Forums That Matter - Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland

Coffee, Conversation & Community

Winter/Spring 2026 Forums

To attend the Forums in person, join us at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cleveland, 21600 Shaker Blvd. in Shaker Heights or live on Zoom.

The Community Forum Archive contains information and available recordings for Forums since January 1, 2020. All Forums since January 1, 2017 have been recorded and most are available on our YouTube page.

If you’d like to receive notices of future forums or want to make suggestions, email forums@uucleveland.org.

The Divided States of America

January 18, 2026

Speaker: Earl Leiken, Senior Fellow, Levin College of Public Affairs & Education,CSU and Lecturer, Siegal College of Lifetime Learning, CWRU; former Mayor,Shaker Heights How Did We Get This Way? Why ... Learn More

Property Tax Debate in Ohio

February 1, 2026

Speaker: Zach Schiller, Research Director, Ohio Policy Matters How Can/Should We Pay for What We Need? Ohioans’ frustration over rising property taxes is driving a wave of legislative and constitutional ... Learn More

Belief and the Ballot

February 15, 2026

Speaker: Joseph White, CWRU Political Science Professor and Director, Public Policy andGraduate Studies How Religion Shapes U.S. Politics Religious affiliation profoundly shapes American politics, influencing not only how people vote ... Learn More

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

March 1, 2026

Speaker: Dr. Lara Jehi, Cleveland Clinic's Chief Research Information Ofﬁcer What We Gain, What We Risk It is said that AI won’t replace doctors, but doctors who use AI will ... Learn More

The Disease That Steals the Self

March 15, 2026

Speaker(s): Dr. Martha Sajatovic, CADRC Core Leader of Outreach, Recruitment and Engagement; researcher, professor, psychiatry and neurology, CWRU Understanding Alzheimer’s and the Fight for a Cure In the United States, ... Learn More

Community Conversation

April 19, 2026

Moderator: TBD Community Conversation - Your Thoughts on Today’s Headlines Join us for this conversation, when you will be the speaker and every viewpoint matters. Grab a seat and jump ... Learn More

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Forums open to the community have been a distinctive part of UUCC’s tradition for many years.

During Forums That Matter, leading experts and leaders present current, thought-provoking forums on a wide variety of issues that affect us as individuals, the communities in which we live and the world beyond.

Attendees from both inside and outside the congregation exchange views and participate in stimulating question-and-answer sessions to create a stronger, more accountable, informed community.

The forums support the Unitarian Universalists’ fourth principle, “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” They encourage personal reflection, social action and individual and collective growth for all who attend.

On the first and third Sunday mornings during fall and winter, the forums are held both virtually and in person at the Shaker Heights location. They break new ground in the continuing search for truth and importance of serving others.