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’s own Beth Buelow serves as our teacher this week, and asks What Happens When Old Maps No Longer Work? That’s an interesting addition to our ongoing We Have Questions focus! We welcome a new musician to the Gathering, Spencer LaJoye. Wayne Johnson will give the meditation.

⏰ Don’t forget the time change on Sunday!

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.

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🆕 Last Sunday’s Teaching here.

C3 Community Annual Meeting

Remember that this coming Sunday is our annual meeting! Since we change our clocks that weekend, you’ll be completely rested after an extra hour of sleep and ready to dig into C3’s business.

Members will be asked to approve the finance committee’s budget for next year, approve bylaws draft revisions and to approve the slate of new board trustees. You won’t want to miss getting updated on the search for an Executive Director and Lead Teacher. These meetings and the decisions we make at them are integral to our success as an independent spiritual community. You and your input play an important role, so be sure to be there!

Parents of young children are asked to provide a quiet toy or activity for your child during the Community Meeting, so that the child care adults can participate in the meeting.

You’ll want to be a part of this!

🆕 This is your opportunity to help the Lead Teacher Search Team!

C3 is looking for someone who will join the community and be responsible for assisting in our growth and challenging our community with thoughtful weekly messages that draw from a broad range of sources and experiences. The Lead Teacher will partner with the Executive Director and the C3 Board of Trustees to grow and sustain the existing community and to broaden our outreach and growth within the greater community. Is there someone you know who fits that description or might be acquainted with a potential candidate? If so, please forward this link, which has all the job and application information: c3westmichigan.org/employment. The deadline for applications is December 1. Thank you for your help!

Submitting Information for C3 Update and C3 Matters

Newsletter and bulletin submissions should be sent to Annie Wassmann and Becky Park, through November 17, (in addition to Chrys Moelter-Gray, who will be traveling). Thanks!

🆕 Dine with Nine

The next Dine with Nine Event is scheduled for Saturday, December 9. Signup dates – Nov 5, 12, 19 at the connections table.

Several times a year, you are invited to gather in people’s homes to share food, fun and conversation. This popular program aims to connect adults regardless of age or relationship status, bringing together widows, singles, couples, partners and divorcees at the home of the evening’s host. Each person is asked to bring an element of the meal – an appetizer, salad, dessert, wine, bread, or vegetable, while the host will provide the main entrée.

Coordinators of this event is Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith and Mary Ackerson

Celebration of Gratitude and Farewell

What a lovely celebration and farewell we had on Kent’s last Sunday, October 22, after the Gathering. It was so nice that Kent’s family was there to mark the occasion as well. Thanks to everyone who planned, contributed food, labor, and good energy to mark Kent’s last Sunday with us as Lead Teacher. Did you know you can be a patron of Kent’s podcast?

A Note of Thanks from Kent

Last Sunday was such an important day for me, and I want to express my deepest gratitude. I felt warmly supported and loved by the community. I will miss all of you. I also want to thank each of you for your thoughtful cards and gifts. It was very moving to read each note, and your gifts were an unexpected surprise. I’m so grateful our paths crossed. You have taught me so much. I believe in C3, and know you’ll face the future with confidence and creativity. I hope to return down the road as a guest speaker when I’m in town. Much love and appreciation, Kent

Celebration of Gratitude and Farewell, photograph by Becky Park

Thank you to Bill Klouw and Becky Park for all their great event photos. Check out all the photos on our Community Life web page.

Week 3@C3 for November

We will be delivering care and compassion to the good people of Israel and Palestine by contributing to Doctors without Borders/Médicins sans Frontieres (MSF). This organization provides independent, impartial medical humanitarian assistance to the people who need it most. Gifts may be given through November 19 in the following ways:

Check made out to “C3 Spiritual Community” with notation “Week 3@C3” in the memo line.
Cash in an envelope with “Week 3@C3” noted on the outside of the envelope.
Credit card: See Chase at the sound table, and remind him that your gift is for Week 3@C3.

🆕 Free: Small Palestinian & Israeli flags available at the Week 3@C3 table.

Vigil for Peace and Justice

We will stand for badly needed peace on Saturdays in November from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park.

Char Zoet and Betty Porter

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.

Patricia Johnson is recovering from knee-replacement surgery at home and doing physical therapy. Cards and well-wishes can be sent to 220 Sherman Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417, or by email.

🆕 Jean Regester was moved into Heather Hills Assisted Living, 1055 Forest Hills Avenue, GR for continuing rehabilitating from her fractured ankle and stroke. Jean welcomes calls or texts at 616-822-1414. Check her Caring Bridge.

Tom Webber had back surgery recently and is recovering at home. Cards may be sent to 13897 Van Buren Street, Holland, MI 49424.

Sign Up for Sunday Dinner Group

Sunday Dinner Group will meet at The Kirby at 5:30 p.m. Sign up at the Membership table at the Gathering.

🆕 C3 Men’s Group

The C3 Men’s group meets Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Ted Larned’s home, 17420 W. Spring Lake Road, Spring Lake, MI 49456.

🆕 Women’s Journey Returns

Join a lively group of women for fun and conversation on Monday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. Bring paint chips for our poem-writing activity.

C3 Book Club and Friends

At our next meeting, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman, on Tuesday, November 21, we will discuss The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Keep thinking of three books to suggest for 2024, when we meet for our holiday party and book selection process in December.

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.

Honor and Memorial Giving

New C3 member Kerry Fitzgerald made a donation in memory of her mother, Janice Fitzgerald.

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.

🆕 Just Us Performs at The Bookman

Just Us, the a cappella group that Karen Frederickson and Cindy Van Ittersum are In, will be singing at The Bookman on Saturday, November 4, from 10 – 11 AM. They were well-received at C3.

🆕 Coco Film in Concert this Weekend!

As Guest Speaker, Ruth Zwald, mentioned last Sunday — Coco is a wonderful film that celebrates Día de los Muertos. The Grand Rapids Symphony will present a family-friendly, live-to-picture concert event on Friday, November 3 and Saturday, November 4. The event features Michael Giacchino’s beautiful musical score and the 2017 two-time Academy Award-winning film for Best Original Song and Best Animated Feature Film. Details and ticket information here.

🆕 Invitation from Spring Lake Presbyterian Church

Seth Glier returns for our Disaster Relief Concert! Friday November 10, 7:00 p.m. at 760 East Savidge! No Cover Charge! We will “pass the hat” once with every dollar donated going to disaster relief. Check out Seth at his Facebook Page.

🆕 Confronting Christian Nationalism

The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians invites people to an event hosted by Vote Common Good West Michigan at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, at the Holland Armory for an informative discussion by renowned author, pastor, and social activist Doug Pagitt about Confronting Christian Nationalism. Doug was a C3 guest teacher during our online COVID gatherings. This is a ticketed event, and you are encouraged to get your ticket soon. More information is provided on the ticketing website.

Civil Rights Road Trip 2024

The next Civil Rights Road Trip is scheduled for next April 22–25. This is the same journey that several C3 members have already made and highly recommend.

Registration is now open. There is a limit of 25 participants.

Saturday, November 4

12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)

Sunday, November 5

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 Charity McMaster

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

• Guest Teacher: Beth Buelow

• Musician: Spencer LaJoye

• Meditation: Wayne Johnson

11 a.m. C3 Community Annual Meeting

Tuesday, November 7 Election Day!

7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (17420 W. Spring Lake Rd., SL)

Saturday, November 11

12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)

Sunday, November 12

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 Margaret Willey

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

• Guest Teacher: Rev. Miriam Bush

• Musician: Loren Johnson

• Meditation: Margaret Willey

11 a.m. Talk Back

Rev. Miriam Bush is semi-retired, but continues to offer Spiritual Direction and leads various opportunities to pay attention to one’s life journey. She has been in ministry for 39 years serving as pastor, spiritual care coordinator at LifeCircles, and retreat leader. She has three grown children, three grandchildren, lives in the woods, and kayaks as often as possible.

Loren Johnson of Grand Rapids has released several discs: Sleepsick in 2016, which rose to iTunes Top 10 best new singer-songwriter releases; Into the Morning, released just as the pandemic lockdown happened; a single, Patterns, in 2021; and a new single Winter released in January 2023. Her vision is to be creative with the people she loves in the places she adores, and have a good time doing it.

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