Come As You Are ... This Friday Night ... Really.

Five years ago (May 1, 2009)  we hosted our first CommonGround event.  Doesn't seem possible does it?   

We've seen God do UNBELIEVABLE things during the last NINETEEN events.    Remember...

• when God unleashed a spirit of generosity on CGgirls and you donated 1,120 Christmas gifts for 14 girls in foster care?


• when God provided an offering that supernaturally paid off all of our start-up costs?
• 
  
• when God nudged CGgirls to donate enough camp items for Royal Kids Camp to cover years of camps?
• 
  
• when God directed CGgirls to fill a church van (literally!)  with donated blankets and socks to help homeless men stay warm?
• 
  
• when God asked CGgirls to lay down our preconceived notions about women far from God who dance in strip clubs to collect items to fill gift bags for them?
• 
  
• when God knew CGgirls would meet the immediate need of a family whose Mom was diagnosed with cancer by collecting $2,000 in gift cards in two weeks?
• 
  
• when God knew a women who miscarried her baby two days before would come to a CG event (not knowing  our guest speaker would be a woman who delivered a still-born baby) and a time of intense healing began within her.
• 
  
• when God asked us to start a 60 day prayer challenge called Brave Girl Boots and 150 of you committed to doing it.  Drawing closer to God in the process.
• 
  
• and so, so, so much more.

Because of God's kindness and grace we're celebrating our TWENTIETH event this Friday night.  There will be live worship,  Heather Costa will be sharing her story,  we'll be collecting items (see below) for homeless Veterans,  20 prizes and a fantastic after party with women from 30 Detroit Metro Area churches.

Come As You Are.   It'll be a night you won't forget.  

We'll leave you with the same thing we wrote five years ago before our first event.

"The vision of commonground is one that we can’t claim as our own.  We feel very strongly that we are following His direction.   Jesus.  Period.  By Him, For Him, With Him.   Great efforts to serve our communities really don’t mean much if they aren't done for the Lord.   Only what is done for the Lord will last.  "

Ask God to prepare your heart for CommonGround.   If you are coming just for the music, the message, the prizes, the afterparty...you might miss Him.   Ask Him to prepare your heart.
He is extending the invitation.  We're just planning the party.

Giirrrlll, are you coming?

(Photo Credit: Lisa Hildebrandt) 

May 2, 2014 Outreach Spotlight

We are announcing the outreach focus for our May 2, 2014 event!   

Really, really excited about this!   One in seven homeless people have served in the military. We are going to do our part to help. CGgirls is setting a goal of 1,020 snack kits to fill that evening. Invite, Invite, and Invite some more! We're also in need for someone to donate  1, 020 gallon size ziplock bags for that evening. If you have any contacts that would be able to help with this, let us know!

Care & Compassion: Cancer, who plans for it?

Wow!

Once again,  we find ourselves shouting T H A N K Y O U , CGgirl! 

"How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?"
1 Thessalonians 3:9

You were an abundant, over-the-top, way cool,  unbelievable blessing to Margie Kelly & her family.

When the word got out about this Care & Compassion opportunity,  we knew CGgirls would be generous but we were blown away by the tidal wave of generosity that came in for Margie Kelly.
Margie (wife and mom) has been recently diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer.    As she would say, "The fight is on!"

Just a few moments ago,  Mike Kelly came up to me, hugged me hard and said with tears in his eyes, "THANK YOU!  We made a whole date out of going through the box! "

What I love so much about the ministry that happens through the hearts and hands of CGgirls is this:  Most of you don't personally know Margie.   Most of you will never meet her this side of heaven.

But you loved anyway.      You sacrificially loved anyway.
Because God loves.  

Brave.

Today, right now, this minute, you have all the BRAVE you need.   Jesus.

July CG event: Worship Leader Announced

CGgirl, Summer is in full swing.   We hope you are enjoying the sunshine and your hair is winning the battle against the humidity.  :)

We have some really great news... Liz Webb will be our worship leader for the next CG Event,  Friday, July 26th at 7pm!

Liz may look familiar to you ... she is a part of our CG Worship Band and has been singing for the majority of her life.

" I've been married for 6 1/2 years to Patrick. Mom of 3 mini CG girls Emma, Ellie and Clara. I have been attending Connection Church (and Tri-City) for nearly 24 years. I have serving on our worship team for 14 years!"

Need a worship night?  Yes.   Want to gather with women from 30 different area churches?  Yes.

Want to Take God's love from the pews to the pavement by bringing: Lip Gloss, Stickers, Composition Notebook, Flip-Flops, and Dove Bar Soap?  Yes, we're going to bless 146 girls currently at Vista Maria!

Let's gather together at 7pm on Friday, July 26th - - Join us!

Extraordinary life? Yes, please! Pick me!

Hello CGgirls!

We have some catching up to do...so grab a seat and let's do what girlfriends do...

How are you?   I hope you are reminded today what a wonderfully made woman you are.   Even if you don't "feel" it... you are.    Who says?  He does.   In fact, God says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.    Maybe you needed that reminder today.   I know I did.

You know what I've been thinking lately?   I've been thinking about how God invites us into a story (His by the way) that is so stinkin' more exciting then the one we would have created for ourselves.   I saw this and thought... yeah.. that's perfect!

I'm so thankful  God calls us to do things that are "other focused" and  "out of our comfort zones"  it makes life so much more of an adventure.    Who needs normal?  :)

Here are some highlights of what's going on in and through CGgirls:

• 
  
  I had the tremendous honor to serve and speak at a Women's Retreat for the wonderful ladies of  Allen Park Nazarene.  What a fantastic group of women!    I've never seen such an atmosphere of bonding and great community.  It was so great to share God's Word with them.  Upon arrival I was told, "These ladies won't run from Truth, so if you bring Truth, you'll do just fine."  WOW - they were not lying.   I love this group of ladies -- and to top it off - they are coming to the next CG on Friday, July 27th!   They said their goal is to bring 27 ladies on the 27th!    Meet my new friends:  
  Speaking of our next CG event (can you believe, its our 13th!!!)  So excited to be partnering with Hope 4 Western Wayne County.   CGgirls are walking by faith and have committed to bringing 1000, (yes, you read correctly - don't rub your eyes you'll ruin your makeup) O N E T H O U S A N D school supply kits.  We've got a big God and we believe very strongly that where you find unity, you find power.   Women from all over Metro Detroit will be coming to the next CG event (Friday, July 27th 7pm)  and bringing with them the following:  Glue sticks, No. 2 pencil packs, 24 pk of crayons, pack of washable markers and 2 pocket folders.    Wanta join the fun?  Who doesn't!  :)    Apparently we aren't alone in this:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A big shout out to the fine folks at Ask-Services for collecting school supplies for our outreach!

A box of school supplies mysteriously showed up in my office last night.  CGgirls are wildly generous!  Love, Love, Love seeing God's activity in your lives!

If you are available on Saturday, August 18th and would love to serve during this crazy good day of outreach called HOPE 4 Western Wayne County - they could use your tender hearts that day.  Or maybe your heart could us some tendering?
Over 5000 families are being invited to participate in a day (in Westland, MI) that includes: groceries, health fair, Kids Zone, a BBQ Lunch, family portraits, hair cuts, school supply kits, and live entertainment.  

Sign Up to serve that day!

• 
  
  Remember our PCL girls?  Project Crazy Love?   We adopted 14 girls in foster care for Christmas last year and God absolutely blew our minds with providing over 1,100 gifts for them.   Well, we're continuing the conversation with our monthly PCL Birthday Club.  We go to their home bringing birthday love each month:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  We would love for you to get involved with this monthly outreach!  You can stop by the CGgirls: Serve! table at the afterparty to find out more info!
  
  
  
  
  Who wants a normal life?  Not us!   
  
  
  
  
  We're excited about Friday Night.  I hope you call a girlfriend or two and bring them along with you.  We'll have dynamic live worship, giveaways, an afterparty with great appetizers, coffee/cocoa bar - all free!     We call it a Girl's Night with a God Focus.  Be there?
  
  
  
  
  With deep appreciation & affection,
  
  
  
  
  Tami
  
  

Generous. You are!

Something really cool starts to happen the week of CG -- a spark of generosity occurs within the women known as CGgirls!  I just spoke to a CGgirl and she said very excitedly, "I went a bit crazy on the crafts and the princess barbies!  They should be delivered tomorrow from Amazon!"

Another CGgirl, dropped these off this morning:

I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be tomorrow night then here! 

Invite your girlfriends and let's have a party!  Connection Church 3855 Sheldon Rd. Canton, MI 48188 7pm

Pink Toes optional!

 

January Event Recap: Project Troop Care

Were you at the last CG in January?   Here's a chance for you to relive it or see what you missed!   Our next event is on Friday, April 20th!

[wpvideo nNmpmROw]

 

 

CGGirls: Roll Call!

 

Rollllll Callll.... on Friday Night, women from 29 different churches gathered together for a Girl's Night with a God Focus!

1. Detroit First Church
2. Pineview Church
3. Connection Church, Canton MI
4. Allen Park Nazarene Church,  Allen Park MI
5. Life Church, Canton MI
6. Metro South Church
7. Northridge Church, Plymouth MI
8. Rivers of Living Water, Taylor MI
9. St. Paul's Lutheran, Livonia MI
10. His House Christian Fellowship, Eastern Michigan University
11. WFM - Westland, MI
12. Huron Hills Church
13. Garden City Presbyterian, Garden City MI
14. Westland Free Methodist, Westland MI
15. Elevate/Frenchtown Missionary Baptist
16. Faith Baptist
17.  Downriver Christian Church
18. Northwest Christian Church
19. Calvary Baptist Church
20. Faith Baptist Church, Adrian MI
21. NCA
22. Parkside Church of Christ
23. Faith Assembly, Belleville MI
24. The Crossing, Farmington MI
25.  Downriver Church of God
26. Harvest Bible Chapel
27. Southpointe Church
28. Beacon Baptist
29.Cornerstone Christian Church,  Jackson MI

Girls who love God? You Bet!

CG Girls!

I know some of you are getting ready for your children to start school in a very short time from now.   Or maybe you've been ready for a while?? :)    My nephew goes away to college next week and my sister has already unashamedly said, "I'm going to be a wreck!"    :)

Whatever camp this blog post finds you in -- its time to get our 10th COMMONGROUND event on Friday, October 21st on our radar screens!    The CG outreach team is meeting tonight to discuss the details and start putting the plans into action!

If you were at the last CG event you know the exciting news that two women gave their lives to Christ that night!  This has been a source of such joy for us.    We are also excited that Camp Kesem received:

• 75 Sunblock


• 59 Bug Sprays


• 166 Coloring Books


• 5,169 Crayons


• 2, 037 Individual Snacks

CG girls are some of the most fantastically generous women we have ever met.   You continually blow our minds!

Also announced that evening was our support of Laban Ministries.  Laban Ministries is bringing life-changing hope of Jesus to the Congo!  They run a Women's Literacy Center in the Congo - teaching women to read using the Bible.  48 out of the 94 female students accepted Christ last year!    We are committing to send a portion of our offering from each CG event to this ministry.   Very Exciting!   Check it out for yourselves:

We are really excited not only about the focus of our October 21st event Project Crazy Love but also we'll be celebrating our 10th commonground event that night!

To add to the celebration that night, we'll be having 10 giveaways!  

Yep, 10!!!!! 

We can't wait!  Invite your girlfriends -- this is going to be a blast!!!

July 15, 2011 7pm: Are you coming?

CG Girls -- Check this out!!!

Are you coming to the Friday, July 15th event?

One of our CG girls,  Katy Reitz (aka 'lilalicesews), has created some amazing items for one of our giveaways for that event!

In this special giveaway:  I'm a CG Girl Tote Bag, Pillowcase w/Personality, Hair Pin, Day in Paris Make Up Bag, Day in Paris Coin Purse,  Housewife Plastic Bag Dispenser, Pink Flower Lanyard, Pink Flower Keyring Wristlet.

Phew....I need to take a sip of coffee after typing all that!

Who are you bringing to the next CG? 

April Event: Recap!

A CG girl just twittered out we have snow coming.  Really?

As much as I love April in Michigan...I love CG girls more!!   In case you missed what happened at our last event a few weeks ago...and really...why did you miss?   Please mark this down: Friday, July 15th 7pm - commonground!!

Once again, God worked through CG Girls who brought over 4000 items for Penrickton Center for Blind Children!  AMAZINGLY generous, girls!  Seriously.  God looks so good on you!

[wpvideo ve4GMxjj]

You are beautiful: Recap from January event!

One of the greatest things I have the privilege to be  a part of is commonground.  This is a snapshot of why:

 

[wpvideo bvpXTf7J]

Christa Alberts: My Song!

What a great surprise to get back into the states from our trip to Israel and get my copy of our very own CG girl, Christa Alberts new worship project, MY SONG.    MY SONG will be available next Friday night at the next CG event.



 

Welcome Spring!

CG Girls,

I don't know about you...but I AM READY for Spring!  :)  Come 'on!   :)

The next CG is coming around the corner.  Are you planning to join us on April 8th at 7pm?   We hope so!

Here are the details:

Will you join us?  Our last CG event in January had 190 women from 24 different churches.  Our biggest one yet!   We are amazed at what God is doing through the women of CG and we can't wait for the next one!   Penrickton Center for Blind Children is an amazing organization.  You can find out more about them here! The items we are collecting are on their much needed list because they use them everyday!

We invite you to the ultimate girl's night out...one with a God focus. Invite, Invite, Invite!

CommonGround Tee, please?

Who wants a new CG tee?  They are in!!

You can purchase them at the event tomorrow night.  We're offering two colors: black t-shirt w/hot pink lettering or hot pink t-shirt with black lettering.  All have commonground across the front with Girl's Night with a God focus across the back.

Tees will be available for sale in the after party room following the worship portion of our evening.   $12!

Proud of OUR CommonGround Girl!

Hi Girls!   There is starting to be some good buzz about the upcoming CG event on January 28th.  To say we are beyond excited and trusting God like crazy would be an understatement.  More to come next week on that event.

As this Friday is winding down and I am sure most of you are getting ready to get your "weekend on" ... I wanted to take a few minutes and publicly share how proud I am of our CG worship leader,  Christa Alberts. 

When God began to stir in us thoughts of women coming together from all denominations of Christian faith to not only worship but take His love from the pews to the pavement -- Christa was one of the first to say, "I need to be involved with that...count me in!"   And she has been a CG fixture right in the trenches with us.   Trusting God as he orchestrates a movement of women we could not begin to imagine.

Our CG Girl leaves to record her first worship CD in a few weeks and I can't be more proud of her.   She is trusting God like crazy as He pulls her out of her comfort zone.    Christa shared today on her FB page the following:

"A little over 2 weeks till Boston:) I have been told I need to get the word out..so here goes... I am recording a CD. Almost all songs are originals. I wrote a few and my very talented friend Sonia V wrote a lot of them. She is also my Producer..so I'm in great hands:) 

I am surrounded by amazing people who stepped up to help me in many ways...you know who you are:)  There is no way this could be happening without your help!  I am so thankful for the opportunity. I have amazing musicians playing and amazing family and friends supporting me! Feeling VERY thankful today:)  Thank you God for giving me this opportunity:)

My prayer is that these songs will touch other people's lives and point them to the one true God...just as they have done for me!  That hope might be restored, and God's love will be evident through this project.  I will be giving updates as we go, on the progress and what amazing artists are playing.   The hope is that the CD will be done early Spring.

Christa is a vital part of things at CG.  We are so very, very, very proud of her.  Would you join me in beginning to pray for Christa today?    Please pray for the following:

• 
  
  Health for everyone involved..a lot of people have been sick lately.   


• 
  
   Mostly pray that this will be what God wants and will be pleasing to Him. 


• 
  
  Wisdom for Christa.


• 
  
  That the focus will be on God and not me, or who's playing etc.  


• 
  
  Christa desires excellence with the proper focus:) 

THANK YOU, CG girls!   Ain't nothing like a girl who loves God. 

:)

Tami

PS-  Christa's worship CD will be available for purchase at the CG event in the spring!

Worship Leader Announced for CG Jan 28, 2011!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!   Or not.  :)  Ever feel the need to take whiffs of  suntan lotion as you watch the snow fall?  I'm just NOT ready!  How about you?

We have some exciting news...two parts actually.  Our CG worship leader, Christa Alberts is making a worship CD!  We are so proud of her and we'll be making it available at CG events starting in the spring.   It is highly likely that Christa will be out of town recording her CD in January.   Christa and I put our heads and hearts together and are pleased to announce the worship leader for our CG event on January 28, 2011... Brittany Ball.

Brittany Ball, 26, is the wife of Bryan Ball, the Director of Student Ministries at Connection Church.  Born and raised in Macomb County, Michigan, Brittany and Bryan, along with their puppy Porkchop, moved to Canton in the summer of 2010.  Brittany is a graduate of the University of Michigan and is currently employed as an elementary teacher in Macomb County for Romeo Community Schools.
 Brittany has been leading worship with her husband for the past four years.  She has been singing in church since she was three years old.  Brittany's main influences include Kari Jobe, Christy Nockels, and Hillsong United.  She hopes that God speaks to you through the songs chosen for that night the way that He speaks to her through them.

  (You can check out Brittany singing the National Anthem here!)

CG event: Friday, April 16th!

 It's hard to believe that the next CG is here in just six days!   This is when the coffee starts perkin'!   Our teams have been working so hard at bringing all of this together.  We're so excited! 

 To bring you up to speed:

Christa Alberts is back! With the CG Band in tow,  Christa will be leading us in worship that evening.   To find out more about Christa... read here.  You can follow Christa on twitter, too!  

Our outreach focus is PROJECT LITTLE LAMB !  We are collecting diapers, wipes and formula for the AAA Pregnancy Resource Center in Livonia, MI.   Showing the Love of God by meeting needs right as they happen.  Very exciting to be involved with such a great ministry to women with unexpected pregnancies.

We're celebrating spring by painting our toes pink and wearing flip flops or sandals that night!  

As always we pray that God would be honored by this event and people would know Him through the hands and feet of commonground girls. 

See you Friday at 7pm!!

Editors Note:  I forgot to mention...we'll be serving Starbucks coffee that night!  Also...we're giving away:  1 Shelly Bag w/ two shells; 1 30 minute massage and two movie passes from Emagine!     Grab a girlfriend and come on out!!