Our Mission

Common Ground is a compassionate, spiritual community that embraces the worthiness and brokenness of all people. Many, but not all of us are part of recovery communities and together we are exploring the “common ground” that lies beneath the 12-steps and an inclusive Christian faith.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

1. We are created to be in relationship with God, self and others.
2. Things like addiction, trauma, hurts, abuse, loneliness and even our own human nature harm those relationships.
3. Addiction is a disease, not a moral failing.
4. People can be addicted to many things: drugs, alcohol, control, care taking, perfection, work, sex, food, anger, victimhood, etc.
5. God loves us exactly as we are and is always with us, especially in our struggles.
6. There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and nothing we can do to make God love us less.
7. Recovery is a process by which we can heal and repair our relationships with God, ourselves and others.
8. We find hope, healing and growth in community with God and others.
9. We believe that the 12 steps are a pattern of living that draws us closer to God.
10. Jesus gives us a great example of how to live.

HOW WE PRACTICE WHAT WE BELIEVE

1. We welcome everyone, exactly as they are because we are beloved children of God.
2. We commit to creating a safe community because that is necessary for healing and growth.
3. We sing together, share together, pray together and eat together because belonging leads to believing.

4. We share our stories because that’s how we get honest about the things that
separate us from God and others.
5. We try to live like Jesus lived because he showed us how to love God, others and self.

STATEMENT OF WELCOME

Everyone is welcome here. Everyone.
Come as you are. Exactly as you are.

If you are spiritual and not religious, you are welcome here.

If you identify with a religious tradition or not, or are atheist, agnostic, seeking, or unsure, you are welcome here.

If you are any race, background, or ethnicity, you are welcome here.

If you are in the LGBTQ2IA+ community, straight, or still trying to figure it out, you are welcome here.

If you are rich, poor, old, or young, you are welcome here.

If you have an addiction (or several) or are not aware of any addictions in your life, you are welcome here.

If you have been affected by someone else’s addiction or behavior, you are welcome here.

If you struggle with worry, anxiety, sadness, or relationships, you are welcome here.

We welcome you and everything that makes you human here.

We welcome you without demand, presumption, or anything but an invitation to be a part of our community.

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Call or email Pastor Tom for more info:
610-375-3512 or pastortom@cgrcommunity.org

Atonement Lutheran Church | 5 Wyomissing Blvd., Wyomissing, PA 19610

Trinity Lutheran Church | 527 Washington St., Reading, PA 19601