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 lead teacher Kent Dobson poses the question Is the Unconscious Real? The series We Have Questions continues to provide fodder for discussion and learning. Loren Johnson will be with us again, having recently performed at the Harvest Gathering up north, and Beth Buelow offers 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.
- 🆕 Last Sunday’s Meditation here.
Mulligan’s Hollow Bonfire and Social
The Kickoff to Autumn Bonfire and Social is this Sunday evening, rain or shine, at 6 p.m. at Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Lodge, right next to the Tri-Cities YMCA off Harbor Drive. Dress for outdoor comfort! We have plenty of room inside and out, and it’s ADA accessible. You can drive up to the lodge to drop off, but all parking is in the YMCA parking lot. 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!
Two Big Dates Coming Up
October 22: This is Kent’s last Sunday with C3 as our lead teacher. After the Gathering, we’ll have a time of thanks and farewells similar to our five-years-with-Kent celebration last year.
November 5: Our annual meeting is now being held in November so more of our community can attend. At this time of transition, it’s more important than ever that we celebrate C3 and our commitment to it—and each other!
Both events will take place immediately after the Gathering.
Board of Trustees Election Nomination Period
The nomination period for Board of Trustees candidates is quickly coming to a close on October 1. Anyone interested in running for office should contact a current board member. Please consider applying and encourage other potential candidates to apply.
Small Bites
🆕 A huge thank you to Teresa Colbry, Cheryl Van Abbema, and Kathy Smith for being such generous Small Bites volunteers. As they step away, we welcome two new volunteers: Cindy Van Ittersum and Betty Porter, who have agreed to provide goodies on the first Sunday of the month (Cindy), and the second (Betty). We could use a couple more regulars, and some who’d be willing to sub when needed. Let Patti Baldus know if you’re willing! Thanks!
Kathy Smith, Cheryl Van Abbema, and Patti Baldus
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.
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!
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.
Adopt-A-Highway
Thanks to everyone who has already signed up for our fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup next Saturday, September 30. Meet in the CPP parking lot 10 a.m. If necessary, the rain date will be Sunday, October 1, after the Gathering. If you have not signed up yet, please do, or just show up that morning. Sign up 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.
Kerry Fitzgerald
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.
🆕 Lynne Deur will undergo multi-stage procedures to receive a cochlear implant starting this week. She and Jean will remain in Michigan until she has the implant and is comfortable with it. Cards can be sent to Lynne at 18332 N. Shore Estates, Spring Lake, MI 49456.
Jean Regester had surgery on a broken left ankle on September 11. She anticipates being homebound for several weeks and welcomes notes, texts and pre-arranged visits. Single-serving, microwave supper meals will also be appreciated for the first couple weeks. 17541 Park Place Circle, Spring Lake, MI 49456 / 616-822-1414 / email.
Barb Van Leeuwen is undergoing the toughest part of her treatment for oral cancer now. She is grateful for the kind words received from C3 folks, letting her know that people are pulling for her. Cards or notes may be sent to Barb via text or email or at home: 2669 Weatherby Hills Drive SE, Grand Rapids 49546.
🆕 Thanks from Muskegon Heights Schools
Shelly Kurth, principal at Martin Luther King School in Muskegon Heights, sent a note of thanks for our donation of school supplies in August, which ended with “Wow! We are blessed by it!”
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.
🆕 No Sunday Dinner Group on Sunday —
Join in the fun, food, and festivities at Mulligan’s Hollow at 6 p.m. on Sunday instead.
C3 Book Club and Friends
We meet next on October 17, to discuss The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton. 🆕 The book for November 21 is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Start thinking of three books to suggest for 2024, when we meet for our holiday party and book selection process in December.
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.
Donations of Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds
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
Shannon McMaster, Treasurer
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.
🆕 Construction at Spring Lake District Library
We know that you’re all readers, so here’s a link to information about the construction going on at the Spring Lake Library.
Freedom and Justice for All Capitol Rally
Join several organizations, including Grand Haven’s Justice Through Storytelling (and founder Kelly Lynne) at the Capitol in Lansing on Saturday, September 30, 3 to 5 p.m., to support clemency and criminal justice reform. More information here.
Saturday, September 23
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)
Sunday, September 24
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 Joyce Cawthon and volunteer Charity McMaster
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
• Musician: Loren Johnson
• Meditation: Beth Buelow
11 a.m. Talk Back
6 p.m. Autumn Bonfire and Social (Mulligan’s Hollow Lodge, GH)
Tuesday, September 26
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion, GH)
Saturday, September 30
10 a.m. Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up (meet at CPP parking lot)
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)
Sunday, October 1
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
• Musician: Matt Gabriel
• Meditation: Nelleke Knarr
11 a.m. Talk Back
C3 teacher Kent Dobson 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.
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.
Thank you for supporting C3!
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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.