Update for January 22, 2023

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?”

Michael DeWilde, one of our frequent and favorite guest teachers, will be with us this Sunday. He will contribute Modern Mystics and the Fulfillment of (a Misfit) Humanity to our current series of Saints, Mystics, and Misfits. We have a “new” musician coming to play at C3 this week, Hannah Laine. Charlotte Rozich will give the meditation, adding a new voice in this role—thanks, Charlotte!

Will you join us this week at Central Park Place (formerly Grand Haven Community Center)? Pre-Talk is at 9 a.m. in the Woodbine Room, the Gathering in the Mackinaw Room begins at 10 a.m., and Talk Back follows the Gathering 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.

Sunday Gathering Information here. Additional Resources here. 
🆕  Last Sunday Teaching here. Meditation here.

👏 Welcome Our New Office Manager!

We are happy to announce that Becky Park will begin orientation as our new C3 Office Manager on Monday! As many of you know, Becky has a long history with C3. She is excited to begin a new chapter with us and looks forward to connecting with everyone. She will work part-time at the C3 office, and continue her part-time work at The Bookman. She will need some time to learn the ins and outs of the job, and office hours will be determined in the next few weeks. Welcome, Becky!

Would you take five minutes to help promote C3?

Type “C3 West Michigan” into Google’s search engine and leave us a review! Whether you attend our Gatherings in person or watch online, you can help us spread the word about our community. Reviews can be of any length or simply give us your star rating. Reviews can also be “liked.” Our goal is to reach 150 reviews in 2023. Thanks for helping us out.

Save the Date!

The C3 Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 19. We typically give the community a report on the state of things, vote on acceptance of a budget for the year, vote on new Trustees for the board, affirm membership, and happily recognize one person’s extraordinary contributions with the Phil Koster Meritorious Service award.

Year-End Finance Update

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. The year-end campaign goal was $20,000, and you exceeded that with contributions of $22,000! THANK YOU!!!   
—Mark Smith, Treasurer

Year-End Finance Update

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. The year-end campaign goal was $20,000, and you exceeded that with contributions of $22,000! THANK YOU!!!   —Mark Smith, Treasurer

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.

Use your IRA and/or Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) to support C3

Would you like to save money on your taxes and support C3 at the same time? You can use money in your IRA to contribute directly to a charitable organization like C3, without it being considered a taxable distribution. The same applies if you are required to take an RMD. Be certain to consult with your tax advisor or financial representative as it is important to understand the process and follow the appropriate guidelines.

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.

🆕  Momentum Center Volunteers

A number of C3 members volunteer in a variety of ways at the Momentum Center, and there is always ample opportunity to spend some time in a volunteer role there, either for ongoing tasks, or as occasional helpers. Some examples of ongoing tasks include staffing the Momentum Café, helping out at weekly events, mentoring members, or offering a class or instruction to members. Occasional tasks include accompanying members on outings, and planning or helping at special events. Take a look at the volunteer page for ideas about what kinds of opportunities to volunteer are available. The volunteer registration also gives an extensive list of volunteer tasks. Would you like to help eliminate stigma in our community?

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.

🆕  Community Involvement

Our Core Values at C3 guide us, and challenge us to define and live a good life. A review of the Core Values at the link indicates several areas in which C3 promotes involvement in the greater community. Are you among the West Michiganders concerned about the adverse effects of Ottawa Impact in the county? To learn more, several groups are listed here to explore. Local TV channels and the Holland Sentinel have also provided significant coverage.

• Ottawa Objects, started after first January Ottawa County Commission meeting;  new, large group organizing against Ottawa Impact actions. Join group to learn and participate.
  
• Vote Common Good West Michigan, Committed to Dignity, Mutuality, Humility, Civility and Democracy; also Facebook page.
  
• MiPASS – Michigan Parent Alliance for Safe Schools. Join group to learn and participate; also Facebook page.
  
• Ottawa Integrity, a PAC (political action committee); also Facebook page.
  
• Unifying Coalition of Ottawa County, newly formed coalition of civic-minded folks, a place to keep informed and find ways to act according to our values, committed to building a wide, welcoming table, united in The Common Good.