July marks the halfway point of the year and brings Independence Day, commemorating the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The definition of Independence, according to the Webster Dictionary, is “the quality or state of being independent.” Freedom is a meaningful word during this month as we celebrate July 4th, but freedom also is resounding in our journey of sobriety and recovery. So, as we celebrate the country’s independence, let’s remember to look at our own freedoms from the clutches of alcohol and to be grateful for each day.

During this Seventh month, let’s take a look at Step 7, Tradition 7 and Concept 7.

Step 7: “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”
The 7^th Step Prayer: “My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding.

— Reprinted from The Twelve and Twelve – page 70.

Tradition 7: “Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”

“The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. 2 Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.”

Reprinted from The Twelve and Twelve – page 161.

Concept 7: “The Conference recognizes that the Charter and the Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments: that the Trustees are thereby fully em powered to manage and conduct all of the world service affairs of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is further understood that the Conference Charter itself is not a legal document: that it relies instead upon the force of tradition and the power of the A.A. purse for its final effectiveness..”

Reprinted from 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, July 6 at 6PM via Zoom. Meeting ID: 987-8810-5001, Passcode: 914711. Our intergroup is a resource for 12-Step work and Alcoholics Anonymous information in Southern Delaware.

And while you are there, perhaps volunteer 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 monthly intergroup meeting.

AA District 13 Picnic – Potluck

Holts Landing State Park Pavilion Sunday, July 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an Open Meeting at 1 p.m.

PLEASE BRING A DISH TO SHARE

Parking is $4 for in-state cars and $8 for out-of-state cars. Questions: email: DSM13@delawareaa.org.

Keeping Meeting Lists Fresh!

To provide information on new meetings, meetings that have moved temporarily or permanently, please go to sussexaa.org and click on the meeting for which changes are needed. At the bottom of the information, you will see a form to be filled out for any meeting changes.

We have been asking for submissions for our newsletter (see article below) and our member Sherri K. came through for us this month! We will be featuring Sherri’s experience to these questions here and upcoming editions. July highlights her favorite slogan!

“More will be revealed” – This slogan discloses itself to me every time I read a piece of our literature or hear somebody share something that teaches me a little more about myself that I didn’t understand. In the beginning I thought it was corny, but after my first year of working the program – I see it applied in my own experience on a regular basis.” – Sherri K.

Thank you Sherri!

Want To Be Part of the Newsletter? We would love to hear from you and here are some topic 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 and subscribing to this Newsletter via e-mail is very easy. Simply email “subscribe” to support@sussexaa.org and you will receive the monthly email on the 1st of each month.

Southern Delaware Intergroup Archives Committee Working Hard and Seeking Help!

The Archives Committee held its first meeting nearly a year ago and have been working hard reviewing/sorting/cataloging bins of documents, cassette tapes, literature and artifacts from the Southern Delaware Intergroup storage unit. As a result of this work, the committee assembled displays to share at AA events.

Important: The committee is now starting to contact groups all over Southern Delaware to share what members can do to help preserve the past and plan for the future. The committee is looking for more members to start the interview/information gathering process. The committee also is looking for people who can help groups write and share their histories. Those interested in helping may contact the committee at Archives@sussexaa.org. Thank you to the committee for submitting this info!

THE HOME GROUP: HEARTBEAT OF AA

The 30th Anniversary Edition is a collection of previously published stories from AA Grapevine, the International Journal of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA members share moving experiences about the importance and joys of belonging to an AA group. This updated anniversary edition includes extra stories and a brand-new chapter on meetings using technology, showing how members have adapted to meet new challenges. A great way to start an AA meeting. SKU: GV46 $13.99 To order this item or any other product from our collection, visit us at www.aagrapevine.org and click on store or call (800) 631-6025 US/Canada (847) 559-7237 International or fax us at (847) 564-9453.