Presidents Report – Summer 2025
ANZURA’s annual conference was held on the first weekend of October in Ormiston, Brisbane. The venue was such a lovely site and everyone enjoyed the individual accommodation and the gorgeous grounds. Compared with other Urantia conferences around the world, ours is like a small family affair – and we like it that way! It seemed such an unhurried program with good input – both with the presentations and group workshops. We also ‘refreshed’ the ANZURA governing board at the AGM.
In the end, the two and a half days flew by very quickly. You will find some reflections and presentations of our conference in this issue; see how we tried to ‘Unfurl our Sails of Faith’.
With the year practically over, we appreciate the friendships and kindness we enjoyed during year, whether coming via our families, our neighbourhood, or through sharing in study with friends of the revelation.
There have been some changes on the International Service Borad (ISB) of Urantia Association where the CFO and Secretary positions needed to be filled before the next elections. Two of our Aussie members have jumped in the filled the gap. Phillip Marriott from Adelaide, who is serving on the Board as Study Groups Chair, volunteered to stand in as CFO, and Pre McGee from Maitland, who is also on the Board as the Education Chair, has volunteered to stand in as Secretary. As we in Australia and New Zealand have just 44 members in ANZURA, it is noteworthy to mention that seven individuals are in multiple roles within both the National and International Associations – that is more than ten percent…☺. We in ‘the land down under’ seem to be willing to be volunteers and lead by example – may it catch on!
The troubles of the world may lay heavily on us but are reminded of the Master’s attitude about prayer:
… he never prayed as a religious duty. To him prayer was a sincere expression of spiritual attitude, a declaration of soul loyalty, a recital of personal devotion, an expression of thanksgiving, …a technique for the adjustment of difficulties …. 196:1.10 (2089)
It really comes down to sharing your inner concerns with the Father and have that ‘Faith which unfurls the sails of our earthly ship’ (159:3.8) for us to be confident that in the end Jesus’s religion will prevail.
May you find where you can be of service – even in little things, as St. Theresa of Lisieux, the patron saint of the venue we stayed at in Ormiston, demonstrated and inspired others. It’s the little acts of kindness that have lasting impacts in our conduct with others.
Please have a look at the latest work of Neil Francey, where he shares some ‘Essays on Friendships’
With best wishes in this holiday season
Rita Schaad
President ANZURA