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 week we welcome Dr. John Hubers as Guest Teacher. His contribution to our series We Have Questions is How Well Do You Know Your Muslim Neighbors? Jen Sygit will be back as musician and Rod Van Abbema will give the meditation.

Our weekly Gathering takes place in the Mackinaw Ballroom at Central Park Place every Sunday at 10 a.m. Pre-Talk and Awakenings (meditation) precede the Gathering at 9 a.m. After the Gathering, enjoy a Small Bite and join Talk Back. Our C3 Kids meet at 10 a.m. in the C3 Kids’ area of the Mackinaw Room. The Gathering is live-streamed on C3’s Facebook page.

Missed an email? Revisit or catch up on our website > Updates
Need Event Information? Our website has a full event calendar > Upcoming Events
🆕 Last Sunday’s Teaching and Meditation videos have not been posted to our YouTube channel yet, but the Gathering can be viewed on our Facebook page.
🆕 You may appreciate this lecture by Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass, delivered on November 7 at Meijer Gardens. Rev. Miriam Bush suggested it during last week’s teaching.

Membership Directory Photos

Last chance (for a while) to have Bill Klouw, our long-time C3 photographer, take your picture for the C3 Directory. On Sunday, November 19, following the Gathering, Bill will be waiting at the NW corner of the room. This is an opportunity to update an old photo or to place your picture next to your directory entry for the first time. Our directory is a good way to connect with other members and a photograph makes that connection even easier.

🆕 Items for Next Week’s C3 Update or C3 Matters

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday next week, please submit any items that should be included to Chrys Moelter-Gray and Becky Park by Tuesday, November 21. The C3 Update will arrive in your inbox on Friday morning as usual.

Dine with Nine

The next Dine with Nine Event is scheduled for Saturday, December 9. The last signup date is this Sunday, November 19, at the Connections table. Several times a year, you are invited to gather in people’s homes to share food, fun and conversation. This popular program aims to connect adults regardless of age or relationship status, bringing together widows, singles, couples, partners, and divorcees at the home of the evening’s host. Each person is asked to bring an element of the meal – an appetizer, salad, dessert, wine, bread, or vegetable, while the host will provide the main entrée. Coordinators of this event are Joyce Cawthon, Kathy Smith, and Mary Ackerson.

C3 Annual Community Meeting

Because of previous bylaw changes, we moved our meeting to November 5 so more members could attend. Highlights included:

Phil Koster led everyone in reaffirming our values and commitment to C3.
We approved bylaw changes that primarily dealt with the addition of the Executive Director position.
We heard updates from the Executive Director and Lead Teacher search teams. Both are making great progress.
Reports from the Outreach and Community Life committees underscore that the C3 community is an active and involved group of people.
If everyone continues to give at their current level and we hold one more year-end fundraiser, we’re on track to end 2023 in the black. Our fundraising goal is $28,400.
We approved adopting the 2024 budget.
Sally Alderink, Tom Edwards, and Valerie Engeltjes retired from the Board.
The community approved Tabitha Blanski, Karen Cotton, and Tod Wyn as new Board members.
Margaret Willey received this year’s Meritorious Service Award, click here for the homage to her written by Jenny Roberts.

For more details, click this link to the minutes.

This is your opportunity to help the Lead Teacher Search Team!

C3 is looking for someone who will join the community and be responsible for assisting in our growth and challenging our community with thoughtful weekly messages that draw from a broad range of sources and experiences. The Lead Teacher will partner with the Executive Director and the C3 Board of Trustees to grow and sustain the existing community and to broaden our outreach and growth within the greater community. Is there someone you know who fits that description or might be acquainted with a potential candidate? If so, please forward this link, which has all the job and application information: c3westmichigan.org/employment. The deadline for applications is December 1. Thank you for your help!

Week 3@C3 for November

We will be delivering care and compassion to the good people of Israel and Palestine by contributing to Doctors without Borders/Médicins sans Frontieres (MSF). This organization provides independent, impartial medical humanitarian assistance to the people who need it most. Gifts may be given through November 19 in the following ways:

Check made out to “C3 Spiritual Community” with notation “Week 3@C3” in the memo line.
Cash in an envelope with “Week 3@C3” noted on the outside of the envelope.
Credit card: See Chase at the sound table, and remind him that your gift is for Week 3@C3.

Free: Small Palestinian & Israeli flags available at the Week 3@C3 table.

🆕 Bell Ringers Needed

It will soon be time to ring the bell for the 2023 Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign, which supports all the programs of the local Salvation Army. These include housing for six families, a food pantry, Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance, utility assistance, and Pathway of Hope programs. C3ers who participated in the past felt positive about the experience. People were grateful to have us there, providing the opportunity for them to contribute to a familiar holiday act of giving.

We will be at Leppink’s (Ferrysburg) from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13 and Thursday December 14, for one-and-a-half hour shifts (except last shift which begins at 6 p.m. and lasts one hour).It works best to have only one or two at the kettle for each shift. Sign up on Sundays after Gathering, or contact Betty Jean Porter or 616-296-2227.

Vigil for Peace and Justice

We will stand for badly needed peace on Saturdays in November from noon to 1 p.m. along Washington Avenue at Central Park.

Yvonne Olmsted

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.

Jean Regester is looking for a ride to C3 Sunday Gatherings from Heather Hills Assisted Living, 1055 Forest Hills Avenue, GR. If anyone is available to pick her up, please contact her at 616-822-1414.

Tom Webber relayed that he is recovering quite well at home from his back surgery and thanks everyone for the cards and wishes of well being he received.

Sign Up for Sunday Dinner Group

Sunday Dinner Group will meet at The Kirby at 5:30 p.m. Sign up at the Membership table at the Gathering.

Women’s Journey Returns

Join a lively group of women for fun and conversation on Monday, November 20, at 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman. Bring paint chips for our poem-writing activity.

C3 Book Club and Friends

At our next meeting, 6:30 p.m. at The Bookman, on Tuesday, November 21, we will discuss The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Keep thinking of three books to suggest for 2024, when we meet for our holiday party and book selection process in December.

C3 Men’s Group

The C3 Men’s group meets Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Ted Larned’s home in Spring Lake,

Donations of Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds
Did you know that we are now able to accept donations of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds? When you donate stock to charity, you’ll generally take a tax deduction for the full fair market value. Because you are donating stock, your contribution and tax deduction may instantly increase over 20% or more, depending on your tax situation and any gains in the value of the stock. If this sounds like an option for you, please talk to your financial services representative, and if you have any questions re: process, please contact Shannon McMaster, Treasurer

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.

🆕 Community Thanksgiving Feast

There is no cost to anyone at this come-one, come-all “community and connection” feast from noon to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23 at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Church, 920 Fulton Ave., GH. There’s enough food for at least 750 people, including nearly 50 turkeys and more than 150 pounds of potatoes.

No reservations are required to eat at the church. Takeout and delivery meals are also offered but must be ordered ahead of time by 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 17. Call 616-846-2701 or go online to loveinaction tricities.org/schedule-events. Scroll down to find the “Thanksgiving Feast.”

🆕 Momentum Center Holiday Needs

The Momentum Center is gearing up for the holidays and looking for assistance with items. Since the Grand Haven kitchen is not functional yet, they would love these items prepared ahead of time.

Items needed for Thanksgiving Lunch event on November 27: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry Sauce, Canned Corn, Rolls, Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Other desserts, Disposable Cups, Disposable Plates, Disposable Silverware, Napkins; They are also looking for volunteers to help serve at the luncheon.

Items needed for Santa in Centertown event on December 9: Members are putting together a bake sale during this event, and looking for donations of baked goods to sell. If you would like to make something or help with the event, let us know!

Contact Jenna Vipond if you are interested or would like more information at 616-414-9111 or Jenna [at] MomentumCenterGH [dot] org.

Confronting Christian Nationalism

The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians invites people to an event hosted by Vote Common Good West Michigan at 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, at the Holland Armory for an informative discussion by renowned author, pastor, and social activist Doug Pagitt about Confronting Christian Nationalism. Doug was a C3 guest teacher during our online COVID gatherings. This is a ticketed event, and you are encouraged to get your ticket soon. More information is provided on the ticketing website.

🆕 Ottawa County Leadership

If you are concerned about the quality of leadership in Ottawa County regarding diversity, democracy, health care, and honest leadership, here are some groups you can learn from or join.

Ottawa Objects Facebook Group
Vote Common Good West Michigan
Ottawa Integrity, a PAC (political action committee)
Unifying Coalition of Ottawa County in partnership with Ottawa County Unifying Congregations. Eight churches have formed the coalition to work against Ottawa Impact.
Informed & Inclusive Ottawa County
Ottawa North TRi-Cities Action Committee (ONTRAC)
Ottawa Impact Watchdog

Saturday, November 18

12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)

Sunday, November 19

All events held in the Mackinaw Ballroom in Central Park Place (421 Columbus Ave., GH)

9 a.m. Pre-Talk & Awakenings

10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Patti Baldus

10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook

• Guest Teacher: Dr. John Hubers

• Musician: Jen Sygit

• Meditation: Rod Van Abbema

11 a.m. Talk Back

Monday, November 20

6:30 p.m. Woman’s Journey The Bookman (715 Washington Ave., GH)

Tuesday, November 21

6:30 p.m. C3 Book Club and Friends The Bookman (715 Washington Ave., GH)

7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (17420 W. Spring Lake Rd., SL)

Thursday, November 23 Happy Thanksgiving

Saturday, November 25

12 p.m. Vigil for Peace and Justice (Washington Ave. at Central Park, GH)

Sunday, November 26

All events held in the Mackinaw Ballroom in Central Park Place (421 Columbus Ave., GH)

9 a.m. Pre-Talk & Awakenings

10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Eleanor Hills

10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook

• Guest Teacher: Brie Stoner

• Musician: The Rebel Eves

• Meditation: Andy Cawthon

11 a.m. Talk Back

Brie Stoner is a Spanish-born writer, musician, and songwriter who now lives in Grand Rapids, and pulls from her multilingual and multicultural background. As a writer, her work has been featured in The Call To Unite: Voices of Hope and Awakening, a book featuring inspirational voices such as Oprah, Tim Shriver, and Elizabeth Gilbert. Brie launched her podcast “Unknowing” in 2021, exploring the spiritual path of creative possibilities with various authors, activists and artists.

The Rebel Eves, comprised of three Michigan-bred award-winning songwriters—Katie Pederson, Grace Theisen, and Jillian Linklater—have spent the most of the last decade writing, touring and harmonizing across the country. Their acoustic music showcases vulnerability, connectivity, and authenticity.

Thank you for supporting C3!

We would really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your experience at C3 by reviewing us on Google. Thank you!

Click Here to Leave a Review

Google requires reviewers to have a Google account. If you don’t have one you can set one up with your current email address, follow instructions here.

C3 Website

C3 Website>Updates

C3 Website>Calendar Events

C3 Membership Directory (login required)

C3 Website>Values

C3 Website>Newsletter Request

C3 Podcast

C3 Podcast Feeds: Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts

🆕 Last Week’s Update and Bulletin