Update for October 20, 2024

Oct 18, 2024 | C3 Updates

Special International Guest Teacher This Sunday

John Philip Newell, a “wandering teacher” from Scotland in the ancient Celtic Christian tradition, will be our Guest Teacher on Sunday, October 20. Known for blending the poetic and intellectual, Newell speaks to both the head and the heart. He will present The Great Search: Turning to Earth and Soul in the Quest for Healing and Home. Joining him for meditation will be Cami Twilling, director of Earth & Soul, a Celtic initiative of study, spiritual practice, and compassionate action based in Colorado.

Sunday’s musician is Spencer LaJoye (they/them), a coast-to-coast singer/songwriter with Midwest roots, a classically-trained violinist with a proclivity for Broadway vocals, and a student of Americana music with a theology degree hanging in their studio. They’ve been writing and touring their own autobiographical folk/pop music for over a decade, but the virality of their 2021 anthem “Plowshare Prayer” secured them a permanent place in hearts and households across the world.

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 Members and Friends Encouraged to Attend This Special Retreat

Don’t miss your last chance to register for Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul: A Retreat with John Philip Newell and Cami Twilling on Saturday, October 19. Join us for a transformative experience as John Philip Newell shares his profound wisdom teachings, and Cami Twilling guides us through spiritual practices that awaken our connection to the sacredness of Earth and all humanity. Together, we’ll explore how this deep awareness can lead to personal and global healing. Secure your spot for the retreat and other special events here—space is limited and time is short! ⏳

Life Church Moved to Second Reformed

Now that Life Church has found their new home, we might feel a bit like empty nesters here at C3–happy on their behalf, and grateful for some quieter times with each other. Shannon and Brad will work with Central Park Place over the next few weeks to assess our use options and costs.

Community Celebration November 3

Make plans now to attend the C3 Community Celebration on Sunday, November 3.You won’t want to miss it! We plan to celebrate exciting changes at C3. You will have the chance to get plugged in to some of the great opportunities at C3. Talk Back will be replaced with the Annual Meeting and a potluck. Please note: If your last name begins with . . .

    • A–I: bring a main dish
    • J–P: bring a side dish
    • Q–Z: bring a dessert

Tableware and beverages will be provided. It will be fun! 🗓️

Do You Have Any Old Photos of C3 (Christ Community Church)?

We’re trying to collect historical photos of C3/Christ Community Church, including past members, events, pastors, and the building, to be used for the Community Celebration on November 3. Photos in digital format are preferred, and can be sent to Brad. If you need us to scan your hard copies of old photos, we can do that at the office. Please call or text 616-842-1985 or email Shannon to set up a time to bring them in to the office for scanning.

 

Charter for Compassion

Week 3@C3 for October: Thanksgiving Baskets

This Sunday, October 20, is the last day to contribute to our effort to help Muskegon Rescue Mission fill 900 baskets for the annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, which offers area residents a full Thanksgiving meal to make at home. Choose from the list below and bring items to the Week 3@ C3 table. New to the list this year are mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves.

    • Food: Boxed stuffing, boxed potatoes, canned corn and/or green beans, boxed mac & cheese mix, boxed brownie or cake mix
    • Winter wear: mittens, gloves, hats, scarves
    • Gifts of cash are welcome. Cash in an envelope labeled Thanksgiving Baskets and checks with that same notation can be dropped into the donation boxes on Sunday. See Chase for credit card donations. Contributions can also be mailed to C3 Spiritual Community asap, PO Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

Outreach

Vigil for Peace and Justice ✌️

Enjoy the fall weather while making a statement for peace and justice by joining our vigil each Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. Bring a chair to sit, if you are more comfortable that way. We have lots of signs to hold, or make your own! 🗓️

🆕  Humanity for Prisoners October Newsletter

Click here to read the October edition of the HFP Communicator.

Momentum Center October Newsletter

Click here to read the October edition of Gaining Momentum.

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.

On Wednesday, October 16, a group of Connie Farell’s C3 friends got together informally at Russ’ restaurant for lunch, to honor her memory. They shared pictures as well as their favorite Connie stories.

    • Connie Farell, our beloved long-time member, died peacefully on Friday evening, October 4. Arrangements will be by Klassen Funeral Home and Connie’s sons.
    • A celebration of life will be held for Joan Sutton on Saturday, October 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. at 11888 144th Avenue, West Olive, MI 49460, at her brother’s family blueberry farm. Bob Kleinheksel will hold a short service at 2 p.m., at which time the family would love for you to share stories of your time with Joanie. Time to visit and eat will follow.
    • Kathy and Tom Tosa thank you for the prayers and positive thoughts. Son Michael was released from the rehab hospital September 20 and is at home in Busselton, Australia, getting used to normal life again and gaining strength, on his way to further recovery. Kathy and Tom will travel to see him in December.

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 Men’s Group Join in conversation with men from C3 and the community each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room B at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Questions? Call Phil Koster. 🗓️
    • C3 Book Club and Friends The C3 and Friends Book Club meets 6 p.m. November 19 at The Bookman to talk about My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor. 🗓️
    • Women’s Journey Our next meeting is Monday, October 28, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. We could use one or two volunteers for snacks. We will again have some questions as conversation starters. Join us! 🗓️

    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.

    Honor and Memorial Giving Program

    Celebrate or remember a loved one while making a meaningful impact through C3’s Honor and Memorial Giving Program. Whether you’re honoring someone special or paying tribute to a cherished memory, your gift supports the work of our community. Cards for this purpose are available at the Membership Table, and with your permission, we’ll acknowledge these heartfelt contributions in our newsletter (names only, no dollar amounts). Your generosity helps sustain our mission—thank you for being such a vital part of C3!

    Values in Action

    Shakespeare’s Macbeth, starring Pigeon Creek Shakespeaer’s Scott Lange and Katherine Mayberry, and produced by C3 member Julie Bratton (who also appears on stage) is the first play to be staged at the new Stage at the Corner in downtown Muskegon, with performances this weekend. Click here for times and tickets. (Please note, you have to climb stairs to the theater; the elevator is not installed yet).

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

    Posthumous Justice for Maurice Carter

    Humanity for Prisoners’s founder Doug Tjapkes spent years seeking justice for Maurice Carter, a black man who was wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit, and HFP believes Maurice deserves that justice, even if that justice is posthumous. Learn more and consider signing a petition seeking the posthumous pardon from Gov. Whitmer by clicking here.

    Kristin Du Mez Film For Our Daughters: Stories of Abuse, Betrayal, and Resistance in the Evangelical Church

    You can watch this 30-minute long film directly on YouTube here.

    A Message from Shannon McMaster about Announcements

    As we near the end of the 2024 election cycle, please remember that C3 is a 501(c)(3) organization and cannot engage in propaganda, influence legislation, or participate in political campaigns. Anything during the Sunday Gathering is considered an official C3 action. Please check with the Gathering Host or me (Shannon) before making announcements, and keep any political statements brief and issue-focused, such as, “County board elections are important. I have information in the back.“

    Calendar

    Saturday, October 19

    9 a.m. Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul – A Retreat with John Philip Newell & Cami Twilling (Tri-City Historical Museum, 200 Washington Ave, GH) Registration required

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

    6 p.m. Dine with Nine

    Sunday, October 20  

    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: John Philip Newell
      • Music: Spencer LaJoye
      • Meditation: Cami Twilling

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    6:00 p.m. Wine & Cheese Reception with JP Newell & Cami Twilling Registration required

    Tuesday, October 22

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

    Saturday, October 26

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

    Sunday, October 27  

    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

      • Core Teacher: Beth Buelow
      • Music: Stanley & Quiggle
      • Meditation: Karri Absenger

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    June 11 Banner

    Beth Buelow (she/her) has been part of the C3 Community since March 2018 and has loved every minute of it. She’s a business owner; leadership, team, and mentor coach; author, speaker, and mediator, and she has added photographer to the list of ways she wants to be known in the world.

    Stanley & Quiggle (Owen & Jamie, he/him for both) are an indie-folk duo from Big Rapids, who were connected by music in their late high school years and paired up to embark on this journey together. With their vocals and a variety of instruments, they create an atmosphere filled with strong emotion and wonder. Having the rest of their lives to make music, the two hope to make an impact and have stories to tell along the way.

    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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