Update for December 22, 2024

Dec 20, 2024 | C3 Updates

This week at C3

From lead teacher Brad Ruggles: As we emerge from the Winter Solstice (December 21), the longest night of the year, we continue our series The Wisdom of Winter. This week’s theme is simple—Listen. Which sounds easy, right? Except most of us are far better at filling silence than sitting with it. We talk to think, talk to solve, and sometimes talk just to avoid the awkwardness of quiet.

But in that stillness—if we’re willing to stay there—we begin to hear what’s been drowned out: the quiet whispers of our own hearts, the deep wisdom of the earth, and the rhythms of the seasons. As Ram Dass says, “The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”

We’ll spend some time talking about silence (oh, the irony) and practicing how to get a little more comfortable with it. This is the season to quiet our minds, open our hearts, and truly listen to the wisdom we all carry. Because, let’s face it—sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is just be quiet…and listen.

Brad will be joined by musicians Ruth and Max Bloomquist, and Abby Black will lead us in a meditation.

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.

Membership Table

🆕  Brad’s email about this Sunday’s Teaching

🆕  Last Week’s Teaching and Meditation

    C3 News

    🆕  News from the Board of Trustees

      • C3 has an active Fidelity account to accept stocks and bonds as donations. Please contact Andy Cawthon with any questions.
      • C3 is also in the process of creating a money market account, which will allow us to accept donations specifically designated for meeting our real estate needs. Again, please reach out to Andy Cawthon with any questions.
      • Finally, we are pleased to announce that the Strategic Plan, developed by our Executive Director Shannon McMaster, has been formally accepted and approved by the Board of Trustees!
    Membership Table

    🆕  Thinking Ahead! In Case of a Weather Emergency!

    This weekend is looking like decent weather, but I’d like to let you know our process for inclement weather. The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors with the Executive Director will determine if we will cancel the in-person Sunday Gathering. Our goal will be to make the determination by late Saturday afternoon. If the Gathering is canceled, we will send an email, post a notice on Facebook and Instagram, and contact the following media: WAWL (Grand Haven radio), and these TV stations WZZM, WOOD, and Fox 17.

    —Shannon McMaster

     

    🆕  Shake off the Winter Blues—come Dine with Nine! 

    Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 8, and be part of the next Dine with Nine! Everyone is welcome to join. Sign-ups will be available on the following Sundays: December 29, January 5, 12, and 19. This event promises a fun evening filled with great food, laughter, and conversation. Several hosts will be opening their homes to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for a memorable night with friends—both old and new. The event coordinators are Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith, and Mary Ackerson. Have questions? Contact Joyce. 🗓️

    Membership Table

    Announcements at the Gathering 📣

    If there is something you would like to have announced at the end of the Gathering, please talk with the Gathering Host before the Gathering begins and let them know. They may make the announcement themself or ask you to come forward to do so.

    Welcome Hosts Needed!

    You’ve noticed the folks who say hello and hold the door for you when you arrive, right? They belong to a team of Hosts who serve once every five weeks. Some teams are well-staffed, but we could use some reinforcements for teams that are short-staffed, or have members who spend the winter elsewhere. If you think this is a way you could lend a hand at C3, contact coordinator Ellie Williams: email.

    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 Memorial

    The Connie Farell Memorial on December 7 was well-attended and appreciated by all who were there. The stories that people shared were priceless. Thanks to those who organized (Teresa Colbry) the event and provided chili or cornbread muffins (Joyce Cawthon). Be sure to read this excellent article about Connie that appeared in the Grand Haven Tribune last week.

    Outreach

    🆕  C3 Bell Ringers at the Red Kettle Campaign

    On December 11, C3 members braved the cold to raise money for the Salvation Army at Leppinks in Ferrysburg. Thanks to Betty Porter for organizing this effort, and to all the volunteers who stepped up to stand at the kettle!

    Photos on our Community Life page

    Humanity for Prisoners Communicator

    Click here to read the December HFP newsletter.

    Groups

      • Sunday Dinner Group If you wish to join the group for supper at Ted’s in Spring Lake at 5:30 p.m., please sign up at the Membership table before you leave the Gathering on Sunday. Char Zoet can be contacted for late reservations.
      • 🆕  C3 Men’s Group  Due to the holidays, the C3 Men’s Group will not meet on December 24 or December 31. Meetings will resume on Tuesday, January 7, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church. For questions, please contact Phil Koster.
      • 🆕  C3 Book Club and Friends The book for Tuesday, January 21 is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
      • 🆕  Women’s Journey: January’s meeting will be at Monday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman.

    Values in Action

    Music Events with C3 Connections 

      • December 29: 3 p.m. The Rebel Eves at Guitar Haven, Grand Haven. Limited to 35 seats; tickets at Guitar Haven or Venmo@therebeleves.
      • 🆕  January 17: 6 p.m. Ruth & Max Bloomquist Momentum Center Benefit Concert. Purchase tickets here.

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

    🆕  Kaufman Interfaith Institute Interfaith Dialogue

    Watch the Kaufman Interfaith Institute’s dialogue The Challenge of Power, Morality and Religion—Jewish/Christian/Muslim from December 5: 

     

    Online Film Premiere: Music for Mushrooms  🎶🍄

    As some of you know, I have a deep interest in the therapeutic and transformative potential of psychedelics (Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind is a great introduction to the topic). A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to attend the Ann Arbor premiere of Music for Mushrooms, a stunning film by the artist East Forest, whose work has been a significant part of my own practice. I loved the film and wanted to let you know how to livestream it here. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, and the film will be available for replay through December 22nd. If this subject intrigues you, I highly recommend checking it out. We’ll also be exploring topics like this in future series at C3.  – Brad Ruggles

    Collecting for Books and Bling Sale 💍📚

    Friends of the Muskegon Heights Library will host Books and Bling on Saturday, January 18. We need costume jewelry that you can part with, and good quality used books. Please bring these items to the Week 3 @ C3 table for the next three Sundays. Many thanks, Leslie Newman and Char Kole.

    Connections ✋

    Make new friends, meet interesting people, tell them about C3! Check out all kinds of activities in the area at the Grand Haven Area Events Calendar, Calendar of Events for All Ages | Loutit District Library, and Spring Lake District Library Calendar.

    Calendar

    Sunday, December 22

    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

      • Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
      • Music: Ruth & Max Bloomquist
      • Meditation: Abby Black

    11 a.m. Talk Back

     

    Sunday, December 29

    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

      • Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
      • Music: The Rebel Eves
      • Meditation: Charity McMaster

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    Brad Ruggles (he/him) 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.

    The Rebel Eves, comprised of three Michigan-bred award-winning songwriters—Katie Pederson, Grace Theisen, and Jillian Linklater—have spent the most of the last decade writing, touring and harmonizing across the country. Their acoustic music showcases vulnerability, connectivity, and authenticity.

    Thank You!

    We deeply value your continued support of C3. 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.

    Online donations can be made HERE.

    C3 inspires spiritual, intellectual, and creative exploration and action,

    led by the questions, “what are the biggest challenges we face on our shared journey,

    and how do we respond to those challenges?”

    Additional Resources

    Do you love C3? 
    Let others know!

    Take a few minutes to share your experience at C3 by leaving us a review on Google! This is one of the easiest and quickest ways to let others know we’re here. 

    Note: Google requires reviewers to have a Google account. If you don’t have one you can set one up with your current email address, follow instructions here.

    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

    Did someone forward this email to you? If you would like to receive your own copy send us a message here.

    Update copyright © 2024 C3 Spiritual Community. All rights reserved.