The Forum on October 15 will discuss Health Care and the Next Pandemic. The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Pandemics, a recent book co-authored by Michael Osterholm, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota,  will provide the focus for a discussion led by Jane Sisk, Bruce Campbell, and Jeanette Merki. This year the federal government has made substantial changes in preparation for future outbreaks at home and abroad, and state and private initiatives are being developed to try to fill some of the gaps. Public health is facing serious challenges in responding to this situation.

The Forum's program from fall through mid winter features a broad range of interesting and timely topics. Each one keys to an article, podcast, or video that people can review before the meeting.

November 5    Ezra Klein with Steven Hahn on Illiberal America: A History

November 19   Jimmy Carter and Foreign Policy

December 3    Water Conservation in an Age of Cryptocurrency and Indigenous Land Rights

December 17   Ai Wei Wei and the Cultural Revolution

January 7         Political Violence                                                       

January 21       Thich Nyat Hanh’s Thought:  Buddhism and Mindfulness

February 4      The Generation Z Revolt in Nepal

The Foreign Policy Association recently announced its preliminary list of topics for its Great Decisions 2026 series, which we will cover from mid-February through June: https://fpa.org/great-decisions-2026-topic-announcement.

We meet on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Knatvold room and via Zoom. All are welcome to join. If you are not already on the Forum list and would like to be, to receive the Zoom link and regular notices, please contact the UUC office at office@uuchurch.org or (206) 525-8400.