In February and March, we conducted an online survey with the hope of gaining a better understanding of our website as a communication tool. The feedback was clear – the Common Ground website is difficult to navigate and information is hard to find. With this feedback in mind, we moved forward on our website project with the goals of making the site easier to navigate, information easier to find, and visiting the site a more positive experience.

 

The website project has included months of meetings, research, updates and feedback. We’ve added some great new features, but more importantly, we’ve worked hard to ensure that you can find what you’re looking for the first time around.

 

Check out the website launch on Wednesday, October 28. It’s in the same place it’s always been…www.cground.org.

 

Thanks for your grace and support as we work to communicate better with you!

Cold and flu season is here! Please be considerate of others when you make your decision to place your child in our children’s ministry. Below is our Children’s Ministry Sick Policy:

 

We ask that parents keep children out of the children’s ministry and childcare facilities who exhibit any of the following symptoms:

For the protection of all involved, if a child exhibits these symptoms during their time in our care, parents will be paged to remove their child from the classroom.

 

Thank you for partnering with us to limit the spread of illnesses at Common Ground this season. If you have any questions regarding our sick policy, please contact Martina.

CGCC-West has met at the Eagle Creek Elementary School for the past two years. Twice each year, during the spring and fall, the school schedules “Beautification Day” where the school grounds are spruced up through general landscaping and improvement projects.

 

While the church pays rent to Pike Township Schools to use this space on Sunday, one house church has chosen to go a step further to support the school and express appreciation for the use of their facility. The Alexander house church has been intentional about participating in these opportunities, working alongside administrators, teachers, parents, and students from the school. Beautification Day projects have included planting flowers, spreading mulch, cleaning-up trash and painting. However, the results from these projects can be much more than just cosmetic – Common Grounders are able to demonstrate Christ’s love by showing care and concern for their community.

 

In the coming weeks, we’ll highlight service provided by our house churches in the e-newsletter. Our hope and intention is to inspire each individual and house church to use their unique gifts, talents and passions to show Christ’s love to others. Does your house church have a regular service, mission or benevolence project? Send us an email to share your story.

Dave McPherson previously attended Common Ground but several years ago moved to Weymouth, MA, and leads a house church in the area. This past summer, Dave also initiated a KidsGames program through his church and Common Ground made a financial donation to aid in launching this ministry. Dave gives us a glimpse of what happened through the ministry that week and expresses his appreciation to Common Ground below:

 

"How do you sum up an incredible week in only a few words? I suppose when you mention that God is involved the intangibles get taken care of and you begin to see a picture that is bigger than something you could ever have imagined.

 

"God prepared this months (and, as we look back in some cases, years) in advance and chose to use this tool--KidsGames--to begin a series of relationships within our community of Weymouth, Massachusetts. While there are numerous stories of connection, of relationship-building, of impact into the lives of the 126 children, there are other images that stand out that can only be explained when God is moving. The most vivid are the unity in the body of Christ and the way He provided for it to be an exceptional week.

 

"Our house church provided 22 volunteers (the majority of which were small group leaders, including four junior leaders) and we partnered with another 30 people from other places. The one unifier: a love for Jesus and for people. The way God provided--using a church from across the country (CGCC), a few individuals that are not from the house church, some local businesses, and our house church--were nothing short of miraculous.

 

"I am unsure why I am still surprised when God works like this and uses us to do it...but I am also very grateful that He does! Thanks Common Ground for partnering with a bunch of New Englanders to build the Kingdom!"

Hey middle school and high school youth! On Friday, Oct. 30 at 6 pm we are planning an awesome evening just for you and your friends, including a hayride, bonfire, food and good times. If interested, please register via the website or contact Nate. If you invite a friend, be sure to register them as well.

 

Intro to Common Ground

Intro to Common Ground is an opportunity for those who are new to CG to learn about the vision, values and story of our community. The next gathering is Tuesday, November 3 at 6 pm. Attendance is limited and a light dinner and childcare are provided. Follow this link to register.

 

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. The next GRACE retreat will take place the weekend of November 6 through 8 at Plainfield First Assembly of God. For more information on this retreat, please contact Jennifer Thompson.

 

Join us for Purchased on November 7 at 7 pm at our Midtown location (4550 N. Illinois Street) and find out how you can participate in the effort to protect, defend, restore and empower lives. Click here to learn more about Purchased.