I can hardly contain my enthusiasm for what is happening in SA, at least here. We had our first meeting last night under the “new format” and it was very powerful. (Not only that, it was 90 minutes instead of two hours — by group conscience) and everyone stayed afterwards for talking and fellowship.
The emphasis on the Steps is exactly what SA needs, it seems to me. We started with the First Step last night and all the getting current had to be tied to that. We read the Step from the White Book and then had the sharing. We also agreed that the AA Big Book and the AA 12 & 12 are approved for readings.
The new format was not only popular with newcomers but also with oldtimers. We had 10 (large for us) at the meeting. I can see growth coming to the fellowship as a result of this, and also a much stronger position against slipping. Even those who slip repeatedly talked of their need to not just come in and dump and leave. They support the change, too, and say that they want to focus on the Steps.
I wanted to share with you the enthusiasm that I and others here feel for this change. When will I ever learn that God can and does help us when we let him? When will I ever learn that he could and would if he were sought?
J.
[Book Study Meeting Format reproduced on page 4. Ed.]
