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?”
And here we are, already approaching the second Sunday of 2023, and our first C3 Gathering of this new year. On January 8, C3 Teacher Kent Dobsonintroduces our new series with the teaching Saints, Mystics, and Misfits.
Our first Guest Musician of the year is long-time friend of C3, Jen Sygit. Cindy Anderson is scheduled to give the meditation; maybe it will include some insights gathered on her recent trip to Uganda.
We look forward to seeing you for our first Gathering of 2023 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.
Thank You, Readers!
As we enter 2023, we want to express our gratitude to you, not only for your faithful reading of the C3 Update, but especially for your input and the feedback that guides us as we produce this newsletter.
In 2022,
- We sent out more than 22,200 total emails (59 mailings to the entire C3 Community).
- Readers opened those emails 15,075 times. That’s an average of 255 readers for each newsletter!
Thanks to all of you for being a part of this journey we are on together. Here’s to a 2023 of continued community and growth!
Chrys Moelter-Gray, Newsletter Submissions and Editor
Annie Wassmann, Newsletter Designer
Year-End Finance Update
From a financial standpoint, 2022 was a successful year. As a result of your ongoing financial support and the Finance Team’s meticulous eye on expenses, we ended the year with a balanced budget and we begin 2023 on strong financial footing – THANK YOU!!!
—Mark Smith, Treasurer
Year in Review
On December 30, you should have received 2022: A C3 Year in Review. Click here to review or in case you didn’t see it in your inbox the first time around!
Free Thursday at the Muskegon Museum of Art
All are invited to join in a Thursday outing to the Muskegon Museum of Art on January 12. Thursday is a “free” day at the museum, so there is no admission charge. The plan is to meet there at 6 p.m. Carpooling is encouraged. David Dean can answer questions and he has room in his car! Event web page here.
“Long-haulers” with C3 or its Predecessors
There have been 70 responses to our request to identify people who have been with C3 and/or its predecessors for many years. If you are a C3 long-hauler, would you please contact Ellie Williams, and tell her the YEAR you first became an active member of this community? We value these people who carry the history of this enduring and evolving spiritual community.
Save the Date!
The C3 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 19.
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!
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.
Please keep Karen and Bill Klemp and daughter Georganna, in your thoughts, as she remains hospitalized with serious health issues. Cards to Georganna may be sent to Georganna Klemp, Room L 418, Trinity Health St. Mary’s, 200 Jefferson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Lowell and Mary VanDeRiet sent this message: Many thanks to all of our old friends at C3 who took the time to send us cheerful Christmas Greetings! We are both doing well for our age, except for Lowell’s major hearing and memory loss. He always remains cheerful and content, which is a huge blessing for both of us. We love to see how well C3 is doing and the wonderful things that you accomplish for the community.
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.
No Week 3@C3 in January
We’re taking a break for January! There will be no Week 3@C3 collection this month, but Week 3@C3 resumes in February.
C3 Bell Ringers at the Red Kettle Campaign
On December 14 and 15, C3 members rang the bell for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign at Leppinks in Ferrysburg. Thanks to Betty Porter for organizing this effort, and to all the volunteers who stepped up to stand at the kettle!
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. So far, there has been one volunteer from C3 to step forward. Could you add your time to this task?
Humanity for Prisoners January Newsletter
Click here to access the January edition of the HFP Communicator.
C3 Book Club and Friends
Join us at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, for our discussion about The Plot Against America by Philip Roth (which is available on Hoopla).
March 7: Apeirogon by Colum McCann
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.
A Conversation with Ukraine
Join Bob Wood, a 33-year veteran, High School Government teacher and world traveler as he presents on his five weeks spent in Ukraine volunteering throughout the community. He worked with inspiring young people ready to lead. He recorded first and second-year Ukrainian students as they shared stories about their culture, and what it is like living in Ukraine as a young adult. The program is at Loutit District Library on Monday, January 9, at 6:30 p.m. in Program Room A.
Muskegon Museum of Art Postcard Salon 2023
Here’s another opportunity to stretch your creative wings! The popular Postcard Salon event returns for 2023. Join in by creating your own cards for the show and attending the party on April 20. All postcards will be on sale for $30 each, so show them, sell them, and buy them. Cards due: February 24, 2023. Exhibition: March 30 – April 21, 2023. Salon Reception: Thursday, April 20, 5:30-8:00 pm (Sale starts at 6:30 pm)
Attention, Writers of All Ages!
The Bookman is now accepting submissions for the 2023 Snowbound Writers’ Contest through January 31, 2023! All writers who live in Ottawa or Muskegon County are eligible to submit a short story or poem connected to the theme of TIME, in particular as it relates to the following quotation: “I wish it need not have happened in my time.” – Frodo Baggins, “The Fellowship of the Ring” by J.R.R. Tolkien. Surely some of the gifted writers among our C3 family will find this an entertaining and timely challenge, considering the recent change in Ottawa County government!
Momentum Center Happenings
—QPR (Suicide Prevention) Training
There will be several opportunities to participate in QPR Training at either the Grand Haven or the Holland Momentum Center sites. See details and registration information here.
—Free Dinner and Movie Night
Join the community for free dinner on Friday, January 13 at 5 p.m. (pot luck items welcome, but not required), followed by the movie The Sea Beast at 6 p.m. The movie addresses the teaching of history, the impact of marginalization, and the promise of redemption. Flyer here.
— Implicit Bias Training
Understanding Perspectives, a program in implicit bias training, will be held in person from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, January 23, at the Momentum Center in Grand Haven. The training is limited to the first 35 people to register.
—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, 2022. 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, January 8
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 Margaret Willey
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
- C3 Teacher: Kent Dobson
- Music: Jen Sygit
- Meditation: Cindy Anderson
11 a.m. Talk Back
Tuesday, December 10
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (American Legion, GH)
Wednesday, December 11
6:30 p.m. Board of Trustees Meeting (C3 Office, 1447 Washington Ave., GH)
Sunday, January 15
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: Patty PerShayla
- Meditation: Charity McMaster
11 a.m. Talk Back
Kent Dobson helps people orient their life to be in deeper relationship with Mystery, the shape of their own soul, and to a meaningful sense of their unique voice in the world.
Patty PerShayla has a gritty, yet sweet, singing voice that features both explosive and tender moments. Whether performing songs from her solo record Cheap Diction, old favorites from her debut EP, Oracle Bones (winner of Best Rock/Pop Album at the WYCE Jammie Awards in 2020), or playing her ukulele, Patty brings to the stage a strutting, stomping, crooning good time. She will appear at Winter Wheat in Grand Rapids on Saturday, January 14.
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🆕 December 18 Newsletter and Bulletin
