Update for August 4, 2024

The series Unfolding continues this week with C3 Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles. Will you recognize yourself in his teaching Why, That’s Me! Musician Sammie Hershock makes her first visit to our Gathering—she received a thumbs-up from Mike Ward last week. And Nelleke Knarr will prepare and share a meditation for us.

This Sunday at C3

We meet every Sunday at Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417). Pre-Talk begins at 9:00 AM with the main gathering kicking off at 10 AM (C3 Kids from 10 AM–12 PM). Stick around after the gathering to discuss the morning’s talk in Talk Back which runs until noon. Gathering livestream here. Teaching archive here and Meditation archive here.

News

🆕 New Seating Layout for Sunday Gatherings 🪑

You might do a double-take when you walk in the Mackinaw Room this Sunday. Over the next few weeks we’ll be trying out some different room layouts in an attempt to make the room more comfortable and functional for us while we’re here. In addition to setting up the stage on the North side of the room, we’ll also be moving the Pre-Talk to room where Talk Back occurs so that both will take place in the same room. If you have any feedback about the changes, email Brad and let him know.

Help Needed for Set-up and Tear Down

With the change to setup services offered by the city, we have begun doing our own setup on Sunday morning. Let Rod Van Abbema know if you can help out for any of the next several Sundays. We plan to organize rotating setup teams as we move ahead.

🆕 Can you take One Small Step? 👣

In collaboration with WGVU and StoryCorps, we invite you to meet someone new—someone with different political beliefs from you, who you might never talk to otherwise—for a meaningful 50-minute conversation. These conversations will be preserved for future generations at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.   

     One Small Step is an effort to remind the country of the humanity in all of us, even those with whom we disagree. The initiative brings strangers with different political beliefs together for a conversation—not to debate politics—but to get to know each other as people. WGVU is one of just seven stations selected nationally to host One Small Step in 2024. 

     C3 is promoting One Small Step along with WGVU in an effort to bring communities together, one conversation at a time.

     One Small Step is based on contact theory, which states that a meaningful interaction between people with opposing views can help turn “thems” into “us-es.” Its scientific and systematic approach is supported by a group of advisors that include scientists, researchers, and psychologists. Since its launch in 2021, nearly 5,000 people across 40 states have participated in a One Small Step conversation.

Learn More  //  Apply to be Matched

C3 Summer Celebration! 🌞

Over 80 people came out to play, laugh, eat, and totally enjoy the beautiful evening on July 18. The corn hole tournament was won by Lexie and Jim Fischer. Several deer were seen walking around the grounds, amazing Lisa and Brad! Teresa Colbry summed up the evening’s vibe when she pointed out that what we choose to do as a community matters and our members matter to each other. She acknowledged what a gift Brad and Shannon are to our community. Great conversations and connections delighted everyone. Many thanks to a great and glorious team of people who showed up early, decorated, arranged, and then stayed late to clean up. Photos from the event can be found on our Community Life webpage. 

Outreach

🆕  No Vigil for Peace and Justice Tomorrow

Due to the Craft Fair in the park and the Coast Guard Grand Parade, the Vigil for Peace and Justice is cancelled for tomorrow. Enjoy the festivities!

Charter for Compassion

School Supplies for Muskegon Heights Elementary Schools

Our Week 3@C3 project for August entails collecting the teacher-requested items listed below for Edgewood Elementary (Pre-K – Grade 2) and Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary (Grades 3-5).

• Copy paper: White 20 lb. (many reams)

• Business envelopes: #10, no windows

• One ream each red and green copy paper (Christmas colors)

• Pencils: #2 Ticonderoga or other quality brand

• Lined paper: 8-1/2 x 11, wide-ruled

• Glue sticks

• Crayons: 24-count boxes

• Folders with pockets (many)

• Play dough: 3- or 4-oz. containers (many)

• Primary composition books: Staples #2072492 (9-¾ x 7-½) – two 12-packs.

• Band-aids: boxes of assorted sizes

• Sanitizers wipes and sprays

These items will be collected on August 4, 11, and 18.

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 , 616-402-3108, or Mike and Charlotte Rozich: email , 517-918-5464.

• Cindy Dobrez’ brother Robert James Kittleson died on July 4 in Grand Haven. His obituary can be read here. Cards to Cindy (and Rich) should be addressed to 15348 Cove Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
• Pat Johnson had knee replacement surgery recently, and is working hard at PT, looking forward to driving again, and having both knees fully functional and painfree! Cards can be sent to 220 Sherman Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417.
  
• Betty Porter had heart surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit recently. She is doing well and recovering at home for a week. Cards may be sent to 17499 Meadowwood Drive, Spring Lake, MI 49456.
  
• Tom and Kathy Tosa would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, wishes and prayers for their son, Michael, who was paralyzed in a motocross accident this past May. Michael continues to improve daily and a week ago was able to walk and stand for four minutes! His progress is amazing and so is your support.
  
• 🆕  Former Christ Community Church member Howard J. Van Till died recently. He was a well-known professor (Calvin College), scientist, and writer. His obituary can be read here.
• Bob Wassink’s brother Stewart Wassink (age 86) passed away on July 16, under hospice care in Holland.

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 Book Club and Friends

C3 Book Club and Friends generally meet on the third Tuesday of the month, so we will gather on Tuesday, August 20, 6:30 p.m. on Joyce’s porch, to discuss The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune.

September 24: Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman

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 at 616-402-1751.

Women’s Journey

Women’s Journey is on pause for July and August.

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.

Values in Action

Community Events for Your Consideration 

Click on the links for more information.

• Every Monday: Summer Author Series, through August 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
  
• August 5, 6 to 7 p.m. Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer at Spring Lake District Library
  
• August 6: Primary Election Day
  
• August 7, 7 p.m. Little Sable Night at the Light
  
• 🆕 August 11 and 18: Performance of “The Three Questions” at Central Park Place*
  
• August 25, 4 to 6 p.m. Prayer Walk Against Gun Violence, sponsored by Muskegon County Cooperating Churches, Hackley Park, Muskegon. Wear orange.

🆕  * C3 member Julie Bratton is co-author and a performer in this children’s mini-musical, an original adaptation of Tolstoy’s short story. There’s music, audience participation, and it’s just 45 minutes long! Tickets are $6 and can be purchased at the link in the calendar listing above.

John Leitner’s Arthritis Foundation Bike Ride

John Leitner is doing a bicycle ride around Lake Michigan to help raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. See details and support information here.

Calendar

Saturday, August 3

12 p.m.  NO Vigil for Peace and Justice 

Sunday, August 4

9 a.m. Pre-Talk

10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Char Kole

10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook

• Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
  
• Music: Sammie Hershock
  
• Meditation: Nelleke Knarr
  

11 a.m. Talk Back

Tuesday, August 6 Primary Election Day 🇺🇸

7 p.m.  C3 Men’s Group (Room B, St. John’s Episcopal Church, GH)

Saturday, August 10

12 p.m.  Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)

Sunday, August 11

9 a.m. Pre-Talk

10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Eleanor Hills

10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook

• Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
  
• Music: Gonna & Jesse
  
• Meditation: Charity McMaster
  

11 a.m. Talk Back

Brad Ruggles joined C3 as Lead Teacher in May of this year. He 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.

Genna and Jesse, drawing inspiration from their romantic nomadic lifestyle, might best be described as modern troubadours, generously offering listeners glimpses of their always-moving world with something fresh, true and genuinely independent. Their music features quirky chemistry, intricate vocal harmonies and ardent storytelling.

Additional Resources