The Fourth European Conference in Paris
The Fourth European Conference in Paris
By Georges Michelson-Dupont, trustee and manager of translations, Urantia Foundation, Recloses, France
Editor's Note: Urantia Foundation was pleased to be a sponsor of this conference and support the meaningful scholarly dialogue and thoughtful presentations shared throughout these proceedings. The Foundation's director was graciously given time toward the end of the program to present a 15-minute PowerPoint about the Foundation's mission and work. What a special privilege it was to be in Paris alongside such diverse and enthusiastic readers of The Urantia Book. Thank you to all of the organizers for such a well-planned conference!
The fourth European conference of Urantia Association was organized and hosted by AFLLU, the association of French-speaking readers of The Urantia Book. It took place from June 6 to 9 in Paris Intramuros, Latin for “within the walls,” which refers to the 20 arrondissements within the historical city limits.
We were pleased to bring together 80 people from Europe, North America, South America, and Africa to share the teachings of The Urantia Book and enjoy fellowship. Presentations were simultaneously translated into English and Spanish, and were professionally filmed for later viewing.
The general theme of the conference, “The Distributivity of God: Man as God's Heir,” was chosen by the organizing team with the aim of tackling concepts which may seem, to some, “intellectual.” They are, in fact, are the foundations of the reality in which we live, move, and have our existence.
It would seem that the Father, back in eternity, inaugurated a policy of profound self-distribution. There is inherent in the selfless, loving, and lovable nature of the Universal Father something which causes him to reserve to himself the exercise of only those powers and that authority which he apparently finds it impossible to delegate or to bestow.
10:1.1 (108.4)
The Hotel CIS Paris Ravel was easily accessible by public transportation, and the general consensus was that the rooms were comfortable and an excellent value for the price. Meals were served at tables of 10, allowing people to meet and get to know one another. Particular care was taken to provide organic food, beverages, and, of course, French wine.
On Saturday we studied the preparatory phase of events prior to the coming of space-time itself; how the First Cause, the I AM, the unity of infinity-eternity, manages to diversify and produce the foundations of all reality. The workshops got us thinking about the very nature of reality.
The Saturday evening dinner cruise provided guests an opportunity to enjoy the sights of Paris from the Seine River. Dancing followed the gourmet dinner, and our boat glided by the Eiffel Tower just in time to view the spectacular light show which sparkles for five minutes on the hour after dark.
On Sunday we continued the story of the promulgation by the will of our Universal Father of subinfinite reality; the various personifications of Deity; the creation of the universe; the mechanisms, laws, and archetypes governing the cosmos; the principles of causality and supremacy; the power-personality synthesis; and the question “Why are we here?” that shapes our way of life and motivates our destiny in the immensity of this universe. The workshops led us to reflect on the fact that the “realities below” are the actualization of the “realities above.”
On Sunday evening we were treated to an inspiring classical music concert in the hotel's theater.
Here are a few comments from attendees:
“Thank you very much for the extraordinary meeting in Paris. These are completely unforgettable moments that constitute higher values in my life.”
“Over the course of the workshops, I realized that the chosen theme had a real resonance in our daily lives—something I hadn't expected at the outset. It became clear to me that divine distributivity is not just an abstract concept, but a living reality that manifests itself in everyone's life, every day.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome, the kindness, and the attentiveness with which each of you has treated me over the past three days. The fraternity I felt truly nourished my heart.”
