The following report was written by Cathy Jones after the inauguration of the National Association in Canada:
Dear Friends,
The newest national association of the IUA, The Urantia Association of Canada, was licensed on Saturday, October 23, 1999, bringing the three existing local associations in Canada under the umbrella of a national body.
The inaugural meeting was held at the Silver Springs Retreat Center, Flesherton, Ontario, Canada. Silver Springs Retreat Center is located about 100 miles north of Ontario in an area of beautiful green, rolling meadows. As one approaches the center from the rural country road, the sprawling home of Derek and Sue Tennant suddenly appears at the top of the hill. This home provided an ideal meeting place for this historic event, and Derek and Sue were gracious and delightful hosts.
The voting Presidents and Vice Presidents of the three existing local associations in Canada, their spouses, Urantia Foundation Trustee President, and the IUA Administrator attended the weekend meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to get acquainted, approve the bylaws, and elect a governing board for the newly formed national association. From the time the participants started arriving Friday afternoon until the Sunday noon departure, there was a sense of oneness of spirit and commitment. Woven into the light-hearted fellowship one could feel a sincere devotion to a personal manifestation of the commonly-shared principles of The Urantia Book. As the concentric circle flag was raised and a shoulder-to-shoulder, hand-holding circle was formed on Sunday morning, the newly elected President led the group in a prayer of thanksgiving, with a pledge to loyal service.
In 1993 the IUA was formed for the purpose of fostering in-depth study of The Urantia Book and the orderly dissemination of its teachings. That purpose has been, and continues to be, maintained as our organization matures into its full potential. The elected governing board is as follows:
- President: Gaetan Charland - L 'Association Urantia Quebec
- Vice President: Nathen Jansen - Urantia Association of the Cascades
- Secretary: Sue Tennant - Northern Light Urantia Association
- Treasurer: Brian King - Northern Light Urantia Association