Forum Discussion Group

The Forum Discussion Group meets at 9 a.m. Sunday in the Lower Level-Forum Room/Library

September 2023 Forum programs

Sept. 3: No Meeting. Labor Day weekend

Sept. 10: First session of Great Decisions program. Connie Johnmeyer will present a video and lead us in a discussion of “Energy Security.” Hopefully we will have copies of the Great Decisions 2023 book available at the office earlier. Forum attendees can pick up a copy there and read the chapter ahead of our meeting.

Sept. 17: Nanette Ward will tell us about the Stop Human Trafficking Coalition of Central Missouri. The Coalition’s mission is: “To end and prevent forced labor and sexual exploitation of innocent children, women and men.”

Sept. 24: Peggy Placier will speak on the Community Bail fund established by Race Matters, Friends. “We bail out of the Boone County Jail detainees who are Boone County residents with Boone County charges. We pay 100%of bail up to $3000. We also provide clients with rides, court information, and reminders of court dates. When a case is completed, eventually we receive a partial refund (minus fines and fees) from the Circuit Clerk. This fund has raised money and used it to help release some people from our local jail. In this way they can return to work or other activities while they await trial.”

The Forum Discussion Group is an adult issues-and-answers discussion program that meets from September through May from 9 to 10 a.m. each Sunday. Forum meets in the Forum Room/Library at the southeast corner of the lower level of our church.

The lower level is wheelchair-accessible by elevator.

Forum began in 1980 shortly after our church transitioned from a lay-led fellowship to a community with a full-time minister in October 1980. Forum did not meet starting in March 2020 because of the Covid pandemic but resumed meeting on Sept. 11, 2022.

bill_clark — **Bill Clark was the long-time programmer for Forum**

Among Forum leaders in its nearly four decades of existence have been George and Lois Parker, Arthur McArthur, Bob Breitenbach, Dan Spies, Charlie Atkins, and Carla and Wayne Anderson, and Bill Clark.

Forum looks into community, state, national and international issues, including issues in society, the arts, history, the sciences, and the environment, and occasionally issues within the church. Guests have included musical performers, educational and political leaders, political candidates, representatives of other religions, and leaders in the arts, music, theater, and city and county government.

A typical program format consists of remarks by a guest speaker followed by a question-and-answer period.

Forum is not intended to be a spiritual experience, though spiritual matters such as the soul of dogs occasionally appear on the schedule. The entire community is invited to attend Forum. Church membership or an enrollment is not a requirement – all that is needed is an interest in contemporary issues. A dollar in the coffee can on occasion is appreciated, however. Just show up – you’ll be an immediate Forum member.

Child care is available during the Forum sessions from September through May; however, it is seldom needed because most Forum attendees are older adults. Forum leaders hope to remedy this situation by attracting younger adults, whom the group cordially invites to stretch their horizons and expand their UU experiences. In addition to the listing at the top of this page, scheduled Forum topics are included on the Home Page and on the church calendar.