GCS Annual Banquet 2026

A mix of twenty-one members and guests of Grand Canyon Urantia Book Society gathered together just past noon for an annual banquet on May 30, 2026.  Following a group sing-along of “Seek Ye First” and a prayer read by member Eve McMahon, we all enjoyed fellowship, conversation, and a Mexican buffet at Aunt Childada’s Restaurant in North Phoenix.

Guest speaker Errol Strider quickly drew the gathering into an afternoon of humor, poetry, and spiritual reflection. Through stories such as “The Traveler,” he invited listeners to consider how often guidance appears along life’s path—and how often we are too busy to recognize it. At the conclusion of the event, everyone formed a circle holding hands and sang, “Shalom, My Friends” (God’s peace be with you).

Circle of Fellowship Widens: GCS Welcomes New Members

The banquet also gave the society an opportunity to welcome two new members, Thomas Hartman of Phoenix and Bob Debold of Fairfax, Virginia. Bob is the society’s first member from outside Arizona, extending the circle of fellowship beyond the state. GCS looks forward to the participation from our two newest members, and the new possibilities for interstate teamwork to further the purposes of GCS and the revelation.

Show Up, Pay Attention, Stay in Touch. 

Errol Strider, modern day “psalmist” as he describes himself, showed us how he shares the teachings of the Urantia Papers using comedy, poetry, storytelling, and metaphor. 

As an illustration, his story “The Traveler” portrays the life of a young boy as he grows into adulthood, old age, and beyond. Several times along the way he meets the traveler, who beckons to him, “Come with me. I know the way… I’ve traveled this way before.” In due time, as the boy grows into adolescence and manhood, he lives a busy life with no real plan and direction. Much later, it is when the boy, now an old man, experiences death and resurrection that he meets up with the traveler again, his guide, who once more offers to show him the way. Finally, “the boy” asks, “What do I do first?” The traveler answered, “Just follow me.” 

Errol continued to weave The Urantia Book’s principles and truths as he shared more nuggets of wisdom, poetry, and comedy, like “Carry On” and his poem, “There Once Was a Man, Truly That” which you can find at this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR32KfffebY  

Take the time to watch the clip of “On Hold” shown below where we are reminded to Show Up, Pay Attention, Stay in Touch.

Learn more about Errol and his ministry at: thelaughingheart.org