Update for Sunday, January 12

Jan 10, 2025 | C3 Updates

This week at C3

Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles initiates the new series Who Am I? with part one, The Conscious MInd.

We’re going to start the new year with an introspective series exploring who we really are. I’ve always been fascinated with topics of consciousness and how it shapes our understanding of reality. Are human beings the only conscious beings on the planet? In the universe? What even is consciousness? Questions like these have  been discussed by some of the brightest minds yet we still keep searching for answers we can’t quite grasp. Alan Watts was fond of saying that “trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth or kiss your own lips.” 🤔 Confused? Just wait!  We’re taking a deep dive into the recesses of our human consciousness, and trust me, it’s only going to get weirder from here—so buckle up, keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.🎢

Returning musician Kyle Joe makes another visit; he was here in January and July last year. The meditation comes from Andy Cawthon.

📍 Location: Central Park Place, Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave, Grand Haven)

⏰  Pre-Talk: 9 a.m. | Main Gathering: 10 a.m. | C3 Kids: 10 a.m.–Noon

💬  Talk Back: After the Gathering until Noon

📺  Livestream on our Facebook page 

🆕 Last Week’s Teaching and Meditation

    C3 News

    🆕  Friendship Rocks

    At the conclusion of last Sunday’s Gathering, attendees painted “Friendship Rocks,” inspired by Beth Buelow’s teaching titled Getting Stoned.

    🆕  Please Complete the C3 Weekend Gathering Survey

    On Monday, January 6, you should have received an email from Brad with the heading Take Our Quick C3 Survey, which seeks your input about our weekly Gathering. Here’s a link that takes you to the survey, designed to learn what’s working and what could use a little tweaking. Please complete the survey right away and submit it! Thanks!

    🆕  Help Wanted

    C3 is looking for a second person to help with set up and tear down every Sunday. This position is an independent contractor position, and pays $60/week. See Shannon McMaster for more details, or email him.

    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: January 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. 🗓️

    Mindful Living

    Many of us are familiar with the concept of mindfulness and what it means to be mindful, but how do we make it an intentional practice? Mindfulness practice involves purposefully paying attention to the present moment and cultivating a nonjudgmental, compassionate awareness of our thoughts, our emotions, our senses, and the world around us.

         We are in the early stages of developing a series of sessions called Mindful Living, meeting once a month on a weekday evening. If you would like to learn more about this contemplative practice, please leave your contact information on the signup sheet at the membership table. Knowing how many folks are interested at this stage will help inform our search for a regular meeting space. Stay tuned for more information!

    🆕  Honor and Memorial Giving

      • A donation was made in memory of our sweet friend, Connie Farell, by Don and Cindy Anderson. 
      • A donation was made in honor of all the Active Members who keep C3 going, by Deb Sikanas and Russell Radford.

    Outreach

    Farewell to Nancy Owens

    Long time C3 member Nancy Owens and her husband Ron are moving mid-January to the New Orleans area to be near her new grandson. Nancy was active in the Outreach committee here, and served in Loving Spoonfuls at St. John’s Episcopal church, coordinated Red Cross blood drives, volunteered for the Hispanic Festival, and coordinated financial assistance for Felipe Lopez and his family in getting established in Holland, just to mention a few of her contributions. Be sure to wish her well, if you see her, or send a note via email.

    🆕  Humanity for Prisoners Newsletter

    Click here to read the January issue of the HFP Communicator.

    🆕  Momentum Center Newsletter

    Click here to read the January issue of Gaining Momentum.

    Groups

      • Sunday Night Supper will be at Ted’s Restaurant in Spring Lake, 5:30p.m. this Sunday. Please sign up at the Welcome Table if you intend to come. Jean Regester will be making the arrangements.
      • C3 Men’s Group  meets on Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Choir Room at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Call Phil Koster, 616-402-1751 with questions.
      • C3 Book Club and Friends The book for Tuesday, January 21 is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. We meet at the Bookman at 6 p.m.
      • Women’s Journey: January’s meeting will be Monday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. Karen Laird DeSmet will host; refreshments will be supplied by Joyce and Beth.

    Care and Concern

    Caring for our C3 community is a shared responsibility. Community Care encourages members to support one another with notes, calls, visits, meals, and transportation.To share life events, illnesses, or hardships—or to request help—contact Cheryl Van Abbema by email or phone.

    • Barbara Crouse, grandmother to Mary Crouse, coordinator for C3 Kids, died on December 21 at the age of 96. Cards can be sent to Mary.

    Charter for Compassion

    🆕  C3 is a Partner of Charter for Compassion

    What if we were to view the world though the lens of compassion?  What if, instead of looking through the lens of politics or religion or philosophical ideology, we looked first through the lens of compassion at the world and its people? That is the call of The Charter for Compassion: to have compassion be the world view. To let kindness be the guiding ideology in responding to what is going on around us. C3 became a Charter for Compassion Partner in 2015 (thanks, Ellie Williams). If you have not already done so, please consider becoming an INDIVIDUAL MEMBER of Charter for Compassion. All members receive the Charter for Compassion newsletter about three times each month. Go to Charter for Compassion and click on the “Get Our Newsletter” tab on the right side of the screen. 

    December Week 3@C3: 3rd Annual Greeting Card Blizzard

    Thank you for your participation in the Seasonal Greeting Card Blizzard. We distributed 265 cards to four area care centers. Note: There will be no Week 3@ C3 collection in January. We will be back in February. Have a Happy New Year.

    Values in Action

    Music Events with C3 Connections 🎶

    • January 17: 6 p.m. Ruth & Max Bloomquist Momentum Center Benefit Concert. Don’t miss it! Purchase tickets here.

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

              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 Week3@C3 table this Sunday. 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, January 12

              9 a.m. Pre-Talk

              10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Ryan Cotton 

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

                • Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
                • Music: Kyle Joe
                • Meditation: Andy Cawthon

              11 a.m. Talk Back

               

              Tuesday, January 14

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

               

              Wednesday, January 15

              6:30 p.m.  Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)

               

              Sunday, January 19

              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: Lady Oak
                • Meditation: Rod Van Abbema

              11 a.m. Talk Back

              Brad Ruggles (he/him) joined C3 as Lead Teacher in May 2024. 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.

              Lady Oak is a 16-member ensemble drawn from the Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus, a vibrant organization dedicated to celebrating women’s voices and fostering community through song. Established in 1996, the Chorus sings music that honors the diversity of women’s lives. Drawing on music from many cultures, the Chorus strives to educate and inspire its community to promote justice, peace, and equality. Lady Oak, founded in 1999, continues this legacy on an intimate scale, offering audiences a unique blend of harmony, artistry, and connection.

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