As Kent announced last week, we have just begun a new teaching series at C3 with Be of Value: Return to the Values that Define Us. For the next half-year, we will take another look at each of our six core C3 Values, one per month. Kent Dobson, C3’s Lead Teacher, started us off last week with a look at our value of Common Humanity: We respect the dignity and worth of every individual. In small groups with those sitting nearby during the Gathering, we generated a list of what we mean by common humanity. It was quite wonderful, and Kent exhorted us to be people who speak in those terms in the world. Join us in person at the Grand Haven Community Center, or online on Facebook for Part Two of Be of Value: Common Humanity with Kent.
Folias Duo (Carmen Maret and Andrew Bergeron) join us again this Sunday. They were with us last November, and really bowled us over with their original compositions and exquisite playing. How fortunate to have them come back so soon!
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.
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
10:00 a.m. C3 Kids: In Person (Woodbine Room)
A safe and welcoming environment for kids with masked and vaccinated adult caregivers only, and CDC-recommended safety measures in effect. Click here to view the document “Safety for All in the C3 Kids Program.”
11:00 a.m. Talk Back: In Person
A chance to share questions, comments and stories related to the morning gathering.
Lead 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.”
C3’s “Just Cause”
The board has been engaged in high-level discussions about how C3 has come through this pandemic and where we are as a spiritual community four years into Kent ’s time with us. Those discussions have evolved into a decision to engage in a “Just Cause” process that will support C3 in answering the question, “Why do we exist, and why should anyone care?” Beth Buelow is volunteering her services as facilitator of the process. We’re starting with the board and some folks who are active leaders of various committees, and then we ’ll bring in everyone to be involved in different ways. The final result will be a statement that speaks to our relevancy and sustainability, keeps us centered in our relationship in the larger West Michigan community, and helps to serve as our north star as we move forward. Please stay tuned for more information and invitations to share your thoughts in the coming months. We ’re excited to be having this conversation and look forward to your input and participation!
Annual C3 Meeting
On Sunday, February 6, we will hold our Annual Community Meeting. It will be a time to affirm our efforts to offer West Michigan an alternative to church as usual. There will be a membership meeting, vote on proposed 2022 budget, election of board members, and a short affirmation. We have two open seats and four members up for re-election (link to candidates here). If you will not be able to attend, we will have absentee and proxy voting available to you. Please contact Jeff Baldus to arrange for an absentee or proxy ballot. Absentee and proxy ballots need to be returned to the C3 office by Friday, February 4. Only C3 members can vote. If you need to update your member information or become a member, cards will be available each Sunday at the Welcome table (pictured below).
C3 Volunteer Opportunity
We are seeking two or more volunteers to join the Blue Host Team with Mark and Kathy Smith. Each Host Team is scheduled once every five weeks to provide a friendly welcome to all members, friends and newcomers at the entry and in the lobby before and after Sunday Gathering. Contact Ellie in person at the Welcome Table on Sunday morning.
Donation of Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds
We are excited to let you know that we are now able to accept donations of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. Did you know that when you donate stock to charity, you’ll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value? And because you are donating stock, your contribution and tax deduction may instantly increase over 20%. If this sounds like an option for you, please talk to your financial services representative and if you have any questions re: process, please see me. Thank you for your ongoing support of C3!
Mark Smith, Treasurer
Week 3@C3 for January
This month we hope 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 9 or 16. Please note: Diapers of all sizes are really in demand and needed! Printable list and flyer here.
Year-End Reports from Partner Organizations
It’s that time of year when organizations issue reports telling about their efforts during the previous year. Attached below are links to a few of the organizations that C3 supports through efforts of our Outreach Committee.
CCD Year-End Review
Attached here you will find the 2021 year-end report from the Coalition for Community Development, which was founded by our dear Dr. Doris Rucks (one of our members before her death in 2016). Several C3 members volunteer with the CCD in the Muskegon Heights schools. Talk to Charmaine Kohl if you would like more information about volunteering in the schools.
The Diatribe
We have enjoyed several guest teachers from The Diatribe in recent years, and we look for ways to support their work in Grand Rapids and the greater West Michigan area. Take a look here to see what this enterprising group has been up to in the past year.
Humanity for Prisoners
Both Doug and Matt Tjapkes have been Guest Teachers at C3, and several C3 members have volunteered at HFP events in the past. Here’s a link to the January 2022 HFP Communicator.
C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group
Please note: There will be no C3 Book Club meeting in February! But you do have an assignment that is due when the C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group meets via Zoom on Tuesday, March 15, to select the stellar books to be read and discussed for 2022. At that meeting, each member will present three books they would like to read and discuss, and then the group will vote for one they think might be best. That choice will be added to the entire year’s reading list. Click here and read the attached document about the book selection procedure. Thanks, and happy reading!
If you are interested in joining this dynamic, critical-thinking, fun group of people, or know of someone who is, please supply the email address to the group’s secretary to be added to the future emails and Zoom meetings.
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.
Support C3 When You Shop on Amazon!
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!
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.
Community Events at the Momentum Center
Exploring Mental Illness Winter Series
The three-session series with focus on mental illness that was scheduled to take place at the Holland Momentum Center location has been changed to a virtual event via Zoom. Individuals can register for one or more of these presentations here. All sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. On January 11, Brett Van Tol, PhD, licensed psychologist, will lead discussion of “Bipolar Disorder and Depression.” Van Tol is affiliated with Pine Rest Holland Clinic. Kayla Moore, a licensed master social worker with Mercy Health, will address “Panic & Anxiety Disorders” on January 18. “Schizophrenia” will be the discussion topic on January 25, and will be led by Michele VanderSchel, LLP, a psychologist with Ottawa County Community Mental Health.
Town Hall on Religion and Racism
On January 24, the Town Hall series on Religion and Racism continues with Christianity and Native & Indigenous People. Register here to participate in this Zoom session. Prepare by reading An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, available at The Bookman.
Left to right: Camie Castaneda, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi; Christine Shomin, Little Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa; Madalene BigBear, Pokagon Band of Potawatomi
Sunday, January 9
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
Lead Teacher: Kent Dobson
Music: Folias Duo
Meditation: Leslie Newman
10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person
Tuesday, January 12
7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group, C3 Office (1447 Washington, GH)
Sunday, January 16
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
Teacher: Barbara Lee VanHorssen
Music: Loren Johnson
Meditation: Phil Magnan
10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary
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.