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?”

Michael DeWilde, a C3 Core Teacher, adds this provocative question to the many we’ve considered in our series We Have Questions: Knowledge and Desire, or What’s This Tantra Business Anyway?Music comes to us from The Marsupials, whose leader Tai Drury joined us during a COVID online Gathering in 2020. Bob Kleinhekselshares a meditation.

Sunday Gathering

Come for Pre-Talk at 9 a.m. to get a jump on the rest of the group; join us at Central Park Place in Grand Haven for the Gathering at 10 a.m., which is live-streamed on C3’s Facebook page. Snack and socialize during Small Bites, then respond to the teaching at Talk Back from 11:15 to noon. C3 Kids meet in the C3 Kids’ area of the Mackinaw Room from 10 a.m. to noon.

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Last Sunday’s Teaching here.

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.

🆕 Last Two Sundays in December

C3 will meet on both December 24 and 31.

On December 24, a number of C3 members will share their “I am C3” stories, and Ruth and Max Bloomquist will join us.
On December 31, there will be a special interview with Berny Snoeyer sharing some of his life story with Beth Buelow. Steve Weideman will be our musician.

🆕 Update on our Year-End Fundraiser

Things are going great for the year-end fundraiser! We are at 49% of the goal. Thank you, if you have already contributed! We have $14,500 to go, so please consider making a personally significant contribution to C3’s mission to inspire and empower people on their own spiritual path, the quest to live a good and meaningful life, and to support the ongoing work of justice and compassion in the world! Donations are quick and easy online or by sending check to C3, PO Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417, with “Year-end” in the memo field.

🆕 Our New Executive Director!

Shannon McMaster steps into his new role as C3 Executive Director in the new year. More information about specific details will be shared as those details are worked out.

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 by December 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.

🆕 Cards for Homebound C3 Members

Please stop at the Week 3@C3 table this Sunday or next to sign the cards there for our homebound members, Kathleen & Justin Kleaveland, Connie Farell, and Jean Burgess

🆕 Bell Ringers Schedule is Filled

Many thanks to all who volunteered to ring the Red Kettle bell at Leppink’s. All the slots in the schedule are filled!

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.

🆕 Marianne, Lexi and Jim Fischer are grieving the loss of Marianne’s father, Craig Pusey, who died at age 71 this week following complications from diabetes. Cards may be sent to 14053 Payne Forest Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

Sign Up for Sunday Dinner Group

Sunday Dinner Group is headed to Ted’s at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. 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 Berny 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.

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.

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.

Support for the Momentum Center

Free Dinner & Movie tonight, December 8. Dinner at 5 p.m., movie “Spirited” at 6 p.m.
The members at the Momentum Center will be holding a bake sale during the Santa in Centertown event tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. December 9, to support the capital campaign. Stop in and buy some goodies!
The Momentum Center has an Amazon WishList, if you’re looking for a way to support the organization and its members.
Other ways to support are to attend the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meetings or the Community Mental Health Board meeting (December 18) and speak in support of the social-recreational programming that the Momentum Center provides for people with mental illness, addictions, or disabilities, or send a letter or email of support to your County Commissioner.

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!

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

• Musicians: The Marsupials

• Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel

11 a.m. Talk Back

Tuesday, December 12

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

Wednesday, December 13

6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)

Sunday, December 17

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: Michael Rocque

• Musician: Jen Sygit

• Meditation: Charity McMaster

11 a.m. Talk Back

Michael Rocque serves as the lead minister at Unity Spiritual Community of Grand Rapids. He is a certified Life and Spiritual Coach. His areas of study include Neuroscience, somatic and sound therapy, prayer and meditation, and Indigenous Wisdom Teaching.

Jen Sygit is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and radio host, who has released four solo albums. She is a member of the all-female string band Stella!, the roots rock band Lincoln County Process, and is a veteran back-up singer/session vocalist—she has appeared on over 50 albums!

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