Update for November 10, 2024

Nov 8, 2024 | C3 Updates

This Sunday C3 Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles adds Upekkhā (Equanimity) to the series What the World Needs Now. 

It’s been a pretty heavy week, hasn’t it? Many feel shaken and uncertain about our future. It would be easy to get swept up in anxiety and fear but is that the best way forward? In Buddhism, there are four “sublime states” (brahma-viharas)—guiding qualities for engaging with the world. A few weeks ago we explored loving-kindness (mettā) as a response to the hate and vitriol in our world. This week, we turn to Upekkhā, or equanimous observation to help us chart a path forward. Upekkhā calls us to cultivate patience, trust, and humility, inviting us to meet life with a heart that remains open yet unshaken. The future is unclear and will be fraught with challenges. We need one another and we need communities like C3 now, more than ever. We don’t have answers but we’re sitting with the questions together. I hope you’ll join us.

Wayne Johnson fills the Meditation spot this week, and music will come from longtime C3 guest musician Jen Sygit.

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

🆕  C3 Community Celebration and Annual Meeting

We had a great morning last Sunday with our Community Celebration, Annual Meeting and potluck! The Gathering featured a look at our past and our movement forward, a commemoration of community members and loved ones who have died this year, and Music for Remembrance by Carolyn Koebel and Grace Theisen. At our Annual Meeting, Teresa Colbry, Kim Crozier, and Bill Haug were (re)elected to the Board of Trustees, a budget for next year was approved, and the Phil Koster Award for Meritorious Service was awarded to Rod and Cheryl Van Abbema, who have done so much for C3 for so long! Another legendary C3 Potluck followed.

     A huge thank you to the cooks, bakers, buyers and pizza orderers for the fabulous selection of foods for last Sunday’s pot luck. It was absolutely delightful! A special shout-out to Patti Baldus and the “crew” who helped to get it on the table: Cheryl Van Abbema, Bev Hundley, Cathy Feyt and Becky Park, who also did duty as pizza server. So many people helped in so many different little ways! However, as frequently happens with such events, a number of things were inadvertently left behind: some serve ware, a kitchen towel, a hot pad, and a phone charger. If you think any of these might be yours, look on the windowsill on Sunday. They will be waiting there for pickup.

🆕  More photos from the Community Celebration and Annual Meeting on our Community Life webpage. 📸

🆕  C3 Strategic Plan 2024-2027

The strategic plan is coming together, and Shannon would like your feedback on the current draft. Members should have received an email with links to the Strategic Plan and the Feedback Form. The Feedback Form page will be available for your comments through Sunday, November 17. Shannon will schedule a couple of group sessions next week to talk with people about this draft plan.

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. Remaining collection days are November 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 Memoriał 
      Central Park Place Mackinaw Ballroom 

                    Sunday, December 8, 2024

                    1 to 4 p.m. (tentative time)

A long time neighbor Jerry Scott and some close friends of Connie want to honor her memory as a valued member of the larger Grand Haven community. They are partnering with a number of others that have been inspired by Connie’s life, and included C3 in this group. They have decided to have a Chili Bar the Sunday after the Santa Parade, as these were two of Connie’s favorite things to do each winter! Please sign up if you plan to attend, as a head count will be needed to facilitate set-up. There will be a sheet at the Membership Table.

 

    • Susan Meeusen joined us last week after recent aortic valve replacement surgery. It was great to see her at the Gathering!
  •  
    • 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 ✌️

Saturdays in November can be blustery, but we stand to remind people that love and peace are 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. 🗓️

🆕  November Newsletters

Click here to read the November newsletter from Humanity for Prisoners.

And click here to read Momentum Center’s November newsletter.

 

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, so please bring scissors and colorful magazines to cut up for beadmaking. 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

    🆕  News from Our Friends at The Diatribe

    Click here to read the latest news from The Diatribe in Grand Rapids.

    Bookman Hosts Candlelight Concert with Jordan Hamilton & Eli Kahn

    Join The Bookman for a special candlelight concert with Jordan Hamilton and Eli Kahn! Enjoy this magical, free event on Saturday, November 16 at 6 p.m. This crowd-sourced concert is free and open to the public, with all additional funds going directly to the artists. Don’t miss it—bring your friends!

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

    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 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

    Tuesday, November 12

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

    Saturday, November 16

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

    Sunday, November 17

    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

      • Guest Teachers: Luis Cypher and Bendr Bones
      • Music: Eli Kahn
      • Meditation: Rod Van Abbema

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    June 11 Banner

    Reverend Luis Cypher (he/him) is a Holland-born nature enthusiast, kayaker, and marksman with a background in Veterinary Medicine. He is a proud member of the West Michigan Latino Community with familial ties to Mexico and Puerto Rico. His achievements include delivering the Satanic Invocation at the Ottawa County Commission Meeting (Channel 8 News Coverage).

    Minister Bendr Bones (he/him) hails from Grand Rapids and is a fitness trainer and activist. He crafts a variety of the non-theistic rituals and ceremonies used to affirm the human experience and find personal empowerment, which include Baptismal dissolutions and “Destruction Rituals.”

    Eli Kahn is a guitarist, producer, and improviser from South Bend, IN, now living in Asheville, NC. After graduating from Indiana University of South Bend in 2010 with degrees in both classical guitar performance and music theory, he transitioned into jazz/fusion and improvisatory music, and discovered his love for production. He will be playing with Jordan Hamilton  at the Candlelight Concert at The Bookman on Saturday evening, November 16 at 6 p.m. 

    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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