It was great to welcome C3 Teacher Kent Dobson back last week, and he will be with us for the next two Sunday Gatherings at 10:00 a.m. at the Grand Haven Community Center, and via livestream on C3’s Facebook page. This week, Kent continues his teaching with the series Born for These Times: Challenges and Opportunities. We hope you’ll be able to join us in person (masked and distanced) or via Facebook.
Kent’s teaching last week about scapegoating is worth a second watch, either on Facebook or C3’s YouTube channel.
Our musicians this week are the very accomplished musicians Carmen Maret and Andrew Bergeron, the Folias Duo. This flute/guitar duo is based in Grand Rapids, but have spent time around the world, including time as Artists in Residence on Isle Royale National Park. In addition to performing and composing, both are instructors at local colleges and universities.
- 9:00 a.m.: Pre-Talk: In Person
Meet the morning’s teacher in a small group setting for an open discussion of the morning’s theme. - 10:00 a.m.: Gathering: In Person + Livestream on Facebook
Welcome, readings, mediation from a community member, teaching and music
- 11:00 a.m.: Talk Back: In Person
A chance to share questions, comments and stories related to the morning gathering.
Additional Resources
- YouTube Channel: Weekly Teaching Videos*
- YouTube Channel: Weekly Meditation Videos*
- Podcast Channel: Weekly Teaching Audios*
*posted Sunday afternoons or later in week - Printable list of C3 Values
- Last week’s Newsletter: C3 Update for November 7, 2021
Challenge Questions (Kent Dobson, November 7, 2021):
1. Make a list of your strongest reactions around certain people — who are you reacting to very strongly?
2. List out very clearly what their way of being is like. What do they say? How do they sound?
3. Have I ever acted this way? Be specific. When was the last time you did it?
Each week we provide a safe and welcoming environment for kids starting at 10:00 a.m., with masked and vaccinated adult caregivers only, and CDC-recommended safety measures in effect. If you are looking for a Sunday morning experience for your kids that includes C3 Values, creative activities, toys, books, games and outdoor fun (when weather permits), we are here to make it happen! Miss Mary is happy to be spending time with your kids, and hopes to see more of them soon. C3 Kids meet upstairs in the Woodbine Room. Click here to view the document “Safety for All in the C3 Kids Program.”
C3 End-of-Year Fundraiser
As we announced last week, this Sunday we will kick off our year-end fundraiser. Our goal is to end each year with a balanced budget, as we know this is a sign of a healthy, committed community. For 2021, that goal can be achieved by raising $13,000 by year end, enabling us to start 2022 on secure financial footing.
If you are able, please consider a year-end contribution to C3. We will provide more information at this Sunday’s Gathering. If you are unable to attend, please consider sending a check to the office (pledge form here): C3, P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417, or making an online donation via credit card or PayPal. Be sure to indicate “Fundraiser” on your donation.
Your continued presence and contributions are essential to the ongoing work of C3 in the Tri-Cities area, West Michigan, and the world. Thank you!
News from the Board of Trustees
The adoption of the new C3 logo is generating a lot of extra design work. All banners, objects, and papers having our logo must be redesigned and acquired. All current items with the old logo must be recycled or removed. The Board of Trustees has has assigned the management of this process to Annie Wassmann and Tom Edwards. The first phase of this process includes the main outside banner, the indoor lobby table runners, and the collection boxes. If your committee or event needs an object or document with the new logo, please contact Annie or Tom.
Please consider if you would like to run to serve on the Board of Trustees. The election will be in February, but it ’s not too early to start thinking if this is a way you ’d like to serve the C3 community. If you ’re interested or have questions, talk to any Board member: Sally Alderink, Beth Buelow, Teresa Colbry, Kim Crozier, Tom Edwards, Valerie Engeltjes, Charity McMaster, Mark Smith, Sandy Kate Stephens, or Rod Van Abbema.
Now that we are meeting once again at the Community Center, it’s time to reinstate our traditional Week 3@C3 program, in which the Community Life Committee researches and selects a local nonprofit organization which C3ers support by donating needed items. This gives us the opportunity to join together for the good of the greater community, while reinforcing our sense of shared C3 Community.
The effort this month supports the Greater Ottawa County United Way United for Warmth Winter Clothing Drive. C3 will collect new and unused winter clothing items for men, women, and children, and United Way will arrange for our donations to be picked up and distributed to families in need of them. Bring these items to our Gathering on November 14 or 21. United Way suggests:
• Coats, jackets, and vests
• Mittens, gloves, and hand warmers
• Hats and scarves
• Heavy sweatshirts and sweaters
• Snowpants
This year’s community feast will be held in honor of Pete Theune, who helped get it all started. C3 has a long history of supporting this event. Since food donations are not being accepted this year, C3 Outreach Team will send $250 to St. Mary’s to help with the purchase of food for the Feast. Thank you for your support of C3, which enables us to reach out to our community!
Individual donations to fund the feast are also welcome, by sending a check (with“Thanksgiving Feast” notation) to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 406 E. Savidge Street, Spring Lake, MI 49456.
Judy Burnside at St. Marys is organizing volunteers to help out with the Thanksgiving Feast on November 25. People are needed to
• help assemble the meals a couple days beforehand
• deliver meals on Thanksgiving
• assist with curbside handout of meals on Thanksgiving.
If this is something you would like to do, send Judy an email (jwb57 [at] charter [dot] net) or call and leave a message for her at 616-847-9719 or 616-842-8564, and she will return your call.
ICYMI (in case you missed it): Video of HFP Speaker Series
Doug Tjapkes, son Matt, and concert pianist Veena Kulkarni-Rankin were featured in this year’s Humanity for Prisoners Speaker Series Event. C3 has long supported HFP’s work, and we supported the fundraiser again this year with a $250 donation. If you missed the event, you can click here to watch the video of Doug’s great talk and Veena’s wonderful piano music.
Vigil for Peace and Justice
We want peace and justice for all, so we will stand weekly and ask for peace and justice! Our location remains Washington Avenue at Central Park in Grand Haven. All are invited to join us from noon–1:00 p.m. We have lots of signs to choose from, or create your own! Bring a chair to sit, if that works better for you, and be sure to dress for the weather and have peace in your heart!
With the shortening of daylight and the beginning of snow season, the group has decided to return to Zoom for our book club meetings. This will enable snow birds to attend and others to sip a libation of their choice during the discussion. On December 7, at 6:30 p.m. we will discuss 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari.
“How do computers and robots change the meaning of being human? How do we deal with the epidemic of fake news? Are nations and religions still relevant? What should we teach our children? Yuval Noah Harari’s 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a probing and visionary investigation into today’s most urgent issues as we move into the uncharted territory of the future.” – Goodreads
Please email Joyce at joycevcawthon [at] gmail [dot] com to be added to the Zoom invitation list. If you participated in the Zoom meetings last winter, you are still on the active invitation list.
January 4: Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men’s Group meets in person every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Until further notice, the group will gather at the C3 Office, located at 1447 Washington, Grand Haven. For additional information contact Phil Koster at 616-402-1751.
Dinner and Movie Night Ties in to Recent Town Hall
Recommended for viewing after the Town Hall on Racism in the Church Today is the movie White Savior, which will be shown at the Momentum Center this evening, Friday, November 12, at Free Dinner and Movie Night. Dinner starts at 5:00 p.m.; the movie starts at 6:00 p.m. View detail here.
Do you know of anyone who would enjoy a free Thanksgiving dinner? Let them know about this year’s community Thanksgiving Feast! The full dinner with all the trimmings will be available by delivery or curbside pickup at St. Mary’s Church on Thanksgiving Day (November 25). Note that you need to call 616-842-1702 by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, November 19 to request a meal. See the flyer here.
