Global Community Communications Alliance

Global Community Communications Alliance, a church and religious organization originally founded in 1989 in Prescott, Arizona by Anthony J. Delevin (publicly known as Gabriel of Urantia) and Niánn Emerson Chase (born Nancy Chase). Organized as an IRS section 501(c)(3) church consisting of a Board of Directors, Elders and Ordained Ministers. Gabriel and Niánn together hold the "Mandate of the Bright and Morning Star".

The foundational teachings of the church, “a new millennium church,” are based on revelatory concepts, a new thought theology with elements from The Urantia Book,[1] as well as The Cosmic Family volumes. Global Community Communications Alliance is the first URANTIA Book church in the country and world—The URANTIA Book published in 1955 being the beginning of the Fifth Epochal Revelation to humankind, and The Cosmic Family volumes (brought through by Gabriel of Urantia) are believed to be the continuation of the Fifth Epochal Revelation (the other nine-tenths). Their sacred texts teach the concepts of “One God” through “ascension science” –the fusion of science and spirituality.[2] Other religious texts such as the Holy Bible, the Koran, the Torah, the Bhagavad Gita, the Book of Mormon, the writings of Bahá'u'lláh, and the Tao Te Ching are also considered to bring truths to our world’s peoples.

Resident religious order “[m]embers come from diversified backgrounds such as ministry, medicine, law, music, art, media, construction, architecture, and global communication. Their common thread is the desire for a life of integrity, simplicity, and harmony, as they work to align themselves with the divine patterns of life on earth.”[3]

Since its creation GCCA has founded other supporting organizations, and many outreach ministries including Spirit Steps Tours,[4] Global Change Multi-Media, Future Studios,[5] The Alternative Voice, and Global Community Communications Schools. GCCA has operated Avalon Organic Gardens & EcoVillage as a C.S.A. (Community Supported Agriculture) farm for more than twenty years.[6] “They [not only] embrace a spiritual and natural approach to living off the land and growing food for sustainability and health”[7] but also widely share this approach with others.[8]

One of the church’s outreach services in Tucson, Arizona, “Homeless Is Not My Choice,” takes after the founder’s beginning ministry on 4th Avenue, Sonlight Ministries. “Homeless Is Not My Choice" provides housing, nutrition, and vocation opportunities for what the founder refers to as the “new homeless,” those who have lost their homes due to foreclosures, economic recession, an uncaring government, and corporate greed.

Other services in Tucson, Arizona parented by the church include “The Sea of Glass—Center For The Arts,” an educational and entertainment facility and the adjoining Food For Ascension Café, an organic restaurant service with vegan and vegetarian menu options in support of the “Slow Food Movement,” “Seed to Table” principles, and the “GMO-Free Tucson” efforts that are important to local residents.

International interest in the group began in 1996, when it was first featured on an Italian television show.[9] Since that time, they have been featured in many news articles in the United States and other countries, including the EcoVillage Network of the Americas and two Japanese periodicals, Trinity Magazine and Star People Magazine.[10]

Along with The Cosmic Family volumes, the church founders Gabriel and Niánn, have authored and published many books and articles including The Divine New Order, the autobiography of Gabriel of Urantia, Teachings on Healing, The Best of the Film Industry, and numerous articles in many periodicals, including Communities Magazine (Summer 2008, Fall 2008, Fall 2009, Winter 2009, and Winter 2010).

Gabriel was born on July 5, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He studied theology at Duquesne University, and at the time was involved with the Catholic Charismatic Movement. He left his theology studies for full-time street ministry serving alcoholics, drug addicts, and the homeless, opening a halfway house known as Sonlight Ministries on 4th Avenue in Tucson, Arizona. Over the course of many years, Gabriel spent time in several different monasteries. Gabriel began his music career singing as a youth on street corners and professionally in the 1960s.[11] In 1985, he recorded the first new age vocal album, which made succeeding New Age Vocal Music commercial. He declined a contract offer from a major record label because he was not willing to change his spiritual lyrics.[12] To date, he has released 18 singles, five full length albums, three music videos, and an award winning live concert DVD.[13]

Niánn Emerson Chase grew up on four different Native American reservations in the southwestern United States. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Literature/English and Education, she returned to the San Carlos Apache Reservation in Arizona where she lived and taught for fifteen years before co-founding GCCA.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Maggie Milinovich “New Neighbors”, The Villager June/July 2007, p.20
  2. ↑ Gabriel of Urantia, The Cosmic Family, Volume I
  3. ↑ Carol St. John, “Open Minds + Open Hearts = Possibility” The Villager, April 2007
  4. ↑ Mark Duncan "Spirit Steps; Get off the main road in Sedona" The Daily Courier July 7, 2000 P. 1B
  5. ↑ "Sedona’s Future Studios goes global" The Daily Dispatch, December 1, 2006 P. B4
  6. ↑ Kathleen Vandervoet, “Avalon Organic Gardens, Farm, and Ranch Harvests Organic Produce Locally” Santa Cruz Valley Sun, August 6, 2008
  7. ↑ “Avalon Organic Gardens, Farm, and Ranch: Produce nurtured by Loving Hands on Sacred land”, Connection, July 2008
  8. ↑ Staci Smith, “Nogales biology class learns about sustainability at Avalon Gardens”, Kaleidoscope, February 2010
  9. ↑ “Planetary Divine Government” Italian Network Television, January 15, 1996
  10. ↑ Yuri Sayama “Oasis-like Community In the Desert That Realizes the Beauty of the Universe,” Star People Magazine, Spring 2005
  11. ↑ “Gabriel trades horn for guitar, brings contemporary music to church” The South Pittsburgh Reporter, December 17, 1985 P.3
  12. ↑ Gabriel of Urantia, The Divine New Order, 1992, P. 30
  13. ↑ Aurora Award “Best Live Concert” 2005
  14. ↑ Niánn Emerson Chase, “Snapshots of Elders”, Communities Magazine, Winter 2010

External links

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