common ground
MAY 2015 Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 11 
 May Newsletter
 Embracing Humanity & Expressing Divinity
In This Issue
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 A NEW VERSION, GOD 2.0
 God In Me


During the month of MAY Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy will take us on a brave journey of exploration based on Deepak Chopra's latest book, The Future of God: A Practical Approach to Spirituality for Our Times.

Chopra tells us that 'every age creates a God that serves only for a while'. A real and useful God gives assurance that there is a real and invisible source of all that exists ~ the womb of creation itself.

The Revs will help us embrace the idea that our understanding of God must fit into the brain's way of working. Our concept of God is woven into our perceptions and grows directly out of our deepest inner values.

They will help us cultivate the capacity to see that God is as we are, the whole universe is as we are, because our human minds evolve to make God, possible, real and useful.

God is a process. In the unfolding of life, many mysteries begin to make sense. In the new version of God, God 2.0, we move beyond the idea of God the protector, God the almighty, God the redeemer, to the idea of the God of Pure Being ~ the interface between our humanity and infinite consciousness.

This is a perfect talk topic for anyone who is ready to consciously participate in making a journey of discovery in which a complete vision of God will blossom.

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

Resources include:
  • Both How to Know God and The Future of God , by Deepak Chopra

    Sunday Inspiration Weekly:
    12:00 Noon at The Chapel


    Talk titles for MAY

  • May 3: The God Experience is Real
  • May 10: Mother's Day: Invisible Grace
  • May 17: Wisdom Is a Surprise
  • May 24: Seeing Through the Chaos, Teri Wilder, guest vocalist
  • May 31: Where Evil Has No Meaning, Rev. Stacie Buda, guest speaker

    Watch Recent Talks On Video
    Subscribe Today!

    Robert Fields:Appearing Sundays in May


    CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION



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


    2014/2015 Newsletter Archives

     


  •  MAY 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

    MAY COMMUNITY EVENTS
  • AIDS WALK ORANGE COUNTY ~ Saturday, May 9 ~ Registration at 8:30 am/Walk begins at 10:45 am
  • MEMORIAL DAY POTLUCK LUNCH AT THE CHAPEL ~ Sunday May 24 ~ 1 pm
  • SACRED GONG MEDITATION WORKSHOP, with Teri Wilder ~ Sunday, May 24 ~ 1:30 to 2:30 pm

    FOCUS ON OUTREACH
  • The 29th Annual AIDS Walk Orange County ~ Saturday, May 9 ~ William R. Mason Regional Park, Irvine

    FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
  • RECYCLE ~ Sunday, May 17
  • Orange County Farm Bureau Certified Farmers' Markets

    ONGOING
  • ECKHART TOLLE BOOK STUDY~ New Earth, with Rev. Stacie Buda ~ Monthly the First and Third Tuesdays ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering
  • ECKHART TOLLE STUDY ~ Fridays, Weekly ~ 12:30 to 1:30 pm ~ Love Offering
  • MEDITATIVE BREATHING, with Jess Ly ~ Monthly First and Third Tuesday ~ 6:15 to 7 pm ~ Love Offering
  • REIKI HEALING CIRCLE facilitated by Barbara Fukuda, Usui Reiki Master/Teacher ~ Monthly Second and Fourth Tuesdays ~ 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 ~ Ongoing Tuesdays ~ 1 to 2 pm ~ Love Offering
  • WOMAN'S WISDOM CIRCLE & Book Study: The Five Things We Cannot Change, by David Richo ~ Monthly Second and Fourth Tuesdays ~ 10 to 11:30 am ~ Love Offering
  • Spiritually Independent Lesbians Connecting Through Heart Centered Dialogue, with Rev. Stacie Buda ~ Monthly, 2nd & 4th Fridays ~ 6:30 to 8:30 pm

    VENUE EVENTS
  • Reiki and Reflexology by Appointment, with Dr. Barbara Fukuda ~ Weekly, Mondays & Wednesdays ~ 11 am to 5 pm
  • Sound Bath, with Nick Bradshaw ~ Friday, May 15 ~ 7 to 8 pm
  • Dowsing the Dragon, with Dr Marla Shaw ~ Wednesdays in May ~ 7 to 9 pm
  • Soulful Sound Therapy, with Dr Cecilia Steger ~ Monday, May 4 & 11 ~ 7 to 9 pm
  • Become a Family Constellation Facilitator, with Sonya Arias ~ Saturday, May 16 ~ 10 am to 7 pm
  • Relationship Healing Process, with Nandita Swamy ~ Saturday, May 9 ~ 10 am to 5 pm
  • Give Yourself Permission to Say: 'This is My Time 2015', with Luke Benoit and Joan Wise ~ Monday, May 11 ~ 6:45 to 8:30 pm
  • Free Mini Healing Sessions with Young Living Essential Oils, with Carla Cohen ~ Tuesday, May 12 ~ 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
  • Mindfulness Based Radical Self-Care, with Susan Faurot ~ Tuesdays in May ~ 6 to 7 pm
  • Introduction to doTERRA Essential Oils ~ Free Class, with Shannon Ward ~ Tuesday, May 5 ~ 11 am to 1 pm and Thursday, May 28 ~ 6:30 to 8:30 pm
  • Coaching Clients to Success: Life Shift Coaching Certification, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Friday, May 1 ~ 6:30 to 9 pm and Saturday, May 2 ~ 10 am to 4 pm
  • Extraordinary Children Reiki Class, with Dr. Barbara Fukuda ~ Saturday, May 30 ~ 9 am to 4 pm and
  • Debunking the Myths of Mediumship: Psychic Awareness Certification Course, with Dennis Nozawa ~ Thursday May 7 ~ 7 to 9 pm
  • Meet the Ascended Masters: Part 2, with Dr. Charlotte Holmes ~ Tuesdays in May~ 7 to 9 pm
  • SACRED DREAMERS: A DREAM INTERPRETATION CIRCLE, with Karla Ruedlinger ~ 1st & 3rd Wednesdays each month ~ 7 to 9 pm
  • SACRED SEATED YOGA, with Cecilia Steger ~ Weekly Mondays ~ 1:30 to 2:30 ~ $15 per class
  • MINDFUL SELF COMPASSION, with Susan Faurot, MSC, LMFT, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist ~ Saturdays, May 2 & 9 ~ 11 am to 1 pm
  • WHAT IS METAPHYSICS AND PARAPSYCHOLOGY?, with Charlene Carbone ~ Fridays, May 1 & 7, and Thursdays, May 14, 21 & 28 ~ 7 to 9 pm
  • 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
  • I Ching Plum Blossom, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Mondays in May ~ 6:30 to 9 pm
  • Advanced Healing Technique: Awakening the Perfect Healer ~ Mondays, May 4 & 18 ~ 6:15 to 8:15 pm
  • Immortal Diamond Book Study, with Doug Brown ~ Weekly Thursdays ~ 1:30 to 2:45 pm
  • Holistic Moms Network ~ Thursday, May 21 ~ 6 to 7 pm
  • Oneness Blessing ~ Deeksha ~ Monthly the 2nd Tuesday, May 12 ~ 7 to 8 pm ~ $5 Blessing Giver/$10 Blessing Receiver
  • Orange County Spiritualist Gathering, with Medium Kathleen Vance ~ Wednesday, May 13 & 27 ~ 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, May 9 & 23 ~ 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 Power of the Heart/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.


     


  •  DON'T-MISS OPPORTUNITIES
     Something for Everyone

    Please join Common Ground's Team for the upcoming 29th Annual AIDS Walk Orange County on Saturday, May 9th, at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine.

    Click here to sign up.

    Common Ground T-shirts will be available for anyone who would like to wear one during the walk.

    Registration begins at 8:30 am. Festival vendor activities and an opening ceremony will take place prior to the walk which begins at 10:45 am.

    Please help support this worthy cause. Contact John Brashear, Team Captain, for more information. [email protected] or 714.244.5310


    Common Ground is pleased to host Teri Wilder's workshop, Sacred Gong Meditation, at the Chapel on Sunday, May 24th, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm.

    Teri is a Gong Master. She plays a Paiste 30" symphonic gong and a Paiste Venus Planetary gong.

    She is a friend and member of Common Ground's Covenant community. She travels the country singing at churches, giving keynote concerts, presenting playshops and gong meditations. She has also created a line of inspirational jewelry called "Wilder Things"..

    Teri's dedication to raising the vibration of the planet is a theme running through all she chooses to pursue. Her infectiously positive personality and quick wit will hold your attention and open your heart.

    This is a very worthwhile experience of healing and relaxation. Plan to attend
    .


    Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy facilitate a weekly book study and discussion group.

    The group is open and inclusive. Participants are invited to come when they can. Each session is unique.

    Beginning in May, the group will be working with Eric Butterworth's classic, Spiritual Economics: The Principles and Process of True Prosperity. .

    The intention of the material is to help participants learn how to work with the flow of life, rather than against it; to develop a prosperous attitude about money, health, and love; to reverse financial adversity; to achieve true security; to create abundance through the power of giving; and, to maintain inner focus on abundance.

    Open to the transformative power of this message.


    Common Ground is pleased to announce that Dr. Barbara Fukuda is now in residence at Common Ground Spiritual Wellness Center on Golden Circle Drive.

    Barbara is available for Reflexology and Reiki appointments weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 am to 5 pm.

    Barbara is a distinguished expert in the holistic field. She holds a Doctorate of Asian Metaphysics and is a faculty member of Art of Life Institute.

    She is an Usui and Sacred Flames Reiki Master/Teacher, a Reflexology Professional and a State Certified Massage Practitioner. She teaches Reiki I, II, and Master Level at Common Ground.

    She also teaches Reiki classes and Meditation classes to Extraordinary Children and spreads the word of health on all levels of being (physical, emotional and spiritual) to her students and clients.

    Contact Barbara at [email protected] for more information or to schedule an appointment.


     


     PRAYER & MEDITATION
     Come With Wholly Empty Hands Unto Your God

    Simply do this:

    Be still, and lay aside all thoughts of what you are and what God is;
    all concepts you have learned about the world; all images you hold about yourself.

    Empty your mind of everything it thinks
    is either true or false, or good or bad, of every thought it judges
    worthy, and all the ideas of which it is ashamed.

    Hold onto nothing.

    Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught,
    nor one belief you ever learned before from anything.

    Forget this world, forget this course, and come with wholly empty hands unto your God.


    lesson 189 - a course in miracles - 1976




    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 [email protected] 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; Willows in the Wind, a not-for-profit organization supporting families with teens and young adults in crisis; AIDS Walk Orange County, preventing the spread of HIV and improving the lives of men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County; and, Church of the Foothills, an open and affirming progressive Christian congregation.


    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:


    Father's Day
    Community Appreciation Event ~ Sunday June 28
    Teri Wilder Gong Meditation Event ~ Sunday, August 23
    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
    Christmas Eve
    New Year's Eve



     


    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 embrace the idea that God is as you are