THE PRINCIPLE OF THE COMMON GOOD
 Local Commitment: Global Responsibility


During the month of SEPTEMBER, Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy are pleased to help us embrace aspects of the present situation of humanity and the world through exploration of some of the many challenges we face today.

They will invite us to consider the idea that we are all One with everyone and everything; interconnected; and interdependent.

They will help us open to a unifying concept that will allow us to find our way toward the principle of the common good.

This commitment to come together for the common good brings with it more consideration for the well-being of others; more consideration for the quality of life for everyone and everything.

They will remind us that the divine and the human meet in the slightest details of our planet. For this reason, we must make a personal commitment to bring forth our best selves. At the same time, we must take responsibility for the common good of the whole globe; its waters, its land, its air, its people, and all life.

They will help us embrace the inseparable bond between concern for nature, humanity and society, and our spiritual walk in the world.

This is a perfect topic for anyone who wants to explore cooperation and common good as expressions of the Divine for the care of all creation.

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:

Laudato Si': On Care for our Common Home , by Pope Francis

Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World , by Matthieu Ricard

Sunday Inspiration Weekly:
12:00 Noon at The Chapel

Talk titles for SEPTEMBER

September 6: Nimo: Empty Hands Tour 2015, guest speaker

September 13: Can We Change?

September 20:The Principle of Self-Love: Father Leo Booth, guest speaker

September 27: The Virtue of Cooperation

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

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

 

 SEPTEMBER 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

SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY EVENTS

**Nimo Empty Hands Tour 2015 ~ Sunday, September 6 ~ 12:00 Noon

**Autumn Potluck Lunch ~ Sunday, September 6 ~ 1:00 pm

**Brainstorming Session ~ Sunday, September 13 ~ 1:30 to 2:30 pm

Father Leo Booth, Guest Speaker ~ Sunday, September 20 ~ 12 noon

FOCUS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

RECYCLE ~ Sunday, September 20

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, September 3 & 17 ~ 7:30 to 9 pm ~ Love Offering

WEEKLY BOOK STUDY: Spiritual Economics, 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 Book Study, with Rev. Stacie Buda ~ Monthly, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays ~ 7 to 8:30 pm

VENUE EVENTS

CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, FOR LABOR DAY

Past Life Regression Journey, with Mee Vaj ~ Tuesday, September 1 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Trauma and Stress Release Workshop, with Cathleen Madrid ~ Wednesday, September 2 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Healing Movement of the Soul, with Sonya Arias ~ Friday, September 11 ~ 6:30 to 9 pm

Become a Family Constellation Facilitator, with Sonya Arias ~ Saturday, September 19 ~ 10 am to 7 pm

Gentle Yoga: Energize and Balance, with Anh Chi Pham ~ Ongoing Mondays ~ 6 to 7:15 pm

The Gospel of Thomas Book Study, with Paul Crews ~ Thursdays Weekly ~ 7 to 9 pm

Crystal Basics with Char ~ Thursdays, September 10, 17 & 24 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Stop Sponging up Negative Energies, with Tiffany Cano ~ Wednesday, September 9 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Clutter Busters ~ Wednesdays in September ~ 7 to 9 pm

Yoga with Anh Chi Pham ~ Ongoing Wednesdays ~ 5:45 to 7 pm

Thrive During Mercury Retrograde, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Wednesday, September 16 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Feng Shui Your Landscape & Garden, with Dr. Marsha MacNamara ~ Saturday, September 26 ~ 1:30 to 3:30 pm

88 Ways to Dowse ~ Saturday, September 26

Get Tidy! The Japanese Way of Releasing Clutter Forever!, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Wednesday, September 23 & 30 ~ 7 to 9 pm

Brain Built Spaces; Introduction to Neuroarchitecture, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Mondays, September 14, 21 & 28 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm

Create Wealth Using the Art of Face Reading Intro, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Wednesday, September 2 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm

Become a Feng Shui Expert Certification Course, with Dr. Janet Woods ~ Friday, September 11 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm and Saturday, September 12 ~ 10 am

JOIE in Spirit: Psychic Medium Small Group Readings ~ Saturdays, September 19 ~ 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

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, September 3 & 17 ~ 7:30 to 9 pm

35 for Life, with Dr. Mick Hall ~ Tuesday, September 1 ~ 7 to 8:30 pm

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

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.

 

 PROJECT HOME
 Care Compassion and Comfort

Common Ground is very pleased to partner with Mercy House in a promising pilot program designed to house 117 of the most vulnerable homeless individuals in Orange County. Mercy House was chosen as 1 of 8 agencies in the country to receive funding for this program.

Mercy House provides housing and comprehensive supportive services for a variety of homeless populations which includes families, adult men and women, mothers and their children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, individuals overcoming substance addictions, and some who are physically and mentally disabled.

The purpose of Project Home and it's companion program, Bonus Project, is to connect volunteers and donors with client wish lists as they move into permanent housing to provide essential household and furniture items to furnish and provide dignified homes.

This pilot project provides Common Ground with an opportunity to expand its Outreach efforts in a very meaningful way.

As clients are enrolled in Project Home they will be paired with partners in the program. Common Ground will soon be receiving a biography and wish list for one of the new participants.

Thanks to Mike Kandel's ongoing leadership with the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter for the Homeless program, this exciting new opportunity for selfless service has come about.

Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the pilot project or getting involved is invited to contact Common Ground at info@embracehumanity.com. There will be a way for everyone to participate; donating items (new or gently used), delivery, decorating, and more.

 

 BRAINSTORMING
 Creative Brilliance

On Sunday, September 13th, immediately following service at The Chapel, The Revs will host an open forum Brainstorming session geared toward revealing creative possibilities.

Brainstorming is very different than the Visioning process. Visioning is listening to and opening to the plan of God. Brainstorming is an opportunity to bring forth the creativity of our human minds to enliven, enrich and enhance life.

The focus of the Brainstorming session will be Common Ground, which is near completion of its eleventh year of dynamic and successful vision and mission.

There has been growth and there have been challenges. Common Ground now has three successful locations, The Chapel, Common Ground Spiritual Wellness Center, and Common Ground Corona. Every step of the way has brought something new and exciting with it.

2015 has been a time of big change.

Sunday services were shifted to The Chapel. Change

New possibilities for a Wedding Ministry opened up. Change.

The Golden Circle location expanded to accommodate many new teachers, presenters, practitioners and healers. Change.

Golden Circle is now available for events and workshops on Sundays. Change.

The GreenLady Boutique was downsized and relocated to make more classroom space available. Change.

Staffing hours were increased to accommodate anticipated operating hours. And then, being mindful of good stewardship, staffing hours were adjusted to reflect actual operating hours. Change.

The wonderful cloth hand towels that have been in use in restrooms since the beginning of Common Ground have been recently replaced by paper in awareness and consideration of the California drought. Change

And more............... Change.

The Revs are open and ready for new ideas and more change. This is a very exciting time of growth. Input from the community will help move Common Ground forward.

Participants in the Brainstorming session will be invited to offer any and all ideas and suggestions, no holds barred. Out of the crazy, complex chaos of input, something new will emerge that is unique and filled with potential.

Together is better. Plan to add your voice and your brilliant ideas. Everyone is welcome. Mark your calendar today.

 

 PRAYER & MEDITATION
 Have I Left a Little Kindness? Have I Eased a Little Pain?

If this is my last song. If this is my final day
If tomorrow I'll be gone. What do I want to say
If this is my last song. If it's my time to go
When my body's moved on. What will I have to show
No not fortune or fame - they scatter to the wind
The things that make a name - just don't matter in the end

Is the world a little more peaceful
Oceans and sky a little more blue
Is humankind a little bit wiser
About the good that we can do
Does the sun shine a little bit brighter
Where before there was only rain
If so, then I'm glad I came


If these are my last words. For all of the earth to hear
If all that I have ever been. Is about to disappear
If these are my last words. There's nothing that I need to say
I have only tried to serve. It's never been about talking anyway
So much hurt there is to heal - it's hard to understand
All I can hope to feel is that I am doing what I can

Have I given hope to the hopeless. Has a hungry soul been fed
Has a child stood a little bit taller 'cause of something that I said
Have I left a little kindness. Have I eased a little pain
If so, then I'm glad I came
For that, I'm so glad I came

If this is my last song. What do I leave behind
What do I pass on. If I am out of time

Last Song, Lyrics by Daniel Nahmod



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 2015/2016 EVENTS
 Mark Your Calendar Today

CURRENTLY SCHEDULED:


Let's Talk ~ Sundays in October
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
JD Martin and Jan Garrett ~ Sunday, January 17

 

 WEDDINGS AND SPECIAL CEREMONIES
 The Chapel on Common Ground

The Chapel on Common Ground is one of Southern California's newest and most desirable niche wedding and special occasion venues. The Chapel transcends the ordinary and offers a signature atmosphere of refined elegance and warmth.

The unique appointments of The Chapel provide a refined backdrop for traditional and alternative ceremonies.

Today's contemporary couples will find The Chapel a turn-key venue picture-perfect for up to 100 guests making it one of the favorite Southern California choices for budget-conscious couples.

The dignified chapel is nondenominational and is a perfect choice for intimate ceremonies that create lasting memories. The Chapel welcomes people of all faiths and sexual orientations.

The Chapel is the perfect place to celebrate weddings, commitment ceremonies, baby blessings, and other important life events.

Recommend The Chapel to friends and family. Come check it out. Make reservations today.

 

 COMMON GROUND CORONA
 Expanding the Vision and Mission

During the month of September Common Ground Corona celebrates its eighth year as spiritual community.

Under the inspired leadership of its founding minister, Reverend Danell Wheeler, Common Ground Corona became the first satellite location to expand the vision and mission of Common Ground.

Reverend Danell graduated from Common Ground's Interfaith Ministry Licensing Program after completing her studies and internship. She demonstrated excellence in every area. She was then licensed as a Common Ground minister and later Ordained.

Common Ground Corona exemplifies the finest qualities of spiritual community. The community is growing and thriving having recently relocated to their third sanctuary to accommodate rapid growth.

Congratulations. Together we are making a difference in the world. Together is better.