UU Forum

Wayne Anderson, Ph.D., professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia, still teaches an honors course on "Understanding Human Sexuality" during which the students keep him up-to-date on their attitudes toward sex, marriage and careers. On September 25, 2011, he shared with the UU Forum some of the students' observations on current sexual behavior and what they feel has influenced them.

The UU Forum is an adult issues-and-answers discussion program which meets year-round from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. each Sunday in the Forum Room at the southeast corner of the lower level of our church, near the end of the long hall just beyond most of the children's religious education rooms (see floor plan). The room is wheelchair-accessible from the lower-level parking lot entrance.

In Fall 2011 Forum is about to observe its 30th year of existence, having become an important part of local UU experience shortly after our church transitioned from a lay-led fellowship to a community with a full-time minister in October 1980.

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. (Adults seeking a spiritual class can attend Exploring Spirituality, which meets at the same time across the hall. The two groups share coffee and snacks, which are ready by 8:45 a.m.)

Among Forum leaders in its nearly three decades of existence have been George and Lois Parker, Arthur McArthur, Bob Breitenbach, Dan Spies, Charlie Atkins, and Carla and Wayne Anderson. For the past seven years, Columbia Daily Tribune columnist Bill Clark has been responsible for 10 months annually, while Carla and Wayne Anderson are program directors for April and September. March is devoted to women's issues and personalities.

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.

The veteran coffee makers and snack suppliers have a long history of Forum service. They are Roberta Jones, Hazel Breitenbach and Dolores Clark, with help from Fulton's Ralph Hockemeyer.

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.

Scheduled Forum topics are included in the upcoming Sunday listing on the home page and in the Church Calendar.

Speakers and others wanting to make a presentation are welcome to contact Bill Clark by calling the church office at 573-442-5764.

Another view of the UU Forum on September 25, 2011