Editors’ Corner
Dear Essay readers: This issue of Essay includes many stories on “Freedom Behind Bars.”
Discussion Topic
In Single and Serene she found freedom and meaning in accepting her status -- have you had similar experience with acceptance?
Dear ESSAY
Our St. Louis SA community misses our good friend Wally F. He died suddenly of a heart attack on May 12, 2019. Those who attended the SA convention in St. Louis last summer might remember Wally as the M.C. for the convention.
Editors’ Corner
Dear Essay readers: This issue of Essay includes many stories on “SA At 40 Years!” We have sixteen extra pages in this issue with a broad-brush review of the origin, growth, structure, and some significant SA personalities upon whose shoulders we stand today. For which, as one member says, we can never be sufficiently grateful.
SA CFC
The SA Correctional Facilities Committee has seen a dramatic increase in the number of prisoners needing to be sponsored by mail. This is due to SACFC outreach, etc. We currently have a backlog of some 40 sponsees. We have an urgent need for sponsors.
Discussion Topic
In I’ll Stand By The Door he talks about the men who “stood at the door” to welcome and guide him into sobriety and recovery and eventually to found Sexaholics Anonymous.
Dear ESSAY
To Essay: I just wanted to write and express my thanks to you for putting Dick O.’s story Free As A Bird in the online Essay May 2018 and on www.sa.org. What an honor! I only wish Dick were alive to see it.
Editors’ Corner
Dear Essay readers: This issue of Essay includes many stories on “Open Mindedness.” Our next issue in August 2019 will focus on SA At 40 Years! Please send in any stories or short articles on your experience with SA At 40 Years! Future topics are October, 2019: Freedom Behind Bars; December, 2019 “Miracles In Recovery” Let us hear from you at essay@sa.org
SA CFC
A brief SA CFC report: I visited with the Israeli CFC committee (ICFC) and discussed utilizing SA for released prisoners. While there is some support, the rules of the Israeli prison structure condone only officially sanctioned offender programs. SA is not one of them. ICFC is determined to continue identifying potential allies who might be able to bring SA’s message to the bureaucracy.
Finance Report
The SA Fellowship continues to grow in multiple dimensions. While this growth may be challenging to the budgeting process, it is welcome as a result of the Fellowship’s on-going services to carry the message to those who still suffer.
