OPTIMISM
 The Path to Joy

During the month of SEPTEMBER Rev. Glenda and Rev. Judy will share reasons to be optimistic, even in our challenging world.



They will explore ideas leading to an understanding that spiritual optimism is an inner experience based on the love, beauty, creativity and truth that a person discovers at the level of the soul.

Resources for this talk series will include

Why is God Laughing? The Path to Joy and Spiritual Optimism, by Deepak Chopra ,

This title is 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 September:

September 7: Laughter

September 14: Ecstasy

September 21: Confidence s

September 28: Responsibility

Robert Fields: Appearing All Sundays in September

Watch Sunday messages on video!

Read What People Are Saying

Check out The Rev's Journal - Real Life in Ministry. Up Close & Personal

SATURDAY NIGHT ~ WEEKLY

Feature Event Line-Up

September 6: David Zasloff ~ Multi- talented Stand- up Comedian, Jazz Musician, Singer, Songwriter ~ 6:30 pm ~ $15 Ticket

September 13: EarthDance 2008 ~ Doors open at 3 pm ~ $20 Ticket

September 20: Surprise Evening ~ 6 pm

September 27: Spiritual Cinema ~ presenting Freedom Writers from 6 to 8:05 pm ~ Love Offering

PLEASE SUPPORT COMMON GROUND

On-line Donation

Thank You.

 

 "IT TAKES A VILLAGE"
 Conscious Parenting

One of the exciting things about Common Ground's expansion vision is the opportunity to set an appropriate field for support and growth of children and families.

Great care is being taken to create nurturing and beautiful space for children and youth. Attention to detail and to the natural unfolding energy of youngsters is a high priority. A wonderful independent play climbing apparatus, a 'log cabin' playhouse and a safe play surface have already been installed outside for engaged activities.

An exciting Kids' Enrichment Program has been created and is ready to set in motion. See details.

As part of our commitment to children and families we have the great gift of having in our community Judith Freyer Palmer, a Certified Child Life Specialist with special focus in the area of One-on-One Play Therapy.

Beginning mid-September, Judith is offering a new 10-week series of Conscious Parenting classes providing a rare opportunity to deepen a parent's understanding and commitment to healthy and conscious parenting.

Innovative techniques will help parents:

Experience self healing while giving love that heals

Become intentional in their communication

Gain cooperation and build self-esteem

Discipline without punishment

Become sensitive to their child's developmental needs

Learn to support their child through traumatic experiences

Become the healing bridge between generations

At Common Ground we believe that spiritual community is not a bystander but a stakeholder in raising our children.

We have a profound conviction that our children are the voices of change in the world

We believe spiritual community is not incidental but integral to the growth and development of children and the future of the planet

 

 BOOK BOUTIQUE
 Fair Trade

We just couldn't wait any longer to unwrap some of our wonderful new merchandise that will become the mainstay of our new Book Boutique at Newport Avenue!

Many people have already had a chance to take a look at our exciting selection of Fair Trade products, elephant pooh paper items, custom beach glass jewelry, baskets, drums, shawls, and much more.

Take time to come in and check out what's new.

Selected items will be on sale at 20% discount during the month of September.

Remember: Common Ground donates a portion of the profit from sales of all Fair Trade items to a charity in the country from which the item originates.

All sales of products from South/Latin America benefit Circulo de Amigas.

All sales of products from Africa benefit Seeds of Light.

All sales of products from Asia/India benefit The Hunger Project.

Shopping in the Book Boutique supports our spiritual community and the global community.

PLEASE SHOP OFTEN! .

 

 EMBRACING HUMANITY
 "The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book". ~ Author Unknown

What an incredible day we recently spent as families from SPIN (Serving People in Need) and many Common Grounders came together at Common Ground Santa Clara for swimming, picnicing, visiting and getting to know each other.

A craft table was set up under the canopy so that folks from SPIN and Common Ground had ample room to work together to create inspirational signs for Be the Cause's annual "Walk for Hope". Quotes selected by the staff of Be the Cause were placed on the signs and then painted and decorated with sequins, flowers, and other colorful things.

Hot dogs with all the trimmings followed by ice cream sundaes were enjoyed by all.

At the end of the party, as families left for home, each child was given a brand new backpack filled with abundant supplies for the coming school year. Many of the children at the party were scheduled to begin their first day of school the next day. What perfect timing!

Thank you to everyone who was part of helping to make this happen. As usual, Common Grounders' generosity and compassion were demonstrated through the outpouring of love and care that was given to fill backpacks for the children again this year.

A special thank you to Jan Bates and Terrie Lamar for their superb leadership!

The smiles on the kids' faces and the gratitude of the parents were enough to open any heart. I (Rev. Glenda) spoke with the mother of three kids who could hardly get these words out,

"I don't know what I would have done without the backpacks this year. I am working full time and barely making ends meet. You are angels."

See photos of the party and visit the table outside after service on Sundays to enjoy thank you cards from SPIN families expressing their appreciation for Common Ground's outreach to them.

We are making a difference in the lives of these families and they in turn our making a difference in ours. How blessed we are.

We make a difference. Together is better.

Visit Seva Outreach at Common Ground for an update of projects and activities for 2008.

 

 PRAYER
 "As we step to the edge of all the light that we know, we must trust that one of two things will happen: there will be something firm for us to stand on, or we shall be taught to fly." (Author Unknown).

In August, Stacie Buda and her Reiki team took time out to enter into a beautiful experience of rich and meaningful ceremony.

On behalf of the team, Donna Young brought forward this beautiful prayer. She has given us permission to share it with you.

Father, Mother, God, Divine Spirit
We take this opportunity here this evening, as part of our Reiki Circle, to offer a time of celebration and gratitude for this spiritual community known as Common Ground.

With Your love and guidance, Common Ground has grown from very humble beginnings, and is about to spread its wings and soar a bit higher.
For this, we offer our gratitude.

May Common Ground continue to be a blessing to each of us, to the community and the world at large.

We are grateful for this space we call Common Ground.
For these walls, which have shared in much delight and happiness as well as sadness and tears.
Thank You.

For the friendships made, for gentleness and kindness extended and received.
Thank You.

For the pain eased, for the hurts healed, for those lost ones who found a home.
Thank you.

For those less fortunate whom we serve; for the joy we bring into their lives and hearts, and in doing so, the joy we bring into our own.
Thank You.

For the opportunity to stand on a street corner and provide others a chance to "Imagine Peace", whatever that may mean to them ~ be it peace in their home, their workplace, their lives, their community, the world. One has to "Imagine Peace" before it can become a reality.
Thank You.

For the opportunity to learn and to grow spiritually, to support and be supported.
Thank You.

For Reverend Judy, Reverend Glenda and Reverend Susan, for their commitment, courage, wisdom, insight, humanness, sense of humor; for their walk in the world.
Thank You.

For Stacie Buda, for her leadership as Reiki Master, her gentleness, kindness, beauty of spirit, and for her friendship, not only to myself, but to others.
Thank You.

As Common Ground continues to grow and shine it's light ever brighter, we ask Your continued blessing, love and guidance.

May Common Ground grow with passion, depth, beauty, love and compassion.

May the walls of our new sanctuary vibrate with love, laughter and happiness as these walls have.

May our new sanctuary be a place of shelter, compassion, love and healing for those difficult times on our journey.

Father, Mother, God, Divine Spirit, we ask you, take our hands as we step forward.
Thank You.

"As we step to the edge of all the light that we know, we must trust that one of two things will happen: there will be something firm for us to stand on, or we shall be taught to fly." (Author unknown).

I offer my deep, personal, heartfelt thank you to Common Ground. Common Ground was, and remains MY something firm to stand on.

Namaste.
Donna Young

(8-2008)

Life is prayer at Common Ground.

Check out our new daily on-line inspirational prayers, videos and music.

Look & Listen. May you be blessed.

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 Prayer Requests on-line.

Anyone who needs prayer, pastoral care or has special circumstances is invited to call (714) 573-2546 to contact Rev. Glenda or Rev. Judy.

 

 JULY 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 JULY 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; and, The Hunger Project, a global, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger.

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.

 

 NATURE, EARTH & SUSTAINABLE PLANET
 "Thou shalt keep each day sacred to the Earth and celebrate the turning of its seasons." Ernest Callenbach

Common Ground is exploring the possibility of becoming a drop-off site for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture).

"CSA is a way for the food buying public to create a relationship with a farm and to receive a weekly basket of produce. By making a financial commitment to a farm, people become "members" (or "shareholders") of the CSA.

The CSA farm closest to Common Ground is in San Juan Capistrano.

"South Coast Farms is located in the city of San Juan Capistrano, only 2 miles East of Doheny Beach. "Farmer George" is fascinated by and dedicated to the challenges of organic farming in this unique urban setting. He has a 450 member CSA and on-site farmstand open daily. He grows over 40 different varieties of fruits and vegetables. He is famous for his Chandler and Camarosa strawberries, vine ripened heirloom tomatoes, other heirloom produce varieties and his cucumbers and bell peppers. Depending on the year and season SCF grows: artichokes, arugula, green, yellow and dragon- tongue beans, beets (red, golden and chiogga), chard (green, red and rainbow), carrots, ambrosia cantaloupe, garlic, gourds, lettuce and so much more."

When the program gets underway Common Ground will offer a variety of 'cooking classes' and recipes to explore ways of creatively combining the produce into delicious meals.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE DETAILS!

 

 THE ENNEAGRAM
 Self-Observation & Self-Inquiry

The following quote is from The Wisdom of the Enneagram, by Don Riso and Russ Hudson, "If we observe ourselves truthfully and nonjudgmentally, seeing the mechanisms of our personality in action, we can wake up, and our lives can be a miraculous unfolding of beauty and joy."

Come experience the Enneagram in a practical way that will help tap into unique healing attitudes, gifts, and specific transformational process.

Explore the difference between your personality and your Essence

Discover ways in which you may have 'fallen asleep' to your true nature

Uncover your basic fears and desires

Learn the importance of paying attention to the language and instincts of the body

Explore healthy, average and unhealthy ranges of functioning aspects of your personality

Discover ways to use the Enneagram as a tool for transformation

Learn to practice "The Enneagram of Letting Go" to become more relaxed, alive and connected with your own Essence, relationships and surroundings

Rev. Judy and Rev. Glenda will facilitate this dynamic, interactive series of classes. This is not a sit-and-listen experience. This 3-week session is designed to be interactive and transformative. Come check it out.

 

 WALK FOR HOPE
 Spreading Love in the World

For the past several years Common Ground has supported Be the Cause and their annual Walk for Hope.

The Walk for Hope is a reminder of the things that matter most in life. The purpose of the entire event is to spread more love in the world. The entire 5 kilometer route (3 miles) is decorated with hundreds of inspiring quotes, all of them hand-made. You can also expect to find interactive activities along the walk route.

What's more, it is entirely free with free snacks, free T- shirt, and live entertainment. The Walk for Hope is a gift from Be the Cause to you.

The Walk for Hope can optionally be used as an opportunity to raise funds for your favorite charity. Just list the name of the charity (or spiritual community) when you register and follow the instructions.

*The walk is wheelchair accessible and dogs are welcome on the walk.

Be the Cause is a volunteer-run organization. The walk is paid for entirely by its volunteers.

Register Now

Saturday October 18 ~ 9am to 1 pm

El Dorado Park (7550 E Spring St Long Beach, CA 90815)

Eart h Ministry, under the direction of Rev. Susan, has taken the lead on Common Ground's participation again this year

 

 EARTHDANCE 2008
 Promoting Peace

Earthdance, a Global Dance Festival for Peace has grown to become the world's largest simultaneous music and dance event. Founded in 1996, with 22 cities and 18 countries participating, Earthdance has grown to over 300 locations in 60 countries participating in 2007, with locations ranging from the club-lands of New York to the rainforests of Brazil.

Every year, in alignment with the International Day of Peace, over 200,000 people unite with hundreds of thousands more joining online in support of global peace and humanitarian aims.

The defining moment of each Earthdance event is a synchronized link-up, (4 pm Pacific Standard Time) when every event around the world plays a specially produced song called "The Prayer for Peace" at exactly the same time.

The aim of the event is to bring together global communities to create a synchronized global festival and dance event to help fund humanitarian causes and develop an environment of peace throughout the global community.

Common Ground planned to be relocated to Newport Avenue in time for this event. However, that did not happen. So, we plan to host a public event anyhow, right where we are.

We will make the best of it and know that if an event can happen in the rainforest we can certainly create a festival on First Street in Tustin!!!

Our event will feature the energetic music of Robert Fields, belly dancers, drumming, food and more.

Four charities have been invited to promote their causes during the event to highlight their work. Be the Cause, Seeds of Light, Circulo de Amigas and The Hunger Project will present brief videos of their work, hand out information and answer questions.

Common Ground will donate a portion of the proceeds of our Earthdance 2008 event to these four organizations.

Tickets are $20 per person.

Please plan to support this worthwhile vision to promote peace.

Saturday September 13.

Doors open at 3 pm.

Global Prayer for Peace at 4 pm.

Global Ma for Mother Earth immediately following prayer.

Robert Fields at 6 pm

"Come give peace a dance!"

"We are one global family
All colors, All races
One world united.
We dance for peace and the healing of our planet Earth
Peace for all nations.
Peace for our communities.
And peace within ourselves.
As we join all dance floors across the world, let us connect heart to heart.
Through our diversity we recognize Unity.
Through our compassion we recognize Peace.
Our love is the power to transform our world
Let us send it out
NOW..."