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?”

C3 Teacher Kent Dobson will be with us each Sunday this month, as we explore Spirituality for the 21st Century. This week he asks, What’s a Spiritual Experience, and What’s the Point? Long-time favorites Ruth and Max Bloomquist join us once again with their musical contributions. Andy Cawthon shares a meditation.

Don’t forget the time change on Sunday! Join us at Central Park Place for the Gathering! Pre-Talk is at 9 a.m. in the Woodbine Room; the Gathering begins at 10 a.m. in the Mackinaw Room; Small Bites and Talk Back follow the Gathering. C3 Kids meet at 10 in the Woodbine Room. If you aren’t able to join us in person, you can watch the Gathering online on C3’s Facebook page.

Sunday Gathering Information here. Additional Resources here.
🆕 Last Sunday’s Teaching here.

🆕 News from the Board

First, a huge thank-you to everyone who contacted a Grand Haven City Council member! You were integral in the decision to investigate the situation further before anything came to a vote. We have more meetings with the city manager planned and will keep you informed as the situation evolves.
At the Board meeting on Wednesday, we officially thanked Mark Smith for his six years of service and welcomed Shannon McMaster to the Board.
The elected officials for 2023 are: Sally Alderink, Chair; Teresa Colbry, Vice-Chair; Shannon McMaster, Treasurer; and Valerie Engeltjes, Secretary.
Office Manager Becky Park will be in the C3 office (1447 Washington Ave, GH) on Wednesdays from 12:30–2:30 p.m. and Fridays from 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. She will have more hours in which she is available by appointment.

🆕 Thanks to Our Small Bites Contributors—
Char Zoet, Joyce Cawthon, Teresa Colbry, Cheryl Van Abbema, Kathy Smith, Barb Van Leeuwen, Bev Hundley, Jen Snideman, Tom Redick, Carolyn DeVries, Karen Cotton, Cindy Abraham, Lana Brock, Kathy Tosa, and Leslie Newman! Your generosity and willingness to bring us treats on a regular (or emergency) basis adds such a valued part to our Sunday morning experience! Special recognition to Cheryl and Kathy (Smith), who cover for Small Bites organizer Patti Baldus, when she isn’t able to do the setup and cleanup. If you’d like to join this group of wonderful folks and bring some treats to our Gathering on a once-per-month basis, contact Patti. We always welcome new volunteers!

Sunday Dinner Group

We will meet again at The Kirby at 5:30 p.m. Sunday evening. Please add your name and phone number to the list on the table at the back of the Gathering room before you leave on Sunday if you’re planning on coming. Due to our large group (27 last week!), we need to phone in the reservation by 12:30!

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.

🆕 Longtime friend of C3 Lowell VanDeRiet passed away on March 2. His wife Mary noted that “he loved being with you all both before and after the service to engage in conversation on important topics.” The funeral will be at Lakeshore Memorial Services (11939 James Street, Holland) on Saturday, March 18. Visitation is from 1-2 p.m., with the service at 2 p.m. Cards may be sent to Mary at 1495 Stoney Lake Drive, Holland, MI 49424.

Jeanne Shell, who is in Florida, fell on Wednesday, March 1, and broke her femur. She underwent surgery the next day, which went as planned. Cards may be sent to her at 70 N. McCall Road, Englewood, FL 34223.

Use your IRA and/or Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to support C3

Would you like to save money on your taxes and support C3 at the same time? You can use money in your IRA to contribute directly to a charitable organization like C3, without it being considered a taxable distribution. The same applies if you are required to take an RMD. Be certain to consult with your tax advisor or financial representative as it is important to understand the process and follow the appropriate guidelines.

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.

Week 3@C3

Our Week 3@C3 project for March is very local. We are collecting laundry soap, dish soap, canned fruit, and canned pasta (think SpaghettioOs, etc.) for The People Center! Items can be brought to the Week 3@C3 table in the Mackinaw Room the weeks of March 12 and 19.

Gear Up for April Outreach Activities!

Make C3’s presence felt in the greater community by showing up and participating in these Outreach activities, which return in April:

🆕 Vigil for Peace and Justice–Saturdays from noon –1 p.m., starting April 1, Washington Avenue at Central Park
Adopt-A-Hightway Cleanup: Saturday, April 22, 10 a.m.
Earth Day Fair: Saturday, April 29, details coming soon

🆕 C3 Book Club and Friends

Please note this important change! Starting in April, C3 Book Club will meet on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. The book for our meeting on April 18 is One Long River of Song by Brian Doyle.

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.

Black History Event at Frauenthal

There are still three performances of Detroit ’ 67 scheduled at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon: one this evening (Friday, March 10) and two on Saturday, March 11. Further information and tickets are available at the link. Why not ask a few of your C3 friends to join you?

News from The Diatribe

Have you been wondering what’s going on at The Diatribe in Grand Rapids? They have become a powerful force for the Black, Brown and Queer folks in Grand Rapids. Fable (Marcel Price) and Gleason (now their preferred name) are the primary leaders of the organization; both have filled the role of Teacher at C3 in the past. Learn the latest from their February newsletter and learn more at The Diatribe website.

Momentum Center

— 🆕 Free Dinner and Movie Night—Tonight!

Join community members for free dinner (pot-luck items welcome but not necessary) at 5 p.m., followed by Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio at 6, at the Momentum Center (714 Columbus Ave, GH). Details here.

—Mental Health First Aid Training

A three-part series sponsored by Arbor Circle and the Momentum Center is offered beginning March 14. See details and the link to register here.

—Civil Rights Road Trip

There is still time to register for the second Civil Rights Road Trip, scheduled for April 24-27, 2023. If you have questions about it, Ellie Williams, Tom Redick, Betty Porter, Chrys Moelter-Gray, Kathy Humphrey, Jane and Bill Curtis, and Cindy Anderson all made the first trip and can talk with you about the life-changing experience it was for them. Registration deadline is March 15.

Sunday, March 12

Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)

9 a.m. Pre-Talk, in Person (Woodbine Room)

10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus (Woodbine Room)

10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook

C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
Music: Ruth and Max Bloomquist
Meditation: Andy Cawthon

11 a.m. Talk Back

Tuesday, March 14

7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion, GH)

Sunday, March 19

Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)

9 a.m. Pre-Talk, in Person (Woodbine Room)

10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus (Woodbine Room)

10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook

C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
Music: Emilee Petersmark
Meditation: Leslie Newman

11 a.m. Talk Back

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.

Emily Petersmark has been a member of the Grand Rapids band The Crane Wives for a decade. She now has a growing collection of songs that she performs solo. She has also worked as an acclaimed visual artist, producing original artwork as well as commissions for musicians like the Accidentals.

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Lead Teacher Kent Dobson

There is a lot more to discover and learn from Kent Dobson on his website, and by listening to his podcast Hints and Guesses. Sign up here for updates about his programs, events, podcasts, teachings, and more.