THE HEART OF THE MATTER
 Passion and Purpose


During the month of FEBRUARY Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy invite the spiritual community to join them in exploring the way of the heart as a path toward love, respect, kindness, service and peace.

They will help us see that everything is interwoven. The things we do, the things we think about, the things we care about ~ all make a difference.

They will invite us to consider that living from heart space manifests itself in deep love, concern, and care for the whole of life. They will help us see that love and concern for all are not things some of us are born with and others are not. Rather, they are the results of what we do with our minds: We can choose to go to the heart of the matter to embody love, or not.

This month's talk series invites us to find passion and purpose in our soul's journey by allowing our hearts to break open so that love springs forth as our true nature.

Common Ground is the perfect place for anyone who is spiritually independent and open to spirituality without borders. We are an open accepting spiritual community where everyone is welcome.

Please join us each Sunday at our new time, 12:00 Noon, at our new Chapel Sanctuary

Resources include:

The Path to Love , by Deepak Chopra

7 Paths to God: The Ways of the Mystic, by Joan Borysenko

Loving-Kindness, by Sharon Salzberg

Sunday Inspiration Weekly:
12:00 Noon at the New Chapel

Talk titles for FEBRUARY

February 1: Breaking Open the Loving Heart

February 8: Love Is

February 15: Reviving the Love Story

February 22: The Way of the Heart, guest vocalist, Teri Wilder

JOIN US MID-WEEK EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7:00 PM FOR A CONTEMPLATIVE VESPERS SERVICE AT THE CHAPEL ~ "Come apart and rest awhile"

Watch Recent Talks On Video
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Robert Fields:Appearing Sundays in February

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

2014 Newsletter Archives

 

 FEBRUARY CLASSES & EVENTS
 Sunday Services are held at 12:00 noon at our Chapel location, 19211 Dodge Avenue, Santa Ana 92705. All Classes are held at 550 North Golden Circle Drive, Santa Ana 92705

FEBRUARY COMMUNITY EVENTS AT GOLDEN CIRCLE

Valentine's Day Potluck Supper and Fun ~ Friday, February 13 ~ 6 pm

FEBRUARY COMMUNITY EVENTS AT THE CHAPEL

Keeping Covenant and Friends Connected: An Informal Chat ~ Sunday, February 8 ~ 1:15 pm

Ash Wednesday Renewal Service ~ Wednesday, February 18 ~ 7 pm

Ministerial Licensing Ceremony for Stacie Buda ~ Sunday, February 22 ~ 2 pm

FOCUS ON OUTREACH

SERVING AT THE ORANGE COUNTY COLD WEATHER SHELTER PROGRAM FOR THE HOMELESS ~ Sunday, February 15 ~ 5 pm
(Want to serve? Please sign-up in advance. Team is limited in number. Team lead: Mike Kandel)

FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

RECYCLE ~ February 13

Orange County Farm Bureau Certified Farmers' Markets

ONGOING

A COURSE IN MIRACLES ~ Mondays, Weekly ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering

A COURSE IN MIRACLES ~ Tuesdays, Weekly ~ First & Third Tuesdays, 11 am ~ Second & Fourth Tuesdays, 12 Noon ~ Love Offering

ECKHART TOLLE BOOK STUDY~ New Earth ~ Tuesdays ~ February 3 & 17 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering

ECKHART TOLLE BOOK STUDY ~ Power of Now ~ Fridays, Weekly ~ 12:30 to 1:30 pm ~ Love Offering

MEDITATIVE BREATHING, with Jess Ly ~ Tuesdays, February 3 & 17 ~ 6:15 to 7 pm ~ Love Offering

REIKI HEALING CIRCLE facilitated by Barbara Fukuda, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher ~ Tuesday, February 10 & 24 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering

SACRED HISTORY ~ Historical Exploration in Religion & Spirituality, with Dr. James D. Rietveld ~ Weekly ~ Thursdays (drop in class) ~ 7:30 to 9 pm ~ Love Offering

WEEKLY BOOK STUDY, with The Revs: Forgive for Good, by Dr. Fred Luskin ~ Ongoing Tuesdays ~ 1 to 2 pm ~ Love Offering

WOMAN'S WISDOM CIRCLE & Book Study: The Five Things We Cannot Change, by David Richo ~ Tuesday, February 10 & 24 ~ 10 to 11:30 am ~ Love Offering

VENUE EVENTS

35 for Life, with Dr. Mick Hall ~ Tuesday, February 3 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Hauntings, Entity Attachment & Entity Possession, with Wanda Pratnicka ~ Saturday, February 21 ~ 11 am to 2:30 pm

Psychic Awareness Through Mediumship, , with Dennis Nozawa ~ Thursday, February 26 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm

Esoteric Dowsing, with Dr. Marla Shaw ~ Wednesdays Weekly~ 6:45 to 9 pm

Becoming Mindful in a Modern World, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Mondays Weekly ~ 6:30 to 9 pm

Advanced Healing Technique: Awakening the Perfect Healer ~ Thursday, February 5 & 19 ~ 6:15 to 8:15 pm

The Selfless Self Book Study, with Doug Brown ~ Weekly Thursdays ~ 1:30 to 2:45 pm

Manifestation Mastery, with Dr. Charlotte Holmes ~ Mondays, February 2, 9 & 16 ~ 7 to 9

Crystal Empowerment, with Dr. Charlotte Holmes ~ Thursdays in February ~ 7 to 9 pm

Create an Amazing Life Using Chinese Astrology, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Thursdays, February 5 & 12 ~ 6:30 to 9 pm

Holistic Moms Network ~ Thursday, February 19 ~ 6 to 7 pm

Oneness Blessing ~ Deeksha ~ Monthly the 2nd Tuesday, NO GATHERING IN FEBRUARY ~ 7 to 8 pm ~ $5 Blessing Giver/$10 Blessing Receiver

Orange County Spiritualist Gathering, with Medium Kathleen Vance ~ Wednesday, February 11 & 25 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ $10 suggested donation

Development 1 & 2: 1: Developing your spiritual path & 2: Intuition and advanced students in spiritual and psychic awareness, with Bob Lewis ~ Saturday, February 14 & 28 ~ 9:30 am to 12:00 pm & 12:30 to 3 pm

Gentle Restorative Yoga, with Renee Schwan ~ Weekly ~ Tuesdays & Thursdays ~ 2 to 3 pm ~ $10 per session

The Untethered Soul/Tao Te Ching Study & Meditation Group, facilitated by Rev. Craig Phillips ~ Weekly, Wednesdays ~ 7:15 to 9 pm ~ $10 donation (no one turned away)

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 detailed information.

 

 GOOD STUFF
 Everything's Comin' Up Roses

FIRST....................................................
The Revs are pleased to announce the upcoming Ministerial Licensing Ceremony for Stacie Buda.

Stacie will receive her credential in Interfaith Ministry, her Common Ground Ministerial License and her ministerial stole during a sacred ceremony in the Chapel on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at 2:00 pm.

Stacie's spiritual community, friends and family are invited to attend to celebrate and honor her awesome accomplishment.

A reception will follow immediately after the ceremony.

NEXT......................................................
Community potluck suppers will be held at Golden Circle the second Friday evening of each month.

Every supper will have a different theme and include ways to socialize, play, have fun, be creative and just enjoy coming together in spiritual community.

In February there will be an opportunity to play a variety of board games and create Valentine's Day cards (no experience necessary, think construction paper and doilies)

March will focus on St. Patrick's Day and Bunko.

Plan to attend each month. Bring a table-ready dish to share with 8 to 10 people. Everyone is invited and included.

AND........................................................
Those who love to sing (and listen) will be excited to hear that a choir is forming at Common Ground.

For years Common Ground has wanted to have a choir but it was never the right time. Now it is!

The Revs are pleased to introduce Adolfo Kushelevich as the new Choir Director. Adolfo brings the vibrancy of youth and a passion for composing and arranging choral music.

There is already a great deal of interest. For more information or to sign up, please email info@embracehumanity.com.

Everyone is welcome to sing.

ALSO..............................................................
With the move to Sunday services at the Chapel comes the need to shift Recycle Sunday to Recycle Friday.

Those who participate in Common Ground's Sustainable Planet Program by saving plastic and aluminum for recycling are asked to bring recyclables to Common Ground Golden Circle on the second Friday of each month in coordination with the monthly potluck suppers.

Thank you in advance.

THEN...........................................................................
Every quarter Common Ground's Covenant community and anyone interested in exploring the possibility of entering into Covenant with spiritual community during the November 2015 Covenant Dedication Ceremony are invited to join The Revs for an open and informative chat about the vision, mission and growth of Common Ground.

This will be an opportunity to share ideas, explore new possibilities and support one another in spiritual community.

The first gathering will be held in the Chapel on February 8th immediately following service.

Those who have made a commitment to Common Ground community as a spiritual practice and those who are considering doing so are invited.

 

 ANNUAL SPRING YARD SALE
 Release, Reduce, Recycle

For the eleventh year in a row, Common Ground is pleased to hold its Annual Spring Yard Sale.Thank you, Sharon Miles, for once again offering your yard and lawn for the event. The sale will take place on Saturday, March 14, from 7 am to 12 noon. More details will follow.

Start collecting things to donate today. This a great opportunity to do spring cleaning, simplify, and release 'stuff' that is no longer needed. Why not clear clutter and get organized and at the same time support a Sustainable Planet?

It is said: "One person's trash is another person's treasure!" This is true. Yard sales offer a perfect way to 'hand up' clothing, furnishings, kitchenware, decorator items and bric-a-brac.

As usual, lots of help will be needed to sort stuff and work/play the day of the yard sale.

Plan to donate items, help with the sale and shop for unique things. Mark your calendar now. More details to follow.

 

 THE REVS IN RESIDENCE
 Classes Workshops, and Services

As 2015 gets underway The Revs are excited to offer new classes, workshops and experiences to support spiritual, emotional and personal development.

They will present a variety of relevant opportunities to refine awareness, grow in understanding and find a sense of delight in the complex human journey.

An emphasis will be placed on providing an integral experience that includes body, mind and spirit. Creativity and fun will be important components as will be the relationships of the people in the classes and workshops.

Click here to see the classes currently being planned.

The Revs will also facilitate on-going mid-week Contemplative Vespers Services on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm in the Chapel.

Quiet candlelight, soft sacred music, inspirational readings and meditation will fill the hour.

This is an opportunity to 'come apart and rest awhile' in the healing energy of sacred space.

 

 CONTEMPLATIVE SERVICES
 A Time for Renewal

Common Ground will offer weekly mid-week inspiration. Contemplative Vespers Services will take place from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in the Chapel.

Come set aside time to renew, refresh and reflect.

Rest in the safe haven of sanctuary ~ quiet mind, quiet body, open heart.

Enjoy a peaceful evening of contemplation and candlelight.

Sit in serene space surrounded by soft music, stained glass, and sacred energy.

Visit the prayer table and light a candle of hope and blessing.

Express gratitude and release cares and concerns.

On February 18th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm, in keeping with the Christian tradition of Ash Wednesday ~ Metanoia, a transformational change of heart, a Contemplative Vespers Service will focus on release and renewal.

The evening will include an invitation to consider setting aside a 40-day time period to focus on becoming aware of and changing perceptions around those things that no longer serve the highest good.

This will be a time to set an intention to keep a 'true Lent' through giving up unskillful habits or ways of being in the world.

There will be an opportunity to privately name the 'things' that get in the way and then make a commitment to work toward a fundamental change through a symbolic ceremony of fire and ashes.

This experience is designed for those who are spiritually independent and open to spirituality without borders

 

 PRAYER & MEDITATION
 At the Center of the Universe is a Loving Heart



At the center of the universe is a
loving heart that continues to beat
and that wants the best for every person.

Anything we can do to help foster
the intellect and spirit and emotional growth
of our fellow human beings, that is our job.

Those of us who have this particular vision
must continue against all odds.

Life is for service.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - Fred Rogers



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 dedicated InReach Team ready to listen with love and compassion in times of sorrow and joy. Ther is also 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.

The InReach Team is available every Sunday at the Chapel and throughout the week. Those needing prayer support are also invited to make Prayer Requests on-line at judy@embracehumanity.com or by placing a request in the prayer box in the Lobby.

There are no fees for prayer at Common Ground.

 

 TITHING 2015
 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 2015 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; , The Humane Society of Dover-Stewart County, a not-for-profit organization rescuing abused, abandoned and neglected animals and placing them into good homes, Mercy House Fare Share Program, providing bus passes for homeless men, women and children in search of a better life, The Avielle Foundation, a non-profit foundation created by the parents of a child victim of the Sandy Hook killings, aiming to support and protect vulnerable loved ones and to strengthen communities through brain health initiatives and community engagement; and Willows in the Wind, a not-for-profit organization supporting families with teens and young adults in crisis.

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 2015 EVENTS
 Mark Your Calendar Today

CURRENTLY SCHEDULED:


St. Patrick's Day Potluck Dinner and Bunko Party~ Friday, March 13
Annual Spring Yard Sale ~ Saturday, March 14
Palm Sunday
Good Friday Healing Service
Easter
Spring Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, April 10
Celebrating Community Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, May 8
Mother's Day
Teri Wilder Gong Meditation Event ~ Sunday, May 24
Summer Solstice Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, June 12
Father's Day
Celebrating Freedom Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, July 10
Hot August Night Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, August 14
Teri Wilder Gong Meditation Event ~ Sunday, August 23
Autumn Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, September 11
Octoberfest Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, October 9
Eleventh Anniversary Celebration ~ Friday, November 13
Covenant Dedication Ceremony ~ Sunday, November 15
Teri Wilder Meditation Gong Event ~ Sunday, November 22
Thanksgiving Eve ~ Wednesday, November 25
Holiday Potluck Dinner ~ Friday, December 11
Christmas Eve
New Year's Eve