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CHERISH WHAT MATTERS
Freedom, Forgiveness and Grace
During the month of JULY Reverend
Glenda and Reverend Judy will help us explore the idea that even though life can be a challenging journey, we can cultivate the capacity to open to freedom, forgiveness and grace so that we actually enjoy the life we are living and cherish what matters.
We all want our lives to be easy, comfortable, and serene; yet, sometimes, they are complicated, conflicted, and disappointing.
It is possible to learn to approach life in such a way that we can set ourselves on a positive course of caring, forgiveness, and loving-kindness. This helps us realize the freedom of the great human dream: Life, Liberty and Happiness.
The Revs will help us see that we must embrace three essential ideas to accomplish this.
First, we say yes to the basic goodness in all of us and in the Universe.
Second, we say yes to who we are and who others are, not just once but in all our daily actions.
Finally, we say yes to reality as it is; accepting the 'isness' of life on life's terms.
These practices, then, become the foundation of remembering our wholeness; our divinity. This is what matters. This is the 'destiny' of our spiritual journey.
Please join us for inspirational messages at Common Ground each Sunday at 10:30 am.
Resources
include:
Everyday Commitments: Choosing a Life of Love, Realism, and Acceptance Coming Home to Who You Are: Discovering Your Natural Capacity for Love, Integrity, and Compassion, Both by David Richo
Power, Freedom and Grace: Living from the Source of Lasting Happiness, by Deepak Chopra
Invisible Acts of Power: Personal Choices That Create Miracles, by Caroline Myss
These
titles are available in the Book Boutique. (Quantities Limited)
Sunday Morning Inspiration
Weekly: 10:30
am
Care available during service for infants through 5th grade
Talk
titles for JULY
July 7: Freedom of Choice
July 14: Dr. James Rietveld, guest speaker ~ Corrie ten Boom: Finding a Deeper Love and Forgiveness ~ Lipstick Lumberjack, Featured Musicians
July 21: The Power of Grace, Teri Wilder, Featured Vocalist
July 28: Honoring the Journey ~ Saying Goodbye and Celebrating Change ~ Closing Ceremony at Common Ground Newport Avenue
Watch Recent Talks On Video Subscribe Today!
Robert Fields:Appearing
Sundays in
July
Thank You for Your Generosity! Common
Ground is solely supported by the gracious
offerings of its spiritual community and
friends.
2013 Newsletter Archives
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JULY CLASSES & EVENTS
Sunday Morning Inspiration Service 10:30 am
JULY SPECIAL EVENTS
JULY 4TH PICNIC & POOL PARTY ~ THURSDAY, JULY 4, 3 PM ~ COMMON GROUND SANTA CLARA
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 2013 DONOR RECOGNITION EVENT ~ SUNDAY, JULY 7, 1 TO 2:30 PM
CELEBRATING FREEDOM POTLUCK LUNCH ~ SUNDAY, JULY 14, 11:30 AM
AFTERNOON SCREENING OF THE FILM: THE HIDING PLACE ~ SUNDAY, JULY 14, 1 TO 4 PM
CLOSING CEREMONY FOR COMMON GROUND NEWPORT AVENUE ~ SUNDAY, JULY 28, 10:30 AM
CARE PROGRAM
Ages infant thru 5th grade ~ Weekly, Sundays, 10:30 am
FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
RECYCLE SUNDAY ~ Third Sunday of the Month, July 21
Orange County Farm Bureau Certified Farmers' Markets
ONGOING
A COURSE IN MIRACLES, facilitated by Karen Akers (co-facilitated by Ken Radcliffe) ~ Tuesdays, Weekly, 12 Noon (Okay to bring lunch) ~ Love Offering
EVENING ECKHART TOLLE BOOK STUDY ~ Power of Now ~ Tuesdays, July 2 & 16, 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering
ECKHART TOLLE BOOK STUDY ~ New Earth ~ Fridays, Weekly, 12:30 to 1:30 pm ~ Love Offering
REIKI HEALING CIRCLE facilitated by Barbara Fukuda, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher ~ Tuesday, July 9 & 23, 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering
THE NEW CO DEPENDENCY BOOK STUDY GROUP, facilitated by Lyla Ramirez and London Duran ~ Thursdays, Weekly, 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering
WOMAN'S WISDOM CIRCLE & Book Study: Still Here, by Ram Dass ~ Tuesdays, July 9 & 23, 10 to 11:30 am ~ Love Offering
VENUE EVENTS
Adyashanti/Tao Te Ching Study & Meditation Group, facilitate by Rev. Craig Phillips ~ Weekly, Wednesdays, 7:30 to 9 pm ~ $5 suggested (no one refused)
Development 1: Developing your spiritual path & intuition, with Bob Lewis ~ Saturday, July 13, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm ~ $20 per person
Development 2: Advanced students in spiritual and psychic awareness, with Bob Lewis ~ Saturday, July 13, 12:30 am to 3:00 pm ~ $20 per person
Orange County Spiritualist Gathering, with Medium Kathleen Vance ~ Wednesdays, July 10 & 24 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ $10 suggested donation
35 for Life, with Dr. Mick Hall ~ Tuesday, July 16, 7 pm
NEW!
Sufi Heart Meditation, with Kim Iman Corrick ~ Saturdays, July 20 & 27 and August 3,10,17 & 24, 1 to 2:30 pm ~ $5 suggested
Be sure to look for updates and details of activities in weekly email notices.
Ongoing weekly classes continue as scheduled. Check our At-a-Glance Calendar for information.
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FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Dog Days of Summer
Did you know?
The phrase Dog Days, which dates all the way back to Ancient Rome, refers to the sultry days of summer.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the Dog Days of summer are most commonly experienced in the months of July and August, which typically observe the warmest summer temperatures and the least rainfall.
The Old Farmer's Almanac lists the traditional period of Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3rd and ending August 11th, coinciding with the ancient myth surrounding the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius, at sunrise.
One thing for certain, Dog Days are hot. They call for extra measures to get cool, to stay cool , and to be energy-wise at the same time.
Try these summer tips to save energy and at the same time stay cool enough to enjoy the season!
Adjust your thermostat. Set your air conditioner 5� higher than normal and be sure to set it at 78� or higher when you are not home.
Adjust the blinds on windows that receive direct sunlight.
Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air.
Keep cool with ceiling fans.
Close shades and drapery during the day.
Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or table lamps instead of overhead lights.
Turn off appliances and equipment that are not currently in use.
Take life easier, go slower, and make fewer plans.
Best of all, enjoy a cool beverage, snack or treat to beat the summer heat!
Try fresh seasonal fruit from your local Farmer's Market
Keep sliced veggies in the refrigerator for quick snacks. Cucumbers, carrots, red peppers, celery, and jicama are refreshing pick-me-ups.
Make ice cubes from fruit juice, iced tea, or fresh herbs and citrus floated in water. Use them to flavor sparkling water or your favorite beverage.
In our fast-paced world there is something very appealing about the familiar sound of George Gershwin's lyrics: 'Summertime and the livin' is easy'.
Well, as we approach the Dog Days of summer. living may not be easy but we can certainly set an intention to make it easier by being mindful, staying calm and taking life as it comes.
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CHOOSING TO FORGIVE
"We are akin to mere gloves that can't do anything by themselves ~ only God's hand can animate us toward a higher purpose." Corrie ten Boom
On July 14th, during the 10:30 am Sunday Inspiration Service, Common Ground is very pleased to present a rare opportunity to hear up-close-and-personal recollections of time spent in the company of a true heroine, Corrie ten Boom.
Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II and was imprisoned for it.
The imprisonments and deaths of her family members during those war years eventually led Corrie, whose life was spared, to carry the message of forgiveness and love.
Her most famous book, The Hiding Place, which was later made into a highly successful movie of the same name, describes the ordeal.
Corrie ten Boom was knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands for her underground work during the war and was honored by the state of Israel by having her own tree dedicated to her on the Avenue of the Righteous Gentile at the Yad Vashem Memorial.
Corrie ten Boom eventually found her way to Placentia, California, where she spent her later years and died at the age of ninety one. During that time she met and befriended the Rietveld family and remained close with them until her death.
Dr. James Rietveld, friend and part of the spiritual community at Common Ground, will speak about his personal experiences with Corrie ten Boom when he was a child.
He will share about the profound impact Corrie had in shaping his way of seeing and being in the world. As a youngster he spent much time in her company learning about forgiveness and love.
Dr. James Rietveld received his PhD in Religion from the School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University. His major fields of concentration focused on the History of Christianity (specializing in Christian Origins, Byzantine/Eastern Ecclesiastical and Christian Medieval history), Greco-Roman Religions, and Archaeology. In addition, he minored in both Islam and Hinduism.
His dissertation was entitled: Universal Goddess on the Via Sacra: The Evolving Image of Artemis Ephesia, which has been developed into a book. His area of expertise is in the religions of the Mediterranean. Before Claremont, James received his Masters in History from California State University, Fullerton. James currently teaches at both California State University Fullerton and Long Beach.
This is a 'don't-miss' Sunday at Common Ground.
Immediately following Sunday service, please join us for a Celebrating Freedom Potluck Luncheon followed by screening of the film, The Hiding Place, at 1 pm.
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PRAYER & MEDITATION
Reach Out Your Hand to Comfort Them
May God bless you with a restless discomfort
about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships,
so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart.
May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for
justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer
from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may
reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that
you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able,
with God's grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.
And the blessing of God the Supreme Majesty and our Creator,
and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you
and remain with you, this day and forevermore.
Amen
A Four-Fold Franciscan Blessing
Life is
prayer
at Common Ground.
If you need comfort and inspiration please visit our website to submit a request .
Common Ground and its friends are served by a Prayer Team comprised of a large circle of loving people who hold in their hearts and in their awareness the prayer needs of all those in need. Carol Marshall graciously serves as team lead.
Those needing prayer support are invited to
make
Prayer Requests on-line at [email protected] or by placing a
request in the prayer box in the
Lobby.
There are no fees for
prayer at
Common Ground.
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TITHING 2013
May All That We Give and All The We Receive Be Blessed and Multiplied. As We Give, So Shall We Receive ~ Common Ground is truly blessed and in turn becomes a blessing in the world
Common Ground
reaches out to the global community through our
spiritual
practice of conscious giving.
Giving back
to the
world
is an important aspect of our mission and
vision. A
balanced integral approach is reflected in
conscious
selection of 501c3 qualified programs and
institutions
to which Common Ground provides tithes each
month.
Recipients of Common Ground 2013
tithes
include:
IONS
(Institute of
Noetic Sciences), advancing the science of
consciousness and human experience to serve
individual and collective transformation; Kiva,
empowering people to lift themselves out of
poverty;
Project
HOPE School, (Homeless
Outreach Program in Education), helping
children without permanent homes transition
into the mainstream educational system;
Walking
Shield, helping to improve the
quality of life for American Indian families;
and, The Humane Society of Dover-Stewart County, a not-for-profit organization rescuing abused, abandoned and neglected animals and placing them into good homes.
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.
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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 where people learn spiritual
practices to
support them in working with the complex
possibilities
of today's world
May you realize the freedom of the great human dream: Life, Liberty and Happiness
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