C3’s Sunday Gathering includes three unique elements: music by an independent musician or group; a teaching from our C3 Teacher Kent Dobson or a selected Guest Teacher, usually on a topic related to the monthly theme chosen by Kent and the Sunday Gathering Team; and a Meditation from one of our mindful and talented C3 members. These elements mesh to provide a vibrant, thought-provoking, inspiring experience. Please join us in person if you’re able, or view the Gathering on C3’s Facebook page.
Guest Teacher Jenny Atlee-Loudon is well-known to long-time C3 members as our Teacher in 2016, and those who don’t know Jenny will have the privilege of hearing from this social justice giant this week. She talks about Thrive Stories as we move forward with our series The Great Questions. Please join us for this special experience with Jenny, a meditation from Rod Van Abbema, and music from Beth Bombara, a Missouri-based singer/songwriter who, over a half-dozen albums, has nodded to past traditions while always pushing ahead into new territory.
Gathering Information
Masks are optional at our In-Person Gathering. The decision of whether or not to wear a mask will be up to each individual.
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. Kent is leading a program entitled, Exploring the Sacred Masculine, on October 27-30, 2022.
C3 News
Look for Changes Starting September 4
There are important changes coming to the shared space of the Community Center on Sundays. Beginning next Sunday, September 4, Life Church will hold its adult services in the theater room, keeping their kids’ services across the street in their existing building. They are out of space and have been looking for some months for a solution. The Board is working with them and the Community Center to make this change go as smoothly as possible.
This is an opportunity for us to be hospitable and come together as a community, so we encourage you to attend on Sunday mornings to both welcome Life Church and to show your support for C3. Please follow this link to some FAQs. Look for our lobby tables, including the name tags and Small Bites, inside the Mackinaw Room, rather than in the lobby.
If you have more questions, you’re encouraged to contact Kent or any Board member.There will be some kinks to work out in the flow in sharing the Community Center and we ’ll all work together to make this a mutually beneficial space.
Five-Year Celebration and C3 Auction 42 Days Away on Sunday!
We have questions? Here’s one: What better way to celebrate and honor five years with Kent as our lead teacher, survival through COVID, and our commitment to continuing on our unique C3 journey?
We have an easy answer to this one: Coming together October 9 with a celebration that honors our Kent and an auction fundraiser to help us stay financially stable. And do it in 42 days!
Here are ideas to support our community auction:
Come to C3 on October 9—and bring guests!
Donate items that are new, artistic or interesting; your time/services; or unique experiences. (Save vintage or resale items; we’ll need them next summer!)
Volunteer your time to help the auction committee. This is a great short-term commitment that will make a big difference for C3.
Bid to win on October 9!
If you have questions or want to help, talk to or email:
Teresa Colbry
Andy Cawthon
Tom Edwards
Shannon McMaster
Three years ago Kent presented Ancient Virtues—Modern Values. Head on over to the C3 YouTube Channel to find the complete archive of Kent’s teachings over the past five years.
Office Changes
Jeff Baldus has been an important part of our community for four years as our office manager. He has decided to pursue other opportunities, and Friday, August 26 is his last day in the C3 office. We appreciate everything he ’s done for us and wish him well.
The Board is considering how to proceed, and in the interim we are reaching out to the community for volunteers to help with office responsibilities. If you are interested in volunteering one or two days a week for a few hours, please contact Sally Alderink, Tom Edwards, Valerie Engeltjes, or Mark Smith.
Please send information for the weekly email C3 Update and C3 Matters (back of the Sunday bulletin) directly to Chrys Moelter-Gray and Annie Wassmann by Wednesday of the week it is to be included.
New C3 logo stickers are now available to promote our community. Suggested donation $5, available before and after the Gathering.
C3 Outreach
Volunteer for 2022 Grand Haven Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
The event is Saturday, September 24, in Central Park in downtown Grand Haven. Volunteers will receive a commemorative t-shirt and lunch.
• Info and sign up here
• C3 is a sponsor and team member to this great event
• Questions? Contact Rod Van Abbema
Vigil for Peace and Justice
Join our Vigil for Peace and Justice this Saturday from noon–1:00 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park. Bring a chair to sit, if that is easier for you. We have plenty of signs to use, or be creative and make your own!
Adopt-A-Highway Fall Clean Up
More information to follow, but our C3 fall pick-up will be on Saturday, October 1. Please mark your calendar. Tom Edwards is the contact person for the event.
C3 Community Care and Concern
C3 Groups
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men ’s Group meets each Tuesday from 7:00–8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Harbor Drive in Grand Haven. Questions? Contact Phil Koster.
C3 Book Club and Friends
Our book for September is Aftershocks: A Memoir by Nadia Owusu, described as a “. . . deeply felt memoir about the push and pull of belonging, the seismic emotional toll of family secrets, and the heart it takes to pull though.” We return to The Bookman at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6. We hope to see you there, and remember, encourage friends to attend! Email Joyce Cawthon with any questions.
October 4: Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Bookclub September and October
C3 Care and Compassion
Week 3@C3
$1000 worth of school supplies headed for the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System!
Week 3 @ C3
September’s Project: Dignity Kits—Keeping Girls in School
Dignity Kits mean sustainable support for women and girls. Kits contain eco-friendly, washable menstrual pads and other hygiene items and fill an urgent need for hygiene supplies. Week 3 @ C3 will assist the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) of Goshen, Indiana, in putting kits together by providing the following:
3 pairs of briefs (cotton; women ’s sizes small, medium or large – one size per kit; no red)
1 hand towel (medium weight; dark or bright color; approximately 16” x 26”)
1 washcloth (medium weight; dark or bright color)
2 regular bars of bath soap (leave in wrappers; no “hotel” bars)
1 large bar of laundry soap (Fels Naptha, Sunlight or Zote brand)
1 wide-toothed comb (6 – 8 inches)
1 nail clippers (good quality)
4 plastic or wood clothes pins
4 heavy duty safety pins (two one-inch pins and two two-inch pins)
Instructions: Place contents in a brown paper bag and label the bag according to the size of the briefs. Kit will be repacked at MCC into a new two-gallon pail with a lid.
Recently MCC has sent 1200 kits to Guatemala; 300 kits to Haiti and 2500 kits to South Sudan. The organization is starting a program for women ’s prisons and will be sending 900 kits to Zambia.
C3 Finance
Automate your donations
Want to make your life easier and more predictable?
Why not put your donations to C3 on autopilot?
No more having to remember to send a check!
No more trying to remember — did I or didn ’t I?
It is a secure and easy set up — just call Carol Takas at Selby Accounting. Please direct any questions to Mark Smith.
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 Events
There are events happening at the Momentum Center! Follow their Facebook page to stay informed. These upcoming events may be of interest. Click on each link for details.
Dinner and Movie Night: Reunited States, Friday, September 9. Click here for details.
Summer Series: Exploring Mental Illness, Mondays in August
Next Civil Rights Road Trip: The dates for the next Civil Rights Road Trip have been set as October 24-27, 2022. See the flyer with all the details here.
Sad news from the Diatribe
“On August 3rd, Nika Marie Price transcended into her next stage of being, beyond this plane and into the next. The absence of her laughter, bright smile, and powerful energy is felt deeply amongst the community, most closely by her husband, our Executive Director, Marcel ‘Fable’ Price.” Announcement email here.
C3 Calendar
Saturday, August 27
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, August 28
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: Jenny Atlee Loudon
Music: Beth Bombara
Meditation: Rod Van Abbema
10:00 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Sally Alderink (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back, in Person
Tuesday, August 30
7:00 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion Hall, 700 S. Harbor Dr., GH)
Saturday, September 3
12:00 p.m.: Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, September 4
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: Loren Johnson
Meditation: David Dean
10:00 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary (Woodbine Room)
11:00 a.m. Talk Back, in Person