Mustard Seed Grant—the Kitchen Table Series

By Geoffrey Theiss, the Urantia Book Fellowship, Nevada, United States

Editor’s Note: The Urantia Book Fellowship was a recipient of the second round of Mustard Seed Grant awards in 2024. The following article is a report on this completed project.

Inspired by a church event called “God and Coffee,” the Kitchen Table educational series was created to help students of The Urantia Book share soulful discussions with the people they see every day, and to foster deeper relationships with them. In a world of technology with increasing levels of isolation, many feel they are living in a neighborhood without neighbors. Fewer and fewer of us really know the people we interact with “in real life.” How do we move beyond the superficial and talk about life’s big questions with friends, family, and neighbors?

We developed a series of short videos based on the teachings of The Urantia Book. Our goal was threefold: Interfaith, interesting, and family friendly. The videos were designed for study group leaders or readers who simply want to share the teachings and integrate them into everyday life. The selected topics were intentionally broad so that readers and nonreaders can share and learn from different points of view.

The five to seven questions that accompany each video invite discussion on important topics such as “The Universal Father,” “Evolution,” “The Nature of Evil,” “Life in the Universe,” “The Value of Religion,” and “The Teachings of Jesus.” They are available in Spanish and English.  

Early results have been promising. One study group leader shared, “I made a postcard and dropped it at 35 homes: You’re Invited! Neighborhood Open House and Discussion Hour on ‘The Big Questions.’ This week: Evolution. Coffee, tea, and snacks provided; children of all ages welcome.”

The surprising turnout included Hindu, Chinese, nonreligious, Catholic, and atheist neighbors, all living within a two-block radius! Three school-age children attended and were wonderful icebreakers, enthusiastically raising their hands to ask about dinosaurs, and whether extinct animals can ever come back. Given unanimous interest, the group plans to meet again to discuss other life in the universe, aliens, and extraterrestrials.

What topic would you like to discuss around your own kitchen table? Contact me at [email protected].

Image

>