Ruth Zwald visits as Guest Teacher this week after several years’ absence. Come join us at the Community Center, or tune in on C3’s Facebook page as Ruth opens our look at Compassionate Action, the value we’ll examine in April as part of our series Be of Value. Ruth starts every morning with rooster crow and good coffee. Her spiritual path winds among the trees of Christianity, the flowering plants of Indigenous beliefs, the cycles of the seasons rooted in the earth. Every day she tries to find her way towards balance. This Sunday we can join her on that path.

Patty PerShayladescribed as “peace, love, and a giant crowbar,” has a gritty, yet sweet, singing voice that features both explosive and tender moments. She has become a C3 “regular,” having joined us several times online during the pandemic, and also live at our Gathering, most recently at the beginning of January.

Masks are optional now at our In-Person Gathering. The decision of whether or not to wear a mask will be up to each individual. Also, please allow a couple extra minutes to negotiate the southbound US-31 detour

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.
C3 News

Dine With Nine is BACK!

The first post-pandemic Dine with Nine will be on Saturday, May 14, at 6:00 p.m. Mark it on your calendar now!

         Several times a year, you are invited to gather in people’s homes to share food, fun, and conversation. This popular program aims to connect adults regardless of age or relationship status, bringing together widows, singles, couples, partners, and divorcees at the home of the evening’s host. Each person is asked to bring an element of the meal – an appetizer, salad, dessert, wine, or bread, while the host provides the main entrée. Sign up at the Connections Table in the lobby any Sunday in April or on May 1.Coordinators of the event are Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith, and Mary Ackerson. Contact Joyce with questions: joycevcawthon@gmail.com or 616-502-3133.

Ribbons for Ukraine

Patty Baldus was the one responsible for creating the handmade ribbon pins to support Ukraine that were handed out at last Sunday’s Gathering. Thanks, Patty!

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!

New Contact Person for Care and Concern Team

Cheryl Van Abbema has volunteered to serve as the coordinator for the Community Care Team. This means that if you experience a life event, illness, or hardship, which can be shared with the C3 Community, Cheryl will be the person to contact. You can reach her by email, phone or text 616-402-3108. Thanks, Cheryl, for stepping into this vital role!

         Ellie Williams has served as the contact person for several years. We are grateful for her compassionate and effective assistance. Thanks, Ellie!

Behind the Scenes

This week we are highlighting our Office Manager, Jeff Baldus, who is pictured inside the C3 Office, located at 1447 Washington Avenue in Grand Haven. Chrys Moelter-Gray and Annie Wassmann are the volunteers responsible for editing and designing our weekly newsletter. Thank you all for using your remarkable talents and skills to fuel C3’s efforts.

Stand for Peace on Saturday

Our Vigil for Peace and Justice resumes tomorrow, Saturday, April 2, from noon–1:00 p.m. along Washington Avenue in Grand HavenThis is a silent vigil. We do not chant, shout, or march, but rather stand or sit and meditate on peace, and send our peaceful intentions out to the world. All are welcome to join this vigil, co-sponsored by C3 and Stand for Peace–Michigan. We can hope for good weather, and certainly dress appropriately for the weather conditions, but even if it’s cold, let’s brave the conditions and advocate for peace, keeping in mind all who are suffering brutal combat conditions.

 

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 Havens 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 C3 Book Club meets this coming Tuesday, April 5, at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m. We’ll enjoy hearty discussion of the well-known novella Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. New members are welcome! See you there! If you need to continue attending by Zoom, that is also possible by sending an email to joycevcawthon [at] gmail [dot] comClick here for the list of books selected for the future. 

May 3Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

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 for April

On April 3, 10, and 17, we will collect the following items for the School Gardens Program at Edgewood and Martin Luther King Jr schools in Muskegon Heights.

  • 12 hand trowels for students
  • 2 brooms & dustpans
  • 1 hoe
  • Good quality plastic tablecloths for 6’ tables
  • Clips to secure tablecloths
  • Baskets/plastic tubs for harvesting produce
  • 3 large (50-60 gallon size) totes for storage
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Plastic bowls – large & small for mixing & serving

Volunteers and professionals from MH Coalition for Community Development head and teach gardening at these two schools. Planting, tending, and harvesting the gardens go on through the spring and summer. Preparing foods and snacks for consumption from the garden harvest, using recipes, is part of the program. Read about the Muskegon Heights Coalition for Community Development (CCD) Healthy Heights Program here.

22 Days of Compassion

Compassionate Action is a core value at C3. In June 2015, the Board of Trustees approved C3 Partner Membership with Charter for Compassion. Here is an opportunity offered through Charter for Compassion for each of us to participate in the online 22 Days of Compassion campaign for 2022, which began March 14, and continues through April 4. For information on how to participate, click here

Want to make your life easier and more predictable?

  • Why not put your donations to C3 on autopilot?
  • No more having to remember to send a check!
  • No more trying to remember — did I or didn’t I?
  • It is a secure and easy set up — just call Carol Takas 616-613-3222) at Selby Accounting. Please direct any questions to Mark Smith at treasurer@C3westmichigan.org

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.

Donation Link

Donate via PayPal, it’s safe and secure! 

Momentum Center

  • Community Book Club led by Wes McGee: An initiative of the (Anti) Racism Task Force, this group meets the second Saturday of the month at Loutit Library at 11:00 a.m. The next meeting is Saturday, April 10. For details and the book list, click here.

Saturday, April 2

12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)

Sunday, April 3

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, April 5

6:30 p.m.: C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave St., GH)

 7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group via Zoom

Saturday, April 9

12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)

Sunday, April 10

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

  • Meditation: Beth Buelow

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

11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person