Update for September 17, 2023

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?”

Brie Stoner returns to the C3 stage this week in dual roles as Guest Teacher and as Musician. She will talk about Setting Free: From Grief to Gratitude and a Generative Generosity, and we look forward to her musical talents as well. Charity McMaster will offer the meditation.

Our weekly Gathering takes place in the Mackinaw Ballroom at Central Park Place every Sunday at 10 a.m. Pre-Talk and Awakenings (meditation) precede the Gathering at 9 a.m. After the Gathering, enjoy a Small Bite and join Talk Back. Our C3 Kids meet at 10 a.m. in the C3 Kids’ area of the Mackinaw Room. The Gathering is live-streamed on C3’s Facebook page. 

• Missed an email? Revisit or catch up on our website > Updates
• Need Event Information? Our website has a full event calendar > Upcoming Events
  
• 🆕  Last Sunday’s Teaching here and Meditation here.

🆕  Save These Dates!

Be sure to mark your calendar for October 22 and November 5. October 22 is Kent’s last Sunday as our lead teacher. Plan to stay after the Gathering for a special time to celebrate his six years with us and send him off with our thanks and good wishes.

     Because of our recently approved bylaws changes, our annual meeting will be held on November 5 immediately following the Gathering. At this time we’ll reaffirm our commitment to the C3 community, elect new Board of Trustees members, and learn more about what’s going on in many different areas of C3.

     You won’t want to miss either of these special Sundays!

C3 Summer Fundraiser – Pledges Now Due

If you pledged to one of the participants (Gordy Alderink, Andy Cawthon, Ira Engeltjes, John Leitner, or Chrys Moelter-Gray) for the Summer Fundraiser, please expect to connect with that person to learn their final accomplishment and submit your pledge. Checks should be made out to  C3 West Michigan, with Biking (or Swimming) for C3  in the memo line.

Visitors This Week

This Sunday, September 17, a group of ten visitors will join us at C3 for the whole morning (Pre-Talk, the Gathering, Talk-Back). These folks are participants from Muskegon in the Across the Bridge cultural immersion trip. Please extend a warm C3 welcome!

Kickoff to Autumn Bonfire and Social at Mulligan’s Hollow

Dress for an evening outside, rain or shine, 6 p.m. next Sunday evening, September 24, at Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Lodge, right next to the Tri-Cities YMCA off Harbor Drive. You can drive up to the lodge to drop off, but all parking is in the YMCA parking lot. We have plenty of room inside and out, and it’s ADA accessible. Please sign up at the Outreach Table on Sunday morning, specifically for what food you are bringing!  BYO beverage—alcohol is allowed—and bring your place setting, utensils and cups (we’re being good to Mother Earth). Let’s enjoy each other’s company!

🆕  Small Bites Providers Needed

Some of our very loyal Small Bites providers would like a well-deserved break, so we’re looking for people who would be willing to bring Small Bites (homemade or purchased), once a month, on either the first or the second Sunday of the month. Could you be one of those people? If so, please contact Patti Baldus. The new roster is being prepared for October 1. A huge thank you goes out to both those who are taking a break and those who will continue to be on the roster!

🆕  Change in Drop-In Hours at C3 Office

Becky’s hours at the C3 Office have changed. She will be in the office for drop-in visits on Mondays and Tuesdays from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Other times are available by appointment (call or text 616-842-1985). The office is located in the Third Coast Recording building at 1447 Washington Avenue in Grand Haven.

C3 Logo T-Shirts are ready for pick up!

If you ordered a new C3 logo t-shirt, please pick it up at the Outreach table at the Gathering on Sunday, September 17. If you missed ordering a t-shirt, add your name to the sign up sheet or send Tom Edwards an email. Once we have 25 names, we will take pre-orders again.

Welcome, Eli!

Welcome to Eli Colbry (son of Teresa), who has taken Claude’s place as our set-up and tear-down person! Eli is a busy young man—he works at Morningstar Café, is taking classes at GRCC in Computer Science/Networking, and now will be here at C3 each Sunday morning. Eli has low vision, so if he doesn’t recognize you right away, he’s not ignoring you!

Board of Trustees Election Nomination Period

The nomination period for Board of Trustee candidates is now open and runs through October 1. Anyone interested in running for office should contact a current board member. Please encourage other potential candidates to apply.

Don’t Miss the GH Hispanic Heritage Fiesta Tomorrow—September 16!

• 11 a.m.  to 10:30 p.m. at Lynne Sherwood Waterfront Stadium
  
• 11:30 a.m. Flag Parade from Central Park to the waterfront
  
• Tons of fun with dancing, Mercado, kids ’ activities, food, and much more
  

Be sure to visit the C3 Booth!

Adopt-A-Highway

Our fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup is Saturday, September 30. The clean up is from 10 a.m. to noon, and we need lots of volunteers! (If necessary, the rain date is Sunday, October 1, after the Gathering). Sign up anytime via email (name and phone number please) or at the Outreach table. More information and safety video here!

Vigil for Peace and Justice

The Vigil for Peace and Justice continues through November, every Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. New participants are always welcome. Come early tomorrow (11:30 a.m.) to see the Fiesta Parade of Flags head off from Central Park to the waterfront!

🆕  Humanity for Prisoners Presents The Voices of Humanity

The annual Fall Speaker Series for Humanity for  Prisoners will have a new look this October, as their first film festival The Voices of Humanity is scheduled for October 27, 7 p.m. at Central Park Place in Grand Haven. You might want to note that on your calendar now, and watch for further details in the weeks to come.

Humanity for Prisoners September Newsletter

Click here for a link to a pdf version of the HFP Communicator for September.

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.

Sarah Jacobs’ mother, Marie (Helmers) Bahlke, passed away peacefully on August 24, at 103, after a decades-long sparring match with old age. Marie became a published author at age 85 with her book of poetry, One Oar: A Journey with Alzheimer’s.  A Celebration of Her Life will be September 23, 3 to 5 p.m. at Betzler Life Story in Kalamazoo. Cards to Sarah may be sent to 7091 Juniper Court, Norton Shores, MI 49009.