Update for December 1, 2024

Nov 29, 2024 | C3 Updates

This Sunday at C3

Lead Teacher Brad Ruggles advances the series What the World Needs Now with the intriguing noun (r)Evolution. One of the first things we learn about life on this planet is that it rarely goes the way we want. This week we’ll be taking a cue from the incredibly adaptable marvel of nature, the sea turtle, as we learn how to respond to life’s unexpected shifts. Obstacles and disappointments don’t always mean the end of the story. Sometimes those challenges are an invitation for us to dig deep and develop a resilience we didn’t know we possessed. Join us as we learn how to adapt like the sea turtle, no shells required. 

We look forward to the return of musician Sammie Hershock, who was first with us at the beginning of August. Beth Buelow will give the 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.

🆕 Outgoing Board Members Honored

Three outgoing members of the Board of Trustees were honored with carved wooden bowls at the end of last week’s Gathering: Beth Buelow, Cheri Eshenaur, and Rod Van Abbema. Thanks to them for serving!

 

News from the Board of Trustees

At their November 20 meeting, the Board authorized Andy Cawthon, Treasurer, to put the recently received bequest into four short-term CDs at the best rate available and sequester the money until it’s needed, most likely for upcoming relocation/real estate needs. In addition, the community will receive verbal quarterly updates from the Treasurer on C3’s overall financial position. The search for a new location continues, with expanding our presence at 1447 Washington (current site of C3’s offices) being one option under consideration. The community will be updated as new information becomes available. We appreciate your input; please contact Shannon McMaster if you have ideas or leads for potential long-term gathering locations in the Tri-Cities area.

 

🆕  Membership Committee Needs You!   

The Membership committee needs one or two new volunteer members. Please contact Jeff Crandle for further information at 616-638-5266 (text preferred). It is a fun group to be part of, so please consider joining!

Membership Table

Charter for Compassion

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

    This marks the third year for our Greeting Card Blizzard for residents of Riverside Nursing & Rehab, Medilodge at the Shore, North Ottawa Care Center and Christian Haven Home. Starting December 1, find cards bundled into 30 sets of 10 cards each at the Week 3@C3 table. Take a bundle or two, address envelopes and sign the cards: suggested text “To a Friend” on envelopes and ”From a Friend” on cards. Include C3-Spiritual Community and any personal note you may wish to add. No other address or stamps are necessary. Return completed cards to the Week 3@ C3 table by December 15. Greetings will be delivered to each site for the appropriate staff person to deliver to residents. The goal is 300 cards. See Char Zoet if you want to suggest an additional care facility as a recipient.

    Membership Table

    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 Memoriał 
    Central Park Place Mackinaw Ballroom
    Sunday, December 8, 2024

    1 to 4 p.m.

    A long time neighbor Jerry Scott and some close friends of Connie want to honor her memory as a valued member of the larger Grand Haven community. They are partnering with a number of others that have been inspired by Connie’s life, and included C3 in this group. They have decided to have a Chili Bar the Sunday after the Jingle Bell Parade, as these were two of Connie’s favorite things to do each winter! Please sign up if you plan to attend, as a head count will be needed to facilitate set-up. There will be a sheet at the Membership Table. Please sign up if you plan to attend, as a head count will be needed to facilitate set-up. There will be a sheet at the Membership Table. Take a moment to write a few words about Connie on one of the cloth strips.

     

    Outreach

    Bell Ringers Needed 

    It is time to ring the bell for the 2024 Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign, which supports all the programs of the local Salvation Army: housing for six families, a food pantry, Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance, utility assistance, and Pathway of Hope programs. C3ers who participated in the past felt positive about the experience. People were grateful to have us there, providing the opportunity for them to contribute to a familiar holiday act of giving.
    We will be at Leppink’s (Ferrysburg) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, December 11 and 12, for one-hour shifts. It works best to have only one or two at the kettle for each shift. Playing music or an instrument during the shift is a big plus! Sign up after Gathering the next two Sundays with Betty Porter, at the Outreach table, or email Betty. 

    🆕  Last Vigil for Peace is on Winter Break ✌️

    Although the Vigil is on hiatus until April, why not use that hour between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday for an endeavor that promotes peace and justice—something as basic as meditation, reading about social justice. or writing to a government official about an issue of concern.

     

    Groups

    • 🆕  No Sunday Dinner Group There is no Sunday Dinner Group planned for Sunday evening, due to the busyness of the holiday weekend.
    • 🆕  Women’s Journey will meet next on Monday, December 16. 
    • C3 Men’s Group This men’s conversation group meets each 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 At 6 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, Book Club will meet at the C3 office complex at 1447 Washington (next to Norm’s ice Cream) for our holiday party. We’re asking everyone to bring a wrapped used book, a nibble to share, and your own drink. If appropriate, please label your nibble as dairy- or fish-free. The book for January 21 is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.

    Finance

    We deeply value your continued support of C3. 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

     

    🆕  Music Events with C3 Connections

    • Light Night: C3 members Karen Cotton and Cindy Krause-Leitner played with Steel Doin’ It at the Light Night event
    • December 7, 7:30 p.m., and December 8, 3 p.m. Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus: Nelleke Knarr sings with this group, which will perform their winter concert at St. Cecilia Music Center. Check the link for more information.
    • December 14: 7-9 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Christmas Light – An Elegant Candlelit Christmas Music Experience Tabitha Blanski sings with The Choral Scholars in this concert at First Reformed Church (301 Washington Avenue) in Grand Haven. Admission is free but seating is limited and tickets must be reserved at the link above.

    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.

    Community Events for Your Consideration 

    Click on the links for more information.

    Calendar

    Sunday, December 1

    9 a.m. Pre-Talk

    10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Renee Borton

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

    • Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
    • Music: Sammie Hershock
    • Meditation: Beth Buelow

    11 a.m. Talk Back

     

    Tuesday, December 3

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

     

    Sunday, December 8

    9 a.m. Pre-Talk

    10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Char Kole

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

    • Guest Teacher: Ruth Zwald
    • Music: Daniel Bracken
    • Meditation: Karri Absenger

    11 a.m. Talk Back

    Ruth Zwald, retired social worker/minister, makes her home on a farm, starting every dawn with good coffee and the crow of the rooster. Loving the cycles of the seasons, Ruth watches the moon and never misses a solstice or equinox turning. She is a Mesa Carrier on the Peruvian Medicine Path, which involves personal healing, transformational healing for others, and creating ceremony and ritual for ourselves and for the earth. 

    Daniel Bracken, Michigan-based songwriter and finger-style guitarist plays music informed by his rich history as a recordist and producer for Public Media, and as a performer in the US and Ireland. In recent years Dan has delved deeper into personal songcraft, a wholehearted mix expressing the crossroads of spirituality, wistfulness, and humor. His songs embrace many of the storytelling qualities of traditional Irish and American roots music.

    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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