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 Sunday we have the privilege of hearing from five of our fellow C3 members: Gordy Alderink, Jeff Crandle, Ira Engeltjes, Pam Park, and Tod Wyn, who will tell I am C3 stories. Tabitha Blanski also has a C3 story to tell, but due to illness will not be able to join in this week. What a fascinating way to spend our time together and get to know better some of the people we see so often. Our dear friends Ruth and Max Bloomquist come bearing musical gifts.

Sunday Gathering

Come for Pre-Talk at 9 a.m. to get a jump on the rest of the group; join us at Central Park Place in Grand Haven for the Gathering at 10 a.m., which is live-streamed on C3’s Facebook page. Snack and socialize during Small Bites, then respond to the teaching at Talk Back from 11:15 to noon. C3 Kids meet in the C3 Kids’ area of the Mackinaw Room from 10 a.m. to noon.

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🆕 Last Sunday’s Teaching here.

🆕 Year-End Fundraiser Update

With two Sundays to go, we are closing in on our year end fundraiser goal! We have about 35% to go to reach it. If you have already made a year end gift, thank you very much! If you haven’t yet had an opportunity, please consider what personally meaningful amount you can contribute to C3’s mission to inspire and empower people on their own spiritual path, the quest to live a good life and meaningful life, and to help support the ongoing work of justice and compassion in the world. Pulling together, we have created a marvelous space where we support each other in that quest for a good life, and a meaningful life in community. We have also created a welcoming space for our guest teachers and musicians to express their unique selves and share that perspective with people who accept them as they are. C3 is an amazing place, and it all begins with you. Make a donation online or send a check with “year end” in the memo field to C3, PO Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417.

🆕 Year-End Fundraiser for the Last-Minute Shopper

Unique, themed, seasonal gift baskets will be for sale at this Sunday’s C3 Gathering, with prices ranging from $20.00 – $60.00. All proceeds go to C3 Year-End Fundraiser.

🆕 News from the Board of Trustees

The C3 Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Shannon McMaster has officially signed the contract to be C3’s first executive director. He will begin working in the position on January 8, 2024. Until then, he will continue to serve as treasurer. Congratulations to Shannon! We’re excited about this new phase in C3’s life!
The Board is also pleased to report that Cheri Eshenaur has agreed to serve out Shannon McMaster’s term on the Board of Trustees. (As C3’s Executive Director, he cannot be a Board member.)
Cheri has a Masters degree in Business Management and worked in banking 40 years with experience managing Old Kent and Huntington banks. She retired after 14 years from her position as Vice President of Macatawa Bank. She is licensed to teach driver’s training, which she has done part-time for six years.
Cheri was born and raised in Grand Haven. She and her husband got married by Reverend Rhem at Christ Community in 1990. She was married 28 years. Her husband died five years ago in a snowmobile accident.
She said, “I’m new to C3, but felt now was my time to reach out and get involved with a spiritual community.” Cheri is also a member of the Finance Committee and provides Small Bites on Sundays.

These Last Two Sundays in December

C3 will meet as usual on December 24 and 31. Pre-Talk and Talk Back will be held for those who want to participate in informal conversation about the day’s topics.

On December 31, Berny Snoeyer shares insights on family, resilience, and hope with the backdrop of World War II and letters exchanged between Corrie’s parents while her father was part of the underground resistance to the Nazis in the Netherlands. This deeply personal talk will draw on experiences known to very few, offering an account of a community willing to risk their lives to defend and protect victims of an evil ideology. Beth Buelow will join Berny to facilitate the conversation. (Their book: The Wolfert Letters: Family and Friend Correspondences During World War II). Steve Weideman and Jackson Erne will be our musicians.

🆕 Thermostat Control at Central Park Place for Last Two Sundays

We have been advised that it is a good idea to wear layers to the Gathering on December 24 and December 31. There won’t be any city staff on hand to adjust the climate control, so you might want to have a layer or two to add or remove, depending on the weather and the thermostat setting.

Welcoming Hosts

🆕 Note: The email address that appeared in this announcement earlier was incorrect, so if you previously sent Ellie a note to volunteer, please do so again at the corrected address at the link.

Ellie Williams is finalizing the 2024 schedule for C3’s Welcoming Hosts and we would welcome at least two more people to serve in that role on Sunday mornings. You would be on a team that meets and greets people entering the building and the Gathering once every five weeks. Contact Ellie, if you’re willing.

Week 3@C3 Greeting Card Blizzard

Thank you to all who helped make our Week 3@C3 Second Annual Seasonal Greeting Card Blizzard a success. 231 cards were delivered to four local care centers.

Bell Ringers Schedule Filled

Many thanks to all who volunteered to ring the Red Kettle bell at Leppink’s. All the slots in the schedule were filled!

Vigil for Peace and Justice

Please pick a time that works for you to hold all the people and places suffering from wars. Take any action you find valuable to diminish injustice, as we take our winter break from weekly peace vigils.

Humanity for Prisoners December News

Click here to read the latest news from Humanity for Prisoners.

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.

Marianne, Lexi and Jim Fischer are grieving the loss of Marianne’s father, Craig Pusey, who died at age 71 December 3 following complications from diabetes. Cards may be sent to 14053 Payne Forest Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417

🆕 C3 Men’s Group

On December 26, the C3 Men’s Group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Berny Snoeyer’s home, 520 Boelens Court, Spring Lake. On January 2, the group meets at Pete Bennett’s home, 13987 Lincoln Street, Grand Haven.

Beginning on January 9, 2024, the Men’s Group will have a permanent meeting location at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Room B, in Grand Haven, each Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Phil Koster at 616-402-1751 for more information.

🆕 Sunday Dinner Group

There will be no Sunday Dinner Group this week or next. We’ll reconvene on January 7.

🆕 C3 Book Club and Friends

At our December meeting we selected 16 amazing books for the coming year! Come to our next meeting at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m. on January 16 to discuss Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. We will also assign the books for February–May at that meeting.

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.

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.

Ottawa County Leadership

If you are concerned about the current quality of leadership in Ottawa County, here are some groups you can learn from and get involved with:

Organize Ottawa–-this is where the action is right now if you want to get involved. Groups are organizing in each district to elect responsible leadership to the County Commission in the next election. You can find it on Facebook or send an email to to get involved.
The Unifying Coalition of Ottawa County came together in response to Ottawa Impact becoming the majority on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. The main organizations are Ottawa Integrity PAC and Vote Common Good West Michigan.
Ottawa Objects Facebook page is a good source of information about actions of the County Commission.

Diversify Your Reading

Here are links to a few sources that present diverse viewpoints.

ARD (Anti-Racism Daily)
Native News Online
Vive Michigan

Sunday, December 24

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 Sally Alderink

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

• Guest Teachers: “I am C3“: Gordy Alderink, Jeff Crandle, Ira Engeltjes, Pam Park, Tod Wyn

• Musicians: Ruth & Max Bloomquist

11 a.m. Talk Back

Tuesday, December 26

7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (520 Boelens Court, SL)

Sunday, December 31

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 Sally Alderink

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

• Guest Teacher: Berny Snoeyer with Beth Buelow

• Musicians: Steve Weideman and Jackson Erne

11 a.m. Talk Back

Berny Snoeyer is a longtime C3 member, along with his wife Corrie, both of them beloved by all! They purchased the Boyden House in 1987 and renovated it. In 2020, he self-published the book The Wolfert Letters: Family and Friend Correspondences During World War II (edited and translated by Berend Snoeyer).

Steve Weideman is also a longtime C3 member and former C3 employee who worked magic at the sound/tech table. We know him as a member of the band Catfish and the Man, as well as Funky Brewster, with his daughter Goldie. He has played at C3 quite often.

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