Update for November 17, 2024

Nov 15, 2024 | C3 Updates

This Sunday at C3

Two guest teachers join us this week, Reverend Luis Cypher and Minister Bendr Bones, from the Satanic Temple. They contend that Courage is What the World Needs Now, noting that courage is easy to fake, and that many people confuse courage with bravado. Courage isn’t about being tough, but about standing up for what is right, even in despair. Luis gave the invocation at one of the Ottawa County Board Meetings (+ Channel 8 News Coverage).

The Meditation will be shared by Rod Van Abbema. Our special musical guest will be Eli Kahn.

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 Strategic Plan 2024-2027

The strategic plan is coming together, and Shannon McMaster would like your feedback on the current draft. Members should have received an email last week, but if it didn’t reach you, here is the link. If you click the link, you will find the current draft in PDF form that you can read, print out if you like, and review. This page will be available for your comments through Sunday, November 17.

C3 Community Celebration and Annual Meeting

We had a great Community Celebration, Annual Meeting and potluck on November 3! 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 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 everyone for the fabulous selection of foods. 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. So many people helped in so many different little ways! However, 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. 📸 

Ushers Needed

Our volunteer-led community needs a few more 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.

🆕  Visit by the Local Lumberjacks for Love Group

We were surprised and delighted that five members of this group joined us last week to spread their message of love through red flannel shirts: Tod Wynn, Jeanne Shell, Tom Webber, Joyce and Andy Cawthon.

Charter for Compassion

Week 3@C3 for November 

This Sunday will be the last day 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. 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.

🆕  Thank You Notes ✍️

    • Thank you from the elementary teachers at Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System for generously supplying them with instructional materials that they specifically stated they needed. We gave them boxes and bags of pencils, erasers, magic markers, paper, notebooks, crayons, folders, tissues, aerosol cleaners and sanitizing wipes.
    • Thanks to all who generously contributed to the Food for Gaza cause. Total collected was $1900.

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.

Outreach

Vigil for Peace and Justice ✌️

November can be blustery, but we will stand the next two Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park to remind people that love and peace are healthy for the planet and its inhabitants. The Vigil will be on winter break after November 23. 🗓️

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 Meet with fellow book club members this coming Tuesday, November 19, 6 p.m. at The Bookman to discuss My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor. 🗓️
    • C3 Men’s Group This men’s conversation group meets each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Call Phil Koster with questions. 🗓️
    • Women’s Journey Our next meeting is Monday, November 25, at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. Please bring scissors and colorful magazines or catalogs to upcycle as we learn to make paper beads. 🗓️

    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 Tomorrow Evening

    Join The Bookman for a free, crowd-sourced candlelight concert featuring Jordan Hamilton and Eli Kahn! Happening Saturday, November 16 at 6 p.m., with all additional funds supporting the artists. Eli will be the musician at our Gathering on Sunday morning.

    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.

    🆕  Tri-Cities Women Who Care

    C3 Women, are you aware of this amazing organization? Founded by Cindy Anderson in 2010, this group has donated more than 1.7 million dollars to local non-profits. It involves four hour-long meetings and four checks for $100 each per year—that’s it! If you want to make a difference, but don’t have time or the energy to devote to local non-profits, Tri-Cities Women Who Care might be a great fit for you! The next meeting is Thursday, November 21, 5:30 p.m. sharp at Spring Lake Country Club. You can come and join on the spot, or check it out at the link above.

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

      News from Our Friends at The Diatribe

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

       

      Calendar

      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

       

      Tuesday, November 19

      6 p.m. C3 and Friends Book Club (The Bookman, GH)

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

       

      Saturday, November 23

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

       

      Sunday, November 24

      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

        • Guest Teacher: David Takitaki
        • Music: Matt Gabriel
        • Meditation: Charlotte Rozich

      11 a.m. Talk Back

      June 11 Banner

      David Takitaki is a Professor of Political Science at Ferris State University where he directs the Political Engagement Project and specializes in Civic Education. He is a writer, consultant, and regularly lends his expertise to local and national media. He and his wife Amanda Rzucidlo now reside in Big Rapids, Michigan, with their three ridiculous cats and a glorious view of the Muskegon River.

      Matt Gabriel is a touring singer songwriter based in Grand Rapids, who has spent over a decade writing and performing music around the country. His music is the quality of folk and blues you would expect from an artist who grew up between Chicago and Detroit. He’s got a must-see live show and a very approachable recorded sound. It’s music you can trust and believe in.

      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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