Unitarian Universalist Church -- Forum

The Sunday Morning Forum has a long tradition in our congregation, having met during the hour before Sunday worship services for many years. Forum is an opportunity for informal group discussion on a variety of topics in a stimulating but warm and nurturing atmosphere. Usually, Forum consists of a presentation by a member of the congregation or a guest speaker, followed by group discussion. Topics range from issues of religion and spirituality to social and political topics to book discussions to practical concerns of everyday life. Participation is on a drop-in basis -- you don't have to sign up to participate, and you can come on some Sundays and not on others. The numbers vary, but there are usually about 25-30 in attendance. Everyone is welcome!

Forum meets from 9:00am - 10:00am in Room 101 at the church. Prompt assembly is a courtesy to our facilitators. Childcare is available in the church nursery. Drive around to the right of the church to the parking spaces at the rear. The back door will be open and Forum can be found down the first hall to your right. We will meet you at the door and show you to the Forum room.

April 6. Eugene Davis, “Thomas Hardy’s Poetry”

Thomas Hardy became famous for his novels but considered himself primarily a poet. In his youth, Hardy played the accordion and the violin at country dances and parties well into his apprenticeship to a Dorset architect. He then spoke of his life as being “twisted of three strands:” architecture, private study of the classics, and playing at dances. We will see his wizardry with words and his employment of “ecstatic sound” in some wonderful and hope-charged poems. Eugene Davis was formerly a Professor of English at Purdue.

April 13. Bill Keirce, “The Nature of Tragedy in Human Life: Aristotle, Tolstoy and Dreiser”

After a splendid lecture on happiness last month, it requires some courage to offer a discussion of grief. The history of literature, however, is heavily devoted to tragedy, including Shakespeare’s five greatest plays. This talk includes an explanation of Aristotle’s theory of tragedy and its usefulness in human life. Specific examples of tragedy will be drawn from Tolstoy and Dreiser. Bill will also present a real murder in a college dorm. Bill Keirce is a retired Professor of English at Purdue.

April 20. Ginny Nead, “The Jesus Mystery”

Was the original Jesus a Pagan God? Timothy Freke and Peter Ganday, authors of The Jesus Mysteries, start with this question. They point out the many similarities between Jesus and the Greek and Roman deities. Given the manipulation of the biblical texts by the Church, much will remain uncertain, but Ginny Nead will try to untangle some of the threads tying modern conceptions of Jesus to ancient myths and beliefs. Ginny Nead is ordained in both the Presbyterian and Christian Church and has led a number of civic and service organizations.

April 27. Keith Brown, “God and Globalization”

According to a new book from the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, Christian thought has been a major influence driving globalization. Globalization may be a new form of missions, inviting all the peoples of the world to become participants in a global civil society, subject to continuous theological and ethical critique and guidance. This talk will not be a diatribe for or against globalization, but will recognize it as a process that, much at it seems secular, has been influenced by Christian and ethical visions. Keith Brown is a retired economist from the Krannert School of Management at Purdue.

...Ernest McDaniel

We hope you will join us! Coming to the Sunday Morning Forum is not only stimulating -- it's also an excellent way to get to know people!