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?”

What a pleasure to welcome longtime C3 associate Barbara Lee Van Horssen to C3 as Guest Teacher this week, to ask the question How Do I Travel Responsibly? We will also have a newcomer at the Gathering, musician Ed DuPas, who travels to us from Ann Arbor. And world traveler Cindy Anderson will share a meditation with us. Here’s hoping you can join us in person or online!

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.

🆕 Year-End Fundraiser Update

Thank you so much for your support of the year-end fundraiser! After three weeks, we are 39% of the way to our goal. With your support, we’ll have a strong year of creating a community and a space of warmth and welcoming, where we ask questions and sit with answers from many perspectives. Our fellow community members, and our guest teachers and musicians, have told us that what we create is special in the world. Your personally-meaningful contribution will help us carry that into the future. Make a donation online or send a check with “year end” in the memo field to C3, PO Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

🆕 Volunteer Opportunity

We are seeking at least two more people to serve as Welcoming Hosts on Sunday mornings, to join a team that meets and greets people entering the building and the Gathering. Each team serves once every five weeks. Contact Ellie Williams.

🆕 Dine with Nine

Those who signed up for Dine with Nine (December 9) should have heard from their host by now, asking them to choose one element of the meal. If that hasn’t happened, contact Joyce Cawthon. We wish all participants an enjoyable evening next Saturday, starting a 6 p.m.!

Our New Executive Director!

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that they have offered the new position of C3 Executive Director to Shannon McMaster. We’ll keep everyone informed as the specific details are worked out. We are grateful to the Executive Director Search Team (Beth Buelow, Ira Engeltjes, Kathy Humphrey, Wayne Johnson, Mark Smith) for their commitment and time to this process. Please thank them for their work and be sure to congratulate Shannon!

December’s Week 3@C3 Project

Our December project is the 2023 Seasonal Greeting Card Blizzard for residents of Riverside Nursing, Medilodge at the Shore, North Ottawa Care Center, and Christian Haven Home.

Use the card style of your choice (probably Christmas cards)
No names or addresses necessary
Suggested text: “To a Friend”/“From a Friend”
Include “C3 Spiritual Community” and any personal note you wish to add
No stamps necessary
Bring completed cards to Week 3@C3 table on December 3, 10, or 17

Cards will be delivered to each site for distribution to residents by staff members. We’re hoping for 250 cards, or about six to eight cards per individual or family group.

Bell Ringers Needed

It will soon be time to ring the bell for the 2023 Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign, which supports all the programs of the local Salvation Army. C3ers who participated in the past felt positive about the experience.

We will be at Leppink’s (Ferrysburg) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday December 14, for one-and-a-half hour shifts (except last shift which begins at 6 p.m. and lasts one hour).It works best to have only one or two at the kettle for each shift. Sign up on Sundays after Gathering, or contact Betty Jean Porter.

🆕 Vigil for Peace and Justice

The Vigil for Peace and Justice is on winter break until April. Thanks to all who participated in this important action in the community in support of peace for all. See you in the spring along Washington Avenue!

🆕 CCD Happenings in 2023

Members of C3 have volunteered for years through the Coalition for Community Development to assist in the Muskegon Heights school system, and Char Kole is now on the CCD board. Learn all about CCD happenings in 2023 in their newsletter.

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 is recovering from her cochlear implant surgery and will be connected to her new device in the coming weeks.

Pat Johnson sends thanks for all the cards and well-wishes, as she has recovered from knee replacement surgery. She is out and about, but still has PT appointments and lots of at-home exercises.

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

For the month of December, the C3 Men’s Group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Bernie Snoeyer’s home. Contact Phil Koster for more information.

Women’s Journey

The next Women’s Journey meeting will be at The Bookman at 7 p.m. on Monday, December 18. Please bring a wrapped white elephant gift (that is, something from your home that is no longer needed, NOT purchased), some cookies to share, and something to take some cookies home with you!

C3 Book Club and Friends

Our year-end gathering will take place at the C3 office at 1447 Washington Avenue on Tuesday, December 19, 6:30 p.m., for a small holiday celebration and to choose our books for next year. Please bring a small snack to share and your own drink. Also note: each person is assigned to bring three book titles that they will present to the group as possible selections for next year. At the end of the presentations, we will choose one of the three for which that person will lead the discussion. Dates will be assigned but will remain flexible.

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.

Books and Bling

There’s an opportunity for holiday shopping at Books and Bling on Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is also a chance to visit the beautiful, refurbished library at 2808 Sanford Street in Muskegon Heights.

The Shoreline Community Orchestra will present a free concert featuring organist Rob Hlebinsky on the Organ at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 4 p.m. C3 member Allen Beck plays French horn with the Orchestra, and Sandy Beck plays timpani. We’d love to see you there!

Support for the Momentum Center

The members at the Momentum Center will be holding a bake sale during the Santa in Centertown event on December 9, and are looking for donations of baked goods to sell. If you would like to make something or help with the event, contact Jenna Vipond.
🆕 The Momentum Center has an Amazon WishList, if you’re looking for a way to support the organization and its members.

Ottawa County Leadership

If you are concerned about the quality of leadership in Ottawa County regarding diversity, democracy, health care, and honest leadership, here are some groups you can learn from or join.

Ottawa Objects Facebook Group
Vote Common Good West Michigan
Ottawa Integrity, a PAC (political action committee) + latest newsletter
Unifying Coalition of Ottawa County in partnership with Ottawa County Unifying Congregations. Eight churches have formed the coalition to work against Ottawa Impact.
Informed & Inclusive Ottawa County
Ottawa North TRi-Cities Action Committee (ONTRAC)
Ottawa Impact Watchdog

Sunday, December 3

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 Char Kole

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

• Guest Teacher: Barbara Lee VanHorssen

• Musician: Ed DuPas

• Meditation: Cindy Anderson

11 a.m. Talk Back

Tuesday, December 5

7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (520 Boelens Court, SL)

Saturday, December 9

6 p.m. Dine with Nine

Sunday, December 10

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: Michael DeWilde

• Musician: The Marsupials

• Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel

11 a.m. Talk Back

Michael DeWilde, a core Guest Teacher at C3, is the director of the Koeze Business Ethics Initiative in the Seidman College of Business, as well as a full professor in the Management Department at GVSU. He holds an MTS from Harvard University and did his undergraduate work at William James College (GVSU). His research and teaching interests include the impact of social capital on civic and economic well-being, neuroethics, and the use of roleplaying in business pedagogy.

The Marsupials, led by Tai Jaxx Drury, defies categorization with a diverse blend of rock, indie, funk, ska, psychedelic, and progressive elements. They’ve been electrifying audiences and delivering raucous good times throughout the Midwest since their formation in 2014.

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