February 2024 Newsletter

This month, we will be hearing and reading much about a Higher Power. For many, the thought of accepting a Higher Power can be the most difficult step. In fact, many choose the program and its fellows as a Higher Power at first – and this works. Soon, if we keep our eyes open, we learn that there is a force that guides us. Some choose to call their Higher Power God, some call their Higher Power “Coach”, the “Universe” or whatever signifies a power outside of ourselves. Alcoholics Anonymous does not demand that you believe anything. To stay sober, the Twelve and Twelve suggests, you just have to keep an open mind. So, for February, perhaps keeping an open mind should be the focus. Whether you have taken to a Higher Power, or are still taking small steps working through the program, keeping an open mind and not trying to control the world around you might just be the key to success in sobriety.

Happy February.

As it’s February, the second month, let’s look at Step 2, Tradition 2, and Concept 2.

Step 2: “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

The moment they read Step Two, most A.A. newcomers are confronted with a dilemma, sometimes a serious one. How often have we heard them cry out, “Look what you people have done to us! You have convinced us that we are alcoholics and that our lives are unmanageable. Having reduced us to a state of absolute helplessness, you now declare that no one but a Higher Power can remove our obsession. Some of us won’t believe in God, others can’t and still others who do believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle. Yes, you’ve got us over the barrel, all right – but where do we go from here”?

— Reprinted from The Twelve and Twelve – (page 25), with permission of  A.A. World Services, Inc.

Tradition 2: “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.”

Where does A.A. get its direction? Who runs it? This, too, is a puzzler for every friend and newcomer. When told that our Society has no president having authority to govern it, no treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues, no board of directors who can cast an erring member into outer darkness, when indeed no A.A. can give another a directive and enforce obedience, our friends gasp and exclaim, “This simply can’t be. There must be an angle somewhere.” These practical folk then read Tradition Two, and learn that the sole authority in A.A. is a loving God as he may express Himself in the group conscience.”

Reprinted from The Twelve and Twelve – page 132, with permission of  A.A. World Services, Inc.

Concept 2: “When, in 1955, the A.A. groups confirmed the permanent charter for their General Service Conference, they thereby delegated to the Conference complete authority for the active maintenance of our world services and thereby made the Conference – excepting for any change in the Twelve Traditions or in Article 12 of the Conference Charter – the actual voice and the effective conscience for our whole society.”

Reprinted from a href=”https://www.aa.org/twelve-concepts-world-service-illustrated” target=”_blank”>A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Services (with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Southern Delaware Intergroup Monthly Meeting — Join us on Thursday, February 1 at 6PM via Zoom. Meeting ID: 987 8110 5001, Passcode: 914711. Our intergroup is a resource for 12-Step work and Alcoholics Anonymous information in Southern Delaware. Please consider volunteering for a service opportunity, which includes most Intergroup committees. For more information about what each Committee does, see our Service Committees page and plan to attend our next intergroup meeting.

Rehoboth Roundup 2024: WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Date: February 16 – 18, 2024 Venue: Atlantic Sands Hotel & Conference Center

The primary purpose of the Rehoboth Roundup is to carry the message of all 12 Step recovery programs, based upon the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), through an annual conference sponsored by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) community that is open to all people. Information at: https://rehobothroundup.org/

Exciting News for Delaware AA!

Area 12 (Delaware) officially established its online district in February of 2023 to ensure that online groups in the state could be active members of the A.A. structure by being aware of important issues affecting the organization, and have their voices heard. By September, Charlie C. had been appointed the new district’s DCM. He was charged with making the district fully active during the current panel. With the guidance and support of the Area’s trusted servants, the district is up and running. Of the 93 Areas in Canada and the U.S., there are only six on-line Districts, including Delaware.

The district has met three times to discuss getting the word out to potential members. To ensure the district has a realistic count of all online groups, a list is being developed with the objective of visiting as many groups as possible. An email list is being established to keep groups informed of meetings and important issues. The district is also working with the Area to develop a policy of what groups are eligible for membership. Dawn Patrol Online was the first group to become district members in December of 2023. Delaware is proud to be at the cutting edge of A.A.’s evolution.

Thank you, Charlie C., for this information!

Our Favorite Slogans

We have been asking for submissions for our newsletter (see article below) and our member Greg G. was kind enough to send in a submission that we are able to feature here! We are asking for a favorite slogan, phrase, or prayer.

“Hi, my name is Greg, and I’m an alcoholic.” Saying this in a group of A.A. brothers and sisters reminds me to stay grounded and that I am part of a group that brings me a sense of unity. No matter who we are, where we are, or what we do… those of us in the rooms have something in common, we are all alcoholics…

Thank you, Greg!

Want to be part of this newsletter? We would love to hear from you! We’re always interested in receiving short articles and experiences written by our A.A. members for possible publication. All submissions are subject to review and editing. Send submissions to support@sussexaa.org. Below are some ideas.

• How you worked a specific step.
• A favorite A.A. slogan and how it has helped you.
• How you got your first service position.
• Something your sponsor said that impacted you.

You can submit entries to support@sussexaa.org.

Subscribing to this Newsletter via e-mail is very easy. Simply email “subscribe” to support@sussexaa.org or sign up HERE and you will receive the monthly email on the 1^st of each month.

Financial Challenges

The General Services Office recently distributed a letter explaining the financial setbacks in the past four years due to the pandemic. The Fellowship quickly responded with contributions post pandemic, but while working hard to manage finances by deferring essential projects and office development, finances are still being affected as literature profits have not rebounded and inflation has resulted in substantial increases in the cost to produce and distribute literature. Despite the increased contributions after the pandemic, the loss in literature revenue has left GSO total revenue short by approximately $1,000,000 compared with per-pandemic times.

If your group is able to provide a special contribution to the GSO, contributions can be provided  through aa.org by clicking here or by mail. You may make your check payable to the General Service Board to:

General Service Office
P.O. Box 2407
James A. Farley Station
New York, NY 10116

To view the letter in its entirety, please open this link: Gratitude Month – Nov 2023 (aa.org)