The team, from left: Maria Telmont, Francisco Martinez, Bruce Manheim, Charles Lehner.

Urantia Book Visitation at UFO Fair

By Charles E. Lehner

Certainly, we proved wrong the thought that "you can't even give them away.” Actually, we demonstrated the opposite—that you can hardly keep up with giving them away. 

In the first two hours of the Pine Bush UFO Fair in New York on June 1, 2024, all fifty or so Urantia books were handed out, picked up by fairgoers and a few vendors, or placed in libraries. From then until closing time, about twenty people agreed to have a copy mailed to them for free after the fact. 

Most people getting a book had a conversation at our Urantia Book distribution table. We gave away all our contact cards on hand and as many index cards as we could write with information about finding the book online.

Some topical excerpts and copies of Paper 49, "The Inhabited Worlds", were also distributed on US letter paper. A few bookmarks, stickers, and reading calendars were given away as well.

We took turns at the front table interfacing with the public. A second seat was helpful at times when more than one person or group was interested. A second table in the booth was set up for audio listening but this was not found to fit the pace of the event.

Books distributed were softcovers from Uversa Press and Urantia Foundation. Info cards referred to TruthBook.com, reading calendars to UReadThru.com, and one bookmark to UrantiaUnited.org.

Many people were present from the local neighborhood (area code 845) as well as those having traveled from afar. The fair is an annual event that draws thousands of people, this one being the 13th, at the same place in the Hudson Valley. 

Our neighboring vendors offered fuel, crystals, and handmade items. Others were selling food and drinks, books, art, and other materials. Musicians were playing and speakers gave talks. Costumed extraterrestrials and androids roamed the streets, including some MIBs (men in black) who encouraged our work. Military veterans and children alike engaged in conversation.

One of the hosts of the Ancient Aliens show stopped by and shared about The Urantia Book with their online followers. We referred to this well-known series on the History Channel as a way of introducing the material in the context of the venue, as we understand that our world was visited and upstepped in ancient times—most people knew about this theory. 

Connecting on the basis of history was successful even while some people shied away from the "religious experience." Others were interested in the philosophy bridging materialism and spirituality or were seeking explanations of certain personal experiences. Hard science was also mentioned.

Starting Where They're at

We let people lead with their belief systems and areas of interest, asking open-ended questions and, based on their answers, expanding upon the initial connection to other relevant topics: the origin and destiny of the creation; the creature and the Creator.

We endeavored to bridge the gap between the spiritual philosophy and where people are at generally, talking about religion/God if they brought this up—including by their clothing, such as the person wearing a "Jesus" hat. 

Mostly people asked what the book is about, and why we were there giving it away. We expressed the special help it has been to ourselves personally, and how we feel moved to voluntarily share it and gift it to others.

While there is some divergence and confusion about extra-planetary involvement in our history and current events, hopefully, more scholarship and inspiration can harmonize our understanding as we move towards light and life.

Is a book given away for free less likely to be read than one that is sold? Maybe, but if it can be afforded, many more can be shared this way, and as in the parable of the sower, many find "good ground.”

We held the last two books at the table for a while and in the end gave those to an interested person and a neighboring vendor family.

Karen Larsen assisted with coordination but was unable to attend; others interested were also missed.

Thanks to the Fellowship and kudos to our benefactors sponsoring the tent and donating books.

The Urantia Book Fellowship would like to thank supporters and volunteers for helping make possible the stand at the Pine Bush UFO Fair, as well as all the other events and projects they fund and organize. 

Inspired to be of service in your area? Attend a fair, initiate a project, form a study group, or help organize a community. The Urantia Book Fellowship can help. Email fellowship@urantiabookfellowship.org