Midwestern Area Retreat, October 4th, Mt. Prospect, Illinois
Forty-seven attended, mostly from the Chicago and Milwaukee areas, but also including members from as far away as Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, and California. St. Luke’s Lutheran Church was an ideal setting. (Mt. Prospect is the only city we know of where church names are added to city street signs. Wish we knew the history behind that.) Several SAA members attended, and we had marvelous rapport and unity with them. We were welded to one another in a bond that transcends labels and organizations. There was unity in desire, purpose, sobriety, and love.
The retreat was loosely structured intentionally, allowing more freedom of response to the need and mood of the hour. The day opened with going around the circle, each of us giving the nature of our disease, length of sobriety, and why we were there. This was followed by a member who shared his own personal experience, strength, and hope, followed by questions from others. There was a working session on sponsorship and other group issues. After lunch, there was a general sharing, and more feedback. The final session was according to many, the high point of the day. After prayer and quiet, and beginning with the leader, as many as wished gave away their “top plate.” (Read the article by that title elsewhere in this issue.) Then we stood, and embracing in the circle, closed with the Lord’s Prayer, eyes open, looking each other in the face. What a powerful experience! SA at its very best. Thank God.
Baltimore Marathon, Saturday, October 18th
J.A. of Maryland reports that it was attended by some 40-50 persons. Out-of-towners were from New York, central Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, as well as those from the Baltimore-Washington, DC area. The largest “foreign” contingent was seven from NYC. Eight meetings in all were held, kicked off by the Get Acquainted meeting, with four speakers. The closing meeting, led by T.H., was the sending away of the “top plate” (after the Warm Beach, WA get-together on Steps 6 and 7)—a very powerful experience where members who chose gave away the current sticking point (top plate) blocking further light and growth.
J.A. says, “We all feel very grateful concerning the Marathon. The high point for me was in the small chapel where, as one member was sharing how he now accepted the fact that he no longer needed sex—a breakthrough for him—the sun broke through clouds and shone in the window. (We remember a similar thing happening in Portland, Oregon.)”
Cleveland Marathon, Saturday, October 18
There were 24 men and women in attendance, from not only the Cleveland area, but Toledo, New York (7 or 8), Detroit, and four from Warren, PA. After initial introductions and sharing, there was an Ask-It-Basket session, where previously written subjects were withdrawn and discussed. The session then divided into groups. After lunch, speakers were Dave G. and Jack D. The closing session was on gratitude. One member said the marathon reaffirmed his belief in the 12 Steps and Higher Power, reminding him of how grateful he should be; that others were still successful in sobriety and progress after a year in the program.
