Alcoholics Anonymous Newsletter - Heart to Heart - February 2001 

Alcoholics Anonymous newsletter for Regina SK Canada

Alcoholism, the Common Denominator

On our annual pilgrimage to Boulder CO last year, I unexpectedly experienced a new depth of what the AA Traditions actually meant.

For the past few years I have been hearing talk whether or not it is a good idea to use the Lord’s Prayer at AA meetings.

For the most part I was and still am indifferent as to that issue.

Since it was the interaction and support of other AA members that had helped me to gain recovery in AA. I really did not have an opinion. I was already an accomplished pray-er and it had not gotten me past my reactions to my alcoholism. So to me, the prayer issue is a non-issue and I put it in the same category of many other ‘red herring issues’ that I have witnessed in AA.

Like the non-use of the little black book at meetings. There was no suggestion not to use that book when it was the only one around and it saved my bacon many a day! And, many others that I am aware of , as well. I laugh very deeply when I see a new AA member telling some old AA veteran that the little black book is suddenly not any good anymore!

Well, getting back to my article, in Boulder I attended an open AA meeting where the speaker was a member who happened to be of the Buddist Faith. He spoke of how hard it was for him to attend a Christain organization in order to recover from his alcoholism..

Wow! That talk struck a chord with me! All of a sudden the Lords prayer issue was starting to make sense. I had tried to sober up in church a few times and it was a total embarrassment and dismal failure, yet at AA it was instant transformation.

I had my eyes opened even further last October when I was facilitating a 12 step weekend workshop in Edmonton AB. I met a fellow there who was a Muslim religion teacher. Although he was born in Canada he had studied in Jordan and learned Arabic language.

We became close friends at that conference and he asked me to be his sponsor. He shared some of his life with me and again increased my awareness of how healing our recovery program is, and how it must remain open to all who wish to embrace it, regardless of race or religion.

Now I am not pretending to have any answers to the controversial issue of using the Lord’s Prayer at meetings, but now I at least have some questions. And a deepened awareness of how valuable it is to keep AA Wide open to everyone! DB

Farewell to Mel!

Our Regina AA Intergroup Office secretary, Melody, is leaving us on the 16th , to join her husband, who has recently started his new work position in Red Deer Alberta.

Mel has been an excellent, non AA, employee and has been at the center of many AA activities in Regina. She has done everything that all the various committees and groups have asked of her, plus more. And she always made time for that distressed member or still suffering alcoholic who called in.

An appropriate farewell is difficult to comprehend. However the words of AA’s founder, Bill Wilson, who used an old Arabic greeting in his last message to AA ( read by his wife Lois) seem appropriate.

The greeting Bill used in that written address states, “I salute you and thank you for your life!”

We will all miss you, Mel! So we of AA in Regina, salute you and thank you for your life. It has been our pleasure to know you!

Directly across from Robin’s on Arcola and Victoria

Open to all AA members.

A wonderful way to learn about our Legacies of Unity and Service, and how they all enhance our personal recoveries.

Regina AA 2001 Roundup

Core Ritchie 2230 Lindsay St Regina

Everyone welcome Tickets Cost $25.00   Limited amount of Tickets

Contact the AA office for details

Plan To Attend

May 4, 5, 6th - 2001

Area #91 News

The Area Committee met in Moose Jaw for their annual meeting January 12., 13 and 14, 2001. The Area Committee is comprised of the Area delegate to New York, Alternate delegate, Treasurer, Secretary, Chairperson, and District Committee members.

In Saskatchewan there are 21 Districts. District 2 hosted this event. The Area Committee serves as Steering Committee for the area.

Some of the high lights included the business session where we go over motions from the fall assembly, treasurers report, dates of assemblies, workshops/presentations, spring assembly, fall assembly bids; a new pamphlet introduction for Area 91 to be developed and presented at the spring assembly.

Updates on the 'Western Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (WRAASA) in Winnipeg in June 2001 and the Forum which will be held in Regina in June 2002 which is hosted by our General Service Office in New York. All A.A. members are welcome. It will give you an opportunity to meet many of the staff members from New York. Also ongoing and near completion was the Area 91 boundary map showing the dividing lines among the 21 Districts in the Province - to be reviewed at Spring Assembly.

There were sharing sessions on the provincial directories, grapevine, literature, cooperation with the professional community, public information, treatment, G.S.R. involvement and a report on Corrections.

An open house for the new Area 91 Archives will be held on Sunday February 11, 2001 @ 1:30 P.M. - 4:30 P.M. - Archives Room 115A - 3rd Ave. So. in Saskatoon - come and view some of the past history of A.A. in Saskatchewan.

Each D.C.M. gave a report on the District that they represent. It is always interesting to hear about the activities throughout the province.

Valerie O'N. from G.S.O. in New York will be our guest at the Spring Assembly in Kindersley. Her assignment is with the Conference Literature Committee. She will be speaking about her assignment, answering questions and sharing her recovery story.

After discussion, motion and vote and more discussion, Alternate Delegate Lyell A. has accepted the role of Provincial Grapevine Rep. Subscriptions are down - currently there are 425 subscriptions in Saskatchewan.

Jean D. Area Delegate led us through a Pre-Conference Assembly/ workshop based on the 2001 General Conference theme " Love and Service” Some of what we covered:

1. Carrying the Message of Service

• How is the message of service carried in your group, district and area?
• How do I demonstrate A.A. in action to others?
• How can newcomers be attracted to service?
• What is your group, district,area doing to keep the A.A. message attractive and simple?

2. Living the A.A. Principles in All Our Affairs

• What are the basic A.A. Principles?
• How does your A.A. group incorporate the A.A. Principles in its structure?
• How do you incorporate the A.A. Principles in your family life, in your job and in sponsorship?

3-Maintaining the Spirit of Anonymity

•  Discuss the difference between breaking one's anonymity and breaking the Eleventh Tradition of anonymity.
• Discuss the spiritual significance of anonymity.

As you can see it was a full weekend. Finally, many thanks to those un-named members and Central Office/Intergroup Committees that carry the A.A.

message in Saskatchewan.

Yours in Service Emil S. D.C.M. District 15

Jokes and Inspirations

A man is driving down a road. A woman is driving down the same road from the opposite direction. As they pass each other, the woman leans out the window and yells "PIG!!" The man immediately leans out his window and yells, "B—–H!!"

They each continue on their way,

and as the man rounds the next curve, he crashes into a huge pig in the middle of the road.

MORAL OF THE STORY: If only men would listen.

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Revenge has no more quenching effect on emotions than salt water has on thirst.

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Share your smile with everyone, but save your kiss for only one.

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One good turn gets most of the blankets.

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An agreeable person is someone who agrees with you.

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There is no such thing as a problem without a gift for you in its

hands. You seek such problems because you need their gifts.

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When mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

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Sign at a radiator shop: "Best Place in Town to take a Leak"

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At a tire shop: "Invite us to your next blowout."

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In a non-smoking area: "If we see smoke, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

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At an optometrist's office: "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

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In the front yard of a funeral home:

"Drive carefully. We'll wait.

2002

Western Canada Regional Forum

Hosted by:

THE AA GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE

NEW YORK

Mark your calendars now  For this important AA event.

RAMADA INN

1818 Victoria Avenue, Regina

Held in Regina Saskatchewan

Friday June 7, Saturday June 8, Sunday June 9