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?”
We extend a warm welcome our new Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles, as he steps into that role with this timely teaching, The Land Between: Navigating Life’s Difficult Transitions. Join us at Grand Haven’s Central Park Place or online as Brad joins our community, and help make this transition a generative one for him and for us.
We’re pleased to see Hannah Laine return, one of our well-liked musicians who plays and sings for us often.
We have a talented group of C3 members who take time to prepare thoughtful meditations to share with us at the Gathering. Our sincere thanks to each of them. This week it’s Leslie Newman who provides our 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.
Brad Ruggles is Our New Lead Teacher
At the Gathering on May 5, the Hiring Team announced that they had selected Brad Ruggles as our new Lead Teacher, and the Board of Trustees affirmed that selection. Members who were present approved the choice by show of hands. We are thrilled that Brad will give the Teaching for the next three weeks, but we will continue to welcome Guest Teachers on a regular basis also. An Introduction and Welcome will take place soon.
Many thanks to the Hiring Team for their diligent efforts over the past several months: Dick Kamischke (lead), Marianne Fischer, Charity McMaster, Teresa Colbry, Valerie Engeltjes, Cathy Feyt, Jeff Crandle, Gordy Alderink, Rod Van Abbema, Judy Blinn, Kim Crozier, David Dean, and Nelleke Knarr.
Lisa and Brad Ruggles (photo by Bill Klouw)
🆕 C3 Pride T-Shirts!
We are excited to offer C3 Rainbow Pride shirts! Perfect for wearing to the Grand Haven Pride Festival on June 8 or anywhere you want to spread a little love and inclusion. In order to receive the shirts in time for GH Pride, you’ll need to place your order by midnight Monday, May 20! Shirts will be available for pickup at the festival or the June 16 Gathering. Click here to place your order.
🆕 Use of Preferred Pronouns
The C3 Board of Trustees has adopted a policy that all official communications and all individuals when representing the organization will make every good-faith effort to use a person’s preferred pronouns when disclosed. If you have questions about this development, please see Executive Director Shannon McMaster.
🆕 Thanks to Our Dine with Nine Hosts
Of course a good time was had by all at last Saturday’s Dine with Nine event. A special shout-out to the hosts: Joyce and Andy Cawthon, Charity and Shannon McMaster, and Julie Davey and Pete Bennett for welcoming extra guests who were scheduled to be at the Tosa’s home, but needed to be “absorbed” by the other hosts when Kathy left for Australia to be with her son.
Bob Wassink and Andy Cawthon (photo Joyce Cawthon)
Your Feedback, Please
Please share your feedback on our Gathering experience this Sunday. Use this online form to share feedback about the teacher and the musician. 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!
Donations of Stocks and Bonds
C3 will gratefully accept donations of stocks and bonds. We are researching the most cost effective brokerage account for C3 to utilize. If you’re considering such a donation, please contact Andy Cawthon, C3 Treasurer, to begin the process. We thank you for your continued support!
Honor and Memorial Giving
A donation was made in honor of Margaret Willey in appreciation of her kindness to Reed Smith, Mark and Kathy Smith‘s grandson.
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.
One Chance Left for Week 3@C3 – May 2024: Goal Forty!
The Friends of Muskegon Heights Public Library, an organization which includes several C3 members, will present a “Summer Reading Series” for children of Muskegon County in July. We hope to participate by providing 40 backpacks, each containing a pencil holder (case) and a set of washable felt-tipped markers, which will be handed out at the end of the program with the intention that the children will use them for school in the fall. A suggestion is that each C3 family, family group or individual presents one set: elementary-school backpack, pencil holder and markers. Backpacks should be fairly substantial (not toys), as they are intended for school use. Backpacks will be collected through this Sunday, May 19. Note: This does not replace our August “Back to School” supply collecting for Muskegon Heights Public School Academy system.
🆕 Parks Clean-Up in Spring Lake
Thanks to David Dean, Chrys Moelter-Gray, Connor Tyson, Bob Kleinheksel, Cheryl & Rod Van Abbema, Char Kole, Annie Wassmann, and Mike & Charlotte Rozich who picked up trash, especially along the waterfront, at Millpoint and Tanglefoot Parks in Spring Lake last Saturday. It was cool and blustery, but the group persevered and collected several bags full, plus a discarded tire! Special thanks to Mike and Charlotte for organizing the event.
(photo David Dean)
Volunteer for the upcoming Grand Haven Pride Festival!
Volunteers are still needed for the Pride Fest on Saturday, June 8. Head to the Pride website and sign up here. Look for the red “buttons” that indicate how many slots for each volunteer position and two-hour time slot are open.
Vigil for Peace and Justice
Reactions from passers-by have been positive! Join the Vigil for Peace and Justice on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park in Grand Haven.
Humanity for Prisoners May Newsletter
Click here to read the monthly HFP 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.
🆕 Kathy and Tom Tosa’s son Michael, who lives in Australia, was in a motocross accident and suffered spinal injuries. Kathy is with him. Tom reports that Michael has been moved from the ICU to another room in the same hospital where he has started physical therapy. He can sit up at the side of the bed and lift and hold his legs up. He has a wheelchair that enables him to get around a bit. He will be moving to another hospital which specializes in physical therapy soon. Please keep him in your thoughts.
🆕 Sunday Dinner Group
Plan to meet at Ted’s this Sunday evening at 5:30. We will talk about trying the new Dr. Rolf’s Barbecue in Spring Lake restaurant next week. (They don’t take reservations).
Women’s Journey
We meet this coming Monday evening, May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. Joyce Cawthon will lead an activity with intentional words. Choose a word that inspires you.
C3 Book Club and Friends
Plan to meet this coming Tuesday, May 21, 6 p.m. at The Bookman to discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver.
June 18: Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris.
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.
🆕 Recycle at Staples
Click here to learn about the opportunity to recycle lots of used and/or no-longer-needed stuff at your local Staples store—the list includes lots more than just used ink cartridges!
Community Events for Your Consideration
Click on the links for more information.
- May 18: Momentum Center’s Prom with a Purpose. Tickets are available at the door.
- May 23: Momentum Center’s Retirement Sip & See Learn about volunteer opportunities
- May 31: The Diatribe Community Groundbreaking for The Emory Arts & Culture Hub
- June 8: Grand Haven Pride Fest
Saturday, May 18
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, May 19
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
• Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
• Music: Hannah Laine
• Meditation: Leslie Newman
11 a.m. Talk Back
Monday, May 20
6:30 p.m. Woman’s Journey (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave., GH)
Tuesday, May 21
6 p.m. C3 Book Club and Friends (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave., GH)
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (Room B, St. John’s Episcopal Church, GH)
Saturday, May 25
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, May 26
9 a.m. Pre-Talk & Awakenings
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Charity McMaster
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
• Music: Annagail
• Meditation: Wayne Johnson
11 a.m. Talk Back
Brad Ruggles, our new lead teacher, is a former pastor that deconstructed and later left the faith he was raised in after 18 years in ministry. He and his wife Lisa enjoy adventuring and traveling with their two adult daughters. Brad’s interests are diverse and include backpacking, meditation, breathwork, yoga, sport kiting, and photography.
Annagail has always defied and stretched genres, equal parts singer/songwriters and rock band. Thinking man’s Americana. Pop for philosophers? Country for the curious? Rock for the recluse? Whatever you call them, Annagail weaves heartache and hope for the disillusioned.
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C3 Membership Directory (login required)
C3 Website>Values (printable list here)
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
Brad Ruggles, Lead Teacher
brad [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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