This week at C3
The new series Who Am I? continues with Talk Two: The Conscious MInd by Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles.
This week, we’re diving into the swirling chaos of our thoughts 💭 —you know, that nonstop inner monologue that sounds like a bad roommate narrating your life? Ever wonder why your mind can turn a minor inconvenience into a full-blown DEFCON 1 emergency? What part of us keeps jumping on the crazy train every time it pulls into the station?
We’ll explore the thoughts and feelings that shape our sense of self—and why we shouldn’t believe everything we think. We are not our thoughts and there’s a way to observe what’s going on up there without letting it run the show. So, bring your overthinking brain and join us as we unravel the commotion your mind loves to make about life!
Look forward to our stage being filled this week with the women from the ensemble Live Oak from Grand Rapids. The meditation will come from Rod Van Abbema.
📍 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
🆕 News from the Board of Trustees
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- C3 will join the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce
- The Board elected the following trustees to the Executive Committee: Teresa Colbry, Chair; Tod Wyn, Secretary; Andy Cawthon, Treasurer; Vice Chair (tabled for now)
- The Board will now hold their monthly meeting on the 4th Wednesday of every month. The next meeting will be Wednesday, February 26.
- C3 will join the Grand Haven Chamber of Commerce
Thinking Ahead: In Case of a Weather Emergency 🥶
This weekend is expected to be cold, but we plan to proceed with the Gathering as scheduled. As a reminder, here’s our inclement weather policy: The Executive Committee and Executive Director will decide by late Saturday afternoon if the in-person Sunday Gathering needs to be canceled. If a cancellation occurs, we will notify you via email, Facebook, Instagram, WAWL radio, and TV stations WZZM, WOOD, and Fox 17.
🆕 Mindful Living Update
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. Come, explore, and share this contemplative practice every third Wednesday of the month, starting March 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Loutit District Library, Program Room A. Chairs will be provided, but feel free to bring a cushion. Have questions? See or email Kerry FitzGerald.
Please Complete the C3 Weekend Gathering Survey 🤔
If you haven’t done so already, please click here and complete Our Quick C3 Survey, which seeks your input about our weekly Gathering, 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! 🍽️
This Sunday, January 19, will be your last chance to sign up to join a fun evening filled with great food, laughter, and conversation at Dine with NIne on Saturday, February 8. 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. 🗓️

Honor and Memorial Giving
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- 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.
- A donation was made in memory of our sweet friend, Connie Farell, by Don and Cindy Anderson.
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 Just News.
Groups
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- 🆕 Sunday Night Supper relocates to Dr. Rolf’s Barbecue (971 W. Savidge St.) in Spring Lake, 5:30 p.m. this Sunday. Please sign up at the Welcome Table if you intend to come.
- 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 with questions.
- C3 Book Club and Friends meet this coming Tuesday, January 21, at The Bookman at 6 p.m. The book to be discussed is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
- Women’s Journey will meet on 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.
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- 🆕 Lana Brock will be having tricuspid valve surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit on February 6. Cards of care, concern, and encouragement may be sent to Lana.
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.
Values in Action
Music Events with C3 Connections
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- January 17: 6 p.m. Ruth & Max Bloomquist Momentum Center Benefit Concert. Don’t miss it! Purchase tickets here.
- 🆕 January 18: 6:30 p.m. Sweet Lou and the Savages, Grand Armory Brewing. Bob Kleinheksel plays with this band.
- 🆕 January 25: 1 to 5 p.m. Tunes, Tales and Treats Concert, St. John’s Episcopal Church. Enjoy a 60’s-style coffeehouse event featuring music, poetry, and performances that include some C3 members! Free admission with coffee and cider provided. Drop in anytime!
Community Events for Your Consideration
Click on the links for more information.
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- 🆕 Tuesday, January 28, 6 to 8 p.m., Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, Ottawa County Fillmore Complex
- 🆕 Thursday, January 30, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting on Mental Health and Politics, Momentum Center. This excerpt is from an article in Grand Haven Tribune from Friday, January 10—Momentum Center: Town hall to focus on mental health and politics: The fact that the extreme scope of sentiments and responses that erupted from 2024’s political climate and may continue into 2025 is the catalyst for Grand Haven Momentum Center’s upcoming “Town Hall on Mental Health and Politics.” The program includes presentations by six panelists who have studied the effects of political discord on mental health… Small group and large group conversations will follow… Guests are asked to register online.
- Monday, February 3: 7 to 8 p.m. Ottawa News Network Listening Tour, Holland Museum
- 🆕 April 8–11, Civil Rights Road Tour, sponsored by the Momentum Center
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 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
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- Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
- Music: Lady Oak
- Meditation: Rod Van Abbema
11 a.m. Talk Back
Tuesday, January 21
6:00 p.m. C3 Book Club and Friends (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave., GH)
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (Choir Room, St. John’s Episcopal Church, GH)
Sunday, January 26
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
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- Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
- Music: Jen Sight
- Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel
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.
Jen Sygit (she/her), 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. Jen a member of the all-female string band Stella!, and provides the deep bluesy low end to Stella!’s three-part harmonies.
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