The last C3 Gathering of 2021 features C3’s own Beth Buelow as Guest Teacher at the Grand Haven Community Center at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. You can also join us via livestream on C3’s Facebook page. We are grateful for all of you who continue to join us online! Beth’s teaching will wrap up the series Born for These Times: Challenges and Opportunities. 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.
Beth Bombara returns as our musician— so this will be the Sunday of the two Beth B’s! With several albums under her belt, and extensive tours around the country, Beth Bombara’s latest venture, Evergreen, has been very well-received. She last joined us in mid-October, and we’re happy that she will close out the year with us.
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.”
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 donations amounted to $20,940! Your generosity will enable us to start 2022 on secure financial footing. We can’t thank you enough!
Treasurer Mark Smith (top) along with (left to right) Kent Dobson, and Finance Committee members Andy Cawthon and Beth Buelow reveal the grand total raised for the year-end fundraiser.
Chart the Future of C3 as a Trustee
The election for Board of Trustees is coming up in February of 2022. The positions are not overly complicated or time-consuming, and they empower you to chart the future of C3. Whether you are a novice looking for guidance, or have experience you want to share, we thank you for your consideration. If you want to discuss this opportunity or have questions see a current board member:
Sally Alderink
Beth Buelow
Teresa Colbry
Kim Crozier
Tom Edwards
Valerie Engeltjes
Charity McMaster
Mark Smith
Sandy Kate Stephens
Rod Van Abbema
Week 3@C3 For December – Adopt a Conestoga Hut
Char Zoet and Patti Baldus transported all 10 bins and furnishings for more than five Conestoga Mini-Huts to Lifeline Ministries early this week. We will keep an eye on how the Conestoga Hut Micro-Shelter project progresses. Thank you to all whose donations made this effort a big success.
Our Week 3@C3 project for January will be to provide items for the Community Free Store in Whitehall, run by the White Lake United Methodist Church. We will be collecting the following household and personal care items:
laundry soap
bar soap
shampoo
baby diapers
adult incontinence products
feminine hygiene products
These items can be brought to the Grand Haven Community Center on January 2, 9, or 16. Printable list 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.
Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign
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. Your compassionate action is appreciated.
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
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 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
Tuesday, December 28
7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group, C3 Office (1447 Washington, GH)
Sunday, January 2
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: Kent Dobson
Music: Patty PerShayla
Meditation: TBD
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.