Apostles Cruise

Cruising with the Apostles

by Steve Shinall

On Oct. 20, 2003 a very happy and excited group of URANTIA Book readers set sail from the shores of Long Beach, California on board the Carnival cruise ship Ecstasy for five days of fellowship, study, fun and adventure.

In typical west coast zaniness, The SURF IUA of California came up with the novel idea to produce a conference, 'Cruising With the Apostles,' on board...drumroll... a cruise ship!

You would be correct in the assumption that such a setting would provide an ideal backdrop for laughter, renewed friendships, new friendships, and way too much good food. Combine all of that with a shared fondness for a nice Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, sleep depravation, and talks that last late into the night on an open deck under an azure sky filled with stars that appeared so close you could swirl them with your finger and the ever present smell, sound and gentle roll of the Pacific Ocean and you're almost there.

Of course, when have we readers and old friends ever attended a conference and NOT shared in most of the above mentioned joys? :-)

Still, we also came with the serious intent of continued study of our beloved blue book. And it should come as no surprise that when two or more of us are gathered for that purpose wonderful things can and often do happen. And so it was on this occasion.

Some came from as close as neighboring Californian cities and some from as far away as the United Kingdom and Greece. All came with an abiding affection for the teachings and for each other. What a delight it is to be in a room full of URANTIA Book readers and feel and experience the love of God as it moves and reflects from person to person and from heart to heart.

And speaking of loving hearts:
A special thank you to Jan Bernard and Ralph Schweitzer for taking me (the very late arrival) in and sharing their room and accommodations and laughter and love. :-)

Upon arriving, each of us chose an apostle to 'be' for the duration of the journey. We refreshed our memories as to the apostle's personality traits and history and we attempted with varying degrees of success to 'be' that apostle through out the five days we spent together.

John Ploetz and Richard Keeler were 'assigned' the role of Judas Iscariot. Upon witnessing a two hour dance marathon by Richard Keeler late one night wherein he danced with friend and stranger alike (and at one point, a shiny metal pole) and had tables full of complete strangers applauding his footwork and stamina I can honestly say that I could never really look at him again as Judas.... Fred Astaire, maybe, but not Judas. But in true Judas character, Richard jumped ship the night before the Last Supper reenactment to keep a family appointment leaving John to 'shoulder the role.' Still, we missed Richard and wished him well and a safe journey home. :-)

There were 24 of us.... two of each apostle...working together on different little assignments, presentations and interacting with all the others during our reenactments of Bibliodrama.... I don't know if that is the right word or the correct way to spell it but it appeals to me. :-)

For the curious among you, I chose to be Simon Peter.... or perhaps he chose me. Some of what I read about him included:

"Optimistic, good speaker, strong but impulsive, often spoke without thinking, out front leading or following from 'afar', often exhibited real cowardice."

That's me! I thought to myself....

And I excitedly showed Jane Ploetz (conference director extraordinaire) my findings and as she reread out loud the part about "impulsive, often spoke without thinking" she looked up with the biggest smile saying, "Oh Steve, you'll make a WONDERFUL Simon Peter."

Now that I think of it, she said this with WAY TOO MUCH glee in her eye and voice. And I thought she was just happy to see me...hmmmm...

I've managed to get this far and have only now mentioned Jane's name.   Shame on me. While there were others involved in putting the conference and cruise together (Al Turnbo's name comes to mind) and others whom helped in different ways it was Jane Ploetz whom simply sparkled throughout the entire trip. She effortlessly transitioned from friend to teacher to fellow reader to wife to ascending child of God and back again in the blink of an eye and did it all with so much grace, charm, humor, sincerity and love that it was worth 'the price of admission' just to witness much less be a part of the experience.

And friends, perhaps if you're really, really blessed, maybe someday... before you translate into the next world... Jane will also sing to you in Hebrew as she did with us, illuminating and enriching the moment while creating a heightened spiritual awareness with but her voice and the sincerity within its sound.

Thank you, Jane, for sharing with us all you are. And thank you, John, for sharing and supporting her as you both continue to disseminate these supernal teachings in your own unique ways. You are both loved.

As Ms. Judy Van Cleave has already so eloquently stated, "Yours is a fascinating couple's dance to watch." Amen. :-)

At various times we would assume our apostle/character 'front and center' and reenact certain moments in their storied lives. Jane would 'freeze the action' and acting as a reporter on the spot ask us what we were thinking at that particular moment...an attempt to move beyond the words in the book...an attempt to pursue different possibilities as to the 'why' certain moments in the Apostolic history played out as they did. These 12 men and their lives and deaths are simply astonishing to study and behold even from this distance in
time.

It was a transforming experience. And one that opened up the thought process to exploration and discussion which would often times as not lead to more questions and possibilities. Was Judas forgiven? His name 'eschewed' throughout a vast universe. Some thought he was forgiven but if so, did he choose to continue and what kind of existence would that be? Some thought he was not forgiven. And other discussions ensued.

Each day of study brought new scenarios and more questions.... especially the reenactment of the Last Supper.

What was Peter thinking as he looked down to see Jesus kneeling before him and about to wash his feet before their last meal?..... the magnitude of the moment just beginning to sink in as the harsh words between the apostles over seating arrangements melt away at the sight of the Master taking on, once again, the role of teacher and server to all of them...Peter slowly realizing that something symbolic and greater was taking place.... being instructed one last time by Jesus at his feet with towel and water basin...

What was Judas thinking after the Master asked him to leave when it became clear Judas was intent on betraying him?

As Jane sent John/Judas from our midst and even though we were supposed to be in character and not know what was taking place each of us felt a pang in our hearts to see him/John leave. Jane stopped the drama and asked John, "So, Judas, what are you thinking at this moment?"

And dear John, swelling with emotion and breaking character for just a moment replied ever so softly, "This is a hard part to play." And all of us who love John and that would, indeed, be all of us...felt our hearts break a little during that moment. Perhaps you had to be there.   But I couldn't help but wonder that if our hearts could be so moved and saddened at a mere reenactment how much more was the Master's heart saddened and moved to see Judas walk out that door? The trait Peter most admired in Jesus was his supernal tenderness.

And I will add that Jane most tenderly beckoned John to rejoin us as we continued and again we were blessed.

But I have gotten ahead of myself. We reenacted the foot washing beginning with Peter.... the "then Master, you can wash all of my body" remark bringing a few chuckles and an admonishing look from Jane...especially since that wasn't even what Peter said... ("Then, Master, wash not my feet only but also my hands and my head.") And then each in turn was allowed to perform the foot washing with the next person sitting beside them if they wished to share in that experience, too.    Each of us carried a candle sharing flame with the next person down. "A candle loses nothing in lighting another candle."

Jane had prepared for us the same 'meal' that was shared by Jesus with the apostles that night.... bread, wine and bitter herbs and dried fruit.... We shared the same 'cups' and said the words spoken so long ago and then Jane sang to us in Hebrew what was sung that night and I dare say there was not a dry eye among us.

And all the while the Master's chair we had left empty was ever present among our thoughts and his presence felt in the midst of our hearts, as we gathered side by side armed with candle and song ...our last night together before going home. Finally, we shared the third cup.... the 'cup of blessing' and listened once more to the words "take this cup, all of you, and drink of it. This shall be the cup of my remembrance." And we remembered. And then we shared the 'bread of remembrance' and gave thanks. And meditated upon this "symbol of the living word of truth incarnated in the likeness of mortal flesh."

And we, too, ended the reenactment by singing all together the one hundred and eighteenth Psalm. The same song we had ended every session with earlier in the week. And that evening, the song we shared continued on within our hearts for some moments, even after our voices ceased to make sound. And maybe the angels and unseen helpers gathered around us smiled at our human frailties of voice and heart.

And at the conclusion of the evening, we were each handed an envelope containing the parting words that Jesus spoke to each apostle which we read apart from the others and the night became more blessed as we noted that each 'letter' was gifted with a gold book marker inscribed 'God Keeps His Promises'...A lovely way to say good night.

We had other adventures.... a day on Catalina Island...an eye opening experience into the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves during a day trip to Ensanada. I will leave those tales for others to recount.

To all my fellow 'cruise mates' on those journeys and in this adventure we call life I extend my thanks once again for your companionship, commitment, laughter and love. I look forward to other adventures and other shorelines to share and explore, be they of this world or the next.

I will leave you with the words to a verse and chorus of a song that Jane shared with us. It is not the same without her wonderful voice but I will risk sharing it all the same.

Tu Has Venido a la Orilla
(Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore)

Lord, you have come to the lakeshore
looking neither for wealthy or wise ones;

You only asked me to follow humbly,

O Lord, you have looked into my eyes
and smiling you have spoken my name;

Now my boat's left there on the shore line behind me, by your side I will seek other seas...

******

Love and Light,

Steve Shinall/Simon Peter

******

"When I came into this chamber tonight, you were not content proudly to refuse to wash one another's feet, but you must also fall to disputing among yourselves as to who should have the places of honor at my table. Such honors the Pharisees and the children of this world seek, but it should not be so among the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. Do you not know that there can be no place of preferment at my table? Do you not understand that I love each of you as I do the others? Do you not know that the place nearest me, as men regard such honors, can mean nothing concerning your standing in the kingdom of heaven?
You know that the kings of the gentiles have lordship over their subjects, while those who exercise this authority are sometimes called benefactors. But it shall not be so in the kingdom of heaven. He who would be great among you, let him become as the younger; while he who would be chief, let him become as one who serves." (p. 1940)

******

"After they had engaged in meditation for a few moments, Jesus continued speaking: "When you do these things, recall the life I have lived on earth among you and rejoice that I am to continue to live on earth with you and to serve through you. As individuals, contend not among yourselves as to who shall be greatest. Be you all as brethren. And when the kingdom grows to embrace large groups of believers, likewise should you refrain from contending for greatness or seeking preferment between such groups." (p. 1942)

******

"Having started out on the way of life everlasting, having accepted the assignment and received your orders to advance, do not fear the dangers of human forgetfulness and mortal inconstancy, do not be troubled with doubts of failure or by perplexing confusion, do not falter and question your status and standing, for in every dark hour, at every crossroad in the forward struggle, the Spirit of Truth will always speak, saying, "This is the way."   (p. 383)