Eastrander May 2017 The e news letter of the AA East Rand Area

Transcription

1 Eastrander May 2017 The e news letter of the AA East Rand Area UPCOMING THANKGIVINGS. Name Years Group Sobriety Date Thanksgiving Rob 1 Airfield 2 May May 2017 Pierre 3 Kempton Park 3 May 2017 Skipper 18 Heidelburg 30 April May 2017 Nina 7 Airfield 3 May May 2017 Brian 1 Airfield 12 May May 2017 Primrose Group 5 Primrose 26 May May 2017 I may seem like a long time away, but the planning starts next year. We need to get someone as Chairperson of Convention 2019 in place. They in turn will then get together an Organizing Committee. See website for initial requirements. The editor will not add any Thanksgiving which does not contain a Thanksgiving date. The purpose of the Thanksgiving list, is to let other members know when a member is celebrating, so if no Thanksgiving date is provided there is no reason to add it to the THANKSGIVING LIST. Nor will any events be added unless approved by East Rand Area Assembly. Remember the WEBSITE for more!! Thanksgivings are up to date, and any that have been received after publication of the Eastrander are added to the website. So keep an eye out! Volunteers are Required at Area Office to do 12 Step work and answer calls. Contact Larry GSR's Area Assembly meeting 13th May 2pm at the Area Office, Benoni East Rand Area Contacts Area Chairperson Teresa Area Vice-Chairperson Vacant Treasurer Tony Secretary Lisa Office Coordinator Larry Delegate Anil Delegate George CPC Fatima Correctional Facilities Koos Treatment Facilities Koos Literature Suben Public Information Fatima Archives Larry Eastrander and Website Colin

2 East Rand Area Office Benoni Central Methodist Church (Corner Room), 26 Bunyan Street (entrance Cranbourne Avenue), Benoni Larry - Telephone : (day 9am - 1pm) All Hours : HELPAA - aaer@aaer.co.za or larry@aaer.co.za Website SPRINGS GROUP HAS MOVED!! OM 19h30 Thursday CM 19h30 Monday Selcourt Methodist Church, 3 7 Granada Street, Selcourt, Springs 12 Step Meeting (started 19 Jan.2016) Springs Group every week for 16 weeks THURSDAY S AT 19:30 Selcourt Methodist Church, 3 7 Granada Street, Selcourt, Springs Tony East Rand Area Banking Details Alcoholics Anonymous East Rand Bank :- Nedbank Limited Branch :- Princess Park Account Number : Branch Code : Account Type Current/cheque account NEW MEETING The Focus Group Wednesday OM 19h30 NG Kerk, 1 Kerk Street, Putfontein. Mark P Shawn P NEW VENUE - SUNDAY MEETING KATLEHONG - OM 15h00 Motsmai Clinic, Corner of Moseu and Maphike (Sontonga) Streets, Katlehong. David or Mandla WEEKEND RETREAT FOR YOUNG AND OLD AT 80 km from Johannesburg between Heidelberg & Balfour AN AA EAST RAND INTERGROUP EVENT Friday afternoon 28th of July Sunday 30th July 2017 Come join us for a fun filled weekend - Bring the family plenty of activities for non AA members TOO AA Meetings: Friday Evening: 20h00 21h00 Saturday Morning: 10h00-11h30 Sunday Morning Spiritual Meeting 10h00-11h30 Free Activities: Obstacle Course, Zip Line, Night Hike, Paintball Wars (additional cost p/person) and lots more. Accommodation for the Weekend, R 550 per person - price includes all meals from Friday evening till Sunday lunch. Saturday lunch time Braai. Deposit of 50% no later than 1 June 2017 Day Visitors - R includes Lunch & Dinner Children under 12 - R Deposit of 50% no later than 1 June 2017 Contact: Larry or Debbie aaeastrand@gmail.com Visit for more Detail The East Rand Website had 273,700 hits for 2016! The Aim for this Year 2017 is 300,000 Hits! Last Month was just over 20,298 and 89,277 for the year so far! Total Hits 670,740 since started KEEP VISITING - Thanks, Colin Thank you for material sent to me, Please keep it coming. We on the ER do appreciate it. Colin D. - Eastrander and Area Website Editor - colind@aaer.co.za

3 Remember the WEBSITE for more!! Thanksgivings are up to date, and any that have been received after publication of the Eastrander are added to the website. So keep an eye out! Discovery I have found that the process of discovering who I really am begins with knowing who I don t want to be. And although the disease of alcoholism inside of me is like gravity just waiting to pull me down, AA and the Twelve Steps are like the power that causes an airplane to become air borne: It only works when the pilot is doing the right things to make it work. - Alcoholics Anonymous, pp Alone No More, Alcoholism was a lonely business, even though we were surrounded by people who loved us. But when our self-will had driven everybody away and our isolation became complete, we commenced to play the big shot in cheap barrooms. Failing even in this, we had to fare forth alone on the street to depend upon the charity of passers-by. We were trying to find emotional security either by dominating or by being dependent upon others. Even when our fortunes had not totally ebbed, we nevertheless found ourselves alone in the world. We still vainly tried to be secure by some unhealthy sort of domination or dependence. For those of us who were like that, A.A. has a very special meaning. In this Fellowship we begin to learn right relations with people who understand us; we don t have to be alone any more. 12 & 12, pp I m Sue, an alcoholic. When I was new in AA, and later, when I came back after relapse, I was pretty overwhelmed in just staying sober; learning how to change my life, putting the right things into place, doing what I needed to and putting one foot in front of the other. But during that time, I continued to go to meetings and you all would keep repeating those "pesky" sayings. And I would think, why do they keep repeating those phrases? Well, after some time and experience in the program, I began to see how important they are, and I use them...all the time. Those of you that know me fairly well know I'm not a fan of "this too shall pass." But you know what? When I look back to even that first day, believing it was impossible to stay sober that entire day, someone said, this too shall pass. And it did...not easily...but that first day did pass. And when I woke up sober the next day...what a miracle! So, if you're not a big fan of the phrases right now, that's okay...just be open to them and they will make sense and come in so helpfully the longer you stay sober. Aside from the sayings, meetings and the loving Fellowship, what really helps me through the toughest times is prayer. And again, in the beginning, I just thought "yeah, okay, maybe for you but not for me." And after many failed attempts to stay put in the program, a very lovely woman talked to me after the meeting and said, "Sue, do you pray?" And I said no, and then I swallowed my pride and said, "I don't really know how." And that was the beginning; that crack in the door. That door kept opening for me. The more I connected to the God of MY understanding, the more I worked to grow my spirituality. And I know, without a doubt, that I can 100% rely on God to help me through any situation. I may not get the answer I WANT, but I will get the answer and outcome that is best for me. A day at a time it brings me peace and joy. Thanks everyone! Service While practicing service to others, if my successes rise to grandiosity, I must reflect on what brought me to this point. What has been given joyfully, with love, must be passed on without reservation and without expectation. For as I grow, I find that no matter how much I give with love, I receive much more in spirit. - Daily Reflections, p. 279

4 A.A. Thought For The Month What a load wasting money puts on your shoulders! They say that members of A.A. have paid the highest initiation fee of any club members in the world, because we ve wasted so much money on liquor. We ll never be able to figure out how much it was. We not only waste our own money, but also the money we should have spent on our families. When you come into A.A., that terrible load of wasted money falls off your shoulders. We alcoholics were getting round-shouldered from carrying all those loads that drinking put on our shoulders. But when we come into A.A., we get a wonderful feeling of release and freedom. Can I throw back my shoulders and look the whole world in the face again? Live and let live - Tolerance For countless reasons, people with drinking problems blunder into conflicts with others. It s not unusual to hear that a person has not spoken to a relative for y ears as a result of some foolish misunderstanding. Some of us, sad to say, cling to old grievances even after we come into AA. The key to peace in our lives is the slogan Live and Let Live. If we reflect on this slogan a bit, we want to live freely, and we ought to let others choose their lifestyles without interference from us. After all, if there was anything we alcoholics resented, it was the busybody who tried to shape our lives for us. Nobody has the competence or understanding to tell us how we should live, nor should we try to control other people. We have a big job to do in overcoming our own problems. We have neither the time nor the wisdom to run other people s lives. Live and Let Live, if followed by every person and nation, would bring universal peace. We can use the slogan wisely to end conflicts in our lives and to terminate new ones before they develop into serious problems. I ll remember today that nobody appointed me guardian of my neighbours manners and morals. I have a full-time job keeping myself straight. Hi, my name's Barry, and I am an Alcoholic. I had expectations when I started attending this group. I expected no one could teach me anything. Boy, I am glad I was so wrong. I gave it a chance and, lo and behold, I started learning from the people in this room. So I began to use what I had learned here and, I tell you, it has changed my life dramatically. Now, I expect to wake up feeling good and not trying to figure out what I did the night before. I expect to have clear thinking and help from God in all that I do. I have even started expecting the best that life has to offer. Because we only go around once and we need to live it the best way we can. I look to all for goodness and try to keep learning daily. For newcomers, give it some time and you will soon be tuned in and you will really enjoy the things life has to offer. Thanks for your shares and for letting me share with you. Good morning all, I'm Garth, an alcoholic. And this is a great way to start my day by surrendering and admitting I am powerless over this disease and most other things in my life. The only thing I can really do anything about is me and my attitude. I had done the first part of Step One before I got to AA, knew I could not stop drinking by myself, and that I needed help. Most importantly, I swallowed my pride, asked for help, and received it in spades. So here I am, powerless, but happy, joyous and free. I'm able to get out of the way and let go and let God. Thanks. Hi everyone, Robin alcoholic. I was a very driven, competitive and ambitious person. I used to measure my worth and base my identity on what I achieved. I worked hard, I barely had a life, but I pushed myself and finally attained the career and status that I wanted. Outwardly I was living my dreams. Inwardly I was living a secret life of alcohol, insecurity and misery. As the reading suggests, I have found greater rewards in recovery than in any of my self-centered achievements. I am grateful I found this program and a set of values for living life happy joyous and free. Thank you.

5 EAST RAND AREA MEETINGS SUNDAY TEMBISA - OM 11h00 43 Benin Street, at Ethafeni Multiskills Centre, behind the Ethafeni Clinic. Suben or Nala HERE ARE THE STEPS OM 18h00 Scout Hall,25 Terhone Road,Freeway Park,Boksburg (From Kingfisher Avenue, turn right into Constantia, after 950m, turn right into Terhone Road.) Sandil or Lisa KATLEHONG - OM 15h00 Motsmai Clinic, Corner of Moseu and Maphike (Sontonga) Streets, Katlehong. David or Mandla SUNDAY SPIRITUAL MEETING - OM - 10h30 Primrose Methodist Church, Primula Drive, Primrose MONDAY BETHAL - NEW HOPE - In Recess BENONI CITY - OM 20h00 Central Methodist Church, cnr. Bunyan & Cranbourne Streets, Benoni Anil COURAGE TO CHANGE - OM 19h30 NG Kerk,8 Canadair Avenue, Impala Park, Boksburg Joanne EDENVALE - CM 20h00 Dunvegan Nursery School cnr Dunvegan & Francis Streets, Dunvegan, Edenvale Gus ,Mike ,Bharat SPRINGS - CM 19h30 Selcourt Methodist Church, 3 7 Granada Street, Selcourt, Springs PRIMROSE - OM - 19h30 Primrose Methodist Church, Primula Drive, Primrose TUESDAY AIRFIELD OM 19h30 Northfield Methodist Church, Aerodrome Drive, Northmead, Benoni Teresa or Heather BRAKPAN OM 20h00 St. Peters Anglican Church, Queens Avenue, Brakpan Colin or Vincent HOUSE OF MERCY OM 19h30 35 Olivia Road, Ravenswood, Boksburg Frazier PHOENIX - OM 20h00 All Saints Church cnr Rietfontein & Petunia Roads, Primrose Charlie WORD OF MOUTH OM 20h00 Edenvale Scout Hall, 1 Davids Road, Elma Park Warren or Bharat PRIMROSE LADIES - CM 19h00 Primrose Methodist Church, Primula Drive, Primrose Belinda WEDNESDAY ACTONVILLE In Recess KEMPTON PARK OM 20h00 Beginners Meeting at 19h00 before 20h00 meeting Methodist Church cnr Monument & Van Der Walt Streets, Kempton Park Release or Adele WEDNESDAY EDENVALE LUNCHTIME OM 12h30 St Teresa's Catholic Church, Horwood St.,Edenvale Ian PLANTATION OM 20h00 Horizon Clinic, 8 Railway Road, Plantation, Boksburg Sandil BENONI CITY LUNCH TIME OM 12H00 Benoni Central Methodist Church, 26 Bunyan Street (entrance Cranbourne Avenue), Benoni Larry THE FOCUS GROUP - OM 19H30 NG Kerk, 1 Kerk Street, Putfontein,Benoni Mark P Shawn P THURSDAY SPRINGS - OM 19h30 Selcourt Methodist Church, 3 7 Granada Street, Selcourt, Springs EDENVALE - OM 20h00 Dunvegan Nursery School cnr Dunvegan & Francis Streets, Dunvegan, Edenvale Gus ,Mike ,Bharat AIRFIELD Step Meeting 19h30 Closed Northfield Methodist Church, Aerodrome Drive, Northmead, Benoni Teresa or Heather HIGHVELD (SECUNDA) OM 18h00 Highveld Social Service Centre Mental Health, President Swart Street, Secunda George HOUSE OF MERCY OM 19h30 35 Olivia Road, Ravenswood, Boksburg Frazier BOKSBURG OM 20h00 Methodist Church Hall, cnr Osborn & Market Streets, Boksburg Central Lisa or Debbie HEIDELBERG OM 19h00 Methodist Church Hall, 59 Strydom Street, Skipper TEMBISA - OM 13:00-14:00 Tembisa Energy, Energy Maintenance offices (Opp. Police Station) 120 Ibazelo Section, Andrew Mapheto Drive, Tembisa. Nala or Release THE 12 STEPS 19h30 OM Manager Care Centre, 8 Kirschner Road, Brentwood Park, Benoni John W or Glen c FRIDAY Hambisa Umlayezo Kwanaye (Heidelberg) OM 18H00 Acts Family Church, 6027 Nyathi Street, Extension 23 Skipper PRIMROSE - OM - BIG BOOK 19h30 21h00 Primrose Methodist Church, Primula Drive, Primrose BENONI SOUTH - OM - 19h00 20h00 CTC Church Cnr Lancaster and Dagenham Streets, Benoni South Tony SATURDAY GERMISTON - OM 17H00 Reconciliation Church,75 Piercy Road (off Weber road) Lambton, Germiston Kevin THE SATURDAY MORNING MEETING OM 10h00 House of Mercy,35 Olivia Road,Ravenswood,Boksburg Marlon or Tony SATURDAY MORNING MEETING OM 09h00 Kempton Park Group at Elim Clinic, 133 Plane Rd, Kempton Park Suben OM = Open Meeting, CM = Closed Meeting