GARDEN CONFERENCE planners met March 13th-16th at Valle Crucis, North Carolina, and at Kindred Spirits, in Eugene, Oregon, to plan for the re-establishment of a Garden of Eden.

In all, 36 individuals from around the country participated. Planners came from every walk of life and from every sector of the Urantia movement. We came because we were called by Father to be there. We came to work hand and hand with the planetary administration to help uplift our world. From the moment of our arrival, facilitator Aurora Hill challenged us all to be in the Garden during the conference, and we were!

Rob Rocheleau led the site selection team, bringing his expertise in professional site analysis and community development to the diverse planning group with impressive experience. Their Powerpoint presentation was powerful!

The governance and fiscal sustainability team on the west coast came up with creative, exciting plans for fundraising and the communications task force offered many good suggestions for enhancing communication about the Garden.

The crew of the arts and culture task force inspired and entertained us with their planning, music and art, while all of us appreciated the diligent efforts and sound groundwork done by the spiritual life group.

Although we were a diverse gathering, harmony and goodwill prevailed throughout the weekend. When individual differences arose, we remained in silence until the presence of Spirit filled our hearts and minds and we were ready to proceed once again. We worked hard, excited by the opportunity before us. Miraculously, we connected via Skype with Garden planners on the other side of the country, and amid laughter and technological challenges were able to both see and hear each other's presentations.

There were moments of levity and song, and moments of profound stillness and mutual worship. One of the most intense experiences of the gathering was the induction ceremony on Sunday night. Seven leaders were inducted as Garden Councilors and commissioned to form an interim administrative body to carry the work of the conference forward. The new Councilors held their candles aloft in a spontaneous show of unity to indicate their commitment to holding the light of the Garden for all of us.

The new Garden Councilors, Cristina Seaborn, Rick Voss, Dolores Nice, Jon Zoba, Steve Shinall, Aurora Hill, and Jerry Prentice have already met several times via conference call and have been very productive. They have elected interim officers and are working on bylaws and a mission statement. Plans for a brochure about the Garden which can be handed out at Urantia-related conferences and the Parliament of World Religions are underway.

The Councilors have also drafted a survey to identify the skills of conference attendees and others interested in helping with the project, and are reviewing a list of potential Garden sites located around the country with substantial acreage and desirable attributes. They will meet to consider further steps two days prior to the Summer Study Session in Chicago in July. Notes of Garden Council meetings will be posted on the website: www.rebuildthegarden.com. Bravo, and thank you, Garden Councilors!

We Garden planners are learning to feast upon uncertainty, to fatten upon disappointment, to enthuse over apparent defeat, to invigorate in the presence of difficulties, to exhibit indomitable courage in the face of immensity, and to exercise unconquerable faith when confronted with the challenge of the inexplicable. Our battle cry is, "In liaison with God, nothing--absolutely nothing--is impossible!"

The wind of Spirit is at our backs, and Father is at the helm of our ship. Although the seas are choppy and our course is uncharted, we know that our ship will be brought safely into harbor. We trust that the Garden will flourish, and that we will be led according to the divine plan. The opportunity to work with the planetary administration is a sublime adventure, and our hearts are filled with hope. Please continue to support this vital endeavor with your prayers!

On behalf of the Garden Conference,

Meredith Tenney