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?”
Our guest teacher Ames Carpenter (they/them) advocates for a place Where Many Worlds Fit when they address us on Sunday, assisting C3 on our path of being an affirming, inclusive space. Ames has been a community care coach for over 25 years and is a co-founder of the Grand Rapids Mutual Aid Network, an intuitive and spiritual facilitator, a published poet and author, a longtime unschooling parent, and a queer community organizer, who lives on Anishinaabe land (as do most of us at C3) in Grand Rapids.
Returning musician Hannah Laine is now a C3 “regular,” having performed here several times in the past couple years. Her keyboard and vocal music always delights us.
Beth Buelow adds her voice to the mix with 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.
🆕 Message from Tim at Life Church
This message was sent to C3 through our website:
“Hi there, I wasn’t sure who to direct this to. This is Tim, the pastor over at Life Church, I just wanted to express our family’s gratitude of your generosity towards us in regards to the gift C3 provided. We really appreciate the gifts, and the offers, and the support that you have provided. We love you all 🙂
Good Words about C3 on Facebook
In response to a question posted on Facebook about finding a non-religious group in West Michigan, which Cheryl Van Abbema and several C3 members answered, Rev. Jared Cramer of St. John’s Episcopal commented: “As a Christian priest at St. John’s Episcopal, I would second that C3 Spiritual Community is a fantastic organization that provides excellent community, good conversations, and a chance to make a difference in the world. If you’re looking for a non-religious community in our area, they are the best at it, at least from what I know given the many friends I have who go there.” Thanks, Rev. Cramer!
News from the Board of Trustees
At their recent meeting, the Board authorized Shannon McMaster to begin a strategic planning process. Invitations to participate in a variety of ways will be extended to the entire community. We look forward to being in active conversation with you about C3’s future!
Substitute Welcoming Hosts Needed
Our Welcoming Hosts work in teams of four or five to greet people at the entrance to Central Park Place and direct any visitors to the Mackinaw Room for the Gathering. C3ers like to travel and sometimes get sick, so often a substitute is needed for one or more of the Welcoming Hosts. Please see or contact Ellie Williams if you are available as a substitute.
Your Feedback, Please
We’d love your feedback on our guest teachers—as well as the musician(s) and the overall Gathering experience. Use this online form to share your feedback. There will also be forms located at the back of the Gathering room, and boxes in which you can put your feedback. You can be anonymous or sign your name. Thanks for your help!
🆕 Thanks for Micro Pantry Items
Thank you for your donations for the Micro Pantry! The Momentum Center is appreciative of the attention paid to the suggestions for items that work well for people using the pantry. Thanks also to Charmaine Kole for delivering the items to the Momentum Center.
🆕 Noah Project is March’s Week 3@C3 Recipient
Noah Project (231-865-1264) is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter at 5205 Airline Highway, Muskegon, MI 49444. They are excited that we chose them as recipients, so let’s show them what we can do! They request the following items:
- Purina One +Plus Healthy Kitten Formula dry food
- Purina Pro Plan for dogs
- nylon dog bones
- cat scratch pads
- cat toys, dog toys
- cat litter
- dishwasher soap
- laundry detergent
- dryer sheets
- bleach and cleaning products
- paper towels
Printable list here.
Items can be brought to the Week 3@C3 table on March 3, 10, or 17.
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.
🆕 Don Anderson is recovering from back surgery. Get well wishes can be sent to him at 15016 Stickney Ridge Road, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
Yvonne Olmsted thanks our C3 Community for all the kind words, warm thoughts, and cards she received after the death of her brother, and for the interest expressed in his life. She is glad to be a part of C3 and finds so much comfort in being a member of such an amazing group of people.
🆕 Good news! Jean Regester will back at home next Friday! Welcome back to the area, Jean! (17541 Park Place Circle, Spring Lake, MI 49456)
Margaret Willey and Richard Joanisse are moving to Wisconsin on February 29. Their son Jeff Joanisse and his wife Brigid are hosting a good bye party for a farewell toast on Sunday, February 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Armory (17 S. 2nd Street, GH). All are welcome!
Volunteer for the Grand Haven Pride Festival
The steering committee is busy organizing the second annual Grand Haven Pride Festival, scheduled for June 8. The website is up and running, and includes a “Get Involved” tab at the top, where you can sign up to volunteer for any number of activities! Let’s show up and help out!
C3-ers Participated in Peace March
Stand for Peace Michigan, Holland UCC, and C3 co-sponsored a Peace March in Holland on February 10, to call attention to the many places in the world where conflict disrupts and ends lives, especially at this time in Gaza and Israel. C3 was represented by five people: Patti Baldus, John Job, Chrys Moelter-Gray, Betty Porter, and Ellie Williams.
HFP February Newsletter
Click here to read.
🆕 Sunday Dinner Group
How about Taco Jalisco (17272 Robbins Road, Grand Haven) Sunday evening? Sign up on the sheet at the Membership table before you leave the Gathering. We should have time enough afterwards to stop by at the Armory to say farewell to Margaret Willey and Richard Joanisse.
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men’s Group meets each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Room B, in Grand Haven. Contact Phil Koster for more information.
C3 Book Club and Friends
Discussion of Bee Season: A Novel by Myla Goldberg takes place on Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m. at The Bookman.
April 16: The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan
Women’s Journey
We meet this coming Monday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. Bring a favorite children’s book or story. Leslie Newman will be leading us. Please continue to consider ideas for the new year!
Donations of Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds
Did you know that we are now able to accept donations of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds? When you donate stock to charity, you’ll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value. Because you are donating stock, your contribution and tax deduction may instantly increase over 20% or more, depending on your tax situation and any gains in the value of the stock. If this sounds like an option for you, please talk to your financial services representative, and if you have any questions re: process, please contact Andy Cawthon, Treasurer
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.
Coffee with Grand Haven City Manager
Residents are invited to chat with City Manager Ashley Latsch from 8 to 10 a.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Aldea Coffee Shop (117 Washington Avenue) and/or the third Tuesday at Kenzie’s Be Café (1103 Washington Avenue). This is an opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, or get something clarified in a casual setting.
Black History Month at Wealthy Theater
Three programs to highlight Black History month are scheduled on February 21, 26, and 27 at Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids (1130 Wealthy Street SE). Read about them at the highlighted link.
Momentum Center Civil Rights Road Trip
There are still a few open seats on the Civil Rights Road Trip in April. This is the trip that several C3-ers participated in two years ago and found to be a life-changing experience. Registration is due by March 1.
Information about Ottawa County Leadership
If you are concerned about the current quality of leadership in Ottawa County, here are some groups you can learn from and get involved with:
- Organize Ottawa–-this is where the action is right now if you want to get involved. Groups are organizing in each district to elect responsible leadership to the County Commission in the next election. You can find it on Facebook or send an email to to get involved.
- Organize District 9, a non-partisan group, has recently formed for residents of District 9 of Ottawa County. For more information, send an email to be added to the mailing list, or contact Julia Davey or Mark Smith, who are both on the steering committee. All are invited to a meeting on Thursday, February 29, 6:30 p.m. at Loutit Library (downstairs).
- ONTRAC is a community-driven organization that aims to ensure responsible and ethical governance in Ottawa County, particularly in the North Ottawa Tri-Cities area. It focuses residents in District 10.
- The Unifying Coalition of Ottawa County came together in response to Ottawa Impact becoming the majority on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. The main organizations are Ottawa Integrity PAC and Vote Common Good West Michigan.
- Ottawa Objects Facebook page is a good source of information about actions of the County Commission.
Sunday, February 25
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 Sally Alderink
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Guest Teacher: Ames Carpenter
• Musician: Hannah Laine
• Meditation: Beth Buelow
11 a.m. Talk Back
Monday, February 26
6 p.m. Woman’s Journey (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave., GH)
Tuesday, February 27
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (Room B, St. John’s Episcopal Church, GH)
Sunday, March 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 Sally Alderink
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Guest Teacher: Matthew Laidlaw
• Musician: Ed Dupas
• Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel
11 a.m. Talk Back
Matthew Laidlaw is a co-founder of Open Circle, an “Inclusively-Christian” spiritual community in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Matt enjoys reading, running, jokes, and outdoor adventures with his wife, Stephanie, and their two young children. You can find out more about Matt at here. (Matt was originally scheduled to be with us in January on the day the Gathering was canceled due to snow).
Americana artist Ed Dupas (Du-paw) is a singer-songwriter whose music seeks an audience, but seems just as content without one. Part country, part blues, part rock, part poetry – listening to a Dupas record is an experience you can get lost in. His music has been compared to that of Bruce Springsteen, Kris Kristofferson, Sturgill Simpson, Sam Outlaw, and Steve Earle, but Dupas is making music all his own.
Drop Us Some Stars
We would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your experience at C3 by reviewing us on Google. Thank you!
Google requires reviewers to have a Google account. If you don’t have one you can set one up with your current email address, follow instructions here.
C3 Membership Directory (login required)
Teaching Podcast “The Stage at C3” Feeds: Apple Podcasts YouTube Music
🆕 Last Week’s Update and Bulletin
frontdesk [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org
C3 Spiritual Community Office
1447 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-842-1985 (number can receive text messages)
Becky Park, Office Manager
Office Hours: Mondays and Tuesdays from 12 noon – 2:30 p.m., or by appointment.
Shannon McMaster, Executive Director
smcmaster [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org
Automatic donations are handled by Carol Takas, 616-613-3222, at Selby Accounting.
Please direct any questions to Andy Cawthon.
C3 Board of Trustees
Chair: Teresa Colbry
Vice-Chair: Tod Wyn
Secretary: Beth Buelow
Treasurer: Andy Cawthon
Newsletter Submissions and Editor: Chrysteen Moelter-Gray
Newsletter Designer: Annie Wassmann
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