DECEMBER 2016
VOLUME 12, ISSUE 12
 
Common Ground Chapel
19211 Dodge Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705


Mailing Address: Administrative Office
18282 East Santa Clara Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705


SPIRITUALITY WITHOUT BORDERS FOR SPIRITUALLY INDEPENDENT PEOPLE


OPEN, INCLUSIVE, ACCEPTING


info@embracehumanity.com
714-836-5880






EMBRACE HUMANITY EXPRESS DIVINITY
EXPERIENCING LIFE'S JOURNEY AT ITS BEST
Celebrating Community Holiday Party
Sunday, December 11
12:00 Noon 


Please join us in the Chapel immediately following Sunday service.  We will be celebrating the holidays in a fun and inclusive way
 
It's a potluck so plan to share your favorite holiday dish


We will:
  • Eat lunch
  • Sing carols
  • Participate in a fun White Elephant Gift Exchange
  • Have holiday fun
Everyone is invited and welcome


Advent Outreach Project
November 27 
thru December 18


Common Ground is pleased to sponsor an Advent Outreach Project in support of the work of Orange County Rescue Mission in Tustin
 
Each Sunday during Advent, baskets will be available at the Chapel to collect donations of canned/boxed food, travel-sized hygiene items and warm winter clothing
 
Make it a spiritual practice to give from the heart by bringing something to share each Sunday during Advent


Items will be dropped off at the warehouse located at Village of Hope in time for Christmas





Holiday Celebrations
SATURDAY, December 24
5:00 to 6:00 pm
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service


SATURDAY, December 31
6:00 to 7:00 pm
New Year's Eve Burning Bowl Release and Renewal Service


SUNDAY, January 1, 
11:00 am
Lighting the Menorah




CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Simplifying the Holidays
  1. Remember what you once loved about the holidays 
  2. Let go of what you think are other people's expectations
  3. Return the holidays to their humble beginnings
  4. Give the gift of time
  5. Create a meaningful holiday with consumable gifts
  6. Stop associating food with love, get out of the kitchen
  7. Live the holiday spirit each day
  8. Turn off TV news during December
  9. Stop being a perfectionist
  10. Choose silence
Adapted from Simplify Your Christmas by Elaine St. James


Sunday Service at The Chapel
Weekly 11:00 am to 12:00 pm




HOLY IDEAS ~ A SEASON OF LIGHT


During this darkest month of the year Reverend Glenda and Reverend Judy will encourage us to ignite withing ourselves the passionate qualities of Holy Ideas.


They will invite us to embrace and live these Holy Ideas, the qualities represented by the Christian tradition of Advent; hope, love, joy and peace.    


Not only is December the darkest month of the year, the world is in tumultuous times of change. We are challenged to find the courage to engage in life wholeheartedly, to trust that the Universe is unfolding in an optimal way, and to remember that part of that process happens through each of us, through our thoughts and actions.


The Revs will encourage us to allow the light of Holy Hope, Holy Peace, Holy Love and Holy Joy to fill our minds and enliven our experiences as we come together in our daily lives and in celebration with friends and family.  


Life can be complicated. The Revs will remind us that living and expressing the holy qualities of Advent will open us to the possibility of finding a sense relaxation and trust that we are held in a loving embrace by the universe and that everything will be okay.


Please join us every week for an hour of inspiration, music, message and meditation.  The holiday season is an especially challenging time for many of us.  Spiritual community is the antidote to fear, loneliness and cynicism.  


Everyone is welcome, invited and included.  


Come as you are.  As you are is perfect.
 
In addition to Sundays at The Chapel there are many opportunities at Common Ground each week to grow in awareness.  Be sure to check out our busy calendar for the most up-to-date listing.
Common Ground is founded on the idea of embracing humanity ~ our own and that of others.  We endeavor to serve and empower the local and global community,  to actively support efforts toward creating a sustainable planet, and to grow as individuals toward a healthy lifestyle ~ body, mind and spirit.


We are creative, innovative, and contemporary in our approach to learning and demonstrating practices to support us in navigating through the complexities of day-to-day life; including meditation, personal growth, and exploration of wisdom traditions


Please check us out to see if we are a fit for your spiritual journey.




WEDDINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE CHAPEL ON COMMON GROUND
 

The Chapel is one of Southern California's newest and most desirable niche wedding and special occasion venues. It is a picture-perfect turn-key setting in today's budget-conscious economy.  Our tasteful styling offers a glowing backdrop and gives a refined and intimate sense of quiet elegance.  


Gift of Time



Take time to laugh, to hug, to cry.

Take time to wish, to dream, to hope.

Take time to wonder, to reflect, to remember.

Take time to talk, to listen, to share.

Time is a gift.

Take time for love this holiday.



Adapted from a poem by Judith A. Lindberg
View our videos on YouTube
Have you been searching for an expansive, innovative and contemporary place to nurture your body, mind and spirit?  If so, you've found an answer right here at Common Ground. 


Visit us at The Chapel every Sunday at 11:00 am.  Also, check our calendar for current classes and workshops and be sure to contact us if you have any questions.


Blessings,



Rev. Glenda & Rev. Judy 

Common Ground
info@embracehumanity.com

714-836-5880 
 








Common Ground 
714-836-5880
 
 


The Chapel on Common Ground | 19211 Dodge Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 | Mailing Address: | 18282 East Santa Clara Avenue | Santa Ana | CA | 92705