Shanika Carter, M.Sc., will join us this Sunday at the Gathering to talk about Paving the Way Forward. This will be Shanika’s second time as Guest Teacher. She visited us in February 2020, shortly before we transitioned to virtual Gatherings. She holds degrees from MSU and GVSU, and works as a freelance writer, author, professor, and Principal Consultant of The Write Flow & Vibe, LLC, (www.writeflowandvibe.com). She teaches in the fields of communications and student success at GVSU, Muskegon Community College and Montcalm Community College. What a great opportunity for us to intentionally deepen our conversation with Shanika as we consider our value of Diversity this month.

 

John Sanger has been a frequent visitor to C3, both in person and virtually, and he returns this week to share his music with us. John has traveled the country and immersed himself in the experiences life has to offer. During the hard times, John found himself reflecting upon his boyhood affinity for the beauty and wonders of the Great Lakes which soothed the occasional nights of lonely dreams and daily struggles. His most recent album, The Sanger Family Album, was released in October 2019. He has been working on new songs which he has been sharing with the C3 Community during recent visits.

Sundays at the Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven)

  • 9:00 a.m. Pre-TalkIn Person
    Meet the morning’s teacher in a small group setting for an open discussion of the morning’s theme.
  • 10:00 a.m. GatheringIn 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 BackIn Person
    A chance to share questions, comments and stories related to the morning gathering.

Additional Resources

News from the Board

The board continues to assess our Covid response, and part of that is our mask policy. We are considering having masks be optional beginning in March. If anyone in the community has questions or concerns about this possible change, please talk to a board member.

Recap of C3 Annual Meeting

On February 6 following the Gathering, we met for the Annual C3 MeetingAn email with highlights of the meeting was sent out on Tuesday, February 8, but if you missed it, it’s attached here for you to see all the details! In short, we affirmed our values and membership; passed the proposed budget of $180,000; passed a couple small revisions in the By-Laws; elected new Board members; got an update on the Just Cause project; and awarded the Philip J. Koster Award for Meritorious Service to Patti Baldus! In tribute to Phil Magnan, all of the banners he created for C3 were on display in the Community Center. Click on the link above for photos and details.

     Big news is that we have a full Board of Trustees, with all 11 seats filled. Re-elected members Sally Alderink, Tom Edwards, and Valerie Engeltjes join new trustees Andy Cawthon, Kathy Humphrey, and Wayne Johnson. Although these three are newly elected, they  have served on the board in the past. Those six join remaining trustees Mark Smith, Teresa Colbry, Kim Crozier, Rod Van Abbema, and Beth Buelow. Officers will be chosen during the first Board meeting of the new term in March. Much gratitude to all who are willing to serve on the Board and keep our C3 Community moving forward.

C3 Kids’ Craft Sale

The first ever C3 Kids’ Craft Sale last Sunday was a huge success. They raised $204 through the sale of hand-crafted bookmarks, greeting cards, painted rocks and bird houses, and the kids displayed great customer service! The funds will be split evenly between Pound Buddies and The People Center. Miss Mary relates that the kids were SO EXCITED about raising so much money that they are already talking about a second sale. They thank everybody who came to the table and made a purchase.

Week 3@C3 for February: Celebrating 25 Years of Neighbor Helping Neighbor

The People Center has been serving neighbors since June 4, 1996. In times of emergency or uncertainty, The People Center responds with food, clothing, transitional housing, and access to other area resources. C3 predecessor, Christ Community Church, was instrumental in the establishment of The People Center. Learn more about The People Center here.

     This is the final Sunday to bring items for The People Center, our February recipient for Week 3@C3. We are collecting the following items for The Pantry at The People Center.

Household Supplies:

  • toilet paper
  • paper towels
  • laundry soap
  • household cleaners

Personal Supplies:

  • shampoo
  • toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • bar soap
  • feminine hygiene products
  • diapers – all sizes
C3 Men’s Group — Now Meeting by Zoom

With most members out of town during the winter months, the the C3 Men’s Group meets via Zoom on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. To join via the Zoom link, contact Phil Koster at 616-402-1751.

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. Click here to read the attached document about the book selection procedure.

Did you know?

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 2022. 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 hereChecks should be sent to C3 Spiritual Community, P. O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417. C3 is a 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization. Our tax ID is 38-1960212.

Donate via PayPal, it’s safe and secure! 

Town Hall on Religion and Racism: Indigenous People and the Land

This month’s Town Hall meeting takes place by Zoom on Monday, February 28 (register here), and focuses on Indigenous People and the Land. The panelists (left to right) are Eric Hemenway (Anishnaabe/Odawa), Levi Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), and Kevin Locke (Standing Rock). Suggested viewing before the meeting is the movie Wind River (rated R). Pre-registration is required.

Civil Rights Road Trip

The Momentum Center invites you to join them in a Civil Rights Road Trip from April 18-21, 2022. This cultural immersion trip is designed to open our eyes to the truths about racial injustices in America and commit to being anti-racists. We will travel via bus from Grand Haven, MI, to Birmingham and Montgomery, AL, as well as a stop in Memphis, TN. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. A few C3 members have already signed up for the trip. Would YOU like to explore important places in the history of the Civil Rights with others who share the desire to be anti-racist? Click here for information about the itinerary, places to be visited, costs, and registration.