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?”
Our resident Guest Teacher Beth Buelow adds this question to the series of The Great Questions: What if We’re Wrong about Everything? Whoa! That should be an interesting talk! Jen Sygit returns with her unique style. She’s always a great musical guest. Charity McMaster has the meditation, so this week three women will lead the Gathering. Will you join us? It’s always good to greet each other in person, but if you can’t make it to Central Park Place*, you can also watch online!
🆕 *Another change! The City of Grand Haven has given Grand Haven Community Center a new name—Central Park Place! This will take some getting used to, but in our publications, we will try to make the change wherever needed. Just know that C3 hasn’t moved—just the name of the place we meet has been changed.
🆕 Thanks for attending Dine with Nine!
Those who attended the last Dine with Nine event report that a good time was had by all! These evenings are a great opportunity to get to know C3 members better, in a relaxed setting, while enjoying good food and great conversation. Please consider participating the next time Dine with Nine is scheduled!
Left to right: Shannon and Charity McMaster, Ellie Williams, Mary Ellen Mika (host), Kathy Smith, and Chrys Moelter-Gray. Not pictured: Mark Smith (photographer) and John Job (host, outside barbecuing) + one person had to cancel.
How About a Think Hike!
After the Gathering next Sunday, November 6, David Dean will host a Think Hike at Hemlock Crossing Park (8115 West Olive Road, West Olive, MI 49460). The plan is to meet there at 12:30 p.m., where we will gather in the parking lot and head out on a hike. We will discuss the Gathering theme as we take in the natural beauty of the park and enjoy each others’ company. We can carpool from the Community Center, if you’d like. Plan for about an hour-long hike. If the weather is poor, we will reschedule for another Sunday.Questions? Contact David at 616-843-1979. Event website page here.
Annual Board of Trustees Election
In accordance with our community’s bylaws, the Board of Trustees is preparing for our annual board election to be held in February 2023. This message is intended to alert members to the process of becoming a candidate for the Board election.
Three seats will be open for the 2023-2025 Board. Two incumbent board members, Beth Buelow and Rod Van Abbema, will be running for re-election. A third seat is open with one candidate confirmed. Please note that the Board is hoping to elect the C3 Treasurer position from one of the open chairs.
If you are interested and need further information, please contact any of the current Board members. We will continue to update you as the process continues.
Kent Dobson Five-Year Celebration and Fundraising Silent Auction
Our Five-Year Celebration and C3 Auction were both great fun and a big success. To all those who donated items, worked on the event, and bid on items,THANK YOU! Because of everyone’s efforts we raised just over $8,800! If you didn’t have a winning bid, or you weren’t able to attend the auction, please consider making a special donation today, or donating online. It takes a lot of time, energy, and money to produce all the great things that happen at C3. Your support matters and is greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Kent Dobson. Photo by Bill Klouw.
Welcome Hosts Needed
We need more hosts to be a strong presence at the entry to Central Park Place and in the lobby—especially for our White Team, which has recently lost members! Our Welcoming Hosts act as a first point of contact, greeting people at the entrances to Central Park Place and directing them to the Mackinaw Room for the Gathering. They steer newcomers to the Welcome Table. Each team needs four or five members to serve every five weeks. We also need folks willing to serve as subs. Contact Ellie Williams if you would like to volunteer in this capacity.
🆕 Find It on Our Website!
Do you know our weekly teachings are available as a podcast? Navigate to the bottom of any C3 website page and look for the social icon buttons. From there it is an easy jump to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our podcast feed The Stage at C3.
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.
Joann Martin, long-time C3 member, died on October 1, 2022. She and husband Roger (who died in April) often attended both the Pre-Talk and Gathering, but they hadn’t been able to in the past couple years. Joann’s obituary can be read here.
🆕 Week 3@C3 for November: Greater Ottawa County United for Warmth Campaign
Help keep families in Ottawa and Allegan counties warm during the cold weather, by providing the items suggested below. Please note that United Way requests new or unused items. Bring the items to the Gathering on November 6, 13, or 20.
- For men, women, and children: coats and heavy sweatshirts; flannel shirts, sweaters, and vests for layering; hats, mittens, gloves, scarves.
- For indoors: blankets, fleece throws, warm quilts or comforters.
Did you know that we are now able to accept donations of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds? When you donate stock to charity, you’ll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value. Because you are donating stock, your contribution and tax deduction may instantly increase over 20% or more, depending on your tax situation and any gains in the value of the stock. If this sounds like an option for you, please talk to your financial services representative, and if you have any questions re: process, please contact Mark Smith, Treasurer.
Honor and Memorial Giving Program
The Finance Committee has created a new program for Honor and Memorial giving to support C3. Look for the cards at the Gathering. The gifts, with permission, will be listed in the newsletter (names only, no dollar amounts). As always, your donations are invaluable to us.
The first gift received through the Honor and Memorial Giving program was an anonymous gift in honor of “All my mentors.”
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.
Vigil for Peace and Justice
Dress for the weather and join our Vigil for Peace and Justice this Saturday from noon–1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. We have signs! Bring a chair if sitting is more comfortable for you. Event webpage here.
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men ’s Group meets each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Harbor Drive in Grand Haven. Questions? Contact Phil Koster at 616-402-1751. Event webpage here.
C3 Book Club and Friends
We meet this coming Tuesday, November 1, at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m. to talk about The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel. Remember, friends are encouraged to attend. Any questions email Joyce Cawthon. Event webpage here.
🆕 Oppose Book Ban in SLPS
Charity and Shannon McMaster have filed a complaint with the ACLU of Michigan about the removal of the book Gender Queer from the Spring Lake High School library. They encourage other community members concerned about this book ban to do the same. See details here about how to take action.
🆕 Thanksgiving Community Feast
After 29 years, the Community Thanksgiving Feast will no longer be held. It started at Christ Community Church, then moved to St. Mary’s when C3 sold our building on Exchange Street. Thanks to Dan Steigenga for his years of service, and to all the community members (including C3ers) who have helped out over the years.
C3ers Help out at Kenzie’s Be Café
Thanks to Andy Cawthon for organizing a few C3ers, who helped clean and prepare Kenzie’s Be Café on Thursday, October 20, in preparation for its opening.
Friends of the Muskegon Heights Library
The Friends of the Muskegon Heights Library are working to regroup and continue their efforts to support the Muskegon Heights Branch Public Library (2808 Sanford Street). Leslie Newman and Char Zoet are active supporters of this volunteer group. Please speak with either of them to learn how you can help!
Saturday, October 29
Noon Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, October 30
Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9 a.m. Pre-Talk
10 a.m. C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary and volunteer Sally Alderink
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
- Guest Teacher: Beth Buelow
- Music: Jen Sygit
- Meditation: Charity McMaster
11 a.m. Talk Back, In Person
Tuesday, November 1
6:30 p.m. C3 Book Club & Friends (The Bookman)
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion, GH)
Saturday, November 5
Noon Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, November 6
Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9 a.m. Pre-Talk, in Person
10 a.m. C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary and volunteer TBA
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
- C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
- Music: Molly
- Meditation: Nelleke Knarr
11 a.m. Talk Back
Kent Dobson has been our lead teacher since September 2017. He 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.
Molly is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Grand Rapids.She writes to explore what it means to be a Black woman in America. Her unique past and desire for a sense of freedom inform both her emotive style and her thought-provoking lyrics, making for a moody, eclectic, colorful, and soulful sound.
C3 Membership Directory (login required)
C3 Website>Values (printable list here)
🆕 Last week’s Newsletter and Bulletin
C3 Spiritual Community Office
1447 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Automatic donations are handled by Carol Takas at Selby Accounting.
Please direct any questions to Mark Smith.
C3 Board of Trustees
Chair: Sally Alderink
Vice-Chair: Tom Edwards
Secretary: Valerie Engeltjes
Treasurer: Mark Smith
Newsletter Submissions and Editor: Chrysteen Moelter-Gray
Newsletter Designer: Annie Wassmann
Copyright © 2022 C3 Spiritual Community. All rights reserved.