Update for September 1, 2024

Aug 30, 2024 | C3 Updates

This Sunday at C3

C3 Core Teacher Michael DeWilde joins us for the first of two consecutive visits. He will address Hot Button Issues in Ethics, with Part One this week and Part Two: REALLY Hot Button Issues in Ethics next week. Prepare to be both challenged and amused.

Molly, a frequent guest musician from Grand Rapids, returns this week. Do you remember how she actually got us singing last time? Karri Absenger will help us focus with a meditation.

We meet at Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417). Pre-Talk begins at 9 a.m. The main Gathering kicks off at 10 a.m. C3 Kids meet from 10 a.m. to noon. Stick around after the Gathering to discuss the morning’s talk in Talk Back, which runs until noon. Gathering livestream here.

C3 News

Dine with Nine in October

The next Dine with Nine (or seven or eight) is planned for October 19.  All are welcome to participate! Sign up any Sunday in September. The theme is Fall Harvest Time. Several hosts will open their home for the event, which provides an enjoyable evening for everyone to laugh, eat, and discuss.

Nominations for BOT

The Board of Trustees election will happen at the Annual Meeting on November 3. There are three openings on the board for 2025-26. Two current board members will be seeking re-election, leaving one open seat. Nominations are open through October 1. If you would like to nominate someone, or have any questions, please see Trustee Wayne Johnson or Executive Director Shannon McMaster.

Can you take One Small Step? 👣

C3 is encouraging people to participate in One Small Step, an initiative by WGVU and StoryCorps by signing up to take part in a facilitated conversation with someone new, with different political beliefs from yours, and get to know each other as people. 

Learn More  //  Apply to be Matched

Charter for Compassion

Week 3@C3 – September

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is being described as hell on earth. Nowhere is safe, not even hospitals or schools. On September 1, 8, and 15, we will accept checks, cash or credit card donations to help provide food packets in Gaza. Gifts will be funneled through MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) in Goshen, IN, and food packets will go to refugees sheltering in camps in Gaza.

Checks should be made out to C3 with “Food for Gaza” in the memo line. They may be put in the donation box at the C3 Gathering or mailed to C3 at PO Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Checks will be acknowledged for tax purposes. Cash indicated “Food for Gaza“ can be placed in the donation boxes. For credit card donations, see Chase at the sound booth.

Outreach

Two Upcoming Events Sponsored by C3

  • September 21: Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
    Opportunities for volunteers for the Fiesta itself are listed at the link. As before, C3 will be a sponsor of the event and have a booth to sell cookies. We need volunteers to make and donate cookies, and also to staff a two-hour shift at the booth that day. On the next few Sundays, Patti will have signup sheets for cookie donations and volunteers. If you haven’t done it before, consider joining us and sign up. It’s a fun day!  
  • September 26: Humanity for Prisoners “Voices of Humanity”
    This annual event will feature a dinner, the premiere of a new documentary film, and other fun(draising) events.

Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup
Our fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup is Saturday, September 28. The clean up is from 10 a.m. to noon, and we need lots of volunteers! (If necessary, the rain date is Sunday, September 29, after Talk Back). Sign up anytime via email (name and phone number please) or at the Outreach table beginning September 8. More information and safety video here.

Vigil for Peace and Justice ✌️

The Vigil for Peace and Justice continues to be a quiet C3 presence for peace in our community, each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. You are always welcome to join us.

🆕 Click here to read Humanity for Prisoners Communicator newsletter.

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.

    • 🆕  Joan Sutton died peacefully at home on Monday morning, August 26. Arrangements are pending. Cards can be sent to daughter Gayle Sutton at 13892 148th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417. (Note this corrected address; the house number was incorrect in last week’s announcement).
    • Our former interim leader Barbara Lee Van Horssen’s son Jackson Selb transitioned from this life into light on Friday, August 16, after a long struggle with a terminal illness. Read the obituary here. Cards can be sent to 19 Lafayette Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

    Groups

    • Sunday Dinner Group at the Park 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 We are looking forward to discussion of Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman on Tuesday, September 17, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. 🗓️
    • C3 Men’s Group Join in conversation with men from C3 and the community each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room B at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Questions? Call Phil Koster at 616-402-1751. 🗓️
    • Women’s Journey Women’s Journey is on pause for the summer. Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. If you would like to make or renew connections with the some of the women of C3, please join us for relaxed social time at one of our monthly meetings. 🗓️

    Last Sunday’s Dinner Group at William Ferry Park in Ferrysburg. Photo: David Dean

    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.

    New Book from Bill Lawton

    C3 friend Bill Lawton (Ian’s father) has published a new book, Leave Love with Me: Beauty and Justice, Love’s Color and Fragrance. The text explores the inner life balance through beauty that transcends imposed rules and dogma. It is available in the U.S., and can be ordered at The Bookman (or other booksellers).

    Update on John Leitner’s Bike Ride 🚴‍♂️

    John completed his 900-mile bicycle ride around Lake Michigan in 13 days, camping, staying at motels and/or people’s houses on the way, to help raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. Donations have topped $1000 so far. Donations can still be made 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, August 31

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

    Sunday, September 1

    9 a.m. Pre-Talk

    10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Sally Alderink

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

    • Core Teacher: Michael DeWilde
    • Music: Molly
    • Meditation: Karri Absenger

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    Tuesday, September 3

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

    Saturday, September 7

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

    Sunday, September 8

    9 a.m. Pre-Talk

    10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Renee Borton

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

    • Core Teacher: Michael DeWilde
    • Music: Jess Willyard, Michael, Sonja, and Charlotte DeWilde
    • Meditation: Rod Van Abbema

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    June 11 Banner

    Michael DeWilde, a core Guest Teacher at C3, is the director of the Koeze Business Ethics Initiative in the Seidman College of Business, as well as a full professor in the Management Department at GVSU. He holds an MTS from Harvard University and did his undergraduate work at William James College (GVSU). 

    Jess Willyard is a singer-songwriter who has been playing music in Michigan since the early 90’s. He’s been in Metal, Reggae, Folk, and Rock bands in the Ann Arbor/Detroit area. He currently teaches guitar, bass, ukulele and mandolin. Also he studied with Tibetan Buddhist master Gelek Rimpoche and is a qualified representative of the Gelugpa Tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.

    Additional Resources

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    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. 

    Board of Trustees

     

    Newsletter Submissions and Editor: Chrysteen Moelter-Gray News items to be included in the C3 Update should be submitted by Wednesday morning. 

    Newsletter Designer: Annie Wassmann

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