Sobriety News
November 2003

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

    The Sobriety News is a publication of the Harrisburg Area Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is written, edited, and read by AA members, and those interested in the AA program of recovery from the disease of alcoholism, linking one alcoholic to another.
    Our desperation to find relief from the bondage of alcoholism has led us to this program as a new "design for living". Many members utilize meetings, sponsorship, self examination, amends, prayer, meditation, AA literature, service to fellow alcoholics, and many other tools to maintain their recovery. This publication is intended as one more tool to live a life of recovery. Because each AA member has an individual way of working this program, divergent views to recovery, within the concept of the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, are welcome. An effort is made to print all viewpoints in this forum. Articles are not intended to be statements of AA policy, nor does publication of any article imply endorsement by AA or the Harrisburg Area Intergroup.

November Calendar of Events*

 

LOOKING AHEAD*

* Look for more information about these events in Sobriety News.
** See links page for flyer

To links and current events

Your Help for the Calendar of Events

A complete Calendar of Events depends on our active members contributing information about their coming events, participation of Intergroups in surrounding Districts, and our ability to gather information. We feel it is worth trying. Let us know what you think. Often, we miss opportunities within the fellowship because the message didn't get out. We all want to carry the message to other alcoholics. This will be one more way we can accomplish that.

OUR FACE IS CHANGING

    Sobriety News is updated during the course of the month, so events can be added to the Calendar. You may, therefore, find it helpful or informative to check back to the website periodically to see what has been added.
    The HAI index page has links to flyers of coming events, or you can click on the AA blue button above. Did you know that the links page also has links to other AA websites and to back issues of Sobriety News? Also there is a link to the Meeting Schedule (or click the coin at right) so you can print out the schedule (if you can access Microsoft Word) on a single sheet of 8 1/2X11 paper. This schedule is current with the latest information available. If you see an error, or information for your meeting has been changed, the schedule will be updated if you notify us at aa@aaharrisburg.org, or if you notify an Intergroup Officer,  or mail the info to HAI, Fellowship House, 1251 S. 19th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17105. This current schedule can be duplicated for group purposes from this link or by clicking on the chip at the right.
    Flyers will be added as they become available and removed when an event passes. If you are looking at this on the Internet, you will see that many of the insert pictures are links you can click on to get added information or flyers. Keep checking.
    The above suggested service opportunity to bring internet information back to the group could also be broadened to include flyers, and current meeting schedules. The printed schedules and flyers will still be available but may continue to have their current disadvantages too.

 

 

 

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOD IS DOING, HE KNOWS.
WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND, BUT OF ONE THING I'M SURE,
HE DOESN'T MAKE A MISTAKE."

-MOTHER THERESA-

Working With Others Weekend

The Working with Others Weekend will be sponsored by the There's More To Life Group.   Originally, the event was scheduled over a two day period but sadly, Searcy W., the speaker for Friday night has passed away so we will remember him in our prayers.  Searcy had accumulated 57 years of sobriety and was one of AA's pioneers. He was Ebby Thatcher's sponsor at the end of Ebby's life. The message of AA will continue however, on Saturday, November 22, 2003 at the Community United Methodist Church at 16th and Bridge Sts, New Cumberland.   Click here for a copy of the Flyer.

Saturday will be a Closed AA Seminar, beginning at 10:00AM, with four panelists who will share on sponsorship, and working with others. Panelists will be Valerie & Alex D from Richmond, VA; Barbara C from Jenkintown, PA; and Brian D from TMTL. Saturday's seminar should end at approximately 1:00PM.

This event will be free, and light fare and refreshments will be provided at both. Also, the event will be taped, and tapes and CD will be available for purchase.

Middletown 14th Anniversary Spaghetti Dinner

It's time again for the gala Middletown Spaghetti Dinner and Speaker Meeting, this year featuring Dottie H from the Seal Beach Group in California, and Bill C from Winding It Up, Lykens. Save the evening of November 22nd, starting at 5:30PM for a delicious spaghetti dinner. The meeting will begin at 7:00PM and the two speakers will be separated with a 15 minute break for you to taste some of the famous Middletown desserts. You may want to share in the fun of bringing one of your favorite desserts to share. By all means, don't miss this one.

19th Street Thanksgiving Day Alcothon and Dinner

On Thanksgiving Day the 19th Street Fellowship House runs an Alcothon from 12am to 12am Thursday. Anyone may sign-up as secretary or chairperson,  to run any of the meetings that start every 2 hrs. except for 2pm when they host a dinner that is open to all who have no place else to go for Thanksgiving. They usually feed 60 to 100 people.  Any help is greatly appreciated.
 

How persistently we claim the right to decide all by ourselves just what we shall think and just how we shall act

 12 & 12, p.37

ACTS OF RECOVERY

Steve F reports that the Acts of Recovery in Boston on October 11, was absolutely phenomenal. All four speakers did a great job to a packed house of more than 200. The pocket of enthusiasm in Boston is growing, and they are looking forward to the next Acts, there in April.

There will be an Acts of Recovery at Baltimore on Saturday Nov 15, at the Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church. The Speakers will be: Lisa R from Baltimore, "Alcoholism, The Downward Spiral"; Jeremiah S from Boston, "Alcoholism, The Threefold Disease"; Carol R from York, "Recovery, The Big Book & Steps"; and Bill S from Washington, "Working With Others". This free conference includes a free light lunch.

There will be another Acts on January 17, in Falls Church, Virginia. See the Flyer on links page.

Hershey Annual Holiday Dinner

The Hershey Group will again host their annual Holiday Celebration with a dinner and speaker meeting, December 13, 2003, at the Derry Presbyterian Church. Dinner of Ham and Turkey will be enjoyed from 6 till 8:00PM with side dishes and desserts provided by gracious guests. The speaker will be Carlos I from Philadelphia who will share after 8 o'clock. Print off the flyer after clicking here, and take it to your group.

Joy Of Living Christmas

As recovering alcoholics we appreciate the efforts of all those who, in making amends for their past or just doing service for God's smaller kids, that the Christmas season may be a little brighter for families that have suffered from the blight of alcoholism.

The Joy of Living is hosting its 4th Annual Christmas Party for children of recovery families on December 20, 2003 at the Fellowship House. Once again, they ask for your support of wrapped gifts to distribute to the children. This year their expected number of children is approximately 140, ages from infant through 15 years of age. When wrapping your gifts, please label it (boy or girl) and put the age limit on the label. This will avoid them opening the gift to disseminate it to the proper age child. They are also looking for anyone who wishes to volunteer to help with the event. A flier is available on the links page to invite the families of your group to this event. If you need any further information, please call 234-5390 or 503-5814.

New Meetings and CHANGES

The renovations to the Pine Street Presbyterian Church are not completed. The meetings will continue to be held at 27 N Cameron Street until they are able to return to their regular quarters at the Pine Street Group.

A new speaker meeting started Sunday April 27 at Fellowship House at 2:00PM. On the last Sunday of each month the 2:00PM meeting will be a regular speaker meeting. The speaker on November 30 will be ???

There is a new Big Book Study Group started Tuesday September 9th at the Faith United Church of Christ, 1120 Drexel Hills Boulevard, New Cumberland. Bring your Big Book and check it out. Directions: 83 South - New Cumberland Exit 40B turn left at the light. Go straight at the light at 83 overpass, Drexel Hills Blvd is @ one block, where you turn right. Church on the right.

The fledgling 7:00PM Sunday night Way Out Group which meets at the Epworth United Methodist Church at 21st and Derry Streets will be providing BABYSITTING, starting with the August 3, 2003 meeting. For those needing a meeting and a way to assure that the children are safe and not a distraction, this service may be their answer. See the flyer on the links page, or click on the thumbnail at the left; take a copy to your group. Come see what's happening - be a part of, not apart from.

The Millersburg meeting has dissolved and has been removed from the schedule.

There has been yet another change to the meeting schedule at the Colonial Park Any Lengths Group. The Wednesday night 7:00 p.m. open men's meeting is changing. Starting on Wednesday, May 7th the meeting will become a closed step and traditions meeting. Both men and women are welcome and as is their policy, smoking is permitted.

The Bridge Street 8:00PM open discussion meeting at the Trinity United Methodist Church is asking for your support.

The Progress Group's Wednesday 8:30PM Mystery Topic Meeting at the Ridgeway Community Church at Elmerton and Progress Avenue will no longer meet, and has been removed from the schedule. 

The Progress Group's 7:15PM Step & Tradition Meeting at the Ridgeway Community Church at Elmerton and Progress Avenue could use your support.

 

ANECDOTAGE (NEW ARTICLE - Please submit your favorites)

Dying of cancer, Gertrude Stein turned to her companion Alice B. Toklas and murmured, "What is the answer?" When Toklas did not reply, Stein simply nodded and continued: "In that case, what is the question?"
 

Pearl of the Month contributed by Jeff B.  Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition pages 87-88

 As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.  We constantly remind ourselves that we are no longer running the show, humbly saying to ourselves many times each day "Thy will be done."  We are then in much less danger of excitement, fear, anger, worry, self-pity, or foolish decisions.  We become much more efficient.  We do not tire so easily, for we are not burning up energy foolishly as we did when we were trying to arrange life to suit ourselves. 
It works-it really does.


 NOVEMBER SPEAKERS 

 The 19th Street speakers for: Nov 7, Jeremy M; Nov 14, Robert R; Nov 21, Phil R; and November 28 is Anniversary Night. The Hershey speaker for Saturday November 1 will be Neal D from Elizabethtown, and Dec 13 will be the Hershey Christmas Party with speaker Carlos I from Phila. The 8:00PM Bridge Street Speakers will be: Nov 2, Gregg B from the Hershey Group; Nov 9, Ken from E-town; Nov 16, Tom S. from E-town; Nov 23, Alan R. from San Francisco; and Nov 30, Alice D. from Out of The Dark Group.  The speakers at the Middletown Survivors 7:00PM meeting on Thursday November 20 and 27 will be selected from Alan Mc, Vivian F, and Barry S, who celebrate anniversaries. Speakers for the 10th Street Friday night 7:30PM speaker meeting in Lebanon: Nov 28th - Jane L, E-Town; and Dec 26th - Jared L, Elizabethtown. The 2:00PM Sunday Nov 30 SAM speaker at Fellowship House will be _____.
 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Contributions are made to Food For Thought by recovering alcoholics who have this outlet to share feelings and opinions about living in recovery. The material included does not necessarily express the views of Harrisburg Area Intergroup, or Alcoholics Anonymous. It is simply an opportunity for recovering alcoholics to express thoughts they would like to share.

ALL THE TIME
Contributed by Jim M from Francistown, Botswana

There is a darkness
in the soul of a drunk,
a deep and silent cry.

 An empty, cold and
lonely place that keeps
captive the heart.

 The hounds of heaven come sniffing round,
The heart hoping it will be found,
And fearing the unknown.

 HP urges the Spirit on;
call, debate, argue,
Claim the attention of the mind.

 Light begins to dawn,
Warmth begins to seep in,
Weaving comfort in the bones.

 The drunk looks up and into the eyes and finds you,
A recovering person used by
God to bring grace to the lost.

 God alone is good - all the time!


                                       
Service to another Alcoholic
Bob B has assumed the duties of managing the office and getting our answering service running smoothly. He will certainly appreciate your help in assuring that the hand of AA is there for the struggling alcoholic, or the traveler who needs meeting information. Why not give Bob a call at 838-9117 to offer a helping hand or volunteer to identify changes that could benefit users at both ends of the line. Central Office needs phone volunteers to handle the phone during the day to help reduce the burden on the cell phone volunteer.

Traditions Checklist

TRADITION ELEVEN: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

  1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?
  2. Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?
  3. Am I careful about throwing AA names around --- even within the Fellowship?
  4. Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?
  5. What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas of Tradition Eleven? Where would I be?
  6. Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would want such a quality for himself?


*The Traditions Checklist Questions were originally published in the AA Grapevine in conjunction with a series on the Twelve Traditions that began in November 1969, and ran through September 1971. Sobriety News prints the Checklist for the number of the month that corresponds to the number of the Tradition that it deals with, because of the prohibitive length of all twelve. It is important that we be aware of the Twelve Traditions in our lives of recovery, because they help assure that AA will continue to be here for us, and for others who want it.
Printed by permission. THE AA GRAPEVINE INC., PO BOX 1980, GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10163-1980

This-n-That

Don't forget the Harrisburg Area Intergroup meeting Thursday November 6, at 6:45pm, and the District 36 General Service Rep meeting on Monday November 10, at 6:30; both meetings need your support. The Intergroup Bookstore is still open for business following the HAI meeting and on Saturday mornings from 10:00 till 11:15 for Groups to restock their literature cabinets with books and pamphlets.

Wisdom is knowing what to do;
Virtue is doing it.

October Intergroup Meeting

At the October meeting of Intergroup, Chairperson Bill C reported on his recent trip to Bill W.'s house which he found very inspirational.  He also discussed possibly having an event early in the year to better inform people of the importance of Intergroup's functions.  This event was agreed upon unanimously.

The State Hospital was covered in October by Hershey, West Shore Women want November, and Monday Night Men's will take the opportunity in December. The There's More to Life Group will respond to cell phone calls in November and December. The 19th Street Group  will be visiting the Gaudenzia Adolescent Center for October, November, and December. Attending the October meeting were: 19th Street, 40th Street, Al-Anon, Any Lengths, Bridge St., Concordia, Central Office, Dillsburg, Hershey, Living Sober, Monday Night Men's, Pine Street, Rule 62, Survivors, Trudgers, The Way Out, West Shore Area, and Winding It Up. Was your group represented?

Groups Continue Supporting Intergroup
Group contributions to the Intergroup Fund during the month of October were $ 475.00.  We thank the following 4 groups for their contributions: Pine Street Group, Bridge St. Group, Concordia Group, and the Hershey Group. Of course, we also would like to thank all the groups and members who continue to donate time toward Intergroup's activities. These activities include men and women's prison meetings, State Hospital visits, Internet Website, meeting schedules, speaker meetings, picnics, literature, the AA Hotline, and the many other vital AA functions that help alcoholics recover in our community. Intergroup performs those services for our community which no single group is prepared to handle, and it coordinates activities between the 56 groups it serves. Remember that we can do together what none of us could do alone.

SOBRIETY NEWS is published monthly, and is usually available on the website the Tuesday night before the first Thursday of each month, so paper copies can be distributed to Reps at the Intergroup meeting. You can locate this newsletter, as well as lots of other stuff that would interest members of groups belonging to the Harrisburg Area Intergroup, at http://www.aaharrisburg.org

INTERNET SOBRIETY NEWS SUBSCRIPTIONS
 Sobriety News is e-mailed monthly to free subscribers who have indicated a desire to receive it. You may indicate a wish to be added to the mailing list by clicking on Subscribe  and then clicking on send. There is no charge for this service. It is normally mailed the Tuesday before the first Thursday of the month by BCC (blind copy) to protect the anonymity of recipients. You need to notify us if you change e-mail addresses, and you may not receive it, if your computer or internet service provider screens out mail that does not have your name in the To: box.

REMOVAL
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