C3 inspires spiritual, intellectual, and creative exploration and action, led by the questions, “what are the biggest challenges we face on our shared journey, and how do we respond to those challenges?”
This is the last month for our series of The Great Questions. C3 Teacher Kent Dobson asks this week’s question, What can the birth of Christ teach us in a post-religious world? Our Guest Musician is Max Lockwood, who was last with us in 2019. Wayne Johnson will have a meditation.
We look forward to seeing you at Central Park Place (formerly Grand Haven Community Center) for Pre-Talk at 9 a.m. in the Woodbine Room, the Gathering in the Mackinaw Room at 10 a.m., and Talk Back at 11 a.m. C3 Kids meet at 10 in the Woodbine Room. If you can’t join us in person, you can watch online on C3’s Facebook page.
Note: There will be no Gathering on December 25 or January 1, due to the holidays.
Are You a “Long-hauler” with C3 or its Predecessors?
We know there are many current C3 members and friends who have been been part of this community long before we started gathering at the Grand Haven Community Center in September of 2011. Many current C3ers were members of Christ Community Church and perhaps a few were at First Reformed Church of Spring Lake, both predecessors of C3.
At our Annual Meeting in February, we would like to acknowledge those members and friends who have remained through the years. They carry the history of this enduring and evolving spiritual community.
If you are one of these treasured “long-haulers” will you please contact Ellie Williams with the year you first became an active member or friend of this community.
Wonderful Job Opportunity!
Are you—or is someone you know—looking for a part-time job that allows you to use and strengthen your clerical, organizational, and social media skills? C3 is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated person for the position of Office Manager. The job is 15 hours per week and offers significant flexibility. Read the entire job description here. If you’re interested, please contact frontdesk [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org. If you’re not interested, please pass this opportunity on to someone you know who might be a great fit. Thanks!
Let’s Go to the Movies!
On Sunday, December 18, there will be a free showing of the classic holiday film, White Christmas, at the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon, as part of their Free Family Film Dayseries. How about going as a group for a C3 social event? The movie starts at 3 p.m. (Doors open at 2:15 p.m.) No advanced ticket is required, you can just show up! Car pooling is encouraged! Contact David Dean with questions. Event webpage here.
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.
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, 616-402-3108, or Mike and Charlotte Rozich: email, 517-918-5464.
🆕 Please keep Karen and Bill Klemp in your thoughts as they spend time with daughter Georganna, who is hospitalized with a very serious health issue.
Holiday Greetings
We invite you to remember our C3 shut-ins with a card or note this holiday season:
- Jean Burgess, 1500 S. Ferry Street, Apt. 205, Grand Haven, MI 49417
- Connie Farell, 201 S. 4th Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417
- Judy Henzler, 4200 West Utica Road, Apt. 218, Shelby Twp., MI 48317
- Dr. Justin and Kathleen Kleaveland, 1634 Sunset Drive, N.Muskegon, MI 49445
- Kathy Klouw, Grand Pines Assisted Living Center, 1410 Ferry Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417
- Lowell and Mary Van De Riet, 1495 Stoney Lake Drive, Holland, MI 49424
Week 3@C3 for December
Our Seasonal Greeting Card Blizzard for residents of Riverside Nursing & Rehab, Medilodge at the Shore, and Christian Haven Home is underway. You may use any card style of your choice. For most of us that will probably be Christmas cards. No names or addresses are necessary, other than To a Friend, and the suggested signature is From a Friend at C3. Add any personal note you wish to include. No postage stamps are necessary; the cards will be delivered in bulk to each site to be distributed to residents by the appropriate staff member. We need a total of 165 cards. As things usually go for Week 3@C3, this means 3-6 cards per donor. If we have more cards, we will include another facility with which to share the cards! Turn in the cards to the Week 3@C3 table on December 11 or 18.
Would you like to support C3 through your purchases on Amazon? It’s easy using Amazon Smile! Of course, we encourage you to shop locally, when possible, but if you do find yourself using Amazon, you can support C3 using Amazon Smile. Instead of going to your usual Amazon site, go to smile.amazon.com. Sign in with the same account you use for Amazon.com. Select your charity (C3 – West Michigan’s Inclusive Spiritual Connection) and voila! Amazon will contribute .5% for each qualifying purchase you make! Need help with this process? Please contact Mark Smith.
Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. Online donations can be made here. Automatic donations can be set up by contacting Carol Takas 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.
Help Needed at The People Center
The People Center is in need of a few volunteers to help with sorting clothing donations and organizing the clothing hutch. It would mean a commitment of a few hours per week, on day/s of your choice, after meeting with those in charge for an orientation. If interested, please talk to Patti Baldus at the Gathering, or email her.
News from CCD
Kerri VanderHoff, executive director of the Coalition for Community Development in Muskegon Heights (one of our Outreach partners), sent out a Year in Review newsletter. Take a peek here!
C3 Book Club and Friends
We had a delightful and delicious book exchange this past week at The Bookman, and now we’re looking forward to discussing Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr on January 3. See you at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m.
February 7: The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men’s Group meets each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall on Harbor Drive in Grand Haven. Questions? Contact Phil Koster at 616-402-1751. Event website here.
Just Us in Concert
Tonight’s the night to see Just Us, a women’s a cappella group which includes C3 members Karen Frederiksen and Cindy Van Ittersum. They will perform in a Christmas ensemble at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 9, at The Book Nook in Montague.
Steel Doin’ It Event
Steel Doin’ It will perform from 5 to 6 p.m. at D&W in Grand Haven on Tuesday, December 13. C3 members Karen Cotton and Cindy Krause play in this steel drum band, which is directed by Kelly Parker, who has been a speaker at C3. Event information here.
Momentum Center Happenings
— Free Dinner and Movie Night
Join the community at the Momentum Center on Friday, December 9, for free dinner starting at 5 p.m., followed at 6 p.m. by the holiday film “Klaus,” a 2019 animated movie, rated PG for humor and action. The film demonstrates the positive impacts of simple acts of kindness.
—Registration Now Open for Civil Rights Road Trip
The second Civil Rights Road Trip has been scheduled for April 24-27, 2023. This is the same trip which four C3 members reported on at our Gathering on May 29 of this year. See information about the trip at the link above. Get a $50 discount if you register before the end of this year. The ten C3 members or friends who traveled the first time all agree that it is a life-changing experience.
Sunday, December 11
Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9 a.m. Pre-Talk, in Person
10 a.m. C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
- C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
- Music: Max Lockwood
- Meditation: Wayne Johnson
11 a.m. Talk Back
Tuesday, December 13
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion, GH)
Wednesday, December 14
6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)
Sunday, December 18
Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Ave., GH)
9 a.m. Pre-Talk, in Person
10 a.m. C3 Kids, in Woodbine Room with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
- Guest Teacher: John Rottman
- Music: John Sanger
- Meditation: Beth Buelow
11 a.m. Talk Back
John Rottman is Professor Emeritus of Preaching at Calvin Theological University, and Interim Executive Director at Humanity for Prisoners. While at Calvin, he started the Calvin Prison Initiative at Handlon Prison in Ionia.
John Sanger has traveled the country and immersed himself in the experiences life has to offer. During the hard times, John found himself reflecting upon his boyhood affinity for the beauty and wonders of the Great Lakes which soothed the occasional nights of lonely dreams and daily struggles. His most recent album, The Sanger Family Album, was released in October 2019.
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🆕 Last week’s Newsletter and Bulletin
