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?”

This week we welcome Rev. Miriam Bush as Guest Teacher. Her contribution to our series We Have Questions is What Do The Margins Teach Us? Loren Johnson will be back as musician and Margaret Willey will give 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.

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🆕 Last Sunday’s Teaching here..

🆕 C3 Annual Community Meeting

Because of previous bylaw changes, we moved our meeting to November 5 so more members could attend. Highlights included:

Phil Koster led everyone in reaffirming our values and commitment to C3.
We approved bylaw changes that primarily dealt with the addition of the Executive Director position.
We heard updates from the Executive Director and Lead Teacher search teams. Both are making great progress.
Reports from the Outreach and Community Life committees underscore that the C3 community is an active and involved group of people.
If everyone continues to give at their current level and we hold one more year-end fundraiser, we’re on track to end 2023 in the black. Our fundraising goal is $28,400.
We approved adopting the 2024 budget.
Sally Alderink, Tom Edwards, and Valerie Engeltjes retired from the Board.
The community approved Tabitha Blanski, Karen Cotton, and Tod Wyn as new Board members.
Margaret Willey received this year’s Meritorious Service Award, click here for the homage to her written by Jenny Roberts.

For more details, click this link to the minutes.

🆕 Membership Directory Photos

Bill Klouw, our long-time C3 photographer, will be taking pictures for the Membership Directory on Sunday, November 12 and 19 in the NW corner of the Gathering room. This is an opportunity to update an old photo or to place your picture next to your directory entry for the first time. Our directory is a good way to connect with other members and a photograph makes that connection even easier.

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!

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

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!

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.

Chrys Moelter-Gray

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 is looking for a ride to C3 Sunday Gatherings from Heather Hills Assisted Living, 1055 Forest Hills Avenue, GR. If anyone is available to pick her up, please contact her at 616-822-1414.

Tom Webber relayed that he is recovering quite well at home from his back surgery and thanks everyone for the cards and wishes of well being he received.

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 in Spring Lake,

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.

Automate Your Donations

Want to make your life easier and more predictable?
Why not put your donations to C3 on autopilot?
No more having to remember to send a check!
No more trying to remember — did I or didn’t I?

It is a secure and easy set up — just call Carol Takas (616-613-3222) at Selby Accounting. Please direct any questions to Shannon McMaster.

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.

Invitation from Spring Lake Presbyterian Church

Musician Seth Glier returns for a Disaster Relief Concert tonight, Friday November 10, at 7:00 p.m., 760 East Savidge, SL. There is no cover charge and they 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 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

Tuesday, November 14

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

Saturday, November 18

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

Sunday, November 19

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 Patti Baldus

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

• Guest Teacher: Dr. John Hubers

• Musician: Jen Sygit

• Meditation: Rod Van Abbema

11 a.m. Talk Back

Dr. John Hubers spent thirteen years in the Middle East as a teacher and pastor, ten years teaching in the religion department of Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa and the past four years working as a consultant to a theological seminary in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is the author of a biography of the first American missionary to the Middle East and numerous articles on Christian/Muslim relations. He lives with his wife, Lynne, in Holland where he is looking forward to retirement at the end of this year.

Jen Sygit is a Lansing-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with four solo albums. She is also a veteran back-up singer/session vocalist, having appeared on over 50 albums. Jen is a member of the all-female string band Stella! and the roots rock band Lincoln County Process.

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