Update for October 27, 2024

Oct 25, 2024 | C3 Updates

This Sunday at C3

Our Core Teacher Beth Buelow brings the message that What the World Needs Now is Play. Is she on to something to which we should pay attention? It seems an idea rather far-removed from the seriousness of the election cycle at the moment, but we know Beth always brings solid, well-researched ideas to our midst.

Big-Rapids based musicians Stanley & Quiggle play for the second time at C3. They were with us at the end of August, and received good reviews!

The meditation will be led by Karri Absenger.

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

🆕  Gratitude for a Special Weekend 

We’re so grateful for everyone that helped make last weekend so incredible, especially: Don and Cindy Anderson, Becky Park, Karen Cotton, Teresa Colbry, Tom Edwards, Annie Wassmann, Kathy Humphrey, Beth Buelow, Kerry Fitzgerald, and The Bookman. Thank you to those above and everyone who poured so much time into this event. I am so humbled and honored to be a part of this amazing community! — Brad Ruggles, Lead Teacher

🫶  Don and Cindy Anderson graciously opened their home last Sunday evening to host a Wine & Cheese Reception, featuring a Fireside Chat with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling, along with a special musical performance by Spencer LaJoye. This event was one of the many memorable weekend activities organized for us by Brad Ruggles.

🆕  C3 Community Annual Meeting

As you know, our annual meeting will be on Sunday, November 3. It’s an important time for our community to conduct business such as electing new Board of Trustee members, budget adoption, and honoring one of our members with the Philip J. Koster Award for Meritorious Service. We have a slate of three candidates for the Board—Teresa Colbry, Kim Crozier, and Bill Haug, whose bios can be seen here. Please thank retiring Board of Trustees members Beth Buelow, Cheri Eshenaur, and Rod Van Abbema for their time and effort in service to the C3 community. Be sure to be there! Note the annual meeting will be followed by a pot luck! For the pot luck, if your last name begins with . . .

    • A – I: bring a main dish
    • J – P: bring a side dish
    • Q – Z: bring a dessert.

Tableware and beverages will be provided. It will be fun!  🗓️

🆕  Ushers Needed

We are a volunteer-led community and we need ushers. Requirements: capacity to smile, say hello and hand a bulletin to folks as they come to Gathering. Reward: seeing lots of smiles and hearing lots of friendly hellos once every five weeks! Talk to Rod Van Abbema or email him.

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, our beloved long-time member, died peacefully on Friday evening, October 4. Arrangements will be by Klassen Funeral Home and Connie’s sons. On Wednesday, October 16, a group of Connie’s C3 friends got together informally at Russ’ restaurant for lunch, to honor her memory. They shared pictures as well as their favorite Connie stories.   
    • 🆕  Susan Meeusen underwent aortic valve replacement surgery early this week. She is doing well at home. Cards may be sent to 99 W. 27th Street, Holland, MI 49423. 
    • 🆕  Please keep Yvonne and Ron Olmsted in your hearts as they celebrate the memory of their extended family member, Tammra Lynn McConnell.

Outreach

Vigil for Peace and Justice ✌️

Enjoy the fall weather while making a statement for peace and justice by joining our vigil each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. Bring a chair to sit, if you are more comfortable that way. We have lots of signs to hold, or make your own! 🗓️

Humanity for Prisoners October Newsletter

Click here to read the October edition of the HFP Communicator.

Groups

    • Sunday Dinner Group Sign up at the Membership table to join the group at 5:30 p.m. at Ted’s in Spring Lake. 🗓️
    • Women’s Journey We meet Monday evening, October 28, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. We’ll have some questions as conversation starters. Join us! 🗓️
    • 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. 🗓️
    • C3 Book Club and Friends The C3 and Friends Book Club meets 6 p.m. November 19 at The Bookman to talk about My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor. 🗓️

    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.

    Honor and Memorial Giving Program

    Celebrate or remember a loved one while making a meaningful impact through C3’s Honor and Memorial Giving Program. Whether you’re honoring someone special or paying tribute to a cherished memory, your gift supports the work of our community. Cards for this purpose are available at the Membership Table, and with your permission, we’ll acknowledge these heartfelt contributions in our newsletter (names only, no dollar amounts). Your generosity helps sustain our mission—thank you for being such a vital part of C3!

    Values in Action

    🆕 Bookman Hosts Candlelight Concert with Jordan Hamilton & Eli Kahn

    The Bookman is excited to announce a one-time candlelight concert featuring Jordan Hamilton (a past performer at C3) and Eli Kahn as part of its 50th anniversary celebration. Don’t miss this magical evening on Saturday, November 16 at 6 p.m., showcasing two incredible national touring acts. This crowd-sourced concert is free and open to the public, with all additional funds going directly to the artists. Bring your friends and be inspired!

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

    Posthumous Justice for Maurice Carter

    Humanity for Prisoners’s founder Doug Tjapkes spent years seeking justice for Maurice Carter, a black man who was wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit, and HFP believes Maurice deserves that justice, even if that justice is posthumous. Learn more and consider signing a petition seeking the posthumous pardon from Gov. Whitmer by clicking here.

    Calendar

    Saturday, October 26

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

    Sunday, October 27  

    9 a.m. Pre-Talk

    10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus

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

      • Core Teacher: Beth Buelow
      • Music: Stanley & Quiggle
      • Meditation: Karri Absenger

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    Monday, October 28

    6:30 p.m. Women’s Journey (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave., GH) 

    Tuesday, October 29

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

    Saturday, November 2

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

    Sunday, November 3 Community Celebration

    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: Brad Ruggles
      • Music: Grace Theisen
      • Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel

    11 a.m. C3 Community Annual Meeting and Pot Luck

    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.

    Grace Theisen is a queer Americana artist originally from Kalamazoo. After graduating from Hope College in 2014 with a double major in Gender Studies and Psychology, Grace moved to Nashville from 2015 to 2018 to run her nonprofit, Songs Against Slavery. She returned to Kalamazoo in 2019 and has been influential in the Michigan music scene. She is one-third of the band The Rebel Eves. Accompanying Grace will be Carolyn Koebel, music therapist and world percussionist.

    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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