At this Sunday’s Gathering. we will hear from Kyle Kooyers, Associate Director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at GVSU. As part of our series Be of Value: Common Humanity, he will talk with us about A Path Toward Commonality. Kyle will join the Pre-Talk group at 9:00, and be with us for the Gathering, of course, but unfortunately will not be able to stay with us for Talk Back. Talk Back will take place, though; we C3ers are not shy about sharing our thoughts and questions with one another!
It’s been more than a year since Nicholas James Thomasma has played for us at the C3 Gathering. It will be great to see and hear from him again. Check out what he’s been up to lately on his website (at the link above).
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)
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.” Poem by Kent Dobson, shared with C3.
Annual C3 Meeting
On Sunday, February 6, we will hold our Annual Community Meeting.
If you will not be able to attend, contact Jeff Baldus at the office or by email frontdesk [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org to arrange for an absentee or proxy ballot. Absentee and proxy ballots need to be returned to the C3 office by Friday, February 4. Note: If you plan on mailing your ballot to the office, please remember the current postal delays and plan accordingly. 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’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’ve started (see photos below) with the board and some folks who are active leaders of various committees. Eventually 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!
Behind the Scenes at the Gathering
There are a lot of people who help make our Gathering a success. First, our thanks to Tom Webber (left) who masterfully re-crafted the wooden donation boxes with our new logo. Secondly, our gratitude to Chuck Tawney and Chase Gue who expertly manage sound and video (and more) each Sunday at the Community Center.
Week 3@C3 for January
Thanks to all who brought items for the Community Free Store in Whitehall. The items have been delivered and will help meet needs in the community there.
Volunteer Opportunity at The People Center
C3 has quite a long history of involvement with The People Center in Spring Lake, and Patti Baldus serves on the board there. The Outreach Team encourages C3ers to support this organization, and Karen Reenders, manager of the People Center, is inviting C3 members to volunteer for the particular current need to sort, organize and hang clothing donations. There are usually six volunteers a week for this task, but currently there are only three, who will be gone for the month of February. One, two, or three people can work at a time, typically once a week for about two hours. This position does not entail working with the guests (although a guest may be “shopping” while you are working). If you’re not sure if you want to make this a weekly commitment, you could just help out in February while the other volunteers are away. Contact Karen Reenders to volunteer.
C3 Men’s Group — Now Meeting by Zoom
With most members out of town during the winter months, the C3 Men’s Group has resumed meeting via Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. To join via the Zoom link, contact Phil Koster.
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.
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. C3 is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization EIN#38-1960212.
Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Ottawa County
During Talk Back last week, Barbara Lee Van Horssen discussed the need for the community to support the efforts of Ottawa County’s Office of DEI. There is an excellent video on the webpage linked above, which describes the important work being done by this office to make Ottawa County the place Where You Belong. Unfortunately with the current political climate, there is an effort to undermine and defund the work of this office at the county level. Please take twelve minutes to watch the video, then contact each of the County Commissioners to express your support of the important work of the Office of DEI in Ottawa County. Here is a model statement of support you can use as inspiration, and the contact information for Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County Clerk, who can deliver your letter to each commissioner. This is certainly one way to put our C3 Values of Common Humanity and Diversity into action
Community Events at the Momentum Center
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.
Exploring Mental Illness Winter Series
There is one session remaining in this virtual series on mental illness. You can register for this presentation here. The program begins at 6:00 p.m. The discussion topic on January 25, which will be led by Michele VanderSchel, LLP, a psychologist with Ottawa County Community Mental Health is Schizophrenia. Feedback from the first two sessions was very positive—great information and an opportunity to ask questions in a safe space.
Share Your Values in Action Here
Did you ever wonder how the events featured in this section of the C3 Update get here? They are contributed by C3 members sharing their values-based activities in the greater community with the editor of the newsletter. If you know of an upcoming event or activity that might be of interest to your fellow C3 members and friends, please send the pertinent information to Chrys Moelter-Gray at cgmgray [at] mac [dot] com. In order to be included in that week’s newsletter, the information needs to be received by Wednesday. Please share your values-based activities!
Sunday, January 23
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: Kyle Kooyers
Music: Nicholas James Thomasa
Meditation: Rod Van Abbema
10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person
Tuesday, January 25
7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group via Zoom
Sunday, January 30
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: Kent Dobson
Music: Sandra Effert
Meditation: Beth Buelow
10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person