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?”
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
Special Talk Back on October 2
Our new Just Cause calls on us to act on a foundational question: “What are the biggest challenges we face on our shared journey, and how do we respond to those challenges?” To start the process of moving us towards meaningful action, we need to identify those challenges! On October 2 after the Gathering, Kent will lead a Talk Back dedicated to exploring what issues feel most urgent and where C3 wants to channel its energy and resources over the next few years. It promises to be a lively and generative discussion… please plan to join us!
Two Welcome Hosts Needed
We need two more hosts! Our Welcoming Hosts act as a first point of contact, greeting people at the entrances to the Community Center and directing them to the Mackinaw Room for the Gathering. They steer newcomers to the Welcome Table. Each team has four or five members and serves every five weeks. Contact Ellie Williams if you would like to volunteer in this capacity.
C3 Kids Book Cart
A big thank you to those who donated to buy a new cart for Mary Crouse and the C3 Kids! You know who you are! Mary is so grateful and the C3 Kids will benefit.
Countdown to the Big Event
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, than by coming together Sunday, October 9, with a celebration that honors Kent (including Big Bites and cake!), David Dean as emcee, and an auction fundraiser to help us stay financially stable. Just two weeks away!
Silent Auction Fundraiser — Sunday is the last day for auction donation forms!
Our 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. Bidding for most auction items will begin at 50% value and will start after the Gathering. Please deliver auction item donations to the Community Center by 9:00 am on October 9. Contact Teresa Colby with questions. (Email, call or text 616-402-4493)
The list is updated here when new items are added.
- House Concert with Twyce the Band, Drinks, and Food (Nov. 5) from Ira & Valerie Engeltjes
- Airbnb Holland Bungalow Stay from Karen and Ryan Cotton
- Two Dreamwork Sessions with Kent Dobson
- Wall-Hung Sculpture by Wayne Johnson
- Grand Rapids Landmark Painting by Donna St. John from Ira & Valerie Engeltjes
- “Honey Do” List Services from Mark Smith
- Reiki: Japanese Energy Healing Session from Jennifer Chulski
- Explore the World—Travel Tips and Tricks from Andy & Joyce Cawthon
- Andy the Eagle and the Bird (photograph on metal) by Bill Klouw
- Eagles (photograph on metal) by Bill Klouw
- Canvas photo collage and “relic” from South Pier from Jeff Van Abbema
- Baked Goods once a month for a year from Teresa Colbry
- Four Author-Signed Books from Margaret Willey
- Author School Visit from Margaret Willey
- Ten Hours of Manuscript Editing from Jenny Roberts & Margaret Willey
- Four Author-Signed Books from Robert Burleigh & Jenny Roberts
- C3 Tshirt Quilt from Teresa Colbry
- Gourmet Dinner for Six (Oct. 29) from Lynne Deur & Jean McCabe
- Quilt from Leslie Newman
- Wool Felted Scarf from Leslie Newman
- Gift Card to Evereve from Annie Wassmann
- Born with the Rising Sun book by Mary Jo Haskins
- Canoe and/or Kayak riding/usage on Lloyds Bayou from Bob Kleinheksel & Kim Crozier
- Guitar Lessons (3) for beginner(s) with Bob Kleinheksel
- Tree of Life Original Painting by Crista Barnell from Kim Crozier & Bob Kleinheksel
- Angel Light Original Artwork by Holland Native Joel Tannis from Bob Kleinheksel
- Three Counseling/ Relationship Coaching Sessions with Jerry Van Leeuwen, PhD
- Hot Cocoa Bar from Barbara Van Leeuwen
- Handmade Fishing Rod from Tom Edwards
- Printmaking Workshop for Four People with Annie Wassmann
- Plate and David Regester’s Book from Jean Regester
- Steelhead Fishing on the Muskegon River from Tod Wyn
- Metal Wall Hanging from Char Zoet
- German Language/Culture Lesson with Kathy Tosa
- Hat and Pair of Hand Warmers — Two Sets Available from Charity McMaster
- Sonicare Tooth Brush and In-Office Whitening from John O Leitner, DDS
- Coffee and Conversation with Bob Burleigh and Richard Joanisse
If you have questions or want to help, talk to or email: Teresa Colby, Andy Cawthon, Tom Edwards, or Shannon McMaster.
It’s Time for Dine with Nine!
The next Dine with Nine will be Saturday, October 22, at 6:00 p.m. Sign up dates are September 25, October 2 and 9, at the Connections Table. Coordinators of this event are Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith and Mary Ackerson. Questions? Questions? Contact Joyce by email.
Changes at the Community Center
We continue to adjust to sharing space with Life Church at the Community Center. We’re happy that our Welcome Table is back in the lobby, while our other tables, including the name tags, Small Bites, Week 3@C3, and Connections will remain inside the Mackinaw Room.There may 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. Please follow this link to some FAQs. If you have more questions, you’re encouraged to contact Kent or any Board member.
Need a name tag?
New members or members who have lost a name tag may contact Jeff Crandle (chair of Membership Committee) by email or at 616-638-5266 (text preferred). Please be aware that each name tag costs C3 $10, so consider adding that to your contributions.
2022 Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
The event is tomorrow Saturday, September 24, in Central Park in downtown Grand Haven. C3 is a sponsor and team member to this great event.
Volunteers Still Needed for 2022 Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Have the most fun at the Fiesta by helping out for a couple hours! View the list of volunteer opportunities and sign up here. Nancy Owens especially can use more help on the “Greening the Fiesta” project. Scroll down the list to Saturday and find “Greening…” items and pick a spot that works for you, or volunteer for other tasks. Contact Rod Van Abbema with questions.
Questions? Contact Rod Van Abbema
Blood Drive Volunteers Needed on September 28
In July, four C3 volunteers worked at a Red Cross Blood Drive held at the Community Center. It was a satisfying way to give back to our Tri-Cities Community and help people get the blood products that may save their lives. This will now be an ongoing volunteer opportunity for C3 members. The next clinic will be on Wednesday, September 28 at the Community Center. We need three more volunteers to help out that day, registering the donors as they enter the clinic, and working in the “Canteen” where donors stop for 10 minutes before leaving. Contact Nancy Owens if you are interested, and indicate which shift you prefer (9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. or 1:00– 4:30 p.m.).
Adopt-A-Highway — Volunteers Needed!
Thanks to all the volunteers, committed to beautifying our community, who signed up already! We still need more! The cleanup 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 Sunday at the Connections table. This is the last Sunday for sign ups! Questions? Contact Tom Edwards. Website Event Page and Safety Video 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, right next to the Fiesta! We will have some signs in Spanish this week to honor the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta. Website Event Page here.
Automate Your Donations
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.
Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. Online donations can be made here. Automatic donations can be set up by contacting Carol Takas 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.
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.
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 6:30 p.m. on October 4, to discuss this month’s selection Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, which Barnes and Noble called “a book to focus the eyes, open the heart and stretch the imagination about our appropriate relationships within the natural world.” We hope to see you all there. Friends are encouraged to join. Please email Joyce with any questions.
November 1: The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermitby Michael Finkel.
Week 3@C3 for September and October: Dignity Kits—Keeping Girls in School
Our collection for the Dignity Kits project will continue through Sunday, October 16. Visit the Week 3@C3 table in the Gathering room to drop off items; submit contributions by cash, check or card; or learn more about Dignity Kits. If you are participating from home, contributions can be sent to C3–Week 3@C3, P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Click here for a printable list of items needed and instruction sheet.
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.
HFP Presents and Evening with Susan Burton
At 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 13, Humanity for Prisoners sponsors an evening lecture and Q&A session with author Susan Burton. Her book Becoming Ms. Burton brings attention to the continuing problem of racial injustice in an era of mass incarceration. There will be a book study group at the Bookman on Tuesday, October 11at 7:00 p.m., two days prior to the event. See details here.
Free Speech Event
Michael DeWilde will moderate Does Free Speech Need Limits? A Debate on How Free Speech Should Be Understood in Our Times on Friday, October 14, from noon–1:00 p.m. at the Seidman Center in Grand Rapids. See all details here.
Momentum Center: Civil Rights Road Trip Postponed
The Civil Rights Road Trip for October has been postponed due to uncertainties with COVID. The trip will be rescheduled in the spring.
St. John’s Episcopal Church to Host Enough is Enough Event
Saturday, September 24
11:00 a.m.–10:30 p.m.: Hispanic Heritage Fiesta (Central Park, GH)
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, September 25
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: Richard Kamischke
- Music: Jen Sygit
- Meditation: Leslie Newman
- 10:00 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Margaret Willey (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back, in Person
Tuesday, September 27
7:00 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion Hall, 700 S. Harbor Dr., GH)
Saturday, October 1
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Adopt-A-Highway Pick Up (Community Center parking lot, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, October 2
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: Matt Gabriel
- Meditation: TBD
- 10:00 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Charity McMaster (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back, in Person
Kent Dobson has been the lead teacher at C3 since 2017. He’s also in the guide-in-training program at Animas Valley Institute in Colorado, an organization specializing in wilderness intensives. Kent leads Israel study tours, wilderness retreats, and has his own podcast called Hints and Guesses. He’s the author of Bitten by a Camel, a memoir about his time living in Israel and his departure from the evangelical church he was pastoring.
Matt Gabriel is a singer/songwriter who has spent over a decade writing and performing music around the country–the quality of folk and blues you would expect from an artist who grew up between Chicago and Detroit. He’s got a must-see live show and a very approachable recorded sound. It’s music you can trust and believe in.