Leadership can be incredibly invigorating. The opportunity to influence and align others toward a common goal, to motivate and encourage them to action . . . it’s a humbling call and gift from God. When leaders lead well, amazing things can happen! Leadership is also challenging. The ongoing weight of responsibility, making difficult decisions and creating safe contexts for others to thrive can be a burden to bear. Sometimes leaders wilt under the pressure, leading to burnout.

 

The question is, how can leaders lead with longevity? More specifically, how can we (Common Ground) create a leadership structure that helps young and old leaders lead with confidence and endurance?

 

Learning to Lead (LTL) is a new Common Ground leadership resource with a twofold purpose:

LTL will function like a leadership incubator - an environment conducive to learning, discovery, Q&A and connection with other leaders. Attendance is open to anyone who is currently leading or curious about leadership.

 

LTL will be offered on two different days and times each month so that you can attend the one that works best for you. In general, LTL will be on the last Wednesday of the month from 6:30 pm until 8 pm and on the last Saturday of the month from 9 am until 10:30 am. LTL will not be held on Saturday, February 28 or during Training and Equipping months.

 

The first LTL is Wednesday, February 25. While you do not need to register to attend LTL, you do need to register for childcare by Monday, February 16. You can register for childcare by following this link.

 

A complete list of 2009 LTL dates is available on our online Calendar of Events. Questions? Please contact Jim.

Days of finger paint, Bible study, listening ears and encouraging words is a picture of Heart Change Indy. Three days a week moms and their preschool age children gather at Common Ground’s Midtown location to participate in a discipleship ministry that is focused on heart change. Not behavioral change or situational change, but change coming from God transforming hearts which produces lives of joy and peace. A majority of the moms are in transition/homeless, in crisis and in places of desperate need. What brings everyone together is our own desperate need of grace and hope we find in our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

The time is spent studying God’s truth to receive wisdom, instruction and encouragement so that each person can become the women God created her to be. Classes on healthy relationships, financial stewardship, and parenting, along with fun art projects, are some of the topics from the Life Skills Curriculum.

 

While moms are absorbing biblical instruction and training, their kids are as well! The children participate in a preschool readiness environment with Bible story time, crafts and activities focused on age appropriate development.

 

If you would like more information about Heart Change Indy or are interested in volunteering, please visit their website or contact Haley Novotny via email or at 317.362.6439.

 

Contribution letters for 2008 were mailed in mid January. If you are expecting a letter and have not received it, it may have been returned to the church due to an outdated mailing address. To update your mailing address and request a new contribution letter, please contact Stef.

 

If you have received your letter, please review it carefully and contact Stef immediately if you have questions. Since our bookkeeper works one day per week, it will be very difficult to handle urgent last minute requests for contribution letters.

Intro to Common Ground is an opportunity for those who are new to Common Ground to learn about the vision, values and story of our community. The next monthly gathering is Tuesday, March 3 at 6 pm. In order to allow for good dialogue, attendance is limited to 20 people. Childcare and a light dinner will be provided. Register for both the gathering and childcare by following this link to our online registration.

 

GRACE Retreat - March 13-15

GRACE (God's Real Acceptance Compassion and Encouragement) is a post abortion Bible study for women who have experienced the pain of abortion and are in need of learning God's way of love, healing and forgiveness. A GRACE retreat is planned for March 13-15. For more information, please contact Jennifer Thompson.

 

Beginning Sunday, the preschool and toddler rooms at our West location will be combined to better serve our community. Check-in will occur at the door to Kid’s Place. If you have questions about this change, please contact your classroom teacher.

 

The next baby dedication for both our Midtown and West locations is Sunday, March 1, 2009. If your child is between the ages of 0 and 18 months and you would like to participate, please download our information sheet for full details and registration instructions. The deadline to register is February 20.

 

Common Ground will join St. Thomas Aquinas for our annual blood drive on Sunday, March 1. Donations will be accepted between 8:15 am and 1 pm. Childcare will be provided for donors.