Update for December 17, 2023

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 Rocque, lead minister at Unity Spiritual Community of Grand Rapids, will be our Guest Teacher for the first time this week, to talk about The Call. Jen Sygit, who has been with us many times, adds her voice to the Gathering. Charity McMaster will offer the 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.

• 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.
• 🆕  The book that Michael DeWilde recommended during Talk Back last week is Meditations of a Buddhist Skeptic by B. Alan Wallace.

🆕  Year-End Fundraiser Update

Thank you so much for your support of the year-end fundraiser! After five weeks, we are 59% of the way to our goal. We’ve raised $16,700, and we need $11,700 more. 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.

🆕  Last Two Sundays in December

C3 will meet as usual on December 24 and 31. Pre-Talk and Talk Back will be held for those who want to participate in informal conversation about the day’s topics.

• On December 24, five C3 members will share their “I am C3” stories: Tabitha Blanski, Jeff Crandle, Ira Engeltjes, Pam Park, and Tod Wyn. Ruth and Max Bloomquist will join us. 
• On December 31, Berny Snoeyer shares insights on family, resilience, and hope with the backdrop of World War II and letters exchanged between Corrie’s parents while her father was part of the underground resistance to the Nazis in the Netherlands. This deeply personal talk will draw on experiences known to very few, offering an account of a community willing to risk their lives to defend and protect victims of an evil ideology. Beth Buelow will join Berny to facilitate the conversation. (Their book: The Wolfert Letters: Family and Friend Correspondences During World War II)

🗣️ Volunteer Opportunity — Help Wanted!

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.

🆕  News from the BOT

The C3 Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Shannon McMaster has officially signed the contract to be C3’s first executive director. He will begin working in the position on January 8, 2024. Until then, he will continue to serve as treasurer. Congratulations to Shannon! We’re excited about this new phase in C3’s life!

🆕  Dine with Nine Fun

There was buzz last Sunday about the fun that was had by all at last Saturday’s Dine with Nine gatherings. Here’s proof from both the Ackerson and Wyn dining tables.

December’s Week 3@C3 Project

It’s your last chance to bring cards for our 2023 Seasonal Greeting Card Blizzard this Sunday! Cards are 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 Filled

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

Vigil for Peace and Justice

Please pick a time that works for you to hold all the people and places suffering from wars. Take any action you find valuable to diminish injustice, as we take our winter break from weekly peace vigils.    

🆕  Humanity for Prisoners December News

Click here to read the latest news from Humanity for Prisoners.

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

🆕  Sunday Dinner Group

Sunday Dinner Group is headed to Ted’s at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday. Sign up at the Membership table. Please note that we will not be meeting on December 24 or 31!

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

We meet again next Monday, December 18, at The Bookman at 7 p.m. 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 a container 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 this coming 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.

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.