Lead teacher Brad Ruggles continues the new series he started last week, Unfolding, with the second teaching It Is What It Is. He will be joined by musicians Ruth and Max Bloomquist, and Karri Absenger will share a meditation with us.
Gathering
This Sunday’s Gathering will take place at Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417). The schedule begins with Pre-Talk at 9 a.m. The C3 Kids session with Miss Mary runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The main Gathering, which will be available both in person and via livestream on Facebook, begins at 10 a.m., and is followed by Talk Back, which concludes at noon. Join us for any or all parts of the morning! Teaching archive here and Meditation archive here.
News
C3 Summer Celebration Community Potluck
On Thursday, July 18, we will recognize Brad Ruggles as our Lead Teacher and Shannon McMaster as our Executive Director with a potluck supper at Mulligan’s Hollowat 5:30 p.m. Sign up for your food contribution at the Outreach table at the Gathering. Be sure to bring your own beverage (alcohol allowed), table setting, utensils, and cups. (We’re being kind to Mother Earth by not using disposables). The event will happen rain or shine, since there’s plenty of room inside and out, and it’s ADA accessible.
What a Nice Day for a Conversation Walk!
After the Gathering last Sunday, a group of about 30 met at Coast Guard Park for an engaging Conversation Walk. The weather was perfect as we set out on a hike, enjoyed conversation with C3 friends, and strengthened our connections to nature and each other.
Simplified Newsletter Format
You’ll notice the simplified format of the C3 Update. This is a result of experimentation to simplify the newsletter creation and formatting procedure. Any news items to be included either in the C3 Update or in C3 Matters should be submitted to Chrys Moelter-Gray and Becky by Wednesday morning. Annie will be on vacation for a few weeks.
Awakenings on Pause this Summer
Awakenings will not meet on Sunday mornings this summer. The fall schedule is yet to be determined.
Outreach
Vigil for Peace and Justice
The Vigil for Peace and Justice happens on Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. on Washington Avenue at Central Park in Grand Haven. There are usually six to eight participants. Could we make it a dozen?
Care and Concern
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.
Connie Farell was discharged from Trinity Hospital in Muskegon, admitted to Hospice care and returned to Lake Woods on 7/1. She would love to have cards and visitors. Her address is Lake Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1684 Vulcan Street, Room 4, Muskegon, MI 49442.
Amy Hodson, mother of Dave (Susan) Hodson, died on June 13 in Muskegon. Notes of support and condolence can be sent to Dave and Susan. Her obituary can be read here.
Pam Park is continuing her recovery from surgery on a smashed thumb. Cooking is challenging for her and Jean, so dinner donations would be greatly appreciated. Please call to coordinate.
Groups
Sunday Dinner Group at the Park
For the summer, the Sunday Dinner Group will meet at William Ferry Park in Ferrysburg at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own picnic items, or stop and pick up some take-out food on the way! No need to sign up—just come!
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men’s Group provides a valuable time for men to meet and talk with each other. Feel free to join them on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Room B, in Grand Haven. Questions? Call Phil Koster.
C3 Book Club and Friends
Book Club continues to meet at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m. through the summer.
July 23: The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
August 27: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
September 24: Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
Women’s Journey
Women’s Journey will adjourn for the summer.
Finance
Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. Online donations can be made here. Automatic donations can be set up by contacting Carol Takas, 616-613-3222, 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.
Charter for Compassion
Week 3@C3
Thank you to all who contributed to the Green Valley Samaritans in June. We collected $1,002! Please note we take a break from Week 3@C3 in July. The August project will be announced at the end of July.
Values in Action
Community Events for Your Consideration
Click on the links for more information.
- Every Monday through August 26, 7 to 9 p.m.: Summer Author Series
- July 8, 7 p.m.: Ruth and Max in Concert, Ross Park, Norton Shores
- July 12, 5 p.m.: Free Dinner and Movie Night (The Inventor) at the Momentum Center
- August 6: Primary Election Day
- August 7, 7 p.m. Little Sable Night at the Light
Read what’s new with The Diatribe here!
Stay Informed about Ottawa County Commission News
If you care about what is happening at the Ottawa County Commission but don’t have time to read all the news, Organize Ottawa sends a great summary of what happens at meetings and more. Just click here to sign up. You can also click on Ottawa Notes to see past newsletters.
Calendar
Saturday, July 6
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, July 7
9 a.m. Pre-Talk
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Ryan Cotton
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
• Music: Ruth and Max Bloomquist
• Meditation: Karri Absenger
11 a.m. Talk Back
Tuesday, July 9
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (Room B, St. John’s Episcopal Church, GH)
Saturday, July 13
12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, July 14
9 a.m. Pre-Talk
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Charity McMaster
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Lead Teacher: Beth Buelow
• Music: Sweet Lady Bees
• Meditation: Beth Buelow
11 a.m. Talk Back
Beth Buelow (she/her) has been part of the C3 Community since March 2018 and has loved every minute of it. She’s a business owner; leadership, team, and mentor coach; author, speaker, and mediator, and she has added photographer to the list of ways she wants to be known in the world.
Sweet Lady Bees is a female duo of life-long musicians and long-time friends whose singing voices brought them together. Katie Romig from Allendale and Robyn Schopp from West Olive have been jamming and harmonizing as Sweet Lady Bees since 2022. They cover music ranging from country to 70s rock to 80s pop, and they love giving audiences new ways of experiencing familiar songs!
Additional Resources
C3 Membership Directory (login required)
C3 Website>Values (printable list here)
Teaching Podcast “The Stage at C3” Feeds: Apple Podcasts YouTube Music
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! Note: 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.
Contact
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
Weekday office hours 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 News items
to be included in the C3 Update should be submitted by Wednesday morning.