this meeting, we hope that any networks and ideas that are formed here will be to the benefit of the Urantia community and we do not rule out the possibility of the seeds being planted for action plans.
There is no specific relationship of this meeting with any organization, but to the extent that the participants carry this experience into their future endeavors, we believe it will be a boon to the Urantia community as a whole, and possibly to Urantia organizations specifically.
Daily Topics for Discussion
Each day we will have a different question to consider and discuss. Here are the topics that we are considering today.
-
Friday – How will the Urantia community be affected by the upcoming generational shift?
-
Saturday – How might we support the evolution of spiritual and religious community, both within the Urantia movement and beyond?
-
Sunday – Based on Friday and Saturday's discussions, what are some tangible things that we would like to see happen and how can we bring them about?
Dates
September 25 - 29, 2025
The Garden School
36 Foster Street
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915
(Friday – Sunday are full days, so use Thursday and Monday as travel days.)
About The Garden School
Location
We're excited to be hosting this event at The Garden School, which is run by Urantia Book reader Jon Zoba. Learn more about the vision for this facility on its website.
Airport
Fly into Boston's Logan Airport and we can try to arrange carpools to The Garden School.
Daily Schedule
We intend to create a semi-casual atmosphere where people can freely discuss the topic for the day, and where they can more generally foster and strengthen friendships. Here is a basic outline of what a day would look like.
Morning
-
Optional group worship
-
Meet as a whole group for a talk that introduces the topic for the day.
Midday
-
Various activities that can be done with the whole group, in small groups, or individually. How you spend your time is up to you. There will be things like hiking and helping in the garden, or chillaxing and chatting on the grounds. We may also do a study group or having some worship time. We will also be making our own group meals, so small groups can help in the kitchen.
Late Afternoon
-
We will reconvene for a whole-group discussion about the daily topic and any interesting points that deserve further conversation.
Evening
-
Dinner and free time.
Lodging
Beds are available in the manor at The Garden School with dorm-style bathrooms.
Meals will be provided.
The Garden School is still developing as a retreat center, so the acommodations will be rough around the edges. But, it will provide everything we need and place us in a beautiful setting. Hotels are nearby if you would rather stay in a more plush environment.
Pricing
To help cover the cost of expenses we ask that everyone donate $100 toward the event. The remainder of the event expenses are being covered by a generous grant from Crestwood Foundation.
You will be responsible for covering your travel expenses. If you need help covering your travel expenses, let us know and we may be able to help.
A Bit More About the Event
This is a small event focused on connecting those who will likely be in leadership roles in the coming decades. This includes people who are . . .
-
relatively new to Urantia leadership
-
have served in the past and will likely serve again in the future, but who are taking a hiatus during family-raising years.
We consider this year to be a trial-year for this type of gathering. We would like to find out if this type of gathering has staying power and should be expanded or continued. It is also a trial-year for The Garden School as they are stretching their muscles as a retreat center.
The list of those whom we wanted to invite was longer than the number of spots available. If we host an event like this again, we hope to make it available to more people.
P.S.
We tossed around some other possible names for a gathering like this . . .
Emerging Leaders Retreat to Orient Nebadon Do-gooders (ELROND)
Gathering of Aspiring Nebadon Draftee Administrators and Leadership Forum (GANDALF)
Got one you want to suggest? (It doesn't need to be Lord of the Rings-themed)
