Sobriety News
 February 2004

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.

 

February 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.

 

 

 

ACTS OF RECOVERY

The Acts on January 10, 2004, in York, was entertaining and full of solutions for a capacity crowd, and they may be thinking of changing the conference name from AOR to SRO. The first speaker was Greg W from Harrisburg, whose home group is York's Bug Light. He said he had a lot of first hand experience with his topic: "Full Flight From Reality". His recollection is that he didn't measure up, he was different, a 'lefty' in a right handed world. He would be the center of attention to convince us he was OK, but he never believed he was. If he had made a list of all the things that were important in his life, alcohol would not have been on the list. But in reality, it was the only thing on the list. It was the only thing that worked. When he finally surrendered to his disease and got a sponsor, he was told he was not to share at meetings until he had completed his 5th Step, because all he knew was the problem; he had no experience with the solution. Having worked the Steps, he knows the solution is taking actions that bring about change, and that makes reality not only bearable, but enjoyable.

He was followed by Liz D from Baltimore, whose home group is the Elkridge Monday Night. "The Hole In The Soul", lurked behind every move and thought. She was a chameleon who desperately wanted to be liked, to be admired, but just couldn't believe it herself. Most of her drinking story is hearsay, because she was a blackout drinker. She wanted to live the glamorous and alluring life her 13 year old friends lived, with parking lot parties, and pre school drinks. Liz thought that the hole she felt was thing sized, but when she came to AA, she found that God was a perfect fit.

 After a free Light Lunch, Richard M, from the Hope Is Here Group in Alexandria, told of being "Rocketed Into A Fourth Dimension". Right from the start, alcohol did everything he needed it to do for him. After 12 years of alcoholic drinking, he got to the point where he couldn't even think of a lie that would fix things. He opened the Book to page 62, and read that selfishness and self centeredness were his problem (he had thought all along that alcohol was not), and he decided to surrender to the AA Program. After being sober for 29 days he did his 5th Step. His experience with God and the Fourth Dimension started that night. After that night he hasn't thought of having a drink, not even thought about not having a drink.

Wrapping up this inspiring afternoon was Shannon P, from Alexandria, VA, with "Principles In All Our Affairs". She recalls that she never had more than one friend at a time, probably because she wanted what she wanted, and would throw temper tantrums until she got it. Starting at 11 years of age she found that alcohol gave her a warm and confident feeling she loved. From then until she was sixteen, it became her best friend. She was so consumed with self interest that she could not care about anyone else, except for what they could give her. After a night of breaking every principle she had, she asked a friend for help. The help came from AA, where she got a sponsor, worked the steps, and got involved in service work. Being of service to others taught her to care for someone else, and as a result she has learned to love for the first time, has repaired relationships with family, and has found a dependence on God and AA.

There seemed to be a common thread through the talks of these four speakers: from the feelings of inadequacy and insecurity, fear, desperation to become normal and loved, and finding in Alcoholics Anonymous that taking actions to help others has given to their lives a freedom and happiness beyond anything they'd ever experienced.

Another Acts at the Falls Church Episcopal Church, 115 E. Fairfax Street, Falls Church, VA, the following Saturday, January 17, will be reported next month. Speakers were Matt C from York, PA, "Program of Action", Sharon H. from Alexandria, VA, with "New Way of Life", Kolin M from Sacramento, CA, with "Spiritual Awakening", and Bobbie S from Silver Spring, MD, with "Maintenance and Growth".

Philadelphia will be host to the February 7 Acts at the Princeton Presbyterian Church in Springfield. This, like all Acts of Recovery will be a FREE mini-conference, including free light lunch, running from noon till 5:00PM. The speakers will be: Jane C from York, "Principles, in All My Affairs"; Jim B from Chatham, NJ "Institutions and Alcoholics Anonymous"; Liz N from Baltimore "God is Everything"; and Jason K from Philadelphia "Love and Service". See the flyer on the links page.

            Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
-Jane Howard-

Change in Fellowship House Hours

Effective February 1, 2004
FELLOWSHIP HOUSE HOURS

6:30 AM - Building Opens
7:00 AM - Open for scheduled meeting
8:15 AM - Halfway area closed for cleaning
          (Coffee will be available)
11:00 AM - Open for scheduled meetings
10:00 PM - Building Closed (except special functions and Anniversary Night)

The mission statement of Alanon Association, Inc. (who own and operate Fellowship House) provides a facility that encourages sobriety based upon the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, and for this Al-Anon Assoc, Inc. is responsible.

New Meetings and Changes

The Big Book Study Group in New Cumberland has expanded their schedule to now include a Friday evening meeting at 7:00PM at the Faith United Church of Christ, 1120 Drexel Hills Blvd – New Cumb. "O,BB,NS"

The change in Fellowship House hours has caused the Late Night Meeting to relocate from Fellowship House to a new meeting place. The meetings will be each evening, Mon - Fri at 11:15; Sat at 12 (midnight); and Sunday at 11:00PM. The new location is the Parkside Cafe 2009 State Street.

The Mid-City Group, which is the oldest continuous meeting group in the City, is in need of support. The location is on Vine Street, which is the last left off Front Street before Paxton St and the 83 ramp. They meet:
Tues 7:30PM – Mid City Group – St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, River & Vine Sts – "CD,NS"
Thurs 7:30PM – Mid City Group – St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, River & Vine Sts – "CD,NS"
Sat 7:30PM – Mid City Group – St. Paul’s United Meth. Church, River & Vine Sts – "OD,NS"

Babysitting Service at the Way Out Group has been discontinued as a result of an apparent lack of demand.

The renovations to the Pine Street Presbyterian Church are completed. The meetings returned to their regular quarters at the Pine Street Group starting December 15. The regular meeting place will be Pine Street Presbyterian, Boyd Center, 234 South Street, Harrisburg. There will no longer be a meeting at the 27 North Cameron address.

The Millersburg meeting has revived and has been returned to the meeting schedule. The Millersburg Area Group will meet Mondays at 7:30PM, at the New Life Center on Center Street in Millersburg. Welcome back.

The Sunday night 6:00PM Never Too Young For Recovery Group, which met at Fellowship House, is no longer meeting, and has been removed from the schedule.

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

Anecdotage (NEW ARTICLE - Please submit your favorites)

Conducting a cathartic analysis of his life, renowned novelist Benjamin Disraeli once remarked, "Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action."
 

Pearl of the Month contributed by Charlotte F.  Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 27
 This A.A. business, I thought, is totally unscientific.  This I can't swallow.  I simply won't consider such nonsense. Then I woke up. I had to admit that A.A. showed results, prodigious results. I saw that my attitude regarding these had been anything but scientific.  It wasn't A.A. that had the closed mind, it was me. The minute I stopped arguing, I could begin to see and feel.  Right there, Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life.  I can't say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now.  To acquire it, I had to stop fighting and practice the rest of A.A.'s program as enthusiastically as I could.


 February Speakers 

The 19th Street speakers for the month of February are: Feb 6, Sally D: Feb 13, Jim H; Feb 20, Todd G; and Feb 27 is Anniversary Night. The Hershey Group's Speaker for February 7 will be Carl A from the Elizabethtown Group, and for March 6, will be Harold R from the 40th Street Group. The 8:00PM Bridge Street Speakers will be: Feb 1, Elaine S. from the Bridge Street Group; Feb 8, Sarah from the E-town Group; Feb 15, Kathy from ?; Feb 22, Debbie from 19th Street; and Feb 29, Jay from the 40th Street Group. The speakers at the Middletown Survivors 7:00PM meeting on Thursday February 19 & 26 will be those celebrating anniversaries.

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.

SOMEDAY STREET
 contributed by Johnny B. from the Lebanon 10th St. Group

Someday Street is a one-way street that leads to the gates of hell. 
It's littered with broken bottles, and stories no one can tell.
It's the street of human derelicts, the place of forgotten men,
who stagger and sway along the way, and are never seen again.

Someday Street is a sun-less street, where the days and nights are one,
and each tomorrow brings pain and sorrow, till the life of men is done.
It's a fearful street, a hidden street, that lives in each drunken brain,
that screams and cries, and tries and tires, to find somebody again.

Someday Street is a lonely street, it's always dark and drear',
where the eyes of men are dull and tired, and ever filled with fear.
There's not a smile in that last cruel mile, but death in every block,
and the devil smiles and the devil beguiles the soul he has in "hock".

Someday Street is an age old street, it claims, it maims and stays,
Men toss and turn, sob and yearn for the memory of other days.
Of days before they hit the street, when life was good and new,
When each day and night was clear and bright, and dreams did oft' come true.

Someday Street is a hellish street, it's full of broken dreams,
it smells of broken bodies, it laughs at drunken screams. 
It's a timeless street, a faceless street, it's men are faceless too. 
They're there to stay, till laid away in a box just six by two.

Someday Street is a jealous street, that holds it's victims fast, 
Each step you take, each drink you take, will lead to death at last.
It's a dim lit street, a lying street, that fools each seeking heart,
It shapes each one, and when it's done, it tears each one apart.

Someday Street is a one-way street, that lets few people go,
I've lived on Someday Street myself, and that is how I know.
The wino, the outcast, the big shot and the bum,
the mack-a-roo, the B-girl too, I've swilled their wine and rum.

I know the garish lights, I know the hellish dreams,
I know the alleys and jails, I know the cries and screams.
I know the filth of Someday Street, I know the cry of shame,
Because I came from Someday Street, a man without a name.
 
I crawled up, up from Someday Street, with all it's hell and pain,
I've found a way to live each day, and not go back again.
There was this man who drifted through, who told me there was a way,
To leave the hell of Someday Street, that way is the AA Way.
 
I've not been back to Someday Street, in weeks, in months and years,
I fear the hellish street no more, it's blackouts and it's tears.
Some new friends showed me a path, a path I'll gladly trod.
And for today the AA Way, helps me to trust in God.

Written by Sammy who was doing life in Attica. People in AA kept sending letters, which played a part in them looking into Sammy and what he was doing with his life. He received a pardon and was paroled as a result.

                                       
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 TWO: For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority -- a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

  1. Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?
  2. Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA responsibilities?
  3. Do I look for credit in my AA jobs? Praise for my AA ideas?
  4. Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group conscience and work cheerfully along with it?
  5. Although I have been sober a few years, am I still willing to serve my turn at AA chores?
  6. In group discussions, do I sound off about matters on which I have no experience and little Knowledge?


*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 February 5, at 6:45pm, and the District 36 General Service Rep meeting on Monday February 9, 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.

 

LACK OF POWER, THAT WAS OUR DILEMMA.  WE HAD TO FIND A POWER BY WHICH WE COULD LIVE, AND IT HAD TO BE A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES.  OBVIOUSLY.  BUT WHERE AND HOW WERE WE TO FIND THIS POWER?  WELL THAT'S WHAT THIS BOOK IS ALL ABOUT.  ITS MAIN OBJECT IS TO ENABLE YOU TO FIND A POWER GREATER THAN YOURSELF WHICH WILL HELP YOU SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM.
-Alcoholics Anonymous, page 45-


January Intergroup Meeting
(no smoking please)

At the January meeting of Intergroup, the chairperson announced that attendees still have a month to consider any additional choices to hold Intergroup Offices.  Voting will be held at the next intergroup meeting on February 5th.  Thus far, the following nominations have been made: 

For Chair:                                 Albert D. (Trudgers/Way Out )
                                          Kevin C. (40th St.)

For Vice Chair:                             Jean B. (40th St)
                                          Allison W. (40th St.)
                                          Harold R. (40th St.)

For Secretary:                             Kay H. (40th St.)
                                          Kevin T. (Rule 62)

For Treasurer:                             Dick J. (40th St.)
                                          Dave D. (40th St.)

The Activities Committee head Cathy S. reported that the February 21st Intergroup dinner dance needs volunteers to greet people at the door.  Chairman Bill C. will speak briefly on the importance and functions of Intergroup.

The State Hospital was covered in January by There's More to Life Group; and the Way Out Group volunteered for February.  The Monday Night Men's Group responded to cell phone calls in January and the Big Book Study Group will be handling the cell phone in February.  March has already been committed to the Out of The Dark Group.  The Middletown Trudgers Group is still visiting the Gaudenzia Adolescent Center for February and March. Attending the January meeting were: 19th Street, 40th Street, Al-Anon, Any Lengths, Bridge St., Concordia, Central Office, Hershey, Living Sober, Monday Night Men's, Progress Ave., 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 January were $563.20.  We thank the following 6 groups for their contributions:  19th Street, Chapter 5, Hershey, Pine Street, Progress, and The Way Out Groups. 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
     If you wish to be removed from the Sobriety News mailing list, click remove and then click on SEND in your email program, and you will promptly be deleted from the list.

Hit Counter