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?”
We are pleased to welcome C3 Teacher Kent Dobson back from his travels this week. His question for our ongoing series We Have Questions is Can We Grow into Ancestors? The California-based group Thrown Out Bones returns to provide the music, and Margaret Willey will give the meditation.
All C3 Sunday-morning events take place in the Mackinaw Ballroom at Central Park Place. Pre-Talk and Awakenings start at 9 a.m. The Gathering begins at 10 a.m. Small Bites and Talk Back follow the Gathering. C3 Kids meet at 10 a.m. in the C3 Kids’ area in the Mackinaw Room. If you aren’t able to join us in person, you can watch the Gathering online on C3’s Facebook page.
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Need Event Information? Our website has a full event calendar > Upcoming Events
🆕 Last Sunday’s Teaching and Meditation (no recordings available).
🆕 Flea Market = Success
Thank you to everyone who donated goods, worked the space, and shopped our flea market booth last Sunday. The proceeds from the event were over $600 and we received a lot of good feedback from our customers.
Photos by Kathy Tosa
Board of Trustees Election Nomination Period
The nomination period for Board of Trustee candidates is now open and runs from August 1 through October 1. Anyone interested in running for office should contact a current board member. Please encourage other potential candidates to apply.
🆕 New C3 Logo T-Shirts
After the Gatherings, Teresa Colbry will be taking orders for new C3 logo t-shirts! We’ve mocked up the shirts in two colors — Indigo Blue and Prairie Dust Brown. The cost of the shirts is $15, payable when the shirt is ordered by cash or check. We need 25 pre-paid orders of a single color to move forward. We may have to gang orders into one color. T-Shirt Specs: Gildan Ultra 100% Cotton, Short Sleeve; Crew neck (No V necks at this time); Unisex sizing (S, M, L, XL; XXL—add $2); Logo will be screen printed in white ink.
🆕 Thanks for Your Assistance!
Chuck Tawney appreciates the help from Rod, Jeff, Gordy, and Andy in tearing down our set-up in the Mackinaw Room last week. Shelby, the one and only city worker, and Chuck, were able to get the room ready for the next event by 12:30! Shelby wants you all to know how much she appreciated that help. Chuck noted that small actions by many and select individuals had a cascading (and positive) effect.
Wanted: Great Guest Teachers
If you know of someone who would be perfect to serve as a guest teacher at our Sunday Gathering, we’d love to know about him or her! In addition to the person’s name and contact information, it would be helpful if you could add items like where you heard him/her speak, if there’s a YouTube or other video to see the person in action, or anything else you think is pertinent.
Simply send an email to GuestTeacherNames [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org with as much information as you can about the person. Thanks for your help!
C3 Summer Fundraiser Update
Gordy Alderink, John Leitner, Ira Engeltjes, and Andy Cawthon have been pedaling to up the ante, while Chrys Moelter-Gray has added a few more swims in Lake MIchigan, all to raise funds for C3. You are encouraged to sponsor any of these C3ers with a pledge! They will continue pedaling and dipping until Sunday, September 17, and will report totals and dollars shortly after that.
Billboard Project Is Alive and Well
Our two billboards (same design as first) are up on US-31, one south of Grand Haven and the other north. Use this opportunity to invite friends and family to one of our Gatherings, and remember to say hello to new faces you encounter on Sunday mornings.
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.
Cyndi Casemier’s mother Carolyn Casemier-Rotz, passed away on July 23. The obituary may be read here. A Celebration of Life will be held September 2, 4 to 7 p.m. at Klaasen’s Funeral Home. Cards may be sent to Cyndi at 13489 Redbird Lane, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Carolyn DeVries is back at home! She welcomes texts.
🆕 Hank & Karen Nash have moved to Washington state, north of Seattle, to live closer to family. Karen reports “a plethora of liberal churches out here.” They have asked to share their new contact information with C3 friends. Address: 15932 Village Green Drive, Unit D, Mill Creek, WA 98012.
We have missed seeing Jerry & Barbara VanLeeuwen for the past two months. At the end of May, Barb was diagnosed with a rare oral cancer. On June 16, she had oral reconstructive surgery at U of M Hospital, to be followed by radiation and chemotherapy. As Barb shared, “This is not a picnic.” You may send a note to Barb via text or email or at home 2669 Weatherby Hills Drive SE, Grand Rapids 49546.
🆕 Vigil for Peace and Justice
Please note that due to the Coast Guard Parade tomorrow (August 5), there will be no Vigil for Peace and Justice. We resume next Saturday, August 12, from noon to 1 p.m.
🆕 Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Mark Saturday, September 16, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on your calendar as the date for this year’s Hispanic Heritage Fiesta! C3 is a sponsor and on the planning team. This event honors our Hispanic community with music, dance, a Mercado (marketplace), kids’ activities, food, and more. We will have a C3 Booth, and need a canopy for the day. Please contact Rod Van Abbema if you have one to loan. C3 event webpage.
🆕 Fall Adopt-A-Highway Date
Another important date to set aside is the morning of September 30. Our fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup has been scheduled for that Saturday. Rain date is Sunday, October 1, after the Gathering. C3 event webpage.
Week 3@C3 in August
We’re collecting Back-to-School items based on teachers’ stated needs within the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy system. The items will be distributed by the teachers themselves, based on needs of individual classrooms and teachers. See the printable list of possible donations here. You may bring items from the list below to C3 on August 6, 13 or 20.
- Copy paper – 8 1/2″ x 11″ white; by case or ream; lots
- Sanitizer wipes – Clorox brand suggested; dozens of containers
- Kleenex or other similar brand tissues; multiple boxes
- Standard, spiral-bound notebooks – wide ruled (important!); dozens
- Pocket folders – hundreds; colorful
- Pencils – #2 Ticonderoga brand (specifically for testing); many packages
- Pink Pearl erasers
- Crayola wax crayons: 24-ct boxes; individual boxes or packs of six or more
- Colored pencils – for students (not adult type); many boxes
- Scotch tape – replacement rolls for dispensers or regular filled plastic dispensers
- Lysol scented sprays
Please note specifics, as other item types may not be useful in the classroom. These are very basic school supplies. Let’s be generous and see to what degree we can relieve the teachers at MLK from having to spend their own money to achieve success in their classrooms. You may also consider sending a check made out to “C3–Back to School Project.” Mail to Week 3 @ C3, P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417, and we will shop for you.
Travel-size Items
Every Woman’s Place takes contributions of travel size toiletry items—shampoo, conditioner, wrapped soap, lotions, nail files, floss. If you have any of these to contribute, bring them any Sunday to the Week 3@C3 table.
🆕 Sunday Dinner Group
We’re meeting again at William Ferry Park in Ferrysburg (110 Pine Street) at 5:30 on Sunday evening, repeating our “Bring Your Own Picnic” (or grab some take-out food on the way)!
Photo by Suzi Koster
C3 Book Club and Friends
We will meet on Tuesday, August 15, 6 p.m. at the Bookman to talk about On Being Mortal by Atul Gawande.
September 19: The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton (Possible pot luck dinner, place to be determined)
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men’s Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the American Legion Hall on Harbor Drive. Contact Phil Koster for more information.
THANK YOU! Your support matters and is greatly appreciated!
It takes a lot of time, energy, and money to produce all the great things that happen at C3. Whether it is our Sunday Gatherings or working within our West Michigan communities, we strive to make a difference, with compassion. Your financial support allows us to continue to learn, teach and live our values to heal and effect change.
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.
🆕 House of Hamill at Midtown GR Tonight!
Our musical friends with House of Hamill have a show tonight (Friday, August 4) at Midtown Grand Rapids (Quinn Matthews’ venue). Click the link for information and tickets.
🆕 Books and Bling Sale at Muskegon Heights Branch Library
- Please donate any costume jewelry and/or books with multicultural content with which you’re willing to part, by bringing it to the Gathering this Sunday, August 6. Put it on the Outreach table over by the north windows.
- Attend the sale on Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Muskegon Heights Branch Library, 2808 Sanford Street, Muskegon Heights, 49444. Take a look at the beautifully renovated library and see if there isn’t something that tickles your fancy to purchase.
Summer Theater!
C3 member Julie Bratton and C3 Friends Joe and Natalie Carmolli are appearing in The Book of Will, part of the Playhouse at White Lake’s Summer Theater Festival. Based on a true story—it’s 1619, William Shakespeare has been dead for three years and the members of his acting troupe are starting to pass away too. The remaining members realize…nothing is written down! Shakespeare only gave each actor the words he was to say. What happens to the plays when no one is alive to remember them? A meditation on life, loss, love, Shakespeare, theater, and the quietly steadfast leadership of women. Performances August 11-13. Get your tickets here.
Momentum Center
- Town Hall Meeting. The first post-pandemic in-person town hall meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 14, at the new Momentum Center location (401 N. 7th Street, Grand Haven). The topic is COVID: Effects on Mental Illness and Substance Abuse. Details here.
- 🆕 Free Dinner and Movie Night. Hot dogs and burgers from the grill are the featured menu items for the free dinner on Friday, August 11, at 5:00 p.m. Pot luck items are welcome, but not expected. The movie Nimona begins at 6 p.m. This movie is out-of-the-ordinary, and sure to stretch your imagination. This is always a fun event!
Faith and Politics in Ottawa County
A panel discussion on this topic takes place on Thursday, August 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Central Park Place, Grand Haven, put on by The Ottawa Coalition of the Unifying Congregations. Further information is available on the Unifying Coalition website.
Saturday, August 5
12 p.m. NO Vigil for Peace and Justice
Sunday, August 6
All events held in the Mackinaw Ballroom in Central Park Place (421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9 a.m. Pre-Talk & Awakenings
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Eleanor Hills
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
• Music: Thrown Out Bones
• Meditation: Margaret Willey
11 a.m. Talk Back
5:30 p.m. Dinner Group (BYO Picnic, William Ferry Park, Ferrysburg)
Tuesday, August 8
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion, GH)
Wednesday, August 9
6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)
Saturday, August 12
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)
Sunday, August 13
All events held in the Mackinaw Ballroom in Central Park Place (421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9 a.m. Pre-Talk & Awakenings
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Sandy Kate Stephens
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• C3 Teacher: Greg Rappleye
• Music: Annagail
• Meditation: Rod Van Abbema
11 a.m. Talk Back
Greg Rappleye is a graduate of Albion College, the U of M Law School, and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina. He has taught for more than 20 years in the English Department at Hope College. From 1991-2017, he was Corporation Counsel of Ottawa County, Michigan. His published works include Figured Dark: Poems (Arkansas Poetry Award) and A Path Between Houses (Brittingham Prize in Poetry). His most current project is Barley Child, which is awaiting publication.
Annagail has always defied and stretched genres, equal parts singer/songwriters and rock band. Thinking man ’s Americana. Pop for philosophers? Country for the curious? Rock for the recluse? Whatever you call them, Annagail weave heartache and hope for the disillusioned.
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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.
Kent’s next program is Wilderness Within Intensive, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington on September 14-17, 2023. “This program is designed to facilitate a deeper conversation between who you are, the wild world, and your deepest longing. Kent Dobson and Ryan Meeks will be co-guiding this intensive. There will be rich conversation, practices, ceremonies, and wanders. Anyone is welcome, with or without outdoor experience.”
C3 Spiritual Community Office
1447 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Becky Park, Office Manager
Office Hours: Wednesday 12:30–2:30 p.m., Friday 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., or by appointment
Automatic donations are handled by Carol Takas at Selby Accounting.
Please direct any questions to Shannon McMaster.
C3 Board of Trustees
Chair: Sally Alderink
Vice-Chair: Teresa Colbry
Secretary: Valerie Engeltjes
Treasurer: Shannon McMaster
Beth Buelow
Andy Cawthon
Kim Crozier
Tom Edwards
Kathy Humphrey
Wayne Johnson
Rod Van Abbema
Newsletter Submissions and Editor: Chrysteen Moelter-Gray.
Newsletter Designer: Annie Wassmann
Copyright © 2023 C3 Spiritual Community. All rights reserved.