Cambridge Forum

Cambridge Forum is one of public radio’s longest running public affairs programs, Cambridge Forum is recorded live most Wednesdays fall through spring at First Parish.

Background

Cambridge Forum was founded in 1967 by the Rev. Herbert Vetter as a program to address issue of social responsibility at First Parish. Presenting weekly discussions with world-renowned experts, the Forum tackled tough social issues such as the war in Vietnam, the Civil Rights Movement, environmental degradation, and world hunger. In 1970 WGBH-Radio began broadcasting Cambridge Forum's live discussions at First Parish; eventually these local broadcasts were made available to a national audience by means of the National Public Radio satellite distribution service. The weekly radio series continues today and is now supplemented by streaming webcasts and downloads from the WGBH Forum Network, giving First Parish national recognition for its leadership on issues of social justice and its efforts to promote an educated and informed citizenry's participation in the democratic process.

Organization

In 1990, the Standing Committee of First Parish appointed a Board of Directors, composed of members of the church and friends in the community, to oversee the activities of Cambridge Forum. In 1999, Cambridge Forum was incorporated as a non-profit educational organization under the laws of Massachusetts and recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. The Standing of Committee of First Parish comprises the legal membership of the corporation, approving appointments to the Board of Directors and reviewing the Forum's activities and financial support on an annual basis. A member of the Standing Committee serves on Cambridge Forum's Board of Directors. Individual members of First Parish also serve on the Board of Directors and support Cambridge Forum through membership in the Friends of Cambridge Forum, as well as attendance at weekly discussions and other Forum events. Please call the Forum office to be added to the mailing list and please join us on Wednesday evenings in the Parlor. All are welcome!

First Parish members serve on the Cambridge Forum Board including Mary Ann Daily, President; Janet Burns, Clerk; Jane Sturtevant, Treasurer; Patricia Suhrke, Assistant Treasurer; Janet Burns, Virginia Burns, Mary Ann Daily, Lee Gagan, Kendra Gray, Jennifer Griffith, Hubert Jessup, Gail M Leftwich, David Leveille, Jane Sturtevant, and Timothy Weiskel.

Contact Pat Suhrcke, Director of the Cambridge Forum at (617) 495-2727 for more information.

Harvard Square Library

Harvard Square Library is a website that distributes free online Unitarian Universalist literature and information to readers worldwide.

Harvard Square Library offers free e-books on subjects of interest to religious liberals and historians. Selections include:

• This Day in Unitarian Universalist History by Frank Schulman is treasury of anniversaries and milestones marks the significant events in Unitarian and Universalist faith heritage for every day of the year;

• Harvard’s Unitarian Presidents 1810-1933 profiles Harvard’s nine Unitarian Presidents and two Unitarian Acting Presidents;

• The Church in Harvard Square is an online version of a visual display by First Parish members Conrad Wright, Constance Kirwan and Ernest Kirwan;

• Harvard Honors Nelson Mandela celebrates the great liberator’s 90th birthday on July 18, 2008; • Sacred Service in Civic Space, Kathleen Parker’s history of Unitarian Universalist community ministry;

• Harvard Square Library is also a source of authoritative biographies of Unitarians and Universalists who made significant contributions to our faith and to society.

Harvard Square Library began in 2000 as a retirement activity of Herb Vetter, Minister at Large Emeritus of the First Parish in Cambridge. In 2008, Harvard Square Library was incorporated under the laws of MA as a non-profit tax exempt 501(c)3 organization. Several First Parish members serve on the Board of Directors: Gloria Korsman (President), Donald McInnis (Clerk), Jane Sturtevant (Treasurer), Michael Melford, James Vetter, James Shea, and Conrad E. Wright. Gloria Korsman serves as the President of the Board of Directors. Visit our web site by clicking on our name above.