Be of Value: Care of the Earth will be addressed by one of our frequent (favorite) Guest Teachers, Michael DeWilde (along with Sonja and Charlotte DeWilde), who will talk with us about Luxury Goods this Sunday.
Matt Gabriel, a singer/songwriter who has spent over a decade writing and performing music around the country, joins us once again. You can sample his music, performed at Meijer Gardens, here.
Gathering Information
Masks are optional now at our In-Person Gathering. The decision of whether or not to wear a mask will be up to each individual. Also, please allow a couple extra minutes to negotiate the southbound US-31 detour.
Sundays at the Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., Grand Haven)
9:00 a.m. Pre-Talk: In Person
Meet the morning’s teacher in a small group setting for an open discussion of the morning’s theme.
10:00 a.m. Gathering: In Person + Livestream on Facebook
Welcome, readings, meditation from a community member, teaching, and music
10:00 a.m. C3 Kids: In Person (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back: In Person
A chance to share questions, comments, and stories related to the morning gathering.
Lead Teacher Kent Dobson
There is a lot more to discover and learn from Kent Dobson on his website, and by listening to his podcast “Hints and Guesses.” The latest episode, Ancient Compost: Pilgrimage and the Absence of God is about the golden calf, the absence of God, the center which has no center, and the nutrients left in the compost heap of our spiritual ancestors.
C3 News
Treasurer’s Notes about Welcome Back Sunday
On April 24, we were treated to the opportunity to bid on and purchase beautifully handcrafted bowls created by Tom Webber. Financially, the fundraiser was a success as we raised over $2,800. More importantly, the auction and Small Bites gave us all an opportunity to connect with one another like we haven’t been able to for a while. A huge THANK YOU to Tom for his generosity and for the opportunity for us to witness the beauty of his art. It is also important to recognize Tom Edwards and Andy Cawthon for their work behind the scenes to bring this auction together – THANK YOU BOTH, and thanks to all of you who bid on and purchased the works of art!
Just Cause Update
The Just Cause process has generated two different versions of a Just Cause statement to offer the C3 Community. Complete information will be available at the Gathering on Sunday; you can also view it here and share your thoughts. The Board would love to know which statement you prefer!
Dine With Nine
The first post-pandemic Dine with Nine is coming up soon, on Saturday, May 14, at 6:00 p.m. If you signed up, coordinators of the event (Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith, and Mary Ackerson) or your evening’s host should be in touch soon to let you know the pertinent information. You will most likely be requested to respond with which portion of the meal you will provide. Contact Joyce with questions.
C3 Outreach
Adopt-A-Highway
A great crew of 26 turned out to brave the wind, a few raindrops, and the challenge of lots of trash to pick up along our stretch of US-31. 115 bags of trash were collected, along with a brand-new window screen and a $100 bill, which was donated to C3. What a great way to demonstrate our value of Care for the Earth!
Many thanks to Mary and Skip Ackerson for getting C3 involved with the Adopt-A-Highway program, and organizing our twice-yearly cleanup days for so many years! They are now “retiring” from this duty, and handing over the reins to Tom Edwards and Annie Wassman, who will keep the tradition going.
Volunteers Needed for Grand Haven Parks Clean-Up Blitz
You can still sign-up for the Clean-Up Blitz honoring Earth Day 2022, hosted by C3. Volunteers for the Parks Clean-Up Blitz will meet on Saturday, May 21, at 10:00 a.m. at East Grand River Park, (20 S. Eastern Street; take Franklin Avenue east off Beechtree to the park entrance on S. Eastern Street). Three areas are being targeted. Crews of four to eight are needed for each area below:
Harbor Island’s paths and perimeters
East Grand River Park and Bolt Park and perimeters
Railroad tracks from Park Avenue to Jackson
Volunteers will return to East Grand River Park at noon for a light lunch. Sign up after the Gathering in the lobby or with Rod. You will receive a confirming email about one week before the event.
Earth Day Fair and March
Our C3 Community was well represented at the Earth Day March and Fair on April 23! About 100 kids visited our Kids’ Table and planted sunflower seeds to take home. Steel Doin’ It and Prevailing Winds provided delightful music. The booths included recyclers, artists who create with recycled materials, the Audubon Society, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and wildflower planting programs. Thanks to C3 members Leslie Newman, Patti Baldus, Yvonne Olmsted, and Dawn Briegel, who are on the planning committee.
Vigil for Peace and Justice
Our Vigil for Peace and Justice will be held in Grand Haven along Washington Avenue at Central Park from noon – 1:00 p.m. this Saturday. With all the chaos in the world, it’s a good time to take a break to meditate on peace. All are invited to join in. (Feel free to bring a chair, if that’s more comfortable for you).
Red Cross Blood Drive Postponed
The Blood Drive scheduled for May 20, which C3 volunteers were going to staff, has been postponed until July 15.
C3 Groups
C3 Men’s Group
C3 Men’s Group will resume in-person meetings at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 10, at the US Retail Office (next door to i’move, 18000 Cove Street) just off the Van Wagoner exit, east of US-31. For additional information, contact Phil . New participants are welcome to join!
C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group
Our discussion of Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You happens this coming Tuesday, May 10, 6:30 p.m. at the Bookman. If you need to meet by Zoom, please email Joyce. New members are welcome to join!
June 7: The Humans by Matt Haig, author of Midnight Library
July 5: Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Bookclub May June
C3 Finance
Week 3@C3 for May: Ukraine Fundraiser
During May, we will be supporting our allies in Ukraine by sending donations to World Central Kitchen, an organization “First to the Frontlines,” which provides meals to areas in crisis. The organization is located in Washington, DC. There will be a table in the lobby where you can contribute and receive a free Ukrainian flag. Donations can be made on May 8 or 15, in one of three ways:
by check to C3 with a note in memo section—“Ukraine Fundraiser”
by credit card (via Square; see Chase at the sound table)—note “Ukraine Fundraiser”
by PayPal at the C3 website—when prompted to “add special instructions to the seller,” note “Ukraine Fundraiser”
CCD Children’s Garden Program
Nancy Peters from the Coalition for Community development sent this note after receiving the donations of garden tools and supplies from April’s Week 3@C3 collection:
“Wow! So many much-needed supplies for our CCD Children ’s Garden Program! Thanks so much for promoting and arranging this donation!”
C3 Finance
Support C3 When You Shop on Amazon!
While we encourage you to shop locally when possible, when you do shop on Amazon, why not support C3? Instead of going to the usual Amazon site, click instead on smile.amazon.com. You’ll land on a page that will ask you if you want to support C3, which, of course you do, so click “yes”, and Voila! Amazon will contribute .5% for each qualifying purchase you make!
Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. Online donations can be made here. 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.
C3 Values in Action
Momentum Center
Dinner and Movie Night
The movie for Friday, May 13 is Up from the Bottoms, a documentary which follows the stories of African Americans, now in their 80’s and 90’s, who migrated north in the 1940’s to the war factories of Muskegon. Free dinner (pot luck items welcome) at 5:00 p.m., movie at 6:00 at the Momentum Center.
C3 Participants in Civil Rights Road Trip
A dozen members or friends of C3 traveled with a group of 40 people to Birmingham, Selma, and Montgomery, AL, and Memphis, TN, on the Civil Rights Road Trip from April 18–21. Eyes were opened (and tears flowed) as they visited the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute; walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma; toured the Legacy Museum and viewed the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery; and finished by visiting the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Planning is underway for these folks to share what they learned with the C3 Community on Sunday, May 29.
Race and Public Health: May 18, 6:00 p.m. at GVSU
Michael DeWilde, this week’s teacher, shares information about this talk with bestselling author and physician Dr. Michele Harper. Click here to access the complete information about the program.
Humanity for Prisoners May Newsletter
There’s lots of information in this month’s HFP Communicator!
C3 Calendar
Saturday, May 7
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, May 8
Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9:00 a.m. Pre-Talk, In Person
10:00 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
Teacher: Michael DeWilde
Music: Matt Gabriel
Meditation: Rod VanAbbema
10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids: Mother’s Day, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person
Tuesday, May 10
6:30 p.m.: C3 and Friends Book Discussion Group (The Bookman, 715 Washington Ave., GH)
7:00 p.m.: C3 Men’s Group (US Retail Office, 18000 Cove St, SL)
Wednesday, May 11
6:30 p.m.: Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)
Saturday, May 13
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, May 15
Grand Haven Community Center (421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9:00 a.m. Pre-Talk, In Person
10:00 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
Teacher: Kent Dobson
Music: Kate Pillsbury
Meditation: Bob Kleinheksel
10:00 a.m.: C3 Kids: Board Game Day, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary
11:00 a.m.: Talk Back, In Person
May 15 Banner
Kent Dobson has been the lead teacher at C3 since 2017. He’s also in the guide-in-training program at Animas Valley Institute in Colorado, an organization specializing in wilderness intensives.
Kate Pillsbury fell in love with songwriting after inheriting a hand-me-down guitar from her dad at the age of thirteen. For nearly twenty years since, she has devoted her life to music, including a decade and counting as co-lead singer/guitarist for the band The Crane Wives. Having written hundreds of unreleased songs, her current focus is on publishing a body of solo work.