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Volume 1 July 2009 Number 7

The Serenity Prayer, has been taken to heart by many an Alcoholic and it was written [in its original form- by a Pastor named Reinhold Niebuhr, for a Sunday Morning Sermon at Heath Union Church (New England) in the Summer of 1943. Reinhold Niebuhr started his Career from his Father's Church in Lincoln, Illinois. This American, though of German descent, was obviously a sensitive supplicant to the ear of God, and as Elisabeth tells us, a Liberal thinker. And while the Prayer has been claimed - elsewhere - to have been German in origin, rest assured it was our Country that produced yet another Speaker whose clear, discriminative thinking surpassed European notions of what is right and wrong, and, whom taught us just how to ask God, to figure it out.

In Elisabeth Sifton's book {Elisabeth was his daughter} The Serenity Prayer, she writes the version [of the first seven lines - which I prefer]:

"God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed., courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other."

But her father's Prayer is also said to be larger than these seven lines above, and Elisabeth's book does not list the longer text, which I have written below.

 

 I first obtained this one version of [his- full ?] prayer through the Christian bookstore out at Parkway Point- I special ordered it through them- from "Dicksons" of "Seymour Indiana,47274." The words were printed on a card, then through decoupage, made into a little plaque, which stands, or can be hung on a wall, and reads:

"God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time: Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it: Trusting that He will make all things right if! surrender to His will; That I may be reasonably happy In this life, And supremely happy with Him forever in the next." Amen

Another version obtained, from a more 'ornate plague' I located at the Marion Center. That is a "Catholic supplies" Store at Monroe and Fourth Streets- demonstrating even Catholics recognize a good prayer when they see one- despite the Author NOT being one of their own} .

"God grant me Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference. -

 

 Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time: Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it: Trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next." Amen

Not much difference I grant you, but I am a stickler for sources, in such important issues as God, Recovery, and the importance of clear understanding in my approaches to wisdom.

If you have ever played the telephone game; where a line of people start out whispering (anything -just the least bit complicated) to the next person - the message becomes wholly transformed by the time it reaches the end of the line. It is thus easy to see how People misremember, mistake and misquote what is told to them.

Post Script; Elisabeth also mentioned in her book that her Father once said;, "Morality is responsibility." Which metaphor is only three words, but which speaks volumes about recovery, and how to achieve it.

Respectfully Submitted by District 19 member Patrick J.

   

Thanks to the Following Groups for Continuing Support of District 19
 Alano Group
Discovery - Noon Group
Discovery - 449 Group
Free To Be Me Group

(Group Contributions based on District Treasurers Report from May, 2009)

Click below to download the Group Contribution Form

Word | PDF
New Meetings
Closed Discussion meeting at
St. Joseph's Church - 700 E. Spruce St.
Chatham, IL
Fridays at 7:00 PM

Cancelled Meetings
No cancelled meetings at this time.

Meeting Changes
No meeting changes at this time.

If your group has any changes, or cancellations, please email  info@aaspringfield.org

Alano
Every Friday
Night Speaker - 8pm

Discovery Noon Group
Last Friday of Month
Birthday Pizza Pie Speaker Meeting
Noon 

Discovery
2nd Saturday of Month
Potluck - 6:30pm
Speaker - 7:30pm

Easy Does It
3rd Saturday of Month
Potluck - 6pm
Speaker - 7pm

R-Club
1st Saturday of Month
Potluck - 7pm Speaker - 8pm

To see who is speaking, please check out our Calendar

     
     
     
Congratulations! One Day at a Time
If you would like your anniversary or birthday posted on the website, please email info@aaspringfield.org











 District 19 Business Meeting Minutes from April 2009

The continuation of District 19 history continues here. Read more....
****Discovery ~ Noon Group****

The Noon Group celebrates it's 10 year anniversary this month. The group was started early in 1999 and registered with the General Service Office as the Nooners Group on July 1, 1999 with 20 members. Early in 2009 the group changed its name to the Noon Group.

 The Noon Group meets at Discovery 7 days a week at, you guessed it, NOON!

The Noon Group offers a variety of meetings including regular discussion, step specific, and a 12 step/tradition meeting rounding out the week on Sunday. The group is home to many a old-timer and newcomers alike with a host of members in between.

The Group also hosts a monthly birthday/speaker meeting on the last Friday of each month. The meeting speaker is one who's birthday falls within the same month as the meeting. A pizza pie is served for lunch in place of the traditional cake.

 

  
Events Committee

The District 19 Events Committee was formed to take on the responsibilities of overseeing AA related events that fall within our District. These events include Area Assemblies and Conferences as well as other Area and District events.

In addition, the District 19 Events Committee oversees the Fall and Spring District picnics as well as other events that the District is involved in.

District 19's Event Committee is headed up by Leo S. who's leadership and organizational skills are a great asset. In addition to organizing the events, Leo usually serves as the master chef for District Picnics and Assemblies. Ask any  member who has attended a Leo catered event and they will probably tell you that this is the District to be in if you enjoy good food. We are blessed to have you Leo.

Recently, District 19 has hosted the Southern Illinois Area 21 Assembly held in December of 2008. Upcoming events include a Picnic to be held in September (look for further details on the calendar soon), and the Southern Illinois Area 21 Spring Conference to be held in March of 2010.

I consider myself blessed to be part of such an active District with events taking place locally throughout the year on the Area, District, and Group levels. It's happening in District 19!

 

  
 
July 2009
     
 
For Additional Events:   Please Check out our Calendar.
Remember - Coming Up in 2010
July 2009 Bridging the Gap Newsletter
  

Here's What's Going On:

  • Our meeting attendance is not doing well.  I know many may think that the informational meeting is not as important as being involved with speaking to those in treatment… BUT IT IS!  In order to cover all of the places we go into we need everyone.  We need new ideas and fresh approaches!  Having you at the meeting gives us one more person to come up with some great ideas for planning events and getting the word out about BTG.  So PLEASE, if you are not already attending, make the meetings when you can!  The next meeting will be at 6:45 on July 30th at Easy Does It.

  • Those who went to Triangle brought back good reports.  They have been well received by the residents, even with a little confusion with the staff.  For anyone going there to lead a group please remember:  you meet at the detox door around the back, one person needs to have 2+ years of sobriety, and pleas do not bring in anyone to speak that may be there trying to see their significant other.  Leanna, the person who we have been able to work so well with, was very adamant about this  point.  So please if you think someone may be going for the wrong reason, don’t take them.

  • Dan is getting burnt out at McFarland’s.  If you can help him out PLEASE give him a call and arrange a time to go in to see how it’s done or to get your forms filled out.  If you haven’t heard anything follow up with Dan, McFarland’s or both.

  • 12 step calls have been requested for those in the E.R. at St. John’s.  This is questionable because it is wanted for individuals who may be too intoxicated to talk.  An alternative brought up was possibly giving I.P. literature to the staff so that they can give them something before they walk out the door.  If you have any thoughts or ideas on this please come to the next meeting and let Pam know. 

  • We really need to get people fired up about BTG!  We need a yard, some food, and a BBQ grill.  PLEASE if you can help out, SPEAK UP!!!  Give Pam a call ASAP.

What can you do now?

  • Volunteer to go to Gateway to speak on a panel (1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 6:30p.m. – 8p.m.).  Gateway asks that people coming here have two years of sobriety.  Six is the magic number for this, so any volunteers to go or to lead a panel are much needed!  Donna S. will be taking a group July 5th and July 19th is still open, so if you can take a group, please contact Pam.

  • Volunteer to go to Salvation Army (unfortunately this is for men only).  This is on the fourth Saturday of every month at 6 p.m.  Don will be leading this group on July 25th.

  • Volunteer to go into Triangle.  You do not have to have a certain amount of sobriety as long as one person in the group has 2 or more years.  This is on Saturdays from 1-2.  July 11th still needs filled to take a group in, the 18th Pam will be taking a group and the 25th will be Virginia.

  • Dan C. also needs volunteers to go to McFarland’s.  He has been going there regularly on Monday nights and needs other volunteers to go on a rotating basis.  This does require a form that you will need to get from Dan C.

Please make sure that I (Amber E.), Pam S., or Ruth W. has all of your contact information.  If your information has changed recently, contact Pam or Amber to look at the most recent updated contact form to make sure we have you updated.  If you have signed up and have not been called by a facilitator please watch news letter and contact the facilitator on the day you may be able to help out.

Please feel free to contact info@aaspringfield.org if you need to get forms or anything else! We want you to feel a part of this group! If you are feeling left out than reach out and we can better help you. Thanks for all that you do and please remember that our next BTG meeting will be at Easy Does It on July 30th at 6:45. Please come and bring someone along! The more the merrier!

Note from Pam: “Service” is the Secret.  “Unity”  in the community.   “Recovery” plant a seed

     
     


Alano
516 Bryn Mawr
Springfield, Il
(Between 5th and 6th)
(217)789-0789
 Cherry and Bates
First Congregational United Church of Chist
2100 S Bates
Springfield, Il
Discovery
313 W Cook
Springfield, Il
(Settlers Row), Enter in rear
(217)544-9049
Easy Does it Club
514 N Walnut
Springfield, Il
Enter through alley off Reynolds Street
(217)528-0332
 Second Timothy Baptist Church
1122 E. Pine
Springfield, Il

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