This Sunday C3’s Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles channels SNL’s Nadine with his teaching Simma Down Nah. The political frenzy has been ratcheted up to a new level this election cycle. Things are crazy and they’re probably going to get even crazier in the coming months. How do we turn down the temperature on our conversations and interactions? Is it even possible to find common ground when there is so little to agree on? We may not agree on the answers, but we’ll ask the tough questions together. Join us as we all take a step back, breathe, and simma down nah.

Stanley & Quiggle (Owen and Jamie, he/him for both), are an indie-folk duo from Big Rapids, who make their C3 debut this Sunday. Andy Cawthon will share a meditation with us.

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.

News

Visit by Felipe’s Family

Felipe Lopez brought his whole visiting family to C3 last Sunday, including his mother and step-father from Mexico. He hadn’t seen his mother in 10 years. At the end of gathering, Teresa Colbry invited Felipe up front to introduce his visiting family. He spoke and was very proud.

Sunday Gathering Room Layout

We continue to tweak the room layout in an attempt to make the Mackinaw Room more comfortable and functional for us while we’re at Central Park Place. In addition to setting up the stage on the north side of the room, Pre-Talk has moved to the room where Talk Back occurs. If you have any feedback about the changes, email Brad and let him know.

Charter for Compassion

Thank You, Times Two!

We received a thank you from the Friends of Muskegon Heights Public Library for the donation of equipped backpacks for summer reading program students in May. Through the combined effort of Week 3@ C3 and Muskegon area organizations, the Friends were able to distribute 120 backpacks, 40 supplied by Week 3@C3.

We also received a thank you from the Green Valley Sahuarita Samaritans (The Good Shepherd UCC) from Sahuarita, Arizona, for our Week 3 donation to them in June. They wrote: “These are especially challenging times in the borderlands. Your support means a great deal to us. Thank you for your generous donation of $1002 to help us continue our work.”

Outreach

Three Upcoming Events Sponsored by C3

September 21: Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
Opportunities for volunteers for the Fiesta itself are listed at the link. As before, C3 will be a sponsor of the event and have a booth to sell cookies. We need volunteers to make and donate cookies, and also to staff a two-hour shift at the booth that day. On the next few Sundays, Patti will have signup sheets for cookie donations and volunteers. If you haven’t done it before, consider joining us and sign up. It’s a fun day!
September 26: Humanity for Prisoners “Voices of Humanity”
This annual event will feature a dinner, the premiere of a new documentary film, and other fun(draising) events.
September 28: C3’s Adopt-A-Highway Clean-Up
The calendar for September is getting crowded, so be sure to save Saturday morning, September 28, for our highway cleanup effort.

Vigil for Peace and Justice

The Vigil for Peace and Justice continues to be a quiet C3 presence for peace in our community, each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. You are always welcome to join us.

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 recently moved to a new living situation, at Harbor Homes Assisted Living & Memory Care in Norton Shores near Muskegon Trinity Hospital. Cards and visits are welcome.
Our former interim leader Barbara Lee Van Horssen’s son Jackson Selb transitioned from this life into light on Friday, August 16, after a long struggle with a terminal illness. A funeral will take place Friday, August 23, at 3 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Read the obituary here.
Joan Sutton is receiving hospice services at home. She welcomes cards, calls, and visits. Call or text Gayle to check on visit times.

Groups

Sunday Dinner Group at the Park The Sunday Dinner Group will meet at William Ferry Park in Ferrysburg at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own picnic items, or stop and pick up some take-out food on the way! No need to sign up—just come!
C3 Book Club and Friends We are looking forward to discussion of Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman on Tuesday, September 17, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman.
C3 Men’s Group provides time for men to meet and talk with each other. Feel free to join them on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Room B, in Grand Haven. Questions? Call Phil Koster.
Women’s Journey Women’s Journey is on pause for the summer. Our next meeting will be on Monday, September 23, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. If you would like to make or renew connections with the some of the women of C3, please join us for relaxed social time at one of our monthly meetings.

Finance

Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. 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.

Values in Action

Community Events for Your Consideration

Click on the links for more information.

Every Monday: Summer Author Series, through August 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
August 25, 4 to 6 p.m. Prayer Walk Against Gun Violence, sponsored by Muskegon County Cooperating Churches, Hackley Park, Muskegon. Wear orange.

New Book from Bill Lawton

C3 friend Bill Lawton (Ian’s father) has published a new book, Leave Love with Me: Beauty and Justice, Love’s Color and Fragrance. The text explores the inner life balance through beauty that transcends imposed rules and dogma. It is available in the U.S., and can be ordered at The Bookman (or other booksellers).

Update on John Leitner’s Bike Ride

John completed his 900-mile bicycle ride around Lake Michigan in 13 days, camping, staying at motels and/or people’s houses on the way, to help raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. Donations have topped $1000 so far. Donations can still be made here.

Stay Informed about Ottawa County Commission News

If you care about what is happening at the Ottawa County Commission but don’t have time to read all the news, Organize Ottawa sends a great summary of what happens at meetings and more. Just click here to sign up. You can also click on Ottawa Notes to see past newsletters.

Calendar

Saturday, August 24

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

Sunday, August 25

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: Stanley & Quiggle
Meditation: Andy Cawthon

11 a.m. Talk Back

Tuesday, August 27

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

Saturday, August 31

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

Sunday, September 1

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

Core Teacher: Michael DeWilde
Music: Molly
Meditation: TBA

11 a.m. Talk Back

Michael DeWilde, a Core Teacher at C3, is the director of the Koeze Business Ethics Initiative in the Seidman College of Business, as well as a full professor in the Management Department at GVSU. He holds an MTS from Harvard University and did his undergraduate work at William James College (GVSU).

Molly (she/her) is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Grand Rapids. She writes to explore what it means to be a Black woman in America. Her unique past and desire for a sense of freedom inform both her emotive style and her thought-provoking lyrics, making for a moody, eclectic, colorful, and soulful sound.

Additional Resources

C3 Website

C3 Website>Updates

C3 Website>Calendar Events

C3 Membership Directory (login required)

C3 Website>Values (printable list here)

C3 Website>Newsletter Request

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