As Autumn arrives and leaves fall from trees, it is a time to reflect on the importance of losing old ways to make room for the new. The Big Book speaks specifically to this on Page 58 of How It Works: “Some of us have tried to hold onto our old ideas and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.”

As we shed the ways that are holding us back, we experience spiritual changes and nurture the work that strengthens our program. By working the steps, working closely with our sponsors, and doing our own service work — we can enjoy the abundance of our recovery.

During this Tenth month, let’s take a look at Step 10, Tradition 10 and Concept 10.

Step 10 — Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. As we work the first nine steps, we prepare ourselves for the adventure of a new life. But when we approach Step Ten, we commence to put our A.A. way of living to practical use, day by day, in fair weather or foul. Then comes the acid test: can we stay sober, keep in emotional balance and live to good purpose under all conditions? A continuous look at our assets and liabilities, and a real desire to learn and grow by this means, are necessities for us. — Reprinted from Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions© (page 88), with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Tradition 10 — Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. Never since it began has Alcoholics Anonymous been divided by a major controversial issue. Nor has our Fellowship ever publicly taken side on any question in an embattled world. This, however, has been no earned virtue. It could almost be said that we were born with it, for, as one oldtimer recently declared. “Practically never have I heard a heated religious, political or reform argument among A.A. members. So long as we don’t argue these matters, privately, it’s a cinch we never shall publicly”. — Reprinted from Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions© (page 179), with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Concept 10 — Every service responsibility should be matched by an equal service authority — the scope of such authority to be always well defined whether by tradition, by resolution, by specific job description, or by appropriate charters and bylaws. All of this is fully implied in A.A.’s Tradition Two. Here we see the “group conscience” as the ultimate authority and the “trusted servant” as the delegated authority. One cannot function without the other. We well know that only by means of careful definitions and mutual respect can we constantly maintain a right and harmonious working balance. — Reprinted from The A.A. Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts, 2021-2023 Edition (page c36) , with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Archives Committee Group History Project
Coming Soon!

Please help us preserve our past and our present.

The Archives Committee is finalizing preparation of a group history questionnaire and the process for creating, submitting and viewing group histories for Southern Delaware. In coming months, the committee will post the document with suggested questions and instructions. The Archives Committee believes each Group’s history will uncover recollections that will further strengthen the Group’s foundation. Facts discovered while compiling a Group’s history can be relevant, humorous, eye opening and significant to a Group; to Intergroup, the District; Area Archives and Archives at the General Service Office in New York.

Southern Delaware Intergroup Monthly Meeting — Join us on Thursday, October 5 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. 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.

What’s Your Favorite Slogan?

We have been asking for submissions for our newsletter (see article below) and our member Danielle F. was kind enough to send in a submission that we are able to feature here! We asked for a favorite slogan.

“Lately, my favorite slogan is ‘More will be revealed’. It reminds me to stay open and stay CURIOUS.. to keep a sense of wonder of what GOD can do. It also helps me stay in the present and not future trip, or assume that I can predict the outcome of a situation. It helps me practice humility.

Thank you Danielle!

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 1^st of each month.

This Month’s Intergroup Committee Feature

Answering Service Committee

Answering Service (12-Step Calls) — Southern Delaware Intergroup maintains a 24-hour answering service, with volunteers ready to help answer questions about alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous, and finding a meeting. Our answering service volunteers are often the first contact a newcomer has with Alcoholics Anonymous. It is suggested that to volunteer you have at least one year of continuous sobriety, and are an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous. If this is you, please consider volunteering for this very important service work. For more information, you can review the SDIAA Answering Services Guidelines or send an email to calls@sussexaa.org.