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A N N U A L S U B S C R I P T I O N : $ 5 F O R 1 2 M O N T H L Y I S S U E S . M a i l e d S u b s c r i p t i o n s : C o n t a c t C e n t r a l O f f i c e f o r p r i c e .
( A L S O A V A I L A B L E V I A E M A I L F O R N O C H A R G E , s i g n u p o n p a g e 2 )
S U N R I S E
T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A A N E W S L E T T E R
March 2020 Volume 66, Issue 3
All quotations from AA and AA Grapevine literature are printed with consent from A. A. World Services, Inc. and AA Grapevine.
Central Office Hours: Mon to Fri 9:30—11:30 AM & 12:00-3:00 PM (Closed on statutory holidays). Published by Saskatoon & District Central Office, 515—245 3rd Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1M4
Email: [email protected] Website: aasaskatoon.org Phone: (306) 665-6727
My Experience, Strength, and Hope
Do I bore you with a complete drunk-alog of all the really high highs, and really low lows? Do I mention the fact of how I made an entire career around the fact that I could get by as a “high functioning alcoholic”? I could tell you how life in the culinary underbelly gave me a sense of belonging, a sense of home. It was also the place that fueled the fire of my addictions while lending me any excuse to think everything was “fine”. Let’s save that story for the meeting after the meeting. I will let you know what I used to be like, what happened, and what I am like now. I’ll share what brought me to the program, and how my life has done a total 180 from where I was on February 25th, 2018.
From a very early age, I was looking for acceptance, how to fit into the group. Which group? It didn’t matter. Any group. Sports teams, boys’ choir, school, whatever, I always felt like I didn’t quite fit. I struggled (and still do) with the thoughts of not being good enough. I longed to feel a part of, rather than just to be in something, anything. When I found the bottle, I felt I had found that belonging, like being wrapped in a warm blanket.
There seems to be two different theories on alcoholics. One being we enjoyed our drinking, until we passed a certain threshold and were no longer able to drink like “normal” people anymore. (Side note: I subscribe to the theo-ry that “normal” is but a setting on a washing machine.) The other being that we were always alcoholic in our way of thinking and acting. That booze was our only escape from our loneliness, our coping mechanism to deal with our emo-tions, our way to slow down the hamster wheel. It was our cure, until it wasn’t. In a way, I subscribed to both theo-ries. I had many fun times drinking, but it was always an escape. I was always an alcoholic, even before I found the bottle, and I still am now that I have put the plug in the jug. You can take away the alcohol, but I still have the ISM.
My last failed suicide attempt was 6 days after my daughter turned 6. When I hit rock bottom, I knew I could no longer go on the way I had been. But what now? I had no idea how to live without running to the bottle. I no long-er had the comfort or belonging, that I thought alcohol gave me. That didn’t matter, it was gone. My ego held on just tight enough to still try avoiding the rooms of A.A. Luckily my Uncle, who has been in the program for over 3 dec-ades, gave me the final push I needed. “Get your ass to a meeting! What the fuck do you have to lose?” Luckily, I was surrendered enough by the bottle, I knew I had to go. Or at least be willing enough to try. It was only an hour after all. I was perfectly ok with not knowing what would happen in the following 12 hours, once I took that first drink. I could pretend I belonged at a meeting for an hour.
Turns out I didn’t have to pretend. The people were warm and welcoming. I heard parts of my story in theirs! The first time I said, “My name is Greg, and I’m an alcoholic”, it felt right. That warm feeling that booze used to give me was replaced by true acceptance, hope, and love. I had been searching my whole life for where I belonged. Turns out it was in the rooms of A.A. that I had fought coming into for years.
Now I am part of, not just standing on the outside looking in. This program, and the people in it, have not only saved my life but made it worth living. Participating in 12 step work heals my soul, makes me feel like I’m wrapped in that warm blanket, but a much better, cleaner, meaningful blanket! Greg D.
S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R Page 2
Service Meetings
Central Office Committee: Monday, March 9th held at the Central Office - 6:30 PM
Intergroup Meeting: Wednesday, Wednesday March 11th, held at the Downtown Meeting Room - 6:30 PM
Round Up Committee Meeting: Wednesday, March 4th, held in the lower level of the Travelodge Hotel - 6:30 PM Social Committee Meeting: Thursday March 5th, held at 70 Dominion Cres.—7:00PM Newsletter Submission Deadline: The cut off for the April newsletter is March 20th.
GSR Meetings
District 8: 1st Wednesday, March 4th, Downtown meeting room. District 19: 2nd Wednesday, March 11th, 7 PM - Mayfair United Church 33rd St & Ave I. North District 20: 2nd Wednesday, March 11th, 7 PM - Grosvenor Park United Church 407 Cumberland Avenue South District 21: 3rd Wednesday, March 18th, 6:45 PM - St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Grosvenor Ave & Taylor Street NEWSLETTER SIGN UP Provide your email address to Central Office for a BCC delivery of the Newsletter to your mailbox! [email protected] or 306-665-6727
Sunrise Bulletin Board (Items and Ideas on Area Gatherings for A.A.’s)
See most roundup posters on www.aasask.org or www.aaregina.com
Weyburn 64th Annual Celebration of Recovery Round-Up
March 27-28, 2020
For more information call: Pete M. 306-421-0981, Don P. 306-861-3677 or Vic W. 306-861-1770
Vibank 30th Annual AA Roundup
Saturday April 4th, 2020
7th Tradition
Contact Regina Central Office: [email protected] or (306) 545-9300
75th Anniversary of A.A. in Edmonton
Saturday June 13, 2020—7542-139 Avenue, Edmonton AB
$40 for Banquet / $10 excluding Banquet
Edmonton Central Office: [email protected] (780) 424-5900
2020 International Convention ∙ Alcoholics Anonymous ∙ July 2-5, 2020 ∙ Detroit, Michigan
Love and Tolerance Is Our Code Visit aa.org for registration details!! Advanced Registration Deadline: April 15, 2020
Page 3
Central Office hours are Monday to Friday 9:30—11:30 AM & 12:00-3:00 PM
[email protected] or 306-665-6727
S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R
"Sunrise" publishes articles that reflect the full diversity of experience and opinion found within the Fellow-ship of Alcoholics Anonymous. In determining content, the editor relies on the principles of the Twelve Tra-ditions. "Sunrise" values the shared experience of individual AA members working the AA program and ap-plying the principles of the Twelve Steps. Seeking neither to gloss over difficult issues nor to present such issues in a harmful or contentious manner, ""Sunrise" tries to embody the widest possible view of the AA Fel-lowship. The editor of ""Sunrise" reserves the right to accept or reject material for publication, based on the AA traditions. (We note that this policy is consistent with that of the AA Grapevine.) Articles are not intended to be statements of AA policy, nor does publication of any article constitute endorsement by ei-ther Alcoholics Anonymous or Saskatoon Area Intergroup. Submissions are always welcome.
EDITOR'S STATEMENT
Thank you to everyone for your help with the 2020 Saskatoon AA Intergroup with Al-Anon participation Round-Up. Our next meeting will be held on March 4th at the Travelodge Hotel in the downstairs boardroom. If you are interested in being on the 2021 committee, please come out and see what we are all about! In Love and Service, Lori R 2020 Round Up Chair
A.A. CALL TO ACTION PRACTICING STEP 12 & TRADITON 5 IN MEN’S CORRECTIONS
Am I responsible? Some alcoholics aren’t lucky enough to be able to go to meetings when they want to. They are in prison. They have limited contact with the shared experience that our Fellowship offers through its meetings (A.A. GSC approved literature- Carrying the Message into Correctional Facilities).
Each group has but one primary purpose - to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. There are many still suffering today in Men’s Corrections and we need more GROUPS or INDIVIDUALS to carry A.A.’s message. We are currently seeking, and in great need of, volunteers to chair meetings at Urban Camp, Provincial Correctional, and RPC (RPC requires women volunteers also!).
As a fellowship, A.A. has access to those who need to hear our experience, strength, and hope. Will you be the next to share yours? “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics” (Alcoholics Anonymous P.89). You can help when no one else can!
In my experience, working with alcoholics that would otherwise have no access to A.A. and our message, has enhanced my own sobriety ten-fold!
There are currently less than a handful of us carrying the message to Men’s Corrections. A.A. needs us just as we need A.A. The program has always been there for us, now it’s time for us to be there for the program and our fellows still suffering. If you can look within yourself honestly and say you are “doing enough” for A.A., we thank you for your continued service. For those who are wondering how to get more involved, please contact Kim T. @ 306-203-0733 (call or text) or [email protected] to begin your journey.
Yours in Service,
Greg D
Page 4
AA MILESTONES
ROLLING STONES
Betty S. March 19th
George S. March 31st
Cake will be April 4th
S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R
Send your groups milestones to [email protected]
For announcements in the February newsletter, please have submission in by January 20th.
Every day sober is a win. Lets celebrate the positive moments—it is a great defense when the moments of struggle show up unannounced.
Looking for a meeting?? Download the “Meeting Guide” app through the App Store on your
smart phone to find a list of meetings near you!
KISS
Darcie S. March 2, 2014 6 yrs
Cake Monday March 30 @ 5:15
WESTSIDE
Brad B. March 24, 1991 29 yrs
Vance J. March 26, 2019 1 yr
Cake Wednesday April 1st
KLEEN AAIR
Jim S. February 14/93 27 yrs
Ryan D. February 19/18 2 yrs
Rosanna G. February 27/92 28 yrs
Cake on Wednesday February 26th
Floyd H. January 1/77 43 yrs
Will be celebrated Wednesday March 25th
NEECHEE
Howard R. March 24th, 2018 2 yrs
Cake Sunday March 29th
UPON AWAKENING
Kim M. March 22, 1981 39 yrs
Triant S. March 27, 2015 5 yrs
Wayne N. March 30, 1991 29 yrs
Cake Sunday March 29th
NEW FREEDOM
Arley W. January 20, 2013 7 yrs
Jamie M. February 15, 2009 11 yrs
Susan B. February 19, 2013 7 yrs
Cake on Monday March 2nd
HEALING GROUP
Gene F. March 3, 2015 5 yrs
Celebration Sunday March 29th
Page 5
CENTRAL OFFICE & INTERGROUP TRUSTEES
CENTRAL OFFICE
Ron M. Central Office Chair 306-222-6526
Central Office Co-Chair
Grant Z. Central Office Treasurer 306-292-6842
Nicole C. Newsletter Trustee 306-260-2938
Stefan L. Literature Trustee 306-281-9443
Dru D. PI Trustee 306-270-4238
Mike B. CPC Trustee 306-202-6209
Kim T. Corrections Trustee 306-207-0733
Kieran L. Institutions Trustee 306-222-3428
INTERGROUP
Rob I. Intergroup Chair 306-221-4188
Jackie M. Intergroup Co-Chair 306-229-0666
Stan M. Intergroup Treasurer 306-221-4722
Sarah R. Intergroup Secretary 306-361-7666
Rob G. Social Committee Chair 306-370-9721
Lori R. Roundup Chair 306-220-7973
Frank M. Document Retention Chair 306-931-3326
Just a reminder, Central Office donations from our members are Tax Deductible.
S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R
I Am Responsible.
When Anyone, Anywhere, Reaches Out For Help,
I Want The Hand Of A.A. Always To Be There.
And For That,
I Am Responsible!
Page 6 S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R
The Promises If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit oth-ers. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic security will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. Alcoholics Anonymous pg 83-84
Page 7
February 21, 2020 "Not drinking is the first requirement for joy; the second re-
quirement is gratitude.”
S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R
RIP THIS PAGE OUT
BRING TO HOME GROUP
FILL OUT
SEND TO CENTRAL OFFICE
HIGH FIVE—JOB WELL DONE!
Page 8 S U N R I S E . . . T H E S A S K A T O O N & D I S T R I C T A . A . M a r c h 2 0 2 0 N E W S L E T T E R
Institutions Chairing Schedule 2020
Larson House Welcome Group Calder Adult Calder Youth Dúbe Center
Mondays 8:00 PM
Fridays 8:00 PM
Saturdays 8:00 PM
Tuesdays 8:00 PM
Fridays 7:00 PM
Mondays 7:00 PM
January Living Sober
Mike S. Martensville Group
Roger R. Sutherland Group
Gary J.
Been There Done That
Daina K. Amy J.
February Y,M & O Y,M & O
First 3: Healing Group - Sheila. Last
2: Living Sober - Mike S.
KISS Group Leanne H.
Brittany E. Shane W.
March Living Sober
Mike S. Living Sober
Attitude Adjustment Greg R.
Westside Group Lori E.
Shane W. Daneille L.
April Upon Awakening
Ron 49ers
John C. Mustard Seed Group
Randy M. Alma W. Danielle L.
May Shane W.
Living Sober Mike S.
Shamrock Group
Bill N. Amy J.
June Northerners
Corey
July Shamrock Group Sutherland Group
Gary J.
August Dundonald Group
Al K.
September Sutherland Group,
Gary J.
Been There Done That
Daina K.
Mustard Seed Group Randy M.
October Attitude Adjustment
Greg R. New Freedom
Ron M. Upon Awakening
Troy, Carol S. 49ers
John C.
November Rolling Stones
Darcie S. KISS Group Leanne H.
Westside Group Mitch A.
Dundonald Group
Al K.
December Floral Group
Ron D.
Legend:
Annual Commitment
Open Opportunity
Filled Spot 2020 Only.
Calendar updated: Dec 28th
Kieran L - Institutions Trustee - Phone #- 306-222-3428 Email- [email protected]
