C3 Teacher Kent Dobson will be teaching at our Sunday Gathering this week at 10:00 a.m. at the Grand Haven Community Center and via livestream on C3’s Facebook page. He will continue with Part Five of the series Born for These Times: Challenges and Opportunities.
Our musician will be Matt Gabriel, who has joined us several times over the past few years. And here’s a nice touch, on his Facebook page where he lists upcoming appearances, he includes a link to our C3 page!
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.
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 December 5, 2021
- Questions, quotes, and references from Kent’s talk last week—click here.
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.”
Your response to our year-end fundraiser has been extraordinary! Thank you!
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, we set a goal of raising $13,000 in additional donations by year end, enabling us to start 2022 on secure financial footing.
We are thrilled to let you know that as we approach the end of the fundraiser (December 11), we have exceeded our goal of raising $13,000! As of December 9, you have donated $15,600! – THANK YOU ! – THANK YOU ! – THANK YOU !
If you haven ’t contributed yet and are able, please consider a year-end contribution to C3. We will have donation cards and envelopes available on Sunday. If you are unable to attend, please consider sending a check to the office: 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 financial contributions are essential to the ongoing work of C3 in the Tri-Cities area, West Michigan, and the world, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.
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.
Caring for the members of our C3 Community is a shared communal responsibility, rather than a role reserved for a pastor, priest or leader. Our C3 Community Care Team encourages members to support each other at time of need with notes, cards, phone calls, visits, meals and transportation. C3 members are urged to contact the Community Care Team to inform them of life events, illness, or hardships, which can be shared with the C3 Community. To report a need or request help, or to help visit members in hospital, rehab or recovering at home, contact our office to be put in touch with lead volunteers, and don’t forget to check the newsletter for a more details.
Week 3@C3 For December – Adopt a Conestoga Hut
Our efforts for December focus on the Conestoga Hut Micro-Shelter (CHMS) project which is underway at Lifeline Ministries in Holland. We are thrilled to report that as of last Sunday, we have commitments to fully furnish two of the five huts, with a third well on the way.
This Sunday will be the last opportunity to sign up to help supply the needed items for the final two Conestoga Huts, so you have the week to shop and bring the items to C3 on December 19. Char Zoet will be in the lobby before and after the Gathering this week with the list of needed items. If you are able to participate in this effort, please stop and see Char to select items from the list which you would be willing to purchase, and help us reach the goal of furnishing all five Conestoga huts!
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.
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After two-and-a-half years of weekly Vigils for Peace and Justice, our Grand Haven group has decided to take a break for a few months, now through March. We’ll be back in April!
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 Jeff at Frontdesk [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org if you need to be added to the zoom invitation list.
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While we encourage you to shop locally when possible, when you do shop on Amazon, why not support C3? Instead of going to the usual Amazon site, click instead on smile.amazon.com. You’ll land on a page that will ask you if you want to support C3, which, of course you do, so click “yes”, and Voila! Amazon will contribute .5% for each qualifying purchase you make!
