Weekly Email 8-24-22

Dear Common Ground Friends,

Shelly, Robin and I have been reflecting on all that is moving in our world, knowing that there are folks in our community facing difficult times. Over the 29 years the center has been in operation, we have created and recreated a Community Care Committee many times. It is time again to ask if there are folks in the community who have the time and skills to help serve those in the community who are asking for help. This group of volunteers might bring a meal, drive someone to the doctor, help a family set up a CaringBridge website or a GoFundMe page. Sometimes folks in the community simply need someone to talk or walk with, someone who knows how to listen. Please let our Office Manager Robin Major know if you would like to be involved in this kind of service to those in our community.

May the Deepest Wisdom and Love Guide and Protect Us All,
Mark Nunberg
Co-Guiding Teacher

Volunteer Opportunity: Community Cares Committee
We are looking for new leaders to rekindle the Community Care Committee, a group dedicated to supporting those in need. If interested, please reach out to our Office Manager Robin Major at robin@commongroundmeditation.org.

Community Potluck!
Sunday, September 11th
12:00pm – 2:00pm

Come celebrate our community together! Bring a dish to share and perhaps a folding chair or blanket to sit on in the garden. Childcare will be offered from 10:30am – 2:00pm (including childcare during Mark Nunberg’s Sunday Morning Practice Group before the potluck begins at noon).

Click here if you’d like to volunteer during the event.

An online lunch for the Zoom community will run from 12:00pm – 1:00pm.

Weekly Programs
To view our entire list of programs and to access Zoom links to participate in online programs, please visit the online calendar. 

Weekly Practice Groups

• Sunday mornings, 10:30-11:45am in-person and on Zoom with Mark Nunberg
• Sunday evenings, 7:00-8:30pm in-person with Mark Nunberg
  • August 28th with Patrice Koelsch
  • September 4th with Jean Haley
• Wednesday evenings, 7:30-9:00pm on Zoom with Shelly Graf

• First Wednesday of the month: Community Group led by Matthew King and other practice leaders
• Third Wednesday of the month: Monthly Practice Group with Mark Nunberg and guest teachers

The Practice of Generosity

Continuing in the tradition of Buddhist monasteries in Southeast Asia, all programs at Common Ground are offered free of charge in the spirit of generosity. This offering is possible because of the generosity of people like you—from the Buddha on down to all the people in our community—who contribute their practice, time, and financial resources to support the continuation of the center.

To learn how to support the center and our teachers, visit this page. Let us know if you have any questions.

Current Volunteer Needs 
Please contact Robin Major at robin@commongroundmeditation.org if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities:

• Community Potluck on Sunday, September 11th: If you would like to volunteer for childcare, set-up or clean-up, enter your name and email here.
• Children’s Program: We are looking for a couple folks to help lead the revitalization of the children’s program. Please email a letter of interest to Robin.
• Wishlist items: Please let us know if you would like to donate any of these items: high quality area wool rugs for the Retreat Center, one bookshelf

Community News 

Weekly Tejaniya

To remember our awakened
nature is the very heart
of this practice.
 Thanks to The Daily Tejaniya for this quote

Common Ground’s Dharma Leadership Training graduates (and friends!) reunite last weekend. From left to right (beginning with top row): Stacy McClendon, Robin Major, Meski Mebatsion, Shelly Graf, Kyoko Katayama, scottie hall, Louise Alemayehu, Gail Iverson, Gabe Keller Flores, Sarah Wilson, Femi Akinnagbe