December, 2000

"AA is not allied with any sect..."
    The holiday season is upon us, so it is inevitable that this issue of Sobriety News will contain stories and pictures related to Christmas.  Can we do that without violating the principles and traditions of AA or offending individual members?  We think so.  Christmas is both a religious and a secular holiday.  It is our position that so long as we hold up only the cultural aspects of the holiday and not the religious, we will in no way violate the non-religious stance of the Fellowship.  To most of us, a loving God as we understand him is the bedrock of our recovery, but we do recognize that to observe the holiday in its religious aspects, we would be crossing the line of our traditions.  We have, therefore, excluded the use of any religious references or icons from Sobriety News.  We will be interested in receiving your comments on this issue at wcampbel@epix.net.  In the meantime, we wish all our brothers and sisters in recovery a most joyous and sober Christmas and New Year.

Don't forget the kids
    One of the nicer "new" activities---already becoming a tradition---is the Joy of Living Group's Christmas party, which places its primary focus on providing presents to children who, in many cases, would otherwise face a pretty bleak holiday.  This year's party will be held December 17 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Fellowship House, and once again the call has gone out for members to contribute gifts---toys, clothing, and any other goodies you might come up with.  The gifts should be wrapped and labeled to indicate age and gender of the intended recipient.  At least one group---the Winding it Up Group in Lykens---is making this a group project by collecting gifts from all members and planning to deliver them en masse.  Not a bad idea, eh? Gifts may be delivered to the Joy of Living Group Wednesdays at 6 p.m. or call 503-5814 for pickup. This, of course, will also be the occasion for trimming trees and adding other decorations to Fellowship House.  If you've never been a part of that happy occasion, you'll want to make this a first.  You're also asked to bring music, games, and other entertainment for the kids.  And we can't forget the goodies---cookies, candies, and anything else that can make the day complete.  Remember, many of these kids' folks are early in their recovery and are not yet in a position to do much for their children in the way of material things, so every present you provide will be appreciated.  But then, that's not why we do it, is it!
 
 

Christmas Alcothon
    Now that the Thanksgiving Alcothon is behind us, it's time for the same big deal at Christmas, beginning at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve at Fellowship House.  Round-the-clock meetings, great food, sober fellowship, and a sure bet for solid recovery during the holiday season.  Be sure to keep an eye out for a wide-eyed newcomer,  who may be crying out for someone just like you to extend a special hand of friendship and security.  These can be nervous times for folks early in their recovery---or not so early, too, for that matter---and that's what we're all here for, to help each other over the rough spots.  You can also make the day brighter for everyone, including yourself, by bringing in some dinner treats---side dishes like cole slaw, beans, salads, and that sort of stuff. And make sure you fill in the blanks where meeting chairpeople are needed.  It's a nice thing that your whole group can do.  And, of course, all the same can be said for the New Year's Eve Alcothon. While we're at it, here's a big tip of the hat to the 19th Street Group folks for the usual great job on the Thanksgiving feast and to eveyone who works on the Christmas and New Year Alcothons, too.

Just a fond memory here
    About 15 years ago, recovering alcoholics at Fellowship House proved that every problem is really just a new opportunity.  We don't remember the details that led up to it, but it seems only one thing was missing for the tree-trimming---the trimmings.  Not to worry.  Without so much as a moan or a sigh, everyone went to work with styrofoam cups and white plastic spoons, and before you could say "merry Christmas," we had two trees beautifully decorated in a style that all AAs could appreciate.  You might see a cup-and-spoon or two on this year's trees, too---just as a pleasant reminder of those days gone by.

For laughs only
    This has nothing to do with recovery.  Mike McB., an AA friend from Kichener, Ont. passed it along, and we thought you might enjoy it:
  Due to the rising frequency of human-bear encounters, the British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Branch is advising hikers, hunters, fishers, and any other persons that use the out-of-doors in a recreational or work-related function to take extra precautions while in the field.
    We advise the outdoorsman to wear little noisy bells on clothing so as to give advance warning to any bears that might be close by so you don't take them by surprise.
    We also advise anyone using the out-of-doors to carry pepper spray in case of an encounter with a bear.
    Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh bear activity, and be able to tell the difference between  black bear droppings and grizzly bear droppings. Black bear droppings are smaller and contain lots of berries and squirrel fur.  Grizzly droppings have bells in them and smell like pepper.
 
 

Pearl of the month

Contributed by Jim M.
    "I believe we are all sober and alive for only one reason:  God has a job for us to do.  I have come to believe that I must please God first, myself second, and everybody else third.  When I can live and feel that way---and it isn't all day every day---things seem to work out.  When I try to run the show, everything goes to hell.
Came to Believe---p.97
    Is sobriety all that we are to expect of a spiritual awakening?  No.  Sobriety is only a bare beginning; it is only the first gift of the first awakening.  If more gifts are to be received, our awakening has to go on.  And as it does go on, we find that bit by bit we can discard the old life---the one that did not work---for a new life that can and does work under any conditions whatever.
Came to Believe---p. 39
Speakers...and short snorts
    If you wish to list your speakers in Sobriety News, just send them as a separate item, to wcampbel@epix.net. Speakers for the Bridge Street Group Sunday 8 p.m. meeting are: December 10, Eric, 16th Street Group; December 17, Shari S., 19th Street Group, December 24, "sit around discussion;" December 31, Tom C., More to Life Group; January 6, Dick J., 40th Street Group. Speakers at the 19th Street Group's 8:30 p.m. Friday meeting at the Fellowship House are: December 8, Melanie M., 19th Street; December 15, Shirley K., 19th Street; December 22, Bob H., of Philadelphia...Remember, planning is underway for the 2001 and 2002 state AA conventions to be held at the Clarion Convention in Carlisle, and your help is needed. Call Mike B. at 234-5195 to find out what you can do.  The next planning session is set for December 8.  These are two biggies, so they can never have too many volunteers.  See the November issue of SN for details on the Sunlight of the Spirit Conference, scheduled for August 17-19, 2001 at the Holiday Inn on Arsenal Road in York.

A recollection...and a word of gratitude

Contributed by William H.
    How shaky I was that Christmas of 1984!  I was in my fifth month of recovery and, being a slow learner, I still had difficulty understanding that I had only to stay sober for that one day---that first conscious Christmas in 30-plus years. An early morning phone call from a friend in the program reminded me that I didn't have to do it by myself---that there would be a lot of people at the Alcothon who would help me shoulder the load.  I agreed to go. He promised to meet me at Fellowship House at 10 a.m. (just to make sure I wasn't blowing smoke), and he was good to his word---as I have found AAs usually are.  I stayed there throughout the day and most of the evening, leaving my family to themselves while I attended several meetings.  By the time I got home that night, I was filled with a new resolve and a feeling of joyful gratitude.  Here were people who had put aside some of their own holiday time to help me stay sober.  What an unbelievably beautiful way to celebrate Christmas.  And how do I express my gratitude?  It's not hard.  I just show up at the Alcothon and pass it on to someone else who may have as great a need as I did way back when.
 
 

Next issue...money
    All you have to do to know the words of our Seventh Tradition is come to a few meetings and listen to the readings..."We are self-supporting through our own contributions."  But exactly what does that mean?
    Sure, we pass the basket at meetings and put in a buck or two or some change.
Then at the end of the meeting we hear "the Seventh Tradition has been taken care of..." and we content ourselves that we've done our fair share to support the program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
    But how much of our money goes, or should go, to Intergroup?  How about World Services?  And who takes care of the myriad of other activities all of us rely on to carry the AA message.  Next month we'll talk about this and invite your comments.  Don't miss it!

Pennscypaa continues fun(d)-raising
    After watching the bones get picked clean at their hugely successful after-Thanksgiving dinner (more than 120 meals sold), the Pennscypaa XIII Committee is set for a Dinner with Santa gala which will include a whole evening of ornament-making, tree-trimming, pictures with Santa, music and singing and dancing, and of course a full course dinner---all for just
$5.
    Dinner with Santa will be at the Union Deposit Fire Hall; doors open at 4 p.m., dinner is at 5 p.m., make your own ornament at 7:30, trim the tree at 8:30, pictures of kids with Santa when they happen.  Santa, by the way, is a recovering alcoholic, actively working his AA program.
    Pennsypaa has also announced they'll raffle off a VCR graciously donated to the committee for use as a fundraiser.  Tickets are $1 and may be purchased from any Pennscypaa XIII Host Committee member.  The drawing will be held at  Dinner with Santa.
    Also, mark January 6 for Monte Carlo Night II, also to be held at the Union Deposit Fire Hall.  Things will get started with a 7 p.m. open discussion "Smileyball" meeting.  Then comes Monte Carlo where you can buy $100,000 in Pennscybucks for just five real bucks.
    All these things are aimed at raising money to host the statewide Pennscypaa convention July 27-29 at Holiday Inn, Harrisburg.  So get in on the fun and support these enterprising go-getters.

Footprints in the Winter Sand
    The "The Way We Are" Group of Pittsville, Maryland, will hold a Footprints in the Winter Sand weekend January 26-28 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, Maryland.  Registration, $15, is due by January 26.  Make checks payable to Footprints in the Winter Sand, P.O. Box 549, Berlin, MD 21811.  For more info call 410-629-0837 or visit the website at www.footprints-wintersand.com.