January 2026

Critical Issues: A Call to Action

By Karen Bagnard
Posted: 08/26/2025

Over nine years ago, an idea was percolating in the minds of Esther Gillies and Mike Babcock, both founding members of the Pasadena Village. The idea was about bringing people together to explore and discuss critical issues in our community, our state, our country and the world at large.

When Esther and Mike were ready to announce their first gathering, the response was overwhelming. It required three groups to accommodate everyone’s input. Over time, these three groups blended into one. Meeting every Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 PM to discuss the topic at hand, Mike and Esther skillfully facilitated the group, guiding the conversation in a way that included everyone, every viewpoint and every perspective. 

The robust and insightful gatherings kept Villagers coming back for more. Topics came from the various readings that Mike and Esther did, as well as the members themselves. The subjects were diverse, complicated and important. After Mike’s passing, Esther kept the group thriving. With never a shortage of critical issues to explore, Villagers who have ideas share them along with articles written and sources of the research done.  Topics can easily outnumber the time to discuss. As Esther told me, “Critical Issues is interesting; it is another option to get to know village members; it pushes us to think about critical issues surrounding us in this modern world.”

It is not unusual for these discussions to act as a “call to action” for Villagers who care about making change. Most often attitudes and insight evolve. Members who participate - be it regularly or rarely - agree that the discussions are enriching and educational.

When I asked Esther what has kept her so committed to this program, she answered, “The issues addressed are fascinating and meaningful. They provoke discussion that has meaningful content challenging people to think about issues that are important for all of us living in the current time and helping expand our thinking regarding significant issues in today's world.”

Now a new “call to action” has emerged. Esther has to step down from leading Critical Issues, and some person(s) need to come forward to keep this important tradition going. She is hopeful that there will be one or two Villagers who would be able and willing to do the reading, researching and focusing to keep the discussions informative, as well as open.

Pasadena Village members are a vibrant group of well-informed, curious and engaged individuals. Surely there will be a few interested and willing to invest the time and energy required to keep this important gathering going!