Update for September 8, 2024

Sep 7, 2024 | C3 Updates

This Sunday at C3

C3 Core Teacher Michael DeWilde is back for the second week in a row. This week’s teaching is Part Two: REALLY Hot Button Issues in Ethics. Michael discussed Affirmative Action last week; this week he plans to tackle AI and Immigration. He noted, “Should just take a minute… .”

Michael’s friend Jess Willyard is back as musician. He will be accompanied by Michael, Sonja, and Charlotte DeWilde. The meditation will be given by Rod Van Abbema.

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. 

📚 Book referenced by Michael DeWilde last week: Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz

C3 News

🆕  C3 Featured in USA Today

Brad, Shannon and C3 are featured in the September 2 USA TODAY article, “As millions leave organized religion, spiritual and secular communities offer refuge.” The piece includes photos of both Brad and Shannon, and C3 is one of four communities profiled. Please help spread the word by sharing it with your friends, family, and on your favorite social media platforms!

Click on the photo below to read the article!

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 converse. 🗓️

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

Your Involvement is Vital

  • 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 will 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 fundraiser will feature a dinner and the premiere of the documentary film Voices of Humanity, the compelling story of Maurice Carter’s wrongful conviction and the birth of Humanity for Prisoners. The narrative resonates deeply with HFP’s mission and highlights the importance of their work. Please consider attending.     Event poster here.

Click here to read Humanity for Prisoners Communicator newsletter.

🆕  The Momentum Center Gaining Momentum newsletter is here.

Highway Cleanup 

Join us for our fall Adopt-A-Highway cleanup on Saturday, September 28, from 10 a.m. to noon! We’re looking for plenty of volunteers to help out. In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, September 29, following Talk Back. You can sign up anytime by emailing your name and phone number or by visiting the Outreach table. For more details and to watch the safety video, click 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. 🗓️

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 Gayle Sutton at 13892 148th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

    Groups

    • Sunday Dinner Group at the Park We 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! We will discuss when to return to indoor dining. 🗓️
    • 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. 🗓️
    • 🆕  Women’s Journey 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. 🗓️

    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).

      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, 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

      Tuesday, September 10

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

       

      Saturday, September 14

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

      Sunday, September 15  

      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: Folias Duo
      • Meditation: Charlotte Rozich

      11 a.m. Talk Back

      June 11 Banner

      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.

      Folias Duo, flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron, are a married couple whose unique interpersonal performer-composer collaboration of twenty years breathes new life into classical music. Their music melds characteristics of European classical music with jazz, world music, and the art of improvisation.

      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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