We welcome Joseph Kuilema, assistant professor of social work at Grand Valley State University, as our Guest Teacher on Sunday. He formerly taught at Calvin University, but was fired after officiating a Queer wedding for a former student. Love Has Never Been a Popular Movement will be his topic.
Our own Nelleke Knarr will be the musician, sharing her prodigious talent at the piano.
The meditation will be shared by Charlotte Rozich.
Gathering
This Sunday’s Gathering will take place at Central Park Place (Mackinaw Ballroom, 421 Columbus Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417). The schedule begins with Pre-Talk at 9 a.m. The C3 Kids session with Miss Mary runs from 10 a.m. to noon. The main Gathering, which will be available both in person and via livestream on Facebook, begins at 10 a.m., and is followed by Talk Back, which concludes at noon. Join us for any or all parts of the morning!
News
🆕 Simplified Newsletter Format
You’ll notice the simplified format of today’s C3 Update. This is a result of experimentation to simplify the newsletter creation and formatting procedure. Any news items to be included should be submitted to Chrys Moelter-Gray by Wednesday morning.
Awakenings on Pause this Summer
Awakenings will not meet on Sundays at 9:00 a.m. this summer. The fall schedule is yet to be determined.
🆕 A Note from Patti about Small Bites
We have had some wonderful spontaneous donations for our Small Bites table, beyond those that our regular volunteers bring in. Thank you so much! I just have a very simple request. If you (very generously) bring in something for Small Bites, please leave a note on it with your name, so I can give you credit for the donation, and so I know to whom to return the plate. Thank you.
LET’S WALK (and talk)!
After the Gathering on Sunday, June 30, join us for an engaging Conversation Walk at Coast Guard Park (18161 North Shore Drive, Ferrysburg, MI 49409). We’ll meet in the parking lot at 12:30 p.m. and set out on a hike or a leisurely walk, depending on your preference. Come for the camaraderie and stay for the meaningful conversations as we explore the beautiful park together. If the weather is poor, we will reschedule for another Sunday. Questions? Contact host David Dean.
C3 Summer Celebration!
Don’t miss the highlight of the summer, our C3 Summer Celebration! On Thursday, July 18, we will recognize Brad Ruggles as our Lead Teacher and Shannon McMaster as our Executive Director with a potluck supper at Mulligan ’s Hollow. Look for the food sign-up sheets at the Outreach Table at the Gathering. Event web page here.
C3 Kids Helpers Needed!
Mary Crouse is our C3 Kids teacher. She needs a helper each Sunday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Mary plans the morning schedule and leads the activities. She needs a second adult with her for support and to accompany kids to the restroom down the hall. There are five women currently on the rotation to help Mary. We need three more volunteers, so that each person only needs to take a turn every eight weeks. Please consider joining this essential team. Men are also encouraged to volunteer! Contact Sally Alderink at 616-403-5521.
Outreach
🏳️🌈 Pride Vigil for Peace and Justice Saturdays in June
Join us in celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth at the PRIDE Vigil for Peace & Justice this Saturday and next from noon to 1 p.m. on Washington Avenue at Central Park in Grand Haven.
Humanity for Prisoners June Newsletter
Click here to read the monthly HFP newsletter.
Care and Concern
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.
Lois Bennett, mother of Pete (Julia) Bennett passed away June 7. Services were held June 12 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake. Condolences may be sent to Pete and Julia at 13987 Lincoln Ave., Grand Haven. Read her obituary here.
Jeff Crandle’s mother, Nancy, passed away June 2. A memorial service will be held at VanZantwick’s Grand Haven chapel on Monday, June 24 at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m. Condolences may be sent to Jeff at 16045 Harbor Point Dr. Spring Lake, 49456. Read her obituary here.
Connie Farell is now residing at Lake Woods Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a fall at home. Room 4, Bed 1, 1684 Vulcan St., Muskegon 49442.
Chase Gue and his family are repairing their home after significant water damage caused by a plumbing issue. If you would like to assist them during this challenging time, Meijer gift cards would be greatly appreciated.
🆕 Amy Hodson, mother of Dave (Susan) Hodson, died on June 13 in Muskegon. Notes of support and condolence can be sent to Dave and Susan at 2880 Rolling Hills Court, Hudsonville 49426. Her obituary can be read here.
Pam Park is continuing her recovery from surgery on a smashed thumb. Cooking is challenging for her and Jean, so dinner donations would be greatly appreciated. Please call to coordinate.
Groups
🆕 Sunday Dinner Group at the Park
For the summer, the Sunday Dinner Group will meet at William Ferry Park in Ferrysburg at 5:30 p.m. Bring your own picnic items, or stop and pick up some take-out food on the way! No need to sign up—just come!
C3 Men’s Group
The C3 Men’s Group provides a valuable time for men to meet and talk with each other. Feel free to join them on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Room B, in Grand Haven. Questions? Call Phil Koster at 616-402-1751.
🆕 C3 Book Club and Friends
Book Club continues to meet at The Bookman at 6:30 p.m. through the summer.
July 23: The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore
August 27: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
September 24: Bicycling with Butterflies by Sara Dykman
🆕 Women ’s Journey
Women’s Journey will adjourn for the summer.
Finance
Your ongoing support of C3 is greatly appreciated. Online donations can be made here. Automatic donations can be set up by contacting Carol Takas, 616-613-3222, 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.
Values in Action
Silence the Violence March
Join St. John’s Episcopal Church’s Gun Violence Prevention Team for the Silence the Violence March on Saturday, June 22, at 11 a.m. in Central Park, Grand Haven. Participants will march from Central Park to the church, featuring honored guests Gun Violence Survivor Amedy Dewey and Legislative Advocate Rosemary Bayer. All are welcome to join.
Community Events for Your Consideration
Click on the links for more information.
- Every Monday: Summer Author Series, June 3–August 26, 7 to 9 p.m.
- June 25: League of Women Voters In-Person Primary Education Event, Central Park Place, 6:30 p.m.
- 🆕 July 12: Free Dinner and Movie Night (The Inventor) at the Momentum Center, 5 p.m.
🆕 Stay Informed about Ottawa County Commission News
If you care about what is happening at the Ottawa County Commission but don’t have time to read all the news, Organize Ottawa sends a great summary of what happens at meetings and more. Just click here to sign up. You can also click on Ottawa Notes to see past newsletters.
Calendar
Saturday, June 22
12 p.m. ️ 🏳️🌈 PRIDE Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, June 23
9 a.m. Pre-Talk
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Charity McMaster
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Guest Teacher: Joseph Kuilema
• Music: Nelleke Knarr
• Meditation: Charlotte Rozich
11 a.m. Talk Back
Tuesday, June 25
7 p.m. C3 Men’s Group (Room B, St. John’s Episcopal Church, GH)
Saturday, June 29
12 p.m. ️ 🏳️🌈 PRIDE Vigil for Peace and Justice (Central Park, GH)
Sunday, June 30
9 a.m. Pre-Talk
10 a.m. C3 Kids with Miss Mary and volunteer Sally Alderink
10 a.m. Gathering, In Person + Livestream on Facebook
• Lead Teacher: Brad Ruggles
• Music: Molly
• Meditation: Rod Van Abbema
11 a.m. Talk Back
Brad Ruggles, our lead teacher, is a former pastor that deconstructed and later left the faith he was raised in after 18 years in ministry. He and his wife Lisa enjoy adventuring and traveling with their two adult daughters. Brad ’s interests are diverse and include backpacking, meditation, breathwork, yoga, sport kiting, and photography.
Molly (she/her) is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Grand Rapids. She writes to explore what it means to be a Black woman in America. Her unique past and desire for a sense of freedom inform both her emotive style and her thought-provoking lyrics, making for a moody, eclectic, colorful, and soulful sound.
Additional Resources
C3 Membership Directory (login required)
C3 Website>Values (printable list here)
Teaching Podcast “The Stage at C3” Feeds: Apple Podcasts YouTube Music
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! Note: 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.
Contact
frontdesk [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org
C3 Spiritual Community Office
1447 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI 49417
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 371, Grand Haven, MI 49417
616-842-1985 (number can receive text messages)
Becky Park, Office Manager
Weekday office hours by appointment.
Shannon McMaster, Executive Director
smcmaster [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org
Brad Ruggles, Lead Teacher
brad [at] c3westmichigan [dot] org
Automatic donations are handled by Carol Takas, 616-613-3222, at Selby Accounting.
Please direct any questions to Andy Cawthon.
C3 Board of Trustees
Chair: Teresa Colbry
Vice-Chair: Tod Wyn
Secretary: Beth Buelow
Treasurer: Andy Cawthon
Newsletter Submissions and Editor: Chrysteen Moelter-Gray News items
to be included in the C3 Update should be submitted by Wednesday morning.