We’ll continue our exploration of Open Inquiry as Kent Dobson returns this week. Open Inquiry is certainly one of Kent’s strong points! Our six-month series Be of Value explores one of the six C3 Shared Values each month. 

 

Matt Gabriel pays a visit as our musician. He’s  a singer/songwriter who has spent over a decade writing and performing music around the country. He was with us a couple times last year. It’s great to know that our musicians like coming back to C3!

A few tidbits as you get ready to join the C3 Gathering on Sunday:

  • Masks are Optional: Starting Sunday, March 13, the decision of whether or not to wear masks will be up to each individual. Masks will remain available to those who are more comfortable with one, but wearing a mask will no longer be a requirement for Sunday morning participation.

  • Daylight Saving Time: begins at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, so remember to spring forward so you’ll get to C3 on time! And maybe extra strong coffee is in order to make up for the lost hour of sleep!

  • Travel Time: Don’f forget to allow a couple extra minutes to negotiate southbound US-31 over the bridge. More information here.

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.

New Officers

At their first meeting on Wednesday, the Board of Trustees selected the following members as officers:

  • Chair: Sally Alderink
  • Vice-Chair: Tom Edwards
  • Secretary: Valerie Engeltjes
  • Treasurer: Mark Smith

Congratulations and thank you to these members who are willing to serve the C3 Community.

Charity McMaster

Wednesday, March 9, marked the end of Charity McMaster s 5½-year tenure as C3 Board of Trustees chair. She started when we were searching for a new leader and is ending as we return to a new normal after a worldwide pandemic.

     When asked about stepping down from the position, she said, I appreciate being a part of and being able to serve this caring community. One of the most interesting aspects about being the public face of the Board was that people came to me with their concerns and ideas. This gave me a chance to know them better and feel even more connected to the C3 Community.  

     “There have been many times that Shannon and I have talked over issues and we think: ‘We have the people at C3 for a lot of our support. How do people without that kind of support manage?’ Given our experience at C3, I understand why individuals want to be part of a community and–in turn–serve that community.”

     If you’re interested in reading more about Charity’s work on the Board, please click on this link

Special Spring GatheringMark your calendars now for Sunday, April 24. Call it a  welcome back” or a  homecoming!” Whatever you want to call it, that morning will be a special time of community celebration and reconnection. We ve been apart for too long. It s time to see some familiar faces—and some new ones. Bring a friend!

Still Seeking Person for Volunteer Data Administrative Role—A Request from Ellie Williams

Ellie writes: I enjoy the following tasks that I do for C3, especially anything to do with the data. BUT, I am soon going to be 86! 

  • Membership Data Maintenance (via Wild Apricot website) It would be prudent for C3 to have another person who likes the data/digital world to step in and assume the task of Membership Data maintenance. It probably should be someone who is active and knows the community.

Any of the following tasks could/should be taken on by another C3 member:

  • Community Care & Concern: act as contact person, sharing news, needs, and response. Thank you — Filled
  • Coordinate Welcoming Host Teams: schedule the teams, notify the teams weekly, find subs as necessary.
  • Contact Ellie for more information: elliewilliams4@gmail.com

The C3 Kids got to see their fundraising efforts pay off by taking their donation to Pound Buddies!  They gave half the money raised from their Craft Fair to the shelter’s treasurer, and she gave the group a lovely tour of their new facility. The kids got to see bunnies, cats, and dogs; the building offices, adoption rooms, and “Re-tail” store; and also the many different rooms where the animals live, play, and get trained. It was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to see exactly what all their hard work and effort was for! The other half of the proceeds went to The People Center.

Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration

C3 will once again be a sponsor of the Earth Day Lakeshore Celebration, which will take place on Saturday, April 23, in Grand Haven s Central Park. Another date to highlight on your calendar! And please, start to save your empty toilet paper rolls for our Kids’ Project!

C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group

The group resumes on Tuesday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. to select our books for the next year. For those who wish, we will meet in person at the C3 Office (1447 Washington Ave., GH) and also run a Zoom meeting from the same location. If you forgot to send Joyce (joycevcawthon [at] gmail [dot] com) your choices, please do so by Monday so she can add them to the list.The Zoom meeting invite will be emailed from Andy Cawthon (cawthon01 [at] gmail [dot] com) on Tuesday morning.

 

C3 Men’s Group – Meeting by Zoom    

With most members out of town during the winter months, 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. New participants are always welcome.

Week 3@C3

We are taking a break from Week 3@C3 activities for March. We know C3 people are concerned about relief efforts in Ukraine and also contribute regularly to local charitable organizations, and you are encouraged to do so this month.

Also, If you know of an organization in the area that could use some Week 3@C3 help in the future, please contact Char Zoet and share that information with her.

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 hereAutomatic donations are handled by Carol Takas, 616-613-3222, at Selby Accounting. 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. Our tax ID is 38-1960212.

Donation Link

Donate via PayPal, it’s safe and secure! 

GVSU Arts Celebration Poetry Night

Join this free, virtual event which features Marcel “Fable the Poet” Price, Ericka “Kyd Kane” Thompson, and nationally celebrated poet Danez Smith, on Monday, March 14 at 7:00 p.m. Information about the event, along with a link to register, can be found here.

Kristin DuMez at Loutit Library

Loutit Library will host a conversation with Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne, on Tuesday, March 22. Kristin was Guest Teacher at C3 in August 2020 (teaching video here). Library event details here.

Kristen Kobes Du Mez Teaching Link

Momentum Center Civil Rights Road Trip 
The deadline to register for this trip is March 15. This April 18-21 trip to Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery and Memphis will educate participants about racial injustices in America. Information and sign up here.

Sunday, March 13 — Daylight Saving Time begins!

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

10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary

11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person

Tuesday, March 15

6:30 p.m.: C3 book club at C3 office(1447 Washington Grand Haven) and Zoom

7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group via Zoom

Sunday, March 20

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: Dr. John Selmon 
  • Music: Loren Johnson
  • Meditation: Rod Van Abbema

10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary

11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person

Dr. John Selmon is the Provost/Executive Vice President at Muskegon Community College, and has more than three decades of experience serving in key leadership roles at both public and private higher education institutions. Currently he provides leadership and oversight for Academic Affairs, Athletics, Facilities, and Student Services at MCC. He is strategically focused and passionate about developing policies, programs and systems to improve access, completion and equity in higher education.