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Covenant Fellowship
There is no 'membership' at Common Ground. A person's relationship with spiritual community is a matter of heart, intention and commitment. It is something that cannot be given or taken away. Through being in spiritual community many people find deep connections, loving soul friends and higher life purpose.

Twice a year, January and July, an invitation is open for those who want to enter into covenant with Common Ground. This covenant is a personal choice to deepen spiritual practice and make a commitment to the vision, purpose and work of spiritual community. This opportunity calls to those who are ready.
A covenant partner chooses her jewel for Indra's Net.

Covenant Fellowship - Q & A

Q: What is Covenant Fellowship?
A: Covenant Fellowship is a committed 

     relationship between Common Ground
     and a person who expresses a desire

     to further the purpose of Common
     Ground.

Q: Is it the same as membership?
A:  It is similar to membership but is

     actually a much deeper commitment.

Q: What is meant by deeper

     commitment?
A: Unlike becoming a member of an

    organization simply by making

    application, paying fees and/or stating

    intention; such as with political parties,

    churches, social organizations, etc.;

    Covenant Fellowship with Common

    Ground carries with it a deep

    commitment to regularly contribute time,

    talent, service and resources toward

    the purpose of the spiritual center.

Artwork used by permission from Anita Burns
Click image for a larger view

INDRA'S NET


 Far away in the heavenly abode of the Great God Indra, there is a wonderful net which has been hung by some clever artist in such a manner that it stretches out indefinitely in all directions.

 

In accordance with the extravagant tastes of the deities the artist has hung a single glittering jewel at the net's every node, and since the net itself is infinite in dimension, the jewels are infinite in number. There hang the jewels glittering like stars of the first magnitude, a wonderful sight to behold.

 

If we now arbitrarily select one of these jewels for inspection and look closely at it, we discover that in its polished surface there are reflected all the other jewels in the net, infinite in number. Not only that, but each of the jewels reflected in this one jewel is also reflecting all the other jewels, so that the process of reflection is infinite.

 

Avatamsaka Sutra
Q: Are there any requirements?
A:  Yes. Those wishing to enter into Covenant Fellowship partnership are asked to attend a foundational class, which explores the mission, vision and purpose of Common Ground and how it functions as a ministry.


Q: Are there required beliefs?
A:  No. However, those entering into Covenant Fellowship must be willing to work for religious humility and acknowledge ecumenism that lets all  spiritual traditions speak for themselves.

Q: What about tithing?
A:  A Covenant Fellowship partner must have a giving-consciousness. Tithing is basic training for the consciousness ofgiving. A person's giving consciousness is not monitored. That will be left to the consciousness of each individual.

Q: How does a person enter into  Covenant Fellowship?
A: By completing an application and acknowledgement of requirements and then submitting it to Common Ground.

Q: Can this be done at any time?
A:  Yes. Applications are available year- round.

Q: Then what happens?
A: Twice a year, January and July, individuals newly entering to Covenant Fellowship will be honored in a formal dedication ceremony.

Q: Can a person be part of Common Ground without entering into Covenant Fellowship?
A:  ABSOLUTELY! Everyone is welcome and invited to participate in activities at  Common Ground. The decision to enter into Covenant Fellowship is a very deep commitment. While everyone is  invited to consider Covenant Fellowship, everyone is equally  encouraged to prayerfully consider  whether or not such a commitment  serves their highest personal interest. Only those who are ready to do so are  encouraged to make the choice to enter into this covenant.

Q: Can I be a member of another spiritual community and still enter into Covenant Fellowship at Common Ground?
A: Yes. Covenant Fellowship at Common Ground is open and inclusive. We honor all paths to God, all spiritual traditions and all religious institutions.


Covenant Fellowship Application

COVENANT FELLOWSHIP PARTNERSHIP

Condensed from the Constitution and By Laws of Common Ground Interfaith Spiritual Center As of January 2005

Common Ground Interfaith Spiritual Center believes in covenant fellowship and not membership. The Covenant Fellowship partners shall consist of any adult accepted by the official board who expresses a desire to help further the purposes for which Common Ground is organized, and who displays a willingness to regularly contribute time and service in this regard; a mature person who acknowledges ecumenism and is willing to work for a religious humility that lets spiritual traditions speak for themselves through this spiritual center, and who is willing to contribute time and money for this purpose may be admitted to Covenant Fellowship partnership by agreement of the official board.

COVENANT FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS


The requirements for becoming a Covenant Fellowship partner of Common Ground are as follows:

  • One must be a faithful attendee of the worship services of Common Ground.

  • One must attend a foundational Covenant Fellowship partnership class that Common Ground offers to all persons willing to become Covenant Fellowship partners.

  • A Covenant Fellowship partner must have a giving consciousness. No person will be monitored to verify that he/she has a giving consciousness. That will be left to the conscience of each individual person.


Covenant Fellowship Application

We are an inclusive Spiritual Community
honoring all paths to God