Forum Discussion Group

The Forum Discussion Group meets at 9 a.m. most Sundays from
September through May in the Lower Level-Forum Room/Library.

March 2026

March 1 – Sarah Catlin, School of Service and Access Arts Director, will discuss the School of Service and its activities. The School of Service was started by the late Naoma Powell, a longtime member of UUCC. The program begun in 1971 in Naoma’s home, now has three buildings plus a gallery, and also has six artists in residence.

March 8 – Jessica Ann, Outreach Strategist for the Missouri Budget Project, will present on the Missouri Budget Project, a St. Louis-based organization committed to informing Missourians about Missouri’s finances and budget. The Missouri Budget Project is concerned about the proposal to eliminate the Missouri income tax, which Missouri voters will vote on this fall.

March 15 – John Lyman, President of the Columbia School Board, will speak on the activities of the board. One topic he will focus on is the effort to establish charter schools in Boone County.

March 22 – Connie Johnmeyer will lead a Great Decisions discussion on Chapter 6, “The Future of NATO and European Security.”

March 29 – Gregg Bush will discuss the 2026 legislative session. Gregg is a member of UUCC and District 50 State Representative. That district in southeast Columbia includes our church building.

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 David Leuthold, George and Lois Parker, Arthur McArthur, Bob Breitenbach, Dan Spies, Charlie Atkins, and Carla and Wayne Anderson, Bill and Delores Clark, and Gregg Suhler.

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 participant.

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 Coming Up Sunday page.