Update for November 3, 2024

Nov 1, 2024 | C3 Updates

We have a very special day coming up this Sunday! It’s our C3 Community Celebration!

The Gathering at 10 a.m. features Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles, as we take time to look back and reflect on where we’ve come from. C3 has a long and rich history. Our community began as First Reformed Church of Spring Lake on March 23, 1870. Since then, we’ve gone through several name changes, various buildings and meeting locations, many pastors and teachers, and 154 years later, we’re still here! However, this Sunday is about more than just looking back on where we’ve been. It’s a time for us to affirm our values as a community and look ahead to what’s next. We are so grateful for the community that has evolved into what it is today and we’re excited for our shared future together!

Bob Kleinheksel has prepared a special meditation focusing on the history and life of C3. Musicians for the day are Grace Theisen and percussionist Carolyn Koebel.

There will be no Pre-Talk this week, but you are encouraged to arrive early (well before 10 a.m.)…

    • to view the display tables that will feature information about the goings-on at C3;
    • to talk with representatives of C3 committees and activities;
    • to have a new photo taken for the C3 Directory;
    • to converse with other C3 members, and get to know a few people better;
    • AND to enjoy the musical stylings of DJ David Dean!

⏰  Remember to “fall back” on Saturday night as Daylight Saving Time ends!

We meet at Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417). Please note: There will be no Pre-Talk this Sunday. The main Gathering kicks off at 10 a.m.C3 Kids will meet this week from 10 a.m. through the end of the Gathering. Our C3 Celebration (Annual Meeting and Pot Luck) will supercede Talk Back this week. Gathering livestream here.

C3 News

Information for 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 potluck, 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!  🗓️

Gratitude for a Special Weekend 

We’re so grateful for everyone that helped make our retreat weekend with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling 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

🫶  Thank you to Beth Buelow for photographing each of the special weekend events. Top: Sunday’s Gathering Talk Back. Bottom: At the conclusion of Saturday’s retreat, Cami led a group meditation in Central Park.

Charter for Compassion

Week 3@C3 for November

We will collect for the Nestlings | Diaper Bank of West Michigan in Holland, which is a diaper distribution center for many West Michigan agencies, not a location where individuals can come to get a supply of diapers. They accept both cash donations (to buy diapers from the National Diaper Bank Network at reduced cost) and diapers for infants, toddlers, and adults. Nestlings has asked C3 to donate diapers for older babies, sizes 4, 5, and 6. Packages may be open or closed, as diapers are repacked into large lots. They also accept wipes.

Collection days are November 3, 10, and 17. Donate diapers sizes 4-6 or cash (in an envelope labeled Nestlings Diaper Bank), check to C3 with Nestlings Diaper Bank on the memo line, or see Chase to donate by credit card designated for Nestlings.

Director Steve Sucher pointed out that even though disposable diapers add to landfills, Michigan law does not allow laundering cloth diapers in a public laundromat. So unless you own a washer and dryer, you must resort to disposable diapers.

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 last 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 ✌️

The Saturdays in November can be blustery, but we will stand to remind people that conflict is not healthy for the planet and its inhabitants. Come dressed for the weather, from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park in Grand Haven. 🗓️

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. 🗓️
    • 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. 🗓️
    • 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 We meet Monday evening, November 25, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. We will be making paper beads. Join us! 🗓️

    Finance

    We deeply value your continued support of C3. 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

    🆕  A donation in memory of Connie Farell was received from Leslie Newman.

    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.

    Art at the Museum will have a suggested $10 donation at the door and 10% of art sales to directly benefit the work of the Tri-Cities Broadcasting Foundation, which operates WAWL radio.

     🆕  Food Donations Sought for Thanksgiving Meal at Momentum Center

    Please consider donating a dish to the Thanksgiving Meal for members at the Momentum Center on November 22, 12 to 2 p.m. Information and sign up can be found here.

     

    Calendar

    Saturday, November 2

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

    Sunday, November 3 Community Celebration

    9 a.m. Early Arrival: View Information Tables, Converse, and Enjoy DJ David Dean

    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 with Carolyn Koebel
      • Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel

    11 a.m. C3 Community Annual Meeting and Potluck

    Tuesday, November 5 Election Day – Vote (if you haven’t already!)

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

    Saturday, November 9

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

    Sunday, November 10

    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: Jen Sygit
      • Meditation:  Wayne Johnson

    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.

    Jen Sygit, longtime performer and friend at C3, is a Lansing-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with four solo albums. She is also a veteran back-up singer/session vocalist, having appeared on over 50 albums. As a member of the all-female string band Stella!, Jen provides the deep bluesy low end to Stella!’s three-part harmonies.

    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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