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common ground
July 2009 - Volume 5, Issue 7 
 July Newsletter
 Embracing Humanity & Expressing Divinity
In This Issue


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 COMMUNITY
 Nourishing Connections

During the month of JULY Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy will explore the rich topic of deepening our awareness by accepting the invitation to embrace the path of community as spiritual practice.

Participation with an open mind and heart allows our awareness to bloom in wisdom and compassion.

They will work towards an understanding of how choosing to engage in spiritual community as a path helps remove the barrier between practice ("on the cushion") and non-practice.

They will show how our practice deepens and grows when we learn from each other as spiritual friends; enabling us to dwell fully in the present, to enjoy the people we are with, and to demonstrate our spiritual mastery.

They will share the idea that commitment to spiritual community can nourish all beings.

Resources for this talk series include:
  • Friends on the Path, by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • Ethics for a New Millennium, by Dalai Lama
  • Excuses Begone!, by Wayne Dyer

    These titles are available in the Book Boutique at 20% discount during July.

    Sunday Morning Inspiration Services Weekly:
    9:00 to 10:00 am and 10:30 to 11:30 am

    Talk titles for July:

  • July 5: Natural Sincerity
  • July 12: Supportiveness
  • July 19: Willingness
  • July 26: Universal Cooperation

    Robert Fields: Appearing at Both Services Every Sunday in July



    Thank You for Your Generosity!
    Common Ground is solely supported by the gracious offerings of its spiritual community and friends.

    Please remember Common Ground during the summer vacation months. Without your contributions we cannot meet our operating expenses.

     


    •  JULY CLASSES & EVENTS
     Sunday Morning Services 9:00 to 10:00 am & 10:30 to 11:30 am



    JULY SPECIAL EVENTS

    COVENANT FELLOWSHIP
  • Information Session (Required for Dedication) ~ Sunday, July 12, 12 noon to 1:30 pm
  • Application Deadline ~ Tuesday ~ July 14 ~ 8:30 pm
  • Welcome Dinner ~ Friday ~ July 17, 7 pm
  • Dedication & Reception ~ Sunday ~ July 19, 12 noon

    COMMUNITY APPRECIATION BREAKFAST ~ Saturday, July 18, 9 to 11 am

    LADIES NIGHT SPLASH PARTY ~ Monday, July 20, 6 pm, Common Ground Santa Clara

    COMMON GROUND CORONA COVENANT DEDICATION ~ Sunday, July 26, 2pm

    COMMUNITY SPIFF-UP DAY ~ Friday, July 31, 10 am to 7 pm

    MIMI'S CAFE FUND RAISER ~ Monday, July 13, 7 am to 10 pm

    NEW!
  • Perennial Philosophy ~ Facilitated by Peter Crabb ~ Friday, July 10, 7 to 8:30 pm, Love Offering

  • What's Your Self-Worth? ~ Facilitated by Tamani Deering ~ Wednesday, July 8 & 28, 7 to 8:30 pm, Love Offering

  • Excuses Begone!~ Facilitated by Reverend Susan Chamberlain ~ Tuesdays, weekly, July 7, 14, 21 & 28, 7 to 8:30 pm, Love Offering

  • Hiking at Peter's Canyon: Facilitated by Layla Khamoushian ~ Saturday, July 11, 7:30 am

    KID'S CALENDAR

  • Kids' Enrichment Program ~ Weekly, Sundays, 10:30 to 11:30 am
  • NEW! Summer Series: Family Night Out ~ Origami Playshop with special guest, Itsuko Ibihara ~ Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 to 7:30 pm

    CONTINUING
  • Book Study ~ Less: Accomplishing More by Doing Less, by Marc Lesser ~ Facilitated by Reverend Glenda & Reverend Judy ~ Thursdays, 7 to 8:30 pm, Love Offering
  • Conscious Evolution Study Group ~ Informal discussion with Reverend Glenda & Reverend Judy based on the work of Barbara Marx Hubbard ~ Gateway to Conscious Evolution ~ Friday July 24, 7 to 8:30 pm, Love Offering

    ONGOING
  • Course in Miracles: Weekly, Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 pm & Wednesdays, 11:00 to 12:30 am ~ Love Offering
  • Creative Writing ~ Express Yourself Write Away!: FINAL SESSION ~ July 3, 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Facilitated by Lillian Nader ~ Love Offering
  • Drumming Circle: Every third Friday ~ July 17, 7 to 8:30 pm, facilitated by Michele Amburgey, $10 fee
  • Dr. Susan's Book Club ~ On break until fall semester begins on Tuesday, September 8
  • New Earth Eckhart Tolle Book Study: Weekly, Fridays,12:30 to 1:30 pm ~ Love Offering
  • Recycle : Sunday, July 19
  • Reiki Healing Circle: Tues, July 14 & 28 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering
  • Spiritual Cinema ~ Spirit of the Marathon: Saturday, July 25, 6 pm ~ Love Offering
  • Standing In Peace: Weekly, Tuesdays, 4 to 5 pm, Irvine Blvd @ Prospect Ave
  • Women's Wisdom Circle: Tues, July 14 & 28, 10 to 11:30 am ~ Love Offering

    VENUE EVENTS
  • Prosperity Abundance & You: Tuesdays, July 21 & 28 , August 4 & 11, 7 to 8:30 pm, $20 fee

  • Development 1 Class:July 11 , 9 to Noon ~ $20 fee
  • Development 2 Class: July 25, 9 am to Noon ~ $20 fee

  • Spiritual Art ~ Painting Workshop: Saturday, July 25, 1 to 4 pm ~ $30 fee includes materials fee

  • Lightworkers Circle: Weekly, Thursdays, 7 to 9 pm ~ $20 fee
  • Lightworkers Studio: Saturday July 11, 1 to 3 pm ~ $20 fee
  • Lightworkers Studio: Saturday July 25, 5 to 7 pm ~ $20 fee

    Convenient door-hanger-style calendars of current events are available each month in the Gallery at Common Ground

    Now available, At-a-Glance Calendar

     


    •  SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY
     Celebration, Commitment & Care

    Community is the focus of many activities at Common Ground during the month of July.

    COVENANT FELLOWSHIP
    For those who are ready, there will be an opportunity to say 'yes' to the invitation to enter into Covenant Fellowship in spiritual community. Several meaningful experiences will be offered in preparation for the Dedication ceremony on July 19th at 12 noon.

    An information gathering will be held on Sunday, July 12th, immediately following service, to answer questions, discuss our mission and vision, and get to know one another better.

    A casual 'welcome dinner', which will take place on Friday, July 17th, will be a fun time of getting acquainted with others who are in covenant with Common Ground.

    Common Ground does not have membership. Covenant Fellowship is a heart commitment that enriches individual spiritual practice and recognizes the importance of soul friends in spiritual community.

    For more information, please contact Reverend Glenda or Reverend Judy at info@embracehumanity.com

    COMMUNITY SPIFF-UP DAY
    Common Ground will host an Open House on August 1st from 2 to 4 pm.

    Everyone is invited to help fine tune our surroundings so that we will be picture perfect for the Grand Opening.

    We will polish, shine and refresh each room from 10:30 am to 5 pm on July 31st. Look for sign-up sheets beginning July 6th.

    MAKING NEWS

    Common Ground will be featured in the July/August edition of Awareness Magazine.

    Be sure to share the article with friends and family. Help the greater community get acquainted with us.

    GRAND OPENING OPEN HOUSE

    We are pleased to open the doors of Common Ground on Saturday, August 1st, from 2 to 4 pm, to embrace friends, family, guests and the greater community.

    Together the spiritual community will offer hospitality and host the event.

    Summer refreshments and steel drumming with Doyle McKinney of Big Yard Productions will keep things lively.

    Mark your calendar now. Plan to be part of this awesome afternoon.

    COMMUNITY APPRECIATION BREAKFAST

    On Saturday morning, July 18, from 9 to 11 am, Common Ground's Board of Directors will serve breakfast to the spiritual community in appreciation for the awesome time, creativity, talent and resources that have been so generously shared this past year.

    Suzanne Houston, Robert Field's beloved friend, will cater the event.

    An RSVP sign-up list will be available beginning July 5th.

    Please let us know if you will be joining us so that we have plenty of pancakes for everyone.

     


     BOOK BOUTIQUE
     Shop & Buy Local

  • Come see what's new!

  • Look for coupons in our weekly email updates!

    Up to 20% discount on selected merchandise.

    Come check it out!

    Your purchases in the Book Boutique support our spiritual community.

    PLEASE SHOP OFTEN!

     


    •  FAMILY NIGHT OUT
     Summer Series

    Common Ground's Kids' Enrichment Program has blossomed this spring.

    We are pleased to have the opportunity to expand our program to include a summer series for kids and parents.

    Our first event will be held on Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

    Itsuko Ibihara, who presents playshops at private and public schools, will offer basic age-appropriate instruction for creating origami art. Everyone will succeed in creating something wonderful!

    Nutritious snacks and theme music will round out the evening.

    This is an opportunity to expand awareness, experience cultural diversity, express creativity and have fun.

    There is a suggested $5 per family offering. No one will be excluded for lack of funds.

    Everyone is invited. Bring your inner child if you are grown-up and a 'child at heart'!

    August's events will include a family drumming circle on August 12th and a Pool Party at Common Ground Santa Clara (date to be determined) Look for more details soon.

     


     NEW CLASS
     Finding Meaning

    New Series Beginning!
    Wednesday, July 8, 7 to 8:30 pm

    Love Offering

    WHAT IS YOUR SELF-WORTH? ~ A Woman's Guide to Validation

    Common Ground presents a "call to action" for women to take a look at how society perceives them, how they perceive themselves, and how they can adopt a personal mind-set to choose happiness.

    Based on the book, What is Your Self-Worth?, by Cheryl Saban, Tamani Deering will facilitate this dynamic series geared toward:

  • UNCOVERING, REDISCOVERING, & EXPRESSING the worth that is innately yours, regardless of what others may say or do to make you doubt it.
  • FINDING your core authentic self ... what you believe in & care about, where you come from, who you are.
  • DEVELOPING a strong sense of self
  • VIEWING outside influences objectively

    Plan to proactively express & own your sense of worth through relevant exploration of life's challenges and triumphs.

     


    •  PRAYER & MEDITATION
     May My Soul Always Find Fulfillment in Friendship

    ANCIENT JAIN PRAYER

  • O Lord! Make me such that I may have love for all beings,
  • Joy in the meritorious, unstinting sympathy for the distressed,
  • And tolerance towards the perversely inclined.

  • O Lord! May my soul always find fulfillment, in friendship and love towards all beings,
  • In all the virtuous, in compassion toward all suffering creatures,
  • And in remaining neutral towards those hostile to me.

  • This is my prayer.

    Life is a spiritual practice.
    Life is prayer at Common Ground.

    Those needing prayer support are invited to make Prayer Requests on-line or by placing a request in the prayer box in the sanctuary.

    There are no fees for prayer at Common Ground.

     


    •  MAY TITHES
     Common Ground is truly blessed and in turn becomes a blessing in the world

    Common Ground reaches out to the global community through its spiritual practice of conscious giving.

    Giving back to the world is an important aspect of its mission and vision. A balanced integral approach is reflected in conscious selection of 501c3 qualified programs and institutions to which Common Ground provides its tithes each month.

    Recipients of Common Ground tithes include: Seeds of Light helping children and families affected by the AIDS crisis in South Africa; IONS (Institute of Noetic Sciences), advancing the science of consciousness and human experience to serve individual and collective transformation; The Hunger Project, a global, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger; Mary's Kitchen, providing services that support and enhance the quality of life for the hungry and homeless of Orange County; Kristie's Foundation, providing assistance, support and cherished moments to critically ill children and their families; Kiva, empowering people to lift themselves out of poverty; Disability Rights California, affirmatively addressing the needs of the traditionally underserved and underrepresented disability community.

    The organizations to which Common Ground tithes are meaningful programs where people from the spiritual community and its friends are already serving with heart and hand and supporting with time and treasure.

     


     2009 EVENTS
     Mark Your Calendar Today

    CURRENTLY SCHEDULED:

  • Open House: Sat, Aug 1
  • Earthdance: Sat, Sept 26
  • Walk for Hope: Sat, Oct 17
  • Fifth Anniversary Celebration: Fri, Nov 13
  • Thanksgiving Eve: Wed, Nov 25
  • Winter Solstice: Sun, Dec 20
  • Christmas Eve: Thur, Dec 24
  • World Healing Meditation: Thur, Dec 31
  • New Year's Eve: Thur, Dec 31

     


    •  BOOK STUDY
     Less

    During the month of July, every Thursday, from 7 to 8:30 pm, Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy will facilitate a practical and real-world common sense exploration of Marc Lesser's recent book, LESS: ACCOMPLISHING MORE BY DOING LESS.

    Love Offering

    "This wise, beautifully written book is grounded in a refreshing new way to understand busyness and filled with concrete strategies to recapture your quality of life - for good." - Cheryl Richardson, author of Take Time for Your Life

    In addition to countless simple, but powerful concepts, LESS also teaches readers how to practice meditation as a way to slow down the busyness in life.

    "The Less Manifesto", which is introduced in Chapter 3, focuses on the core of self-defeating habits - fear, assumptions, distractions, resistance, and busyness.

    Marc Lesser eloquently and simply describes how to change these habits and become not only more productive, but also more connected in relationships with others.

     


     NATURE, EARTH & SUSTAINABLE PLANET
     Colony Collapse



    Every creature, every breathe, every activity affects everything else, eventually. Some things seem insignificant. Sometimes we even wonder if our individual life journey really matters.

    TheTruth? Everything matters. Everything makes a difference in the greater whole. In fact, for example, the future of our very food supply rests on the tiny honeybee.

    Take a few minutes to enjoy "Silence of the Bees" for an intimate look at the importance of one essential creature in the web of life.



     


     VENUE EVENTS
     Details

    DEVELOPMENT CLASSES
  • DEVELOPMENT I ~ BEGINNING: SATURDAY, JULY 11, 9 to NOON ~ $20 fee

  • DEVELOPMENT 2 ~ ADVANCED: SATURDAY, JULY 25, 9 to NOON ~ $20 fee

    Facilitated by Bob Lewis, an intuitive medium, who has been studying with James Van Praagh for five years. Bob has also studied with Lisa Williams and co-facilitated a Sonia Choquette Six Sensory Group for two years.

    In addition, he is a member of a Development 3 group made up of James Van Praagh alumni, is Reiki Certified, and does private readings, consultations, and energy healings of persons, places, and pets.

    PROSPERITY ABUNDANCE & YOU

    TUESDAY, JULY 21 & 28, AUGUST 4 & 11, 7 TO 8:30 PM

  • Cost: $20 PER CLASS
  • Facilitated by Reverend Liz Luoma
  • A powerful & interactive group
  • Discover & clear blocks that keep you from realizing financial ease, wealth, & success
  • Explore proven techniques that can help create the life of Abundance & Prosperity you were born to live & have

    SPIRITUAL ART: PAINTING WORKSHOP

    SATURDAY, July 25, 1 to 4 PM

  • Cost: $30 fee (includes materials)
  • Facilitated by Valerie Rogers

  • Spiritual Art is an abstract expressionistic form of painting that is guided by Spirit.
  • The process is designed to help you learn how to "Let go and let God" do the painting.

    NEW ~ UPCOMING!

    AUGUST CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

  • Manifesting Your Goals, with Lillian Nader ~ Saturday, August 8, 1 to 3 pm
  • Mastering the Four Agreements, with Gary Van Warmerdam ~ Saturday, August 15, 1 to 5 pm

     


    •  CREATIVE FINANCING
     Trusting the Process

    Have you been impacted by the current economic climate? Your answer is most likely, 'yes'.

    Many of us are feeling the effects of the complex financial chaos so prevalent in the world today.

    Reverend Glenda, Reverend Judy and their families are adjusting to personal financial changes that are a reflection of the general economy.

    Churches and non-profit organizations are no exception to feeling the economic squeeze.

    How does this affect Common Ground?

    Since the very first moment of our founding we have trusted in the idea that there will always be 'enough' to meet our needs. Our trust continues. Our tithes to qualified non-profit organizations continue. Our expenses continue and have increased with our move to Newport Avenue.

    Our trust remains, and, we realistically know that we must be prudent and careful with our resources. We have made significant cuts in expenses to redirect funds to our new rental payment. Our founding ministers are serving without pay.

    We also understand it is important to let our spiritual community and its friends know that we are solely dependent on offerings to meet our expenses.

    We invite you to consider continuation of giving to spiritual community as an essential part of your spiritual practice and your budget. We know cut-backs are necessary. We hope you will consider cutting back somewhere other than your offerings to Common Ground.

    Common Ground has found many ways for you to provide 'passive income' to help meet our expenses. These ways give donations to Common Ground as a result of purchases you are already making. You do not need to reach into your pocket for additional money. You simply need to be mindful of where you shop.

    Please take time to enroll in the following opportunities:
  • iGive.com
  • Ralph's
  • Albertson's
  • eScrip (Group ID#500015735)

    Please be sure to select Common Ground Spiritual Center as recipient of your donations.

     


    • 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.

    May you realize the blessings of peace and share it with others.

    glenda judy
    Rev. Glenda and Rev. Judy
    Common Ground

    phone: 714-573-2540