C3 inspires spiritual, intellectual, and creative exploration and action, led by the questions, “what are the biggest challenges we face on our shared journey, and how do we respond to those challenges?”
As this awful anniversary of 9/11 arrives, we grieve the lives lost, hold in mind the lives forever changed, and perhaps contemplate the changes brought about by the events of that day. And keep this desire forefront: May all people live in peace.
C3 Teacher Kent Dobson addresses the timely question Can We End Right/Left Tribalism? We’re addressing some of The Great Questions in our current series of teachings, and getting some direction on this question will be valuable. Please join us in person if you’re able, or view the Gathering on C3’s Facebook page. Charity McMaster will have a meditation, and the Folias Duo visits for a third time this year with their captivating original music.
Masks are optional at our In-Person Gathering. The decision of whether or not to wear a mask will be up to each individual.
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.
Additional Resources
- YouTube Channel: Weekly Meditation Videos*
- Podcast Channel: Weekly Teaching Audios*
*posted Sunday afternoons or later in week - Printable list of C3 Values
- Last week’s Newsletter and Bulletin
- 🆕 C3 Updates and 🆕 Events on our website
Changes at the Community Center
We experienced our first Sunday sharing space with Life Church at the Community Center last week. They will hold their adult services in the theater room, keeping their kids’ services across the street in their existing building. They are out of space and have been looking for some months for a solution. The Board is working with them and the Community Center to make this change go as smoothly as possible. Please follow this link to some FAQs. Look for our lobby tables, including the name tags, Small Bites, Welcome Table, and Week 3@C3 inside the Mackinaw Room, rather than in the lobby.
If you have more questions, you’re encouraged to contact Kent or any Board member. There will be some kinks to work out in the flow in sharing the Community Center and we ’ll all work together to make this a mutually beneficial space.
Five-Year Celebration and C3 Auction 28 Days Away on Sunday!
What better way to celebrate and honor five years with Kent as our lead teacher, survival through COVID, and our commitment to continuing on our unique C3 journey? By coming together October 9, with a celebration that honors our Kent and an auction fundraiser to help us stay financially stable. And do it in 28 remaining days!
Auction Update
Our early auction items are as fabulous as our members! They’re a collection of unique items, experiences, and services. There’s nothing here you can buy at a store. These truly are amazing!
- Wall-Hung Sculpture by Wayne Johnson
- “Honey Do” List Services from Mark Smith
- Reiki: Japanese Energy Healing Session from Jennifer Chulski
- Travel Tutorial—Tips and Tricks from Andy and Joyce Cawthon
- Photography by Jeff Van Abbema
- House Concert with Live Music, Drinks, and Food from Ira and Valerie Engeltjes
- Baked Goods once a month for a year from Teresa Colbry
- Author-Signed book, Editing, School Visit from Margaret Willey
- Quilt from C3 Tshirts from Teresa Colbry
- Bed and Breakfast Stay from Karen and Ryan Cotton
- Photography Piece/Art by Beth Buelow
- Poetry/Image Wall Art by Rod Van Abbema
- Grand Rapids Landmark Painting by West Michigan artist Donna St. Johnfrom Ira and Valerie Engeltjes
Those are some of the confirmed items, with more to come from…you?
If you have questions or want to help, talk to or email: Teresa Colby, Andy Cawthon, Tom Edwards, or Shannon McMaster.
Auction Donation Form (pdf) here. 🆕 Website Event Page here.
🆕 It’s Time for Dine with Nine!
The next Dine with Nine will be Saturday, October 22, at 6:00 p.m. Mark your calendar! Sign up dates are September 11, 18, 25, October 2 and 9, at the Connections Table.
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 will provide the main entrée.
Coordinators of this event are Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith and Mary Ackerson. Questions? Contact: Joyce or 616-502-3133.
Website Event Page here.
🆕 Need a name tag?
New members or members who have lost a name tag may contact Jeff Crandle (chair of Membership Committee). Please be aware that each name tag costs C3 $10, so consider adding that to your contributions.
Book Cart Needed for C3 Kids
Mary Crouse is currently in need of a new book cart for C3 Kids. We found one from a library supply catalog; cost is around $275. The Education Committee is asking for 1) donations to help cover the cost of a new book cart or 2) suggestions for finding a used book cart in good condition. If you have any thoughts or suggestions about this, contact Margaret Willey.
2022 Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
The event is Saturday, September 24, in Central Park in downtown Grand Haven. C3 is a sponsor and team member to this great event.
Hispanic Heritage Fiesta Volunteers
Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt and lunch. Listing of all volunteer opportunities and sign up here.
🆕 C3 Mercado Booth Volunteers
Volunteers are also needed to sign up to take a shift at the C3 booth at the Mercado on Saturday between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. We’ll be selling cookies, so bakers are also encouraged to sign up at the Connections table!
Questions? Contact Rod Van Abbema Website Event Page here.
Vigil for Peace and Justice
Join our Vigil for Peace and Justice this Saturday from noon–1:00 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. Bring a chair to sit, if that is easier for you. We have plenty of signs to use, or be creative and make your own! Website Event Page here.
Adopt-A-Highway: Saturday, October 1
The final Adopt-A-Highway cleanup for 2022 will be held on Saturday, October 1, with Sunday, October 2 (after the Gathering) as a rain date. Sign up anytime via email (name and phone number please) or at the Connections table. Questions? Contact Tom Edwards. Website Event Page here.
🆕 Humanity for Prisoners September Newsletter
Click here to read this month’s newsletter from Humanity for Prisoners.
Caring for the members of our C3 Community is a shared communal responsibility, rather than a role reserved for a pastor, priest, or leader. Our C3 Community Care Team encourages members to support each other at time of need with notes, cards, phone calls, visits, meals, and transportation. C3 members are urged to contact the Community Care Team to inform them of life events, illness, or hardships, which can be shared with the C3 Community. To report a need or request help, or to help visit members in hospital, rehab or recovering at home, contact Cheryl Van Abbema: email or Mike and Charlotte Rozich: email.
Kathy Tosa’s mother, Margot McAfoos, died on Sunday, August 7, in southern Illinois, where she lived. You can read her obituary here.
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men ’s Group meets each Tuesday from 7:00–8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Harbor Drive in Grand Haven. Questions? Contact Phil Koster. Website Event Page here.
C3 Book Club and Friends
Join the C3 Book Club at The Bookman at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, to discuss this month ’s selection Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Barnes and Noble calls Braiding Sweetgrass “a book to focus the eyes, open the heart and stretch the imagination about our appropriate relationships within the natural world. Hundreds of thousands of readers have turned to Kimmerer’s . . . tender, poetic, and respectful words . . . we do well to listen and take the guidance to heart.” Named New York Times and Washington Post Bestseller; Best Essay Collection of the Decade by Literary Hub. We hope to see you all there, and remember, friends are encouraged to join. Please email Joyce Cawthonat with any questions. Website Event Page here.
November 1: The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel.
Week 3@C3 for September and October: Dignity Kits—Keeping Girls in School
Dignity Kits mean sustainable support for women and girls. Kits contain eco-friendly, washable menstrual pads and other hygiene items and fill an urgent need for hygiene supplies. Week 3@C3 will assist the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) of Goshen, Indiana, in putting kits together by providing the following:
Click here for a printable list and instruction sheet.
- 3 pairs of briefs (cotton; women’s sizes small, medium or large – one size per kit; no red)
- 1 hand towel (medium weight; dark or bright color; approximately 16” x 26”)
- 1 washcloth (medium weight; dark or bright color)
- 2 regular bars of bath soap (leave in wrappers; no “hotel” bars)
- 1 large bar of laundry soap (Fels Naptha, Sunlight or Zote brand)
- 1 wide-toothed comb (6 – 8 inches)
- 1 nail clippers (good quality)
- 4 plastic or wood clothes pins
- 4 heavy duty safety pins (two one-inch pins and two two-inch pins)
Instructions: Place contents in a brown paper bag and label the bag according to the size of the briefs. Kit will be repacked at MCC into a new two-gallon pail with a lid. Note: if unable to find any of the above items, attach note to bag, committee will add item.
We’ll do the shopping for you. One kit/$35; three kits/$100. Stop at the Week3@C3 table, or make a check out to C3, note C3-Dignity Kits on the memo line, and mail to: C3, P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Website Event Page here.
Momentum Center
There are events happening at the Momentum Center! Follow their Facebook page to stay informed. These upcoming events may be of interest. Click on each link for details.
- Dinner and Movie Night: Reunited States, Friday, September 9. Click here for details. Followed by a Virtual Community Conversation on Thursday, September 22, 6:00 p.m.
- Next Civil Rights Road Trip: The dates for the next Civil Rights Road Trip have been set as October 24-27, 2022. See the flyer with all the details here.
Also… - Looking for Volunteers: The Momentum Center locations in Grand Haven and Holland are always on the lookout for people who want to lend a hand. Click here to see the many opportunities to share your passion for ending stigma in our community. There are quick, recurring errands; one-time activities; and opportunities to share an interest, hobby, or skill. What might fit your schedule?
St. John’s Episcopal Church to Host Enough is Enough Event
Saturday, September 10
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, September 11
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: Folias Duo
Meditation: Charity McMaster
10:00 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Joyce Cawthon (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back, in Person
Tuesday, September 13
7:00 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion Hall, 700 S. Harbor Dr., GH)
Wednesday, September 14
6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)
Saturday, September 17
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, September 18
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: John Sanger
Meditation: Wayne Johnson
10:00 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back, in Person
Kent Dobson helps people orient their life to be in deeper relationship with Mystery, the shape of their own soul, and to a meaningful sense of their unique voice in the world.
John Sanger 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.