A Newsletter Published for the CJI Office, Where the sick Alcoholic first calls or shows up for AA help." Central Jersey

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Sabrina Williams
5 years ago
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my God, I receive numerous blessings that leave me forever grateful.

When I first came into AA, I was spiritually bankrupt. I did not lose many materialistic items, but I certainly lost myself.

1 1 A Newsletter Published for the CJI Office, Where the sick Alcoholic first calls or shows up for AA help." Central Jersey Intergroup CJI News Central Jersey Intergroup, 348 Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown, NJ Office (609) Attitude of Gratitude Every day that I turn my will and life over to my God, I receive numerous blessings that leave me forever grateful. Even on my darkest days in sobriety, there is not a day that passes in which I am not grateful for the wonderful changes that have occurred in myself and in my life. When I first came into AA, I was spiritually bankrupt. I did not lose many materialistic items, but I certainly lost myself. I had to withdrawal from college because I was failing all of my classes due to my alcoholism. I had no hope for my future, and I never imagined that I would return to school. With God's grace and the psychic change that occurred in me while working the twelve steps, I was able to return to school. It is with so much gratitude that I can say I graduated college this May with academic honors. Turning my life around was not something I could have ever accomplished on my will, it was the result of turning my will and life over to the care and direction of a God of my understanding. I am so grateful each and every day that I wake up, for in my active alcoholism, the only time I prayed was in hope that I would not wake up in the morning. I have a purpose for living today, freely given to me by working the program of AA. When I think about gratitude, the list can go on with what I am grateful for. I have the love of my boyfriend, family, and friends, the ability to help another suffering alcoholic, a bright future that lies ahead of me when I stay sober one day at a time, and that I am an alcoholic who has found a solution in AA. I wish I could say that I never struggle, that life is never difficult or stressful, but in reality that is not the case for anyone. It is on those difficult days that I have to remember to be grateful the most, for once I lose my gratitude, picking up a drink may seem like a good solution. At the end of every day, think about what you are grateful for. Sometimes it may be as simple as the miracle of not picking up a drink for one more day. - Kara S. Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude. - Ralph Waldo Emerson "My sponsor told me that I should be a grateful alcoholic and always have 'an attitude of gratitude' -that gratitude was the basic ingredient of humility, that humility was the basic ingredient of anonymity and that 'anonymity was the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us the place principles before personalities.' As a result of this guidance, I start every morning on my knees, thanking God for three things: I'm alive, I'm sober, and I'm a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. Then I try to live an 'attitude of gratitude' and thoroughly enjoy another twenty-four hours of the A.A. way of life. A.A. is not something I joined; it's something I live." - Daily Reflections, page 63 Inside This Issue: 2014 Live and Let Laugh...2 Upcoming Events...3 CJI Area Donations...4 "Meetings on Wheels"...4 Anniversary Celebrations...5 "Lit On Wheels"...6

2 2 Live and Let Laugh JULY AUGUST FREE GOD GRATITUDE HAPPY JOYOUS MEETINGS PRAYER RECOVERY SERVICE SOBRIETY SPIRITUALITY SPONSORSHIP STEPS UNITY

3 Upcoming Events Burlington Big Book 4th of July Alcathon Location: St.

Roselle Park, NJ 07203 Details: Meeting around the clock starting at 7 AM Music by DJ Billy The Kid Throckmorton Street Group July 4th

Speaking Group July 4th Celebration with AA Long Timers Location: The Barrow Mansion 83 Wayne Street Jersey City, NJ Details: 10am to 6pm

3 Meetings, Salsa Class The Wayne Valley Group 38th Anniversary Location: St.

& 22/23 Tradition 5 Workshop Location: St.

Dinner, 8 11pm Dance with DJ Don Kinnelon Do it For Yourself Tuesday Night Group 44th Anniversary Location: St.

3 3 Upcoming Events Burlington Big Book 4th of July Alcathon Location: St. Barnabas Church 309 East Broad Street Details: 7am to 7pm Rockin' On The 4th (Sober) Dance, BBQ & Alkathon Location: 340 West First Ave Roselle Park, NJ Details: Meeting around the clock starting at 7 AM Music by DJ Billy The Kid Throckmorton Street Group July 4th Alkathon Location: New Attitudes Clubhouse 45 Throckmorton Street Freehold, NJ Details: Meetings From 7am to 10pm The Soberly Speaking Group July 4th Celebration with AA Long Timers Location: The Barrow Mansion 83 Wayne Street Jersey City, NJ Details: 10am to 6pm EL CUATRO ON THE CINCO Sober Fiesta Location: Osceola Church 1689 Raritan Rd Clark, NJ Saturday July 5th, 2014 Details: 7pm - 11pm, 3 Meetings, Salsa Class The Wayne Valley Group 38th Anniversary Location: St. Timothy's 395 Valley Road Wayne, NJ Friday July 11th, 2014 Details: 7:30pm, Open Speaker, Food and Fellowship to Follow Districts 3 & 22/23 Tradition 5 Workshop Location: St. Stephen's Episcopal Church 158 Warren Street Beverly, NJ Saturday July 12th, 2014 Details: 6pm Registration, 6:30pm Workshop, 7:30pm Dinner, 8 11pm Dance with DJ Don Kinnelon Do it For Yourself Tuesday Night Group 44th Anniversary Location: St. David's Church 91 Kinnelon Road Kinnelon, NJ Tuesday July 15th, 2014 Details: Dinner: 6:30pm, Speaker at 7:30pm: Sister Maureen Union City Early Risers Group 27th Anniversary Ultimate BBQ Location: North Hudson Park Picnic Grounds Bocchi Court near 85th Street and Bergenline Avenue entrance Sunday August 17th, 2014 Details: 10:00 AM Open Meeting in the Park Food Fun and Fellowship to follow

4 4 CJI Area Donations - April 2014 / May 2014 April 2014 Contributions Sunlight of the spirit $ Roebling Sun Night $25.00 Winners Circle $ Andrew F. $ Rocky Hill $ Bridging the steps $96.00 Turtle Cove $ $15.00 Thurs There is a Solution $ Live & Let Live $ Total $1, May 2014 Contributions 3 Pertinent Ideas $ Bordentown Sunday night $25.00 Thurs Noon Allentown $ Came to Believe 10 am $ Phoenix Group $ Group $ Talk is Cheap $39.75 Crosswicks 12 & 12 $31.20 Cranbury Beginners $ Believing! $ Frinite Big Book $ Hightstown Earlybirds $ Ham Sq Mixed Nuts $ Group $ Allentown Meds BB $ Grp. Of AA $85.00 Total $2, MEETINGS ON WHEELS Brings AA meetings to current members of AA who are physically unable to attend their regularly scheduled meetings due to accident, illness, or temporary medical conditions. Meetings may take place in Hospitals, Rehab centers, home, Nursing homes or Retirement homes. Pleases contact Bill for additional information. Phone meetings also available.

5 5 Anniversary Celebrations! Congratulations to all of the celebrants! If you would like your anniversary date posted in the newsletter, please send the Anniversary Date Information Form at the bottom of this page to the Newsletter Chair via one of the following options: IN PERSON: A member may submit his/her anniversary date in person at the Monthly CJI meeting. ONLINE/ A member may submit their sobriety date via to Kara S. the Newsletter Chair at: U.S. MAIL: A member may write in to the Central Jersey Intergroup office at: PO BOX 4096 TRENTON, NJ Attention: Newsletter Chair Annette T. 09/18/1972 Marie G. 10/24/1973 Andy S. 08/23/1976 George McD. 04/19/1978 Jake S. 11/28/1980 Jim F. 09/21/1981 Sharon F.11/14/1983 Theresa Q. 03/22/1984 James M.10/05/1984 Helen C. 02/26/1986 Kathy M. 07/26/1986 Fred H. 11/07/1986 Pat L. 11/13/1987 MaryEllen D. 01/02/1989 Louie R. 08/17/1989 Johnny S. 09/03/1989 Margie L. 09/28/1989 Annie O.J. 11/07/1989 Judy C. 07/05/1988 Bobby B. 09/20/1990 Anna M. 10/14/1990 Dick F. 03/01/1991 Sharon S. 03/30/1991 Brian H. 10/15/1991 Mildred M. 12/15/1992 Lyndee L. 01/23/1992 Nick C. 02/22/1992 Terri P. 05/24/1992 Maura O. 10/10/1992 Cherri S. 07/19/1993 John W. 10/18/1993 Maureen R-R 07/12/1998 Angie P. 12/07/2001 Colleen D. 04/11/2001 Pat K. 07/06/2003 Chuck D. 08/01/2003 Jami D. 05/10/2004 Marianne H. 05/17/2004 Roseann F. 09/08/2005 Joe L. 08/26/2006 Judy M. 11/26/2006 Mike Mc. 08/18/2007 John R. 12/22/2008 Lisa B. 06/23/2008 Maureen R. 09/10/2008 Audrey R. 03/18/2009 Dave K. 05/26/2009 Chelsea D. 06/06/2009 Margaret R. 11/24/2009 George R. 04/25/2010 Cindi J. 11/21/2010 Quin F. 03/25/2011 Kara S. 11/15/2011 Michelle A. 05/31/2012 Margaret K. 09/14/2013 Laura 09/20/2013 Anthony A. 09/25/2013 Anniversary Date Information Form First Name: Last Initial: Sobriety If you would like your anniversary date posted in the newsletter, mail the above information to: Central Jersey Intergroup, PO Box 4096, Trenton, NJ 08610; or your anniversary info. to the Newsletter Chair at: or submit the above information in person to the Newsletter Chair.

6 Central Jersey Intergroup 348 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown, NJ 08505 Office (609) 298-7785 HotLine (609) 298-7795 www.centraljerseyintergroup.org!

The next time your group is having an anniversary or alcathon or any special event and you want the Hot Wheels of Literature to be there to sell A.A. Literature, please contact us.

Secretary: Lindsay W. Treasurer: Chuck D. COMMITTEES Answering Service Heather S. Computers Michael M. & Natelie C. Correctional Facilities Angie P. & Richard L.

6 6 Central Jersey Intergroup 348 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown, NJ Office (609) HotLine (609) LIT ON WHEELS Central Jersey Intergroup Literature Committee is ready to burn up the road to recovery! The next time your group is having an anniversary or alcathon or any special event and you want the Hot Wheels of Literature to be there to sell A.A. Literature, please contact us. Literature Chair Chris C Literature Co-Chair Pat M PANEL MEMBERS Chairperson: Jami D. Vice Chair: Sean B. Fin. Secretary: Tom M. Rec. Secretary: Lindsay W. Treasurer: Chuck D. COMMITTEES Answering Service Heather S. Computers Michael M. & Natelie C. Correctional Facilities Angie P. & Richard L. Hospitals & Institutions Theresa M. Literature Chris C. & Pat M. Meeting Lists Kathy M. Newsletter Kara S. Public Information Tom B. Steering Cindi J. Unity Pat P. Web Site Michael M. & Natelie C. TRUSTEES: Pat L. Jeff L. Barbara W. Connie Y. Connie C.

AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net)

District 12 Unity News May 2015 AA Thought for the Day (courtesy AA-Alive.net) Freedom from Bondage God, I offer myself to thee -- to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage