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We Are Spiritual, Not Religious
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FLOW The Way of Water
 During the month of August
Rev. Glenda and Rev. Judy will share
practical ways in which an understanding of the
Tao can inform and support us through even the
most complex conditions.
They will
explore the concept of wu- wei, "not
forcing", as a combination of informed heart
wisdom and living in harmony and accordance with
the present moment.
As they continue to
work through the uncertainties of expansion of
Common Ground they will discuss ways in which
"going with the grain, rolling with the punch,
swimming with the current, trimming sails to the
wind, and stooping to conquer" help them to
trust the process and align with the highest
good that benefits everyone.
By using the
metaphor of water and observing how it behaves
they will explore a variety of spiritual tools
and practices to help us step into the flow of
life in an empowered way.
Resources for
this talk series will include
Living the Wisdom of the Tao: The
Complete Tao Te Ching and Affirmations,
by Wayne Dyer
Tao: The Watercourse Way, by
Alan Watts
Living Deeply: the Art and Science of
Transformation in Everyday Life, by
Marilyn Mandala Schlitz and others
These titles are currently available at
20% discount in the Book Boutique at
Common Ground.
Sunday Morning Services
Weekly: 10:30 to 11:30 am
Talk
titles for August:
August 3: Gravity
August 10: Interdependence
August 17: Polarity
August 24: Grace
August 30: Ease
Robert
Fields: Appearing All Sundays in
August
Watch
Sunday messages on video!
Read
What People Are Saying
Check
out our latest blog, The
Rev's Journal - Real Life in
Ministry. Take a look up close and
personal
NEW SATURDAY NIGHT
FORMAT
Weekly: 6 to 8 pm
Feature Event Line-Up
August 2: Mark
Romero performing from 6:00 to 6:45 pm
August 9: Ro
bert Fields performing from 6:00 to 6:45 pm
August 16: Open Mic with Rev. Glenda &
Rev. Judy from 6 to 7 pm
August 23: Spiritual Cinema presenting Baraka
from 6 to 7:30 pm
August 30: Peter
Sterling performing from 6:30 to 7:15
pm
PLEASE SUPPORT COMMON
GROUND
On-line
Donation
Thank You.
On-Line
Prayer Requests
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AUGUST SERVICES,
CLASSES & EVENTS Saturday Night: 6:00
pm and Sunday Morning Service: 10:30 to 11:30 am
SPECIAL EVENT - JUST
ADDED!
Dr.
Rocco Errico presents The Mysteries Of
Creation: Wednesday, August 20, 7 to 8 pm.
$20 ticket, reservations recommended
Dr. Errico uses his own direct
translation from the Aramaic-Peshitta
text of Genesis 1:1-31 and 2:1-3 as a basis for
a challenging new look at the processes,
revelations, and mysteries of the primal
Creation account.
He discusses the Semitic meaning, names, and
theories of the origin of God and the creation
of the world.
Where appropriate, Dr. Errico borrows
insights from the world of both quantum physics
and Biblical scholarship.
He demonstrates that behind the material
appearance of the world operates a sacred
Intelligence (called Elohim) and that all
Creation is a meaningful representation of the
creative acts of this primal deity.
THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO
EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING BIBLICAL
SCHOLARS WORKING FROM THE ORIGINAL ARAMAIC
TEXTS. ARAMAIC WAS THE LANGUAGE OF
JESUS
SPECIAL OUTREACH
EVENT!
SPIN
Swim Party: Sunday, August 17, 4 to 7pm,
Common Ground Santa Clara
SPECIAL
NOTICE!
Unless notified in
advance, all services, classes and events will
be held at First Street through August. Thank
you for your continued support and patience.
NEW!
Yoga: Weekly, Wednesday evenings from 7 to
8:30 pm, beginning August 6, or Friday mornings
from 9 to 10:30 am, beginning August 8,
facilitated by Mona Ness, $90 per 6 week session
Living
Deeply: Thursdays, August 7, 14, 21 &
28, 7 to 8:30 pm, Facilitated by Rev. Glenda
& Rev. Judy
Mark
Romero - Harmonic Sound Healing: Mondays
August 4 & 18, 7 to 8:30 pm, $25 fee
SOMETHING BRAND NEW
FRIDAY NIGHT
LIVE - BODY, MIND & SPIRIT!
Creative Writing - Express Yourself Write
Away!: Every first Friday beginning August
1, 7 to 8:30 pm facilitated by Lillian Nader -
$20 fee, materials provided
Artistic Expression: Every second
Friday beginning August 8, 7 to 8:30, August
Spirit Doll workshop facilitated by Nancy
Harrison - $15 fee, materials provided
Drumming with Spirit: Every third Friday
beginning August 15, 7 to 8:30 pm, facilitated
by Michele
Amburgey - $10 fee, bring a drum and/or
share one
ON BREAK!
IONS
Little Book Study
Beyond the Law of Attraction
CONTINUING!
Course in Miracles: Weekly,
Wednesdays, 10:30-12:00 am
Guided Meditation with Stacie Buda,
Every first Sunday of the month: 9:30-10:00 am
Meditation: Weekly, Sundays, 9:30-10
am
New
Earth Eckhart Tolle Book Study: Weekly,
Fridays,12:30 to 1:30 pm
Recycle Weekend: Saturday & Sunday,
August 16 & 17
Reiki
Healing Circle: Tues, August 12 & 26
7- 8:30 pm
Spiritual Cinema - Baraka:
Sat, August 23 6 to 7:30 pm
Standing
In Peace: Weekly, Tuesdays, 4 to 5 pm,
Irvine Blvd @ Prospect Ave
Wisdom
Teachings with Rev. Susan
Chamberlain, Wisdom Jesus series
continues: Tues, August 5 & 19, 7-8:30 pm
Women's Wisdom Circle: Tues, August
12 & 26, 10-11:30 am
Convenient
door-hanger-style calendars of current events
are available each month in the Book Boutique at
Common Ground
Now available, At-a-Glance
Calendar
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EMBRACING HUMANITY
"Sometimes our light goes
out but is blown into flame by another human
being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those
who have rekindled this light." Albert
Schweitzer 
Since its inception in
the fall of 2004, Common Ground has regularly
given funds to qualified organizations serving
those who are disadvantaged and working towards
sustainability and empowerment.
One
of our favorite projects is Seeds
of Light, whose mission is to support the
poorest of the poor and, in particular, to
respond to those families affected by HIV/AIDS
infections. Specific attention is paid to
establishing a support infrastructure for the
growing number of children at risk, who are
primarily orphans.
We are pleased to
share the following letter of acknowledgment
from Shirley Martin, founder of a local
Seeds of Light group supported by many
individuals from our spiritual
community.
Dear Judy and Glenda and All Common
Ground Members,
Miracles are happening and
you are part of making these miracles! I could
not wait to forward this email from Seeds of
Light. Thank you so much for supporting the
Seeds of Light Chocolate-Dipped strawberries
fundraiser for Mother's Day. The Seeds of Light
Team sends bushels of gratitude to everyone at
Common Ground. Your hearts are full of love! We
appreciate ALL of your gifts to the orphans in
S. Africa! What a Difference You Make!!
Love
and appreciation,
Shirley Martin
----- Original Message -----
To:
shirley martin
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008
2:06 AM
Subject: Fence
making machine!!!!
Dear Shirley, I
just wanted to share my good news - we have
located a fence making machine supplier. When
the man in Swaziland heard the story of the
unemployed women in the village coming together
to help the children who were suffering and then
the story of you raising the money for the
machine by selling chocolate covered
strawberries on Mother's day, he had to get into
the giving act. He is selling us the machine for
exactly $1,000 and he is transporting it for
free. I told the women yesterday and they were
wide eyed. I don't think you can imagine what it
means to them to have people they don't even
know way on the other side of the world helping
them. When it arrives I promise to send
pictures, should arrive next week! Needless to
say I am thrilled for everyone. Thank you so
very much. with deep gratitude and appreciation
of your generosity,
Judy
livinglowveld.com
mapusha.org
mapushrooibokme.blogspot.com
27 13 748
0481
Seeds of Light will be a
featured non-profit organization at the upcoming
Earthdance 2008 celebration at Common Ground on
September 13. Representatives from the local
Seeds of Light organization will be on hand to
share information about their work and to
provide a brief overview of their mission and
vision.
Don't miss it!
We make a difference.
Together is better.
Visit Seva
Outreach at Common Ground for an update of
projects and activities for 2008.
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SOUL OF MONEY
Sustainable Spiritual
Community  With the upcoming move
to Newport Avenue, Common Ground will be
experiencing not only an expanded vision, new
programming, awesome new possibilities, and
increased space, but also, significant increase
in rent and operating expenses.
Rev.
Glenda and Rev. Judy have planned for our
expansion and have asked for support from our
spiritual community. The build-out and creation
of our new location on Newport Avenue is made
possible through gracious financial giving.
Every single drop makes a difference to our
success.
Now, as we move into
programming at our new location we will be
making careful choices and creating expanded
opportunities for continued prosperous success
of Common Ground.
All of the current
gatherings that are held on a love offering
basis will continue, including Women's Wisdom,
Reiki, Course in Miracles, Book Studies, IONS
and Rev. Susan's Wisdom Studies.
In
addition, many new fee-based classes will be
offered. Each class will be facilitated by an
individual who has demonstrated expertise and/or
professional experience. Common Ground will
enter into a formal agreement with these
facilitators, including a fee-splitting
arrangement in which both the facilitator and
the spiritual community benefit. Facilitators
will set the fees for their classes and be held
to certain standards as part of our agreement
with them.
Current fee-based classes
upcoming in August are as follows:
Creative Writing Class: "Express
Yourself--Write Away" - Presented by
Lillian Nader, Published Author,
Experienced Teacher. $20 per person, materials
provided
Harmonic Sound Healing - Presented by
Mark Romero, Personal Coach, Guitarist,
Inspirational Visionary. $25 per person
Yoga - Presented by Mona Ness,
Certified Yoga Teacher, Classic Yoga Training.
$90 for 6 sessions
Spirit Art Dolls - Presented by
Nancy Harrison, Interfaith Ministry
Intern. $15 per person, materials provided
Drumming - Presented by Michele
Amburgey, Reiki Master Teacher, Advanced
Energy Healer, Holistic Health Practitioner. $10
per person
Re
serve your seat now! Fees may be paid
on-line.
Common Ground will also
present exceptional inspirational teachers,
speakers and musicians on a regular basis. Many
of these guests will be part of our regular
Saturday Night format and will be presented on a
love offering basis. Others will be presented on
a ticketed basis because of the cost of bringing
the special event to the community.
August special events are as
follows:
Mark Romero - Saturday Night - Love Offering
Robert Fields - Saturday Night - Love
Offering
Rocco
Errico - The Mysteries of Creation - $20 per
person
Spiritual Cinema - Saturday Night - Love
Offering
Peter Sterling - Saturday Night - Love
Offering
Common Ground continues
to rely on gracious giving to support its vision
and mission. Our financial support comes through
those in covenant with spiritual community, our
friends, and our supporters throughout the
community at large.
We deeply
appreciate your love offerings, tithes, support
of our programs and events, and purchases in our
Book Boutique.
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PRAYER
God grant me the
Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom
to know the difference.  The Serenity Prayer is a
wide door, one that is open to people of all
faiths and backgrounds.
There are
several versions of it, each with slightly
different wording. Also, there are conflicting
accounts of the prayer's origin. It has been
variously attributed to an ancient Sanskrit
text, Aristotle, St. Augustine, St. Francis of
Assisi, and others. Many AA members were first
exposed to the prayer in 1948, when it was
quoted in the Grapevine, an AA periodical. There
it was credited to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr
Regardless of its origin, people who
live this prayer discover how to strike a
dynamic balance between acceptance and
change.
This gift is precious, and
it's one that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
The Serenity Prayer "contains the sum
total of what spiritual life is: a series of
lessons about when to accept life as it is, and
when to make changes for the better."
Life is prayer at Common Ground.
Daily inspiration
is available on-line. A prayer box is located in
the sanctuary for anyone who needs support.
There are no fees for prayer at Common
Ground.
Those needing prayer
support are invited to make an on-line Prayer
Request Anyone who needs prayer,
pastoral care or has special circumstances is
invited to call (714) 573-2546 to contact Rev.
Glenda or Rev. Judy.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Mark Your Calendar
Today SPECIAL
EVENTS!
David
Zasloff- Multi-talented Stand-up
Comedian, Jazz Musician, Singer, Songwriter and
Musical Director: Appearing Saturday, September
6, 6:30 pm. $15 Ticket, reservations
recommended
Earthdance
2008, Prayer for Peace & "Global Om"
- Give Peace a Dance: Saturday, September
13, beginning at 3 pm. $20 ticket, reservations
recommended
DATES
CHANGED!
Opening Night at Common Ground Newport
Avenue: TBA
Covenant Welcome Reception: Fri,
SEPTEMBER 12 (Tentative)
Covenant
Dedication: Sun, SEPTEMBER 14, 12:30 PM
(Tentative)
Ordination of Rev. Susan Chamberlain
& Rev. Danell Wheeler: Sun, OCTOBER 19, 3 pm
NEWLY ADDED!
Conscious
Parenting: 10-Week Series every
Wednesday evening from 7 to 8:30 pm beginning
Sept 17 thru Nov 19. Facilitated by Judith
Freyer Palmer, $200 per person, $300 for
couples & $150 for SPIN/GAAP parents.
Exploring
the Enneagram: Thurs, Sept 18 & 25 and
Oct 2, 7 to 8:30 pm, facilitated by Rev. Judy
& Rev. Glenda. Love Offering
Spiritual Cinema: Sat, Sept 27, Freedom
Writers
Annual Fall Yard Sale: Sat, Oct 11
Susan
Kay Wyatt: Appearing Sat, Oct 11
Practicing the Power of One: Thurs,
Oct 16, 23 & 30, with Beth Rasmussen
Be
the Cause Walk for Hope: Sat, Oct 18
Spiritual Cinema: Sat, Oct 25, Kicking
It
All Soul's Eve: Sun, Nov 2
Scott
Sechman: Appearing Sat, Nov 8
Grand Opening: Sun, Nov 9
Fourth Anniversary Party: Fri, Nov 14
Thanksgiving Eve: Wed, Nov 26
Greg
Tamblyn: Appearing, Sat, Nov 29
Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Outreach
at the Armory: Sun, Nov 30
Annual Christmas Party: Fri, Dec 12
Christmas Carol Outreach: Sun, Dec
21, noon
Winter Solstice: Sun, Dec 21
Christmas Eve: Wed, Dec 24
World Peace Prayer: Wed, Dec 31, 4 am
New Years Eve: Wed, Dec 31
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NATURE, EARTH &
SUSTAINABLE PLANET "Thou shalt not pursue
profit at the Earth's expense but strive to
restore its damaged majesty." Ernest
Callenbach 
"Going with the flow "
can be a tall order when looking at the
human/elephant conflict in Sri Lanka.
"The 3,500 to 4,000 Asian elephants in
Sri Lanka are a bit smaller than African
elephants, but they're still quite humongous.
They chow down on 397 pounds of vegetation a
day, and go potty 16 times over a 24-hour
period."
"In Sri Lanka, elephants are
getting slaughtered. They're not dying because
of poachers who are after their tusks -- (Asian
elephants don't develop tusks). And nobody's
killing them to eat. They're killing them
because of agriculture -- the elephants are
coming onto rice paddy fields, and the farmers
are shooting them."
"But a novel way
of changing that relationship has come about
through discovery of a way to utilize the
presence of the elephants that harms neither
elephant nor farmer: elephant-dung
paper."
"Making paper out of elephant
dung is an attempt to remake the elephant's
image among the Sri Lankan populace into "an
economic asset instead of a pest."
"The cool thing about elephants is
that they have a very poor digestive system
without much of a bacterial floor. They do all
the work to tear up the fibre when they eat.
What comes out is just a fibrous mass that
really doesn't have much of an
odor."
Villagers gather up the dung
(hopefully using gloves) and lay it out
in the sun to dry. When it's dry, it's boiled
along with margusa leaves, which acts as a
natural disinfectant. The dung is then
mechanically pulped into paper, about 120 sheets
per 22 pounds of dung. The color and texture of
the paper varies according to what the elephant
has eaten."
Local farmers now have a
very good reason to protect, rather than harm,
the elephants. Information for this
article comes from Resurgence
magazine July/August 2006 and Calgary
Herald, March 8, 2008. Mr.
Ellie Pooh, founded by Karl Wald,
distributes the elephant dung
products.
Mr. Ellie Pooh products will
soon be carried in the Book Boutique at Common
Ground.
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Common Ground is a Teaching-Learning
Center where people bring their very souls,
where people grow one another by sharing what they
know, and where people learn spiritual practices
to support them in working with the complex
possibilities of today's world.
Blessings and Gratitude,
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Even though progress
with our construction at Newport Avenue has not
been as swift as we had anticipated, the delay
hasn't slowed down enthusiasm for creating the
field of energy for our move. 
The Book Boutique at
Common Ground continues to offer huge discounts
on most non-book and non- CD merchandise in
preparation for its upcoming relocation to
Newport Avenue. 
