My coffee isn't the only thing brewin'!

The week before a CG event...something starts to shift in the air.

My team feels it.   I feel it.  It's coming.  We know its coming!

Anndddd...its not every day (like never) you would find this in my office:



A CGgirl dropped this off and so it begins...  :)

Excited?  YEAH!

We're supporting our troops in Afghanistan and think it would be wildly fantastic if you would join us!

Details?  CommonGround is happening on Friday, January 27th at 7pm at Connection Church in Canton, MI!

It’s our first event of 2012 and we can’t wait!  CGGirls will be partnering with Care Packages for Troops Michigan Chapter and collecting the following items for troops in Afghanistan:

• Individual powdered drink mixes (kool-aid, crystal light,etc.)


• Socks for men/women: white or green crew socks


• Puzzle Books


• Healthy snacks (protein bars, nuts, beef jerky, crackers, etc.)


• Ramen Noodle Cups, Microwaveable Mac & Cheese Cups

 

Like Sunshine on a Cloudy Day....CGGIRLS!

As Project Crazy Love is ramping up...the days get longer and the struggles with putting together a big event seem to get stickier.  It never fails that when we need encouragement it comes.  Isn't that one of the neatest things about serving a very personal God.  He just "gets us" -- and as women that is a miracle in itself,  amen ?  ;)

We received this note today on FB:

I am moved each time I've come (to CG) and floored with everything from the band (AWESOME!), to the treats, to even the details of counting the gifts and churches who attend.  (I'm a cheeseball, I know) Thank you for hosting this event and allowing me to be a part.  I can't wait for January to be floored again.  LOVE LOVE LOVE Commonground.

Awww...  :)  That made our day!

Guess what?  We are cheeseballs, too! We love seeing the impact that God is making through our collective effort.  Stats are important to us...big KUDOS to Kim Ryan, our CG Inventory Specialist, who tackles the enormous job of counting all the items as they are brought into each event.   Give that girl a calculator and clipboard and just stand out of her way... :)

CG Girls: Crossing Generations

One of the coolest things we are seeing more and more of at our CG events is this:

"I was invited to come by my Mom"

"My Mom invited me."

"I'm here with my Mom"

Moms & Daughters finding their commonground as women who love God.

That's pretty cool isn't it?

If you are over the age of 13 we would love to see you at our next CG event in January!

Bring Mom.   You'll be so glad you did!

sister2sister project

We're sensing that God is taking off  CG's training wheels and will be stretching our faith in 2011. 

CG girls are you ready???

Mark your calendar for Friday, January 28th - we'll be gathering for our next event and yes....we will be taking the love of God from the pews to the pavement.   Details?  I'm glad you asked:

For our outreach spotlight at January's event we'll be partnering with a fantastic ministry, My Sister Song.  MSS is a faith-based outreach and support group for women in the sex industry in the Detroit Metro area.  Their mission is  helping women understand their great value to God and their ability to impact others around them for generations to come through their stories. 

Girls, check this out...



Did you notice the gift bags the women of MSS were taking with them to the clubs in the video? 

Girls, this is how we are going to take God's love from the pews to the pavement...with sister2sister project!

CommonGround will be purchasing a 1000 bags for January's event.  Yes, a 1000!  Training wheels off,  no?

We're asking that you bring in 5 items (dangle earrings, nail polish, lip gloss, lighter, and a piece of individually wrapped chocolate).  Now don't be shy...get your churches, youth groups, workplace, soccer moms, involved with this dynamic outreach.   A church contacted me last week and said, "We'll be in for 100 of each item."  Another church called me today and said, "We're bringing 25 earrings. "    Don't you love it?  

Churches linking arm-and-arm to show girls who are far from God that they matter.

Homeless Helped in Westland, thank you!

On Friday night,  CommonGround girls from 8 local churches gathered at Connection Church to worship and have conversation.    Our outreach focus was the UnderCover Project helping the Lighthouse Mission Warming Center in Westland, MI get as many homeless people undercover this winter as possible.     God met needs in very practical ways that night:  143 blankets and 501 pairs of socks were collected.   Our next event is on Friday, April 16th -- hope to see you there!

undercover project 2010

Jan 15th Event: Worship Leader Announced...Holly Brown!

Since singing her first solo in church at the age of four, Holly has maintained an innate love for music and the body of Christ. She recalls her first worship leading experiences in children's church at the age of 12 along-side her now husband, James Brown. From the time they were teenagers, James and Holly have shared a passion to lead people into the presence of God. It is a deep desire of Holly's to see the beautiful diversity of ages, cultures and nations unite in the sole purpose of praising our Lord.  In college Holly studied music ministry and the Spanish language. She has a love and appreciation for any form of artistic expression, and expresses her own through interior and floral designs. 

Native to Texas, Holly and her family of 5 begin their 4th year in Canton, MI where she serves Connection Church alongside her husband. She is a full-time stay at home mother of 2 daughters, ages 5 & 2, and a 4 month old son. She's been married to her best friend and husband for 6 and 1/2 years.

What a Night!

Once again, we were humbled by God moving in the hearts of women last night at CommonGround.   Christa Alberts and the CG worship team did an outstanding job of leading us in worship to our God.   Thank you Christa and team for sharing your gifts with us as you gave them back to God.

Approx 130-140 women attending from 19 different churches donated  12 bins of personal items for women involved with First Step.    The effects of their generosity will be felt by many, many women and families for months to come.

We feel nudged to do it again....so please mark your calendar and join us on Friday, January 15th @ 7pm as we gather again on our commonground.    Lets spend the next few months seeking and growing in the fact that our Father loves us,  He has work for us...

“He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.”   Ephesians 2:10  (msg)

Remember...don't miss it!  Refuse to let fear or ambivalence stop you from serving God.

(photo credit: Jen Karolak)

One God.

This update will be brief, we'll update more next week...

                                      150 women came to CG!
                                              a great mix of ages!
                                        from 15 different churches!
                                             praising one God!