common ground
July 2013 Newsletter - Volume 9, Issue 7 
 July Newsletter
 Embracing Humanity & Expressing Divinity
In This Issue
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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
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    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

     


  •  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.


     


  •  IT'S A DEAL
     Success at Last

    rainbow After many months of concern and effort the perfect outcome for Common Ground's next safe sanctuary has been realized.

    Within a few weeks Common Ground will be relocating to a new facility less than 2 miles away from its current address. A golden opportunity that has been right beneath our noses the whole time has revealed itself.

    Even though a lease has been signed, a security deposit made, and first month's rent paid, until a Certificate of Occupancy is received from the City the process will not be complete.

    Since the last big lease 'deal' that was negotiated with owners of property in Orange fell flat in the eleventh hour and caused such huge disappointment for everyone, the particulars of the move will be kept quiet until everything is in place and finalized.

    Of course, everyone is eager to know the details, the address and the nitty gritty, but/and, people are invited to trust the process for the next few weeks until everything is firmly in place and finalized.

    Timing is everything.

    Strategic plans are being made for the move. When the time is right, everyone will know the location and how to help with the move.

    The path to find the perfect place for Common Ground has been uncertain and often stormy. Now the journey has come full circle and the golden pot at the end of the rainbow has been found.

    Thank you God!


     


     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.


     


  •  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

    forgiveness 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.


     


     FYI
     Keeping Up to Date

  • Shop the shops at Common Ground.. The GreenLady Boutique and Bookstore offer a great way to be a conscious consumer. New items arrive daily. Check it out!

  • Please support our Summer Bakeless Bake Sale Fund Raiser


  • TED Talks at Common Ground are on break for the summer.

  • Please sign up to share Hospitality on Sunday mornings. Bring a simple plate of cookies, veggies or fruit ~ nothing fancy required!

  • Visit our Used Book/CD Cart.New selections every week. Donations of used books are always welcome (all genres accepted)! Tax receipts available by request.

  • Recycle plastic and aluminum. Please bring your recyclables on the third Sunday of each month. Help us pay our rent!

  • Thank you for remembering to continue your support of Common Ground during the summer vacation months.


     


  •  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.


     


     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.

     


     UPCOMING 2013 EVENTS
     Mark Your Calendar Today

    CURRENTLY SCHEDULED:

    Darius Lux, guest musician ~ August 4
    Ladies Splash Party ~ August 9
    Adelia Sandoval, guest speaker ~ September 22
    Guillermo Martinez, guest musician ~ September 22
    Autumn Equinox Potluck Lunch ~ September 22
    Jennifer Hart, guest vocalist ~ September 29
    Debbie Voltura, guest vocalist ~ October 27 Halloween Potluck Lunch
    Ninth Anniversary Celebration
    Thanksgiving
    Advent
    Holiday Boutique
    Holiday Potluck Lunch
    Christmas Eve
    New Year's Eve


     


     SUFI HEART MEDITATION
     Open to Healing, Peace, Love and Mercy

    Common Ground is pleased to introduce an opportunity to explore the spiritual practice of Sufi Heart Meditation.

    Beginning Saturday, July 20th, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Kim Iman Corrick will facilitate a 6-week introduction to the meditation practice. She is a Muqaddam (Leader) and Master Sufi Teacher and Healer in the Shadhiliyya Sufi Tradition.

    Her passion is healing and teaching in the Sufi way to help people awaken to a life of joy, fulfillment, health and holiness. She is a graduate of the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism.

    During the meditation sessions students will be introduced to the secrets of the ancient Sufi masters and invited to open hearts to receive healing, peace, love and mercy.

    In this way students begin to be established in the unity underlying all of creation. Sufi heart meditation is designed to help individuals:
  • experience the beauty of the divine worlds
  • deepen and expand spiritual connection in a palpable way
  • dissolve obstacles to joy and fulfillment
  • heal past wounds
  • open to the station of contentment and ease

    This highly experiential course will provide an opportunity to travel more deeply in the higher realms of Divine Love and Light.

    It is being offered on a donation basis; $5 suggested.


     


  • 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