The C3 Gathering in-person at the Grand Haven Community Center at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday continues to be a welcoming, inspiring event! But if you are not able to join us in person, you can join us via livestream on C3’s Facebook page. C3 Teacher Kent Dobson will continue with Part Six of the series Born for These Times: Challenges and Opportunities as we gather this Sunday. Maybe this week, you’d enjoy joining the Pre-Talk at 9:00 a.m. in the Woodbine Room, and/or Talk Back after the Gathering.
Our musician will be John Sanger, who is filling in for the previously-scheduled musicians Lighting Matches, who are unable to join us. John has been very generous with his time and talents, and has played for C3 several times during the lockdown and in person. We’ll be happy to see him again!
COVID Concerns:
West Michigan continues to experience high numbers of COVID cases, including cases in vaccinated individuals and sometimes even those with booster shots, and now the Omicron variant adds an extra measure of concern. Please know that C3’s Board of Trustees continually discusses our approach to gathering. Currently we feel comfortable with continuing to gather as we have been, chairs spaced apart, wearing masks. But we also wish to remind everyone that being in a large, public group poses a risk. We have had members test positive and inform close contacts. As cases are on the rise in Ottawa County, we may see more positive cases in our community. And we continue to assess. We encourage each person to do what is comfortable for them, to be responsible and stay home if they are feeling sick, and join us in the way that is best for them, in person or online.
During this time of great stress for the healthcare workers, please display your C3 sign thanking them, if you still have it!
Sundays at the Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven)
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, meditation 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.
C3 Teacher Kent Dobson
There is a lot more to discover and learn from Kent Dobson on his website, and by listening to his podcast “Hints and Guesses.”
Attention, All C3 Kids!
Miss Mary has been working on a project to raise money that will be donated to a cause that you, the children, will determine. She needs your helping hands and creative thoughts, and she hope to see you this Sunday!
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
The totals are in for our year-end fundraiser, and your response has been overwhelming! Thank you!
Your generosity will enable us to start 2022 on secure financial footing.
Please join us Sunday, live or on Facebook, when we announce the final total. We can’t thank you enough!
2022 Board of Trustees Election
The election for Board of Trustees is coming up in February of 2022. We will have two open seats and four members up for re-election. We especially are hoping to find someone interested in the Treasurer position. Our current Treasurer Mark Smith will be on hand for one more year to help with a transition. We also have a great, supportive board and a Finance Team who help the Treasurer. This person does not stand alone. If you are considering running for a seat, please also think if this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for to work with a tightly-knit group. We are happy to talk through any questions you have. See Sally Alderink, Beth Buelow, Teresa Colbry, Kim Crozier, Tom Edwards, Valerie Engeltjes, Charity McMaster, Mark Smith, Sandy Kate Stephens, or Rod Van Abbema.
Week 3@C3 For December – Adopt a Conestoga Hut
Our focus on the Conestoga Hut Micro-Shelter (CHMS) project, which is underway at Lifeline Ministries in Holland, is reaching completion! We are thrilled to report we have commitments to fully furnish all five huts! If you have purchased items for the project, please bring them to the Community Center this Sunday!
Needed for each hut:
one set of twin bed sheets
one WARM comforter (twin size)
one bed pillow
one set of towels and washcloth
two plastic storage bins with covers
one throw rug
one door mat
one collapsible chair
one portable heater (all five have already been purchased)
Please contact Char Zoet with any questions. Printable flyer here.
C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group
At 6:30 p.m. on January 4, we will meet via Zoom to discuss Sharks in the Time of Saviors, a first novel by Kawai Strong Washburn.
“As Native Hawaiians, the Flores family has struggled with broken dreams and economic insecurity . . . Old Myths clash with new realities, love is in a ride-or-die with grief, faith rubs hard against magic, and comic flips with tragic so much that they meld into something new . . . A ferocious debut.”—Marlon James, author of Black Leopard, Red Wolf.
Please email Joyce if you need to be added to the zoom invitation list.
Please Note: As we look ahead to February 1, we have a problem. Both Joyce and Kathy will be out of town and unable to host the Zoom meeting for our next book Caste: The Origins of our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. Does anyone want to lead the group? Does anyone other than Joyce have a Zoom account we could use? Please contact Joyce if you can help out.
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.
Did you know that you can use money from your IRA to contribute directly to a charitable organization, like C3, without it being considered a taxable distribution? It may also serve as your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for 2021. To make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), be sure to consult with your tax advisor or financial representative before making this decision, because it is important to follow the guidelines and understand the process.
Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. Online donations can be made here. Checks should be sent to C3 Spiritual Community, P. O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Online Donations Here
Join in the Holiday Spirit: Salvation Army Red Kettle and Angel Tree Campaigns
Many thanks to all C3 members who rang the bell for the Red Kettle Christmastime fundraiser at Leppinks in Ferrysburg on December 15 and 16, and to Betty Jean Porter for organizing the project. This campaign will provide housing for six families, stock the Food Pantry, provide Christmas assistance, utility assistance and Pathway to Hope programs.
Three bell ringing shifts at Leppinks (left to right): Karen and Ryan Cotton, Annie Wassmann and Tom Edwards, Martha and Jack Perko.
Our local Salvation Army distributes toys and gifts donated by community members to families in the community through the Angel Tree program. There are already more requests for help this year than last year. If you want to help families with gifts, you can use this gift registry at Walmart to purchase requested gifts.
Community Events at the Momentum Center
LGBTQ+ Affinity Group
This is a newly-formed meet-up group of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ (18 years and older) which will meet the first and last Tuesday of each month from 4:00–5:00 p.m. at the Momentum Center. Contact Jenna (616-414-9111) for more information.
Exploring Mental Illness
A three-session series of Inspire! events will take place at the Holland Momentum Center location (Northside Boys and Girls Club, 583 Riley) in January, focusing on Bipolar and Depression, Panic and Anxiety Disorders, and Schizophrenia.
Sunday, December 19
Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9:00 a.m. Pre-Talk, In Person
10:00 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
Music: John Sanger
Meditation: Cindy Anderson
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person
Tuesday, December 21
7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group, C3 Office (1447 Washington, GH)
Sunday, December 26
Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9:00 a.m. Pre-Talk, In Person
10:00 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
Guest Teacher: Beth Buelow
Music: Beth Bombara
Meditation: David Dean
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person
Follow Us + Share on Facebook
Each week we post information about upcoming Gatherings and other special events. Help us extend our reach and recognition by sharing our posts!
Instagram Photos Needed
We would love to feature photos of C3 members in action on our Instagram feed. Email your high res photos (or questions) to trustee Tom Edwards.