Common Street Spiritual Center

Natick Music Makers
2023-05-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
What: Natick Music Makers
When: Friday, May 26, 2023, 7-9pm
Where: Common Street Spiritual Center, Upstairs
How much: Cost; 100% of your $10 entry fee goes to the center to support its mission*
Who: You & Us!! ?
Hello! We want to play music with YOU!
If you have a basic musical ability (play an instrument, know your chords), We welcome you to bring your instrument; guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, ukelele, voice, and more – for a night of playing songs together. We’ll finish out the night with a jam.
Point of the event is to have fun and make music together. There is little expectation beyond that.
Format of the event: we’ll play relatively easy songs which are 3-5 chords. We’ll have a list to choose from for this event, and we’ll cast them on a screen / or have on poster-boards, so everyone can see the chords and lyrics. We’ll draw numbers from a hat @ 7pm and that will be the order of those wanting to lead a song. If you just want to play, then just play!
Genres include but not limited to Rock, Pop, Folk, Blues. Typically, we’ll be mostly in 4/4 time to keep things simple. I’ll start off the 1st song to get us warmed up, then we’ll take turns leading a song (optional if you desire to).
Note: we’ll play mostly “clean” in terms of sound, but some basic pedals / effects are permitted such as Wah, Compressor, Reverb, Delay, etc. Ear plugs will be available.
Also Note: respectfulness of everyone’s ability level is expected, kindness is appreciated. This is for fun, and there is no expectation that the songs will sound like the original nor do we really desire for it to.
Keep your alcohol and drugs and pets at home.
We’ll take a break about halfway through to socialize and munch on snacks.
If you have any questions, you can reach me by email: MrDaveStewart@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!

Natick Music Makers

*Free if you’re a member of Common St. Spiritual Center. See this link if interested: https://commonstreet.org/membership/

Open Circle Gathering
2023-05-28 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-06-11 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-06-18 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-06-25 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-07-09 10:30 - 11:45, 2023-07-16 10:30 - 11:45
The Open Circle is a weekly gathering of like-minded spiritual seekers who show up to connect authentically, share our truths, and be held in the space of a growth-oriented and loving community.

In the Open Circle, everyone has a chance to contribute as we move around the circle. You’re welcome to bring poems, songs, prayers, and insights to share.

Free and open to the public–yes, you can simply show up!

If you’re new to Open Circle, you’re welcome to register here so you can be in the loop for future gatherings: https://forms.gle/Aa18ZuGfyy4Nv3gq7\n
The Spiritual Center community is holding space for change in the lives of our members and in our world.
*we embrace diverse forms of spiritual practice and artistic expression
*we cultivate a hopeful societal vision built on principles of compassion and justice
*we support the growth of a consciousness of interconnection across human differences and between people and the whole web of life around us
*we build authentic community based on principles like love, respect, kindness, and collaboration

If this resonates, please join us! You’re welcome to become a member simply by filling out the form on this page: www.commonstreet.org/membership

Our current schedule for Open Circle is that we are meeting in person on 1st, 2nd, and 4th Sundays, and virtually or hybrid on 3rd Sundays. 1st Sundays include a potluck brunch and are less formal. However, in 2023 we are experimenting with a hybrid 3rd Sundays, with both in person and virtual options.

Alex Cook Art Opening
2023-05-28 14:00 - 16:00
Alex Cook is a public artist who had created over 220 murals in 20 states around the US and 4 countries. (www.stonebalancer.com) As creator of the YOU ARE LOVED Mural Project he works with organizations of all types including schools, prisons, shelters, and government organizations. These collaborations create love-focused murals (like the one downstairs at Common Street Spiritual Center!) that bring together the power of art and community to support a warmer, more loving society. (www.youarelovedmurals.com)
Alex will speak about his nation-wide work with the YOU ARE LOVED Project as well as show pictures of the process. Beyond the paintng process Alex will share how bringing this message of love to all kinds of locations has created conversations and even saved lives. On exhibit in the sanctuary are 10 of Alex’s newest works. He will discuss how creating YOU ARE LOVED murals opened the door to creating new work, revolutionizing his creative process.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
For most of my 30 years of art making my inclination has been to make representational art – pictures of things to tell a story or express a feeling.
The 10 works currently on display in the sanctuary represent a departure from that style. Having spent the last several years working on YOU ARE
LOVED murals whose content is only the lines, colors, and contrasts of words and letters, I have found myself much more interested in how to make
soulful, heartfelt work that uses only formal elements – line, color, and contrast – to create beauty.
The earliest of these works (on the right wall) were created improvisationally. I created patterns of color on the individual papers and
then arranged them to create the larger final piece. Later I realized I could arrange the papers first and then, still using the geometric patterns on each
paper, make a single image that would unify the piece. I began simply with the green and red rings and quickly moved to more complex images like the Floating Man.
In these 10 works you can see the development of my thinking from the earlier purely geometrical pieces on the right to the pieces on the left which
each contain an image created by or event through the geometrical patterns.
Enjoy!
Alex Cook, May 2023
Alex Cook is a public artist who had created over 220 murals in 20 statesaround the US and 4 countries. (www.stonebalancer.com) As creator of the
YOU ARE LOVED Mural Project he works with organizations of all types to make love-focused murals (like the one downstairs in this building!) that bring together the power of art and community to create a warmer, more loving society. (www.youarelovedmurals.com)

Meditation Mondays
2023-05-29 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-06-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-06-19 19:00 - 20:00, 2023-07-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Meditation Room @ Common Street, 13 Common Street, Natick, 01760, United States
Whether you’re curious to begin or years into a practice, start the week off right with Meditation Mondays. Try out breathwork, chanting, sound baths and other techniques in a collaborative and supportive setting.

Meditators of all levels are welcome to drop in 7-8PM every first and third Monday of the month. FREE. No registration required.

For more information, please email weronika.zawora@gmail.com

Tea, Pray, Knit
2023-06-01 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-06-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2023-06-29 14:00 - 16:00
Join Diana, Fran and Donese every other Thursday in the Meeting Room from 2-4 pm. Bring along any handcraft you’d like to work on as we take time to enjoy one another’s company, engage in thoughtful conversations and develop new relationships. We can share thoughts about matters that affect us all such as:

children’s education,
safe neighborhoods, and
food insecurity.

We can exchange prayers and positive thoughts and seek ways to contribute to those in need.
You are welcome to drop in when you can. Children are also welcome with a parent or caregiver.
Our next Thursday gatherings are May 4th and 18th and June 1st, 15th, and 29th.
Please email Donese @ donese.sylvester@gmail.com to RSVP or ask questions.

Men's Wisdom Council
2023-06-01 19:00 - 21:00
What does it mean to be a “Man”?
Most men find that there is no clear answer to that question. It’s never been easy being a man. We take on the roles that society assigns us, without being given clear instructions. Role models that are offered up to us don’t speak to our deeper concerns, or rarely reply from the depths that our spirits require.
Councils have long been used by many traditions and cultures as a way to come together and gain a greater understanding of the world. The Men’s Wisdom Council continues this sacred tradition of sharing and deep listening.
Our circle we will strive to create a safe, supportive, and non-judgmental space where we can take turns telling our stories, sharing our concerns, and learning from each other—as we explore how we, as men, walk through the stages of our lives.
Please contact Michael Corthell (michaelacorthell@gmail.com) for any questions that you may have.
Meets upstairs in meditation room. Enter through school street door.

Open Circle and Community Brunch
2023-06-04 10:30 - 12:00, 2023-07-02 10:30 - 12:00
On the first Sundays of the month, we combine our Open Circle Gathering with a community potluck brunch.

We gather and connect in a more relaxed, less structured way, yet with threads of meaning and spirituality tying it all together.

You’re welcome, if it would bring you joy, to contribute a food or drink item to share as part of the community brunch. Another option is to bring non-perishable food or toiletry items for our free mini-pantry.

If you’re new to Open Circle, you’re welcome to sign up here so you can be in the loop for future gatherings: https://forms.gle/Aa18ZuGfyy4Nv3gq7

Our community is finding a creative place in the spiritual world, where new forms of spiritual practice, artistic expression, and self-awareness are emerging to support humanity to meet the challenges of our times. We are finding balance within ourselves, making peace across differences, and stepping up to protect the Earth.

We welcome folks of all beliefs and backgrounds to build community with us as we align around a hopeful sense of common purpose. To become a member, please fill out the membership form here: www.commonstreet.org/membership

A River Flows Through Me: A Thematic Presentation Through Dance
2023-06-10 15:30 - 17:00
The river, the vein of our earth, enriches the land! By flowing through hills, villages, and cities, the river supports the lives of plants, birds, fishes, and humans.
We get mesmerized by its beauty. A fisherman depends on it for livelihood, while the poet and artist get inspired by its beauty and create!
The river gives refuge to the sick, old, tired, socially unacceptable and retired, by its soothing sound of rippling, flowing water.
But as we use and enjoy the river, we remain somewhat numb to the ways we abuse it. So who will give refuge to the river?
Free and open to the public.

Ayahuasca and Plant Medicine (Potluck Gathering)
2023-06-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Fellowship Hall @ Common Street, 13 Common Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States

Red Carpet Reveries (Inter-generational Chorus Concert)
2023-06-11 16:00 - 17:30
Enjoy a free concert of Hollywood favorites! The ongoing collaboration between Golden Tones chorus and the Natick High School choral program continues, with our first public event since Jan 2020. Sing along to iconic numbers from the silver screen, with songs beloved by all generations!

Show & Share
2023-06-18 15:00 - 17:00
Held in a community circle format, this event is free of charge (donations accepted) and will provide space for folks to gather face-to-face. It will be a place where people can connect in a vibe of safety, spiritual communion, openness, honesty, and non-judgement to share whatever they wish. My hope is for this to be something of a compassionate and open-hearted ‘show and tell’ for adults, a place where the inner child can have space to play freely, experience emotional release, and heal through the joy of supportive human connection!
If you want to share feelings: fears, joys, and get into deep places that are often difficult in surface-level conversations, you are welcome. If you choose to share stories, poems, songs, life experiences, you are welcome. Want to share creative emotional expression, dance, photo albums, or something else that is important to you? YOU ARE WELCOME!
—————
-At the open and close of each meeting I will facilitate a short sound healing and guided meditation. Also, if a few people bring instruments, we could do a peaceful jam session at the end of the event… I’m always up for those!
-While I don’t wish to make any topics explicitly off limits, we will practice compassionate and respectful communication. There will be a ‘talking stick’ of some sort, so the only ground rules will be: don’t interrupt while someone is sharing, don’t respond directly to a share without asking permission first, and please do not use derogatory/demeaning language or point aggressive communication/anger at anyone.
-There is no commitment required. Come to one circle or come on a regular basis. This is not a closed or ‘regular members only’ event.
-I will bring a limited amount of snacks.
Anyone who wants to bring food and/or non-alcoholic beverages to share, you welcome to do so.
-This group will meet in the Meditation Room on the 3rd floor.
—————
I hope to build a supportive and connected community around this gathering, which will be held on a recurring basis (regular recurring time open to group discussion and potentially subject to change).
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jason at MetalionMusicOfficial@gmail.com.
*Please note that the end time of the gathering will be organic and will flow with being in the moment on that day. 5:00pm is a loose target. Anyone who wants to come but needs to come after 3:00pm or leave before 5:00pm can feel free to do so knowing that it will be received with acceptance and grace.*
Peace & Respect,
Jason Karol

Community-Wide Juneteenth Celebration
2023-06-19 10:00 - 18:30 | Natick Common, 12 S Main St, Natick, MA, 01760, United States
Join our wider local community in this celebration of freedom and liberation! May we all be inspired to overcome dynamics of racism and create a more equitable, inclusive, and joyful world.

Rock Off Main -- All Ages Youth Concert
2023-06-23 19:00 - 21:00
Start off the Summer with a night of amazing local music from some of the best young musicians in Metro West! Rock Off Main All Ages show is Friday June 23rd at The Common Street Spiritual Center in Natick Center Doors at 7PM. Only $10

Breaking Through: Stories of Daring to Thrive
2023-06-24 15:00 - 16:30
Experience the Transformative Power of Playback Theatre!
We warmly invite you to join us for an interactive performance on the theme of Breaking Through: Daring to Thrive, featuring the talented actors from True Story Theater and hosted by Common Street Spiritual Center.
This unique and heartfelt experience will explore our shared human need for thriving in a world that often challenges us to simply survive or settle for less.
Now more than ever we need the courage to break through the barriers that hold us back, whether personal, social, or even self-imposed.
This event is about you, about us, about every human being who dares to step into the unknown, rise above challenges, and embrace life.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT now and be part of this empowering experience!
Tickets: Adults – $15 advance/$20 at the door
Children (under 12) – $10 advance/$15 at the door
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-through-stories-of-daring-to-thrive-tickets-646684038367

Imagine an afternoon dedicated to hearing stories that echo your own. Imagine the thrill of seeing your own personal story – whether it’s filled with joy or struggle, failure or success – come alive on the spot. Feel the camaraderie in a room full of people just like you who have dared to dream, dared to act, dared to thrive.
Through the art of creative improvisation, using movement, music, song, and dialogue, the performers will embody and reenact the heart of each story that members of the audience share with us – however ordinary or extraordinary.
More than just a theatrical experience, this is an opportunity for reflection, exploration and connection. Whether you’re looking for a spark of inspiration, or you’ve got a story of your own to share, you are welcome!
So come witness the power of True Story Theater for yourself. We promise an afternoon filled with listening, laughter, a few tears and many profound moments. Prepare to be captivated!
It doesn’t matter if you’re part of Common Street, a friend or family member, new to the community, or a True Story fan. This is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Get your ticket now, and join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling inspired, moved, and connected.
This event is open to the public, and all are welcome (kids too).
What is True Story Theater?
Welcome to True Story Theater, a magical space where real life meets the stage. We believe in the transformative power of stories shared in community. Our actors are skilled in the art of Playback Theatre, an interactive, improvisational approach that embraces authenticity, promotes empathy, and celebrates the human spirit.
In our world, every experience, every story and every voice matters. And that includes yours. We honor each person’s strength and vulnerability, each story’s unique rhythm and right to be heard.
At a True Story show, you will have the opportunity to engage with your own experiences and share them if you feel called to do so. Our actors create a reflective mirror for you to view your own experiences in a new light.
We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to share their stories. We all need to be reminded that our lives have value, meaning and purpose, and we are capable of amazing things. Your story could be just the one someone else needs to hear. We look forward to sharing this incredible journey with you.

COVID-19 Safety Measures
Event will be indoors. We are not requiring masks. Please feel free to wear a mask if you wish, though. The performance space is quite large, with plenty of room for social distancing if needed.

Image Credit: (c) 2018 Peter Conlan, Unsplash

Community Healing Circle + Potluck
2023-06-25 14:00 - 17:00
Our community is coming together to create a healing circle, a brave space where we can be real about feeling the pain in our lives and moving through that together into a deeper joy.

We invite you into a space of vulnerability and healing. You’re welcome to bring your pain, your trauma, and also your strength and intentions to hold space for others in their healing. Together we will find balance and a reassurance that we are loved and we are OK, together. Our intention is to create a held space within which we can trust ourselves to feel the pain we need to, on the way to wholeness, and on the way to a life of greater balance and joy.

After our circle process, we’ll have space to connect together over a shared meal, to decompress, allow our normal boundaries to come back, and move ourselves gently through sustenance and nurture back into the world.

The circle is from 2-5, the potluck is from 5-7 (and is optional).

The Community Healing Circle is free and open to the whole community. Please RSVP below so we know who will be there!

****

An Invitation to Brave Space
By Micky ScottBey Jones inspired by a poem by Beth Strano
Together we will create brave space
Because there is no such thing as a “safe space”
We exist in the real world
We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds.
In this space
We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world,
We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere,
We call each other to more truth and love
We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow.
We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know,
We will not be perfect.
This space will not be perfect.|
It will not always be what we wish it to be
But
It will be our brave space together,
and
We will work in it side by side….

Community Potluck
2023-06-25 17:00 - 19:00
A relaxed space to share food and good conversation following our community healing circle from 2-5pm. It is optional for those who want to connect afterwards and gently transition back into the flow of our normal lives.

Natick Music Makers
2023-07-07 19:00 - 21:00
What: Natick Music Makers
When: Friday, July 7, 2023, 7-9pm
Where: Common Street Spiritual Center, Upstairs
How much: Cost; 100% of your $10 entry fee goes to the center to support its mission*
Who: You & Us!! ?
Hello! We want to play music with YOU!
If you have a basic musical ability (play an instrument, know your chords), We welcome you to bring your instrument; guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, ukelele, voice, and more – for a night of playing songs together. We’ll finish out the night with a jam.
Point of the event is to have fun and make music together. There is little expectation beyond that.
Format of the event: we’ll play relatively easy songs which are 3-5 chords. We’ll have a list to choose from for this event, and we’ll cast them on a screen / or have on poster-boards, so everyone can see the chords and lyrics. We’ll draw numbers from a hat @ 7pm and that will be the order of those wanting to lead a song. If you just want to play, then just play!
Genres include but not limited to Rock, Pop, Folk, Blues. Typically, we’ll be mostly in 4/4 time to keep things simple. I’ll start off the 1st song to get us warmed up, then we’ll take turns leading a song (optional if you desire to).
Note: we’ll play mostly “clean” in terms of sound, but some basic pedals / effects are permitted such as Wah, Compressor, Reverb, Delay, etc. Ear plugs will be available.
Also Note: respectfulness of everyone’s ability level is expected, kindness is appreciated. This is for fun, and there is no expectation that the songs will sound like the original nor do we really desire for it to.
Keep your alcohol and drugs and pets at home.
We’ll take a break about halfway through to socialize and munch on snacks.
If you have any questions, you can reach me by email: MrDaveStewart@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!

Natick Music Makers

*Free if you’re a member of Common St. Spiritual Center. See this link if interested: https://commonstreet.org/membership/

Ho'oponopono and Cacao Ceremony
2023-07-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Fellowship Hall @ Common Street, 13 Common Street, Natick, MA, 01760, United States

Show & Share (Stories of Summer Edition)
2023-07-16 15:00 - 17:00
Held in a community circle format on the 3rd floor of the center, this event is free of charge (donations accepted) and will provide space for folks to gather face-to-face. It will be a place where people can connect in a vibe of safety, spiritual communion, openness, honesty, and non-judgement to share. My hope is for this to be a compassionate and open-hearted ‘show and tell’ for adults, a place where the inner child can have space to experience emotional release, connect, and heal through the joy of supportive human connection!
For this iteration, I will be trying something that was suggested to me recently. This ‘Show & Share’ will start off with a theme. So, the first round of sharing will be focused on the phrase “stories of summer.” Stories, memories, pictures, poems, songs… please bring something to share with the group that is from and/or reminds of past summer experience from you life.
Then, if there is time, we will open the floor to a round of more freestyle sharing… fears, joys, and get into deep places that are often difficult in surface-level conversations, stories, poems, songs, life experiences, creative emotional expression, dance, photo albums… all are fair game for the freestyle round!
—————
-At the open and close of each meeting I will facilitate a short sound healing and guided meditation. Also, if a few people bring instruments, we could do a peaceful jam session at the end of the event… I’m always up for those!
-While I don’t wish to make any topics explicitly off limits, we will practice compassionate and respectful communication. There will be a ‘talking stick’ of some sort, so the only ground rules will be: don’t interrupt while someone is sharing, don’t respond directly to a share without asking permission first, and please do not use derogatory/demeaning language or point aggressive communication/anger at anyone.
-There is no commitment required. Come to one circle or come on a regular basis. This is not a closed or ‘regular members only’ event.
-I will bring a limited amount of snacks. Anyone who wants to bring food and/or non-alcoholic beverages to share, you welcome to do so.
—————
I hope to build a supportive and connected community around this gathering, which will be held on a recurring basis (regular recurring time open to group discussion and potentially subject to change).
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jason at MetalionMusicOfficial@gmail.com or (508)254-0263.
*Please note that the end time of the gathering will be organic and will flow with being in the moment on that day. 5:00pm is a loose target. Anyone who wants to come but needs to come after 3:00pm or leave before 5:00pm can feel free to do so knowing that it will be received with acceptance and grace.*
Peace & Respect,
Jason Karol
