common ground
AUGUST 2015 Newsletter - Volume 8, Issue 11 
 August Newsletter
 Embracing Humanity & Expressing Divinity
In This Issue
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 FULLY HUMAN FULLY DIVINE
 The Embodiment of Divinity on Earth


During the month of AUGUST, Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy invite us to reflect on what it means to embrace the absolute Beauty of our Divinity and our humanity.

They will help us see that no aspect of life is outside of the realm of the Divine.

They will invite us to know what it means to be free, to be awake, in our direct experience of life; including every aspect of ourselves and our lives, even the parts that we wish did not exist.

They will help us embrace the idea that we are the Divine potential of the universe and the ever evolving human expression of that potential.

They will help us cultivate the capacity to become a dynamic human being operating from the vastness of Divinity in this world.

This is a perfect talk series for anyone who is ready and willing to step out of habitual ways of perceiving life and discover that we have a choice to consciously join in the dynamic movement of Divinity as fully awakened human beings on Earth.

This series is a reflection of the mission and vision of Common Ground ~ Embracing Humanity, Expressing Divinity.

Please join us.

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:
  • Fully Human, Fully Divine , by Craig Holliday

    Sunday Inspiration Weekly:
    12:00 Noon at The Chapel


    Talk titles for AUGUST

  • August 2: You Are Enough
  • August 9: Beyond Defending
  • August 16: Totally Available for Life
  • August 23: Teri Wilder ~ Guest Speaker and Vocalist
  • August 30: Voices in the Head

    Watch Recent Talks On Video
    Subscribe Today!

    Robert Fields:Appearing Sundays in August


    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

     


  •  AUGUST 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

    AUGUST COMMUNITY EVENTS
  • ***Sacred Gong Bath Meditation Workshop, with Teri Wilder ~ Sunday, August 23 ~ 1:30 to 2:30 pm

    FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
  • RECYCLE ~ Sunday, August 16
  • 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 (no class August 7)
  • 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 ~ Thursdays, August 13 & 27 ~ 7:30 to 9 pm ~ Love Offering
  • WEEKLY BOOK STUDY: Spiritual Economics, with The Revs ~ Ongoing Tuesdays ~ 1 to 2 pm ~ Love Offering (no class August 4)
  • 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 Book Study, with Rev. Stacie Buda ~ Monthly, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays ~ 7 to 8:30 pm

    SPECIAL EVENT
  • BOOK RELEASE & LAUNCH ~ The ABC's of Authentic Me: Simple Truths to Change Your Life, author Jess Ly ~ Saturday, August 1 ~ 5 TO 7 PM

    VENUE EVENTS
  • Trauma and Stress Release Workshop, with Cathleen Madrid ~ Wednesday, August 5 ~ 7 to 9 pm
  • Healing Movement of the Soul, with Sonya Arias ~ Friday, August 7 ~ 6:30 to 9 pm
  • Feng Shui in the Garden, with Dr. Marsha McNamara ~ Saturday, August 15 ~ 1:30 pm
  • Become a Family Constellation Facilitator, with Sonya Arias ~ Saturday, August 22 ~ 10 am to 7 pm
  • Gentle Yoga: Energize and Balance, with Anh Chi Pham, Ongoing Mondays ~ 6 to 7:15 pm
  • Yoga with Anh Chi Pham ~ Ongoing Wednesdays ~ 5:45 to 7 pm
  • Social Media for Adults Who Hate Social Media, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Monday, August 3 & 10 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm
  • JOIE in Spirit: Psychic Medium Small Group Readings ~ Saturdays, August 8 & 22 ~ 2 to 4 pm
  • A Course in Miracles ~ Mondays, Weekly ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ Love Offering
  • A Course in Miracles ~ Tuesdays weekly, 12 Noon ~ Love Offering
  • Immortal Diamond Book Study, with Doug Brown ~ Weekly Thursdays ~ 1:30 to 2:45 pm
  • Holistic Moms Network ~ Thursday, August 20 ~ 6 to 7 pm
  • Oneness Blessing ~ Deeksha ~ Monthly the 2nd Tuesday ~ 7 to 8 pm ~ $5 Blessing Giver/$10 Blessing Receiver
  • Orange County Spiritualist Gathering, with Medium Kathleen Vance ~ Second and Fourth Wednesdays ~ 7 to 8:30 pm ~ $10 suggested donation
  • Sacred History, with Dr. James Rietveld ~ Thursday, August 13 & 27 ~ 7:30 to 9 pm
  • 35 for Life, with Dr. Mick Hall ~ Tuesday, August 3 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm
  • Tapping Into Past Lives Workshop, with Jenny Johnston ~ Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 ~ 8:45 am to 5:30 pm
  • Development 1 & 2: 1: Developing your spiritual path & 2: Intuition and advanced students in spiritual and psychic awareness, with Bob Lewis ~ Saturday, August 8 & 22 ~ 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
  • Live in the Flow Discussion & 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.


     


  •  EMPTY HANDS TOUR 2015
     "We arrive on to this planet empty handed. We will all soon leave empty handed. So then, how do we want to spend the time in between?"


    Common Ground is pleased to present Nimesh "Nimo" Patel in concert during Sunday inspirational service on September 6, 2015.

    For the past 5 and half years Nimo has been serving and working with the underprivileged communities in the Gandhi Ashram in India.

    Most recently he has reconnected to his roots of music and is selflessly offering this gift of love, peace and oneness through his songs: an offering he calls "Empty Hands Music".

    From an Ivy League education, to Wall Street, to fame and fortune as a MTV Rap star, at some point along Nimo's journey he realized that he was walking a path of suffering and that the only path to light was through selfless service to others and his own internal purification.

    Nimo's passion is to live life from the inside out. Click here to listen to Nimo's TED Talk about his journey.

    Nimo and Daniel Nahmod have collaborated on several songs on Nimo's Empty Hands album.

    Please mark your calendar today.


     


     PRAYER & MEDITATION
     All That I Am


    My body, my soul
    Are part of a perfect whole
    My heart and my hands
    Are serving a sacred plan

    I know that it's true
    When all that I am comes down to you
    I know that it's true
    I know that I can rely on you

    All that I am
    All that I am
    All that I am
    God, I give to you

    My thoughts and my mind
    Belong to eternal time
    My words and my song
    You're writing them all along

    I know that it's true

    All that I am


    Lyrics by Daniel Nahmod, All That I Am




    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. There 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 by contacting Rev. Stacie at stacie@embracehumanity.com or by placing a request in the prayer box in the Chapel.

    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:


    Nimo: Empty Hands Tour 2015 ~ Sunday, September 6
    Father Leo Booth ~ Sunday, September 20
    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 absolute Beauty of your Divinity and your humanity.