Dear God ...

Dear God....

We've done everything we know to do for this awesome experience you've asked us to enjoy with you called commonground. 

We hope You are pleased.

We hope women are encouraged to draw closer to you and step out in bold creativity to serve your son Jesus.

Only a few more hours, God.   It's kinda not fair that you already know how it went. :)

Did you like it?

--  Alene, Jen, Katy, Nan & Tami 

CG *heart* Lowe's

Lowe's in Canton just donated bins and bags for our event on Friday night!   Remember ladies, we'll be collecting the following to help women in domestic abuse situations:

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          • Full Size Deodorant
          
          
          • Full Size Bars of Soap
          
          
          • Full Size Hand Pump Soap
          
          
          • Hair Products for women of color
          
          
          
          
        
        
        
        
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

CommonGround is in three days!  Friday 7pm @connection church

commonground: First Step outreach focus

When we gathered together in May to have our first CG event -- we had no idea what God could be up to ...what would bringing women together (ages 13-114) from different denominations accomplish?

We began to ponder this very question, "What would happen if our passion to serve God developed legs and we carried it to the world -- and changed it?"  If for one evening, we were just girls who loved God - no denominational differences, no ministry agendas, just girls who loved God.

When 150 women showed up from 15 different churches - -we were tickled pink!   To see
multi-generations and churches worshiping one God -- was pretty cool.  Out of that gathering the following has taken place:

• Someone with a heart to serve women got the push she needed to begin a prayer shawl ministry wherein ladies will gather from all different churches and knit shawls for shut-ins, new moms, etc. This begins in October.  For more info check out our Passion in Action page.


• A woman attending CG was compelled to give back to a program that helped her in her time of need many years ago.  That program is First Step (program for domestic violence.)

We believe that God has opened a door for First Step to be our first CG outreach focus -- here is how... at our next event on August 28th - we're encouraging everyone to bring one or more of the following items with you when you attend.

• Hand soap in a pump (full size) 


• Bar of soap (full size)


• Deodorant (full size)


• Hair care products and other supplies for women of color

We'll collect items that evening and deliver them to First Step in Plymouth the following Monday.  This is a great opportunity for you to get the teen girls, women you work with, etc.  involved in collecting -- to help reach out to women who are in great need when they come to First Step.

Women meeting the needs of other women -- how awesome is that? 

For more info on donations please contact Linda Cox at memacox@yahoo.com

august 29th commonground worship leader announced!

 

Christa Alberts started singing at a very young age and her love for God and passion for worship through music has been apparent throughout her life.   Church Ministry is also a passion... Christa is currently a vocalist on the Connection Church Worship Team,  serves in tech and was an active part of her young adults leadership team. 

Christa serves as the Creative Arts Assistant  at Connection Church in Canton, MI, where she uses her talents to help create an environment that moves across the barriers people place on their hearts and draw them into a place of openness before God.  She also has been known to dabble in song writing with songs that reflect her faith through any situation.  Christa, her husband Adam, and their 2 year old son Jack, currently live in Westland, MI.

CG: onward we go!

Hi CGer's!

Our very first commonground took place on May 1st and we couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out.  The event itself blew our minds away -- 150 women from 15 different churches!  I mean, seriously -- wow!!!   Our prayer has been that God would be pleased with CG.  We definitely feel encouraged to do the next one!   Thank you to all of  you who prayed and continue to pray for CommonGround (YOU know who you are!!)  Mark your calendars:  Friday, August 28th!

Thank you to all of the girls who volunteered their time the night of CG!   You girls inspire me!


The coolest thing is that 48 hrs later  two different women contacted me and said that God had "nudged" them during CG to step out and do something for Him in ministry.    We are so stoked about that!!  Thats our hope for CG.   Women who love God serving him.

• Karen McKean said she has a passion to minister to women in prison.   She really felt prompted during CG to explore this more.  Karen attends Connection Church and will be involved with helping to launch a Prison Ministry for Women at her church.  (If you attend Connection,  please see the notice in this week's bulletin for more information.)
  


• Linda Cox, also attended CG and felt prompted to create an outreach for something she is very passionate about.  More to follow (hopefully soon on this one!)

A big thank you to Christie Martin who took these pics and sent them into the blog from CG!




[caption id="attachment_94" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Kara Spence created this art piece for commonground"][/caption]



[caption id="attachment_97" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Amy Voss opens up the first CG!"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_98" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="150 women from 15 different churches. Girls who love God."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_99" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Networking in Ugly Mugs Cafe afterwards."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_100" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="Lots of appetizers..."][/caption]

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!

Behind the scenes....

[caption id="attachment_84" align="aligncenter" width="426" caption="behind the scenes @ CG"][/caption]