the oa promises ask ms. butterflyer we will suddenly … · 2014. 12. 1. · chair ~ cj m...
TRANSCRIPT
THE OA PROMISES
The December 2014 Newsletter of Overeaters Anonymous for Chicago Western Intergroup Far-Out CHI-WIF. http://www.chiwifoa.org This literature has been locally produced by CHI-WIF IG. The content reflects the experience, strength and hope of our local members. It is not OA Conference- or board-approved and does not represent OA as a whole. Suggested Donation: 50 cents
CHI-WIF Officers Chair ~ CJ M 708-218-1904 Vice Chair ~ Belle S 630-747-7669 Secretary ~ Gerri M 630-833-6942 Treasurer ~ Vicki L 630-618-8730 Editor ~ Gerri M 630-833-6942
Does your meeting have an IG rep? Come and join us!
Upcoming IG Meeting December 20, 2014
10-11:30AM Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL 60515
CAFETERIA OAK ROOMS
Editorial Statement Certain material contained in this newsletter is protected by copyright; please observe all copyright regulations. Items submitted for publication cannot be returned, may be edited, and may be reprinted by other anonymous groups without permission. The opinions expressed here are those of the writers and not necessarily of OA as a whole. The steps and traditions are reprinted by permission of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous, ©1990 by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.; the concepts of service are reprinted by permission of Overeaters Anonymous, Inc. from Twelve Concepts of OA Service, ©1994 by Overeaters Anonymous, Inc.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves
Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous Page 84
The last of the Ninth Step Promises IS the solution offered by the
OA Program. When I came to this realization and rested in the
arms of my Higher Power, everything became easier – my food, my
relationships, and my spiritual life. It is the relief, the peace of mind
and the serenity that I receive as an unearned gift from HP in
exchange for my asking for help from Him, my personal
companion. I tell Him that with His help, I am willing to TRY to
stay straight with my food. My tiny effort (that I feel is HUGELY
monumental!) is rewarded with the quieting of the voices that
always battled in my head trying to get me to give in to the cravings
of my trigger foods. All that is expected of me is to TRY to do my
best, not the perfection I always expected of myself. It is truly a
miracle what HP can do with my imperfect cooperation! I have to
let Him work His miracle in me by staying in “fit spiritual
condition”. Big Book, p. 86
September Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
October Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
ASK MS.
BUTTERFLYER
Question: I just told an OA friend who my sponsor is. I actually was telling her how good she is for me. My friend asked if my sponsor was all right with me telling people who she was. She said it was a break in anonymity to tell someone who my sponsor is. Is it? I wasn’t talking to someone outside of OA.
Answer: While we sometimes tend to put our sponsors on a higher level in our minds, it is important to remember they are Compulsive Eaters just like the rest of us. They are entitled to the same Anonymity as the rest of us. I guess you could turn the question around and ask, is it all right for my sponsor to tell someone else that I am his/her sponsee? How would you feel?
The best way to answer this question is to ask your Sponsor directly how (s)he feels. If (s)he says this is a break, then you owe an amends.
Remember, not every amend we need to make is because we did something mean. Sometimes we simply do not consider things from someone else’s point of view.
Do you have a question for Ms. Butterflyer?
January A Plan of Eating
February Sponsorship
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO: OA World Service Office (505) 891-2664 Region V Website www.region5oa.org OA Website www.oa.org Chi-Wif Website www.chiwifoa.org Addresses CHI-WIF—PO Box 4419, Lisle, IL 60532 ***REGION 5 — NEW ADDRESS & TELEPHONE*** PO Box 199223 Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 317-809-9575
If you are interested in using the tools of writing and service by contributing an article on the monthly topic, an anecdote, a poem or just simply how program has helped & is helping to improve your quality of life, please email me at: [email protected] or send by regular mail to: CHI-WIF IG PO Box 4419 Articles should be received by the third week of the month. Gerri M, Editor
The Butterflyer is only available via email. If you are interested in receiving this free monthly newsletter electronically or if you did not receive your electronic subscription please send an email with the word “SUBSCRIBE” in the subject box to: [email protected]
THE LITERATURE CORNER NEW MEETING FORMAT & OUR INVITATION TO YOU The updated “Our Invitation to You,” abridged, is now available. This revision, approved by the OA Board of Trustees at the August 2014 meeting, draws from the new, unabridged version of “Our Invitation to You” found in Overeaters Anonymous, Third Edition, which was approved by the World Service Business Conference in May 2014. The new, abridged version now appears in the Suggested Meeting Format and the Suggested Telephone Meeting Format and reflects and honors the group conscience of OA. The new meeting formats, noted with an August 2014 revision date, are available below for immediate download and use at your next meeting.
Suggested Meeting Format http://www.oa.org/pdfs/suggested_meeting_format.pdf
Members In Relapse Pamphlet #400 This cleverly laid out little 8 page pamphlet is a collection
of quotes from relapsed OA members. They are relating
their reactions to the actions of loving, persistent OA
members who would not let them struggle and die in
relapse. The quotes are amazing. There aren’t many of us
who experienced “instant abstinence” upon entering OA.
Most of us have struggled and can easily relate to the
quotes in this pamphlet. Perhaps it will give you some
ideas as to how you might approach and help a struggling
member in relapse…..and for only 50 cents!!
FIVE H WORDS By NJ
Sometime back, I remember reading a list of five H words in AA literature. I see those five H words in my own story of Twelve Step Living.
Hope--I saw it at my first Overeater’s Anonymous meeting. There were over forty men and women who understood my pain, had suffered as I had, but were peaceful on the inside as well as on the outside. I knew I was “home” and that God answered my prayer.
Honesty--In small groups and in large groups, men and women shared their personal lives. They said I must share my thoughts and feelings if I wanted to be free of the disease of food obsession. I talk a lot today, but there was a time when only my name and “I pass” came out of my mouth.
Humility--My favorite definition of humility is not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less often. Focusing on food, weight, and body image kept me self-absorbed for many years.
Human--I have said, “Welcome to the human race” as many times to myself as to others. It is not a matter of if I mess-up, but when I will mess-up. Mistakes are a part of the human condition.
Helpfulness--I grew up in a service orientated family, so I saw self-giving and participated in it. However, today my helpfulness includes testimony to what God has done for me in a personal relationship that grows deeper as the years pass.
The Power of One Overeaters Anonymous is definitely a WE program. We need a sponsor to guide us through the steps and to help us along our way in recovery. We need to share our program with others and be of service to our fellows by sponsoring and making outreach calls and sharing our experience, strength and hope. One person can make a difference. One person can sponsor us. One person can ask us to sponsor them. One person can touch us with their story in a way that is very profound. One person would also have made a difference at the Intergroup meeting on November 15th. In order to conduct the business of the Intergroup, we must have a quorum. A quorum is defined in our Bylaws as "Two Intergroup Officers and at least one other voting member who is not an officer of the Intergroup." The attendees at the November meeting were two officers and one guest. We did not have a quorum present and were therefore unable to conduct the business of OA. One person is very important in so many ways. Please consider offering your time as an Intergroup Representative for your meeting. Each meeting is entitled to two representatives to the Intergroup. The Intergroup meets on the third Saturday of each month from 10 - 11:30 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Please come and see what is happening at the Intergroup and share your ideas.
Use your computer skills to help others in OA. Become a . . .
“Designated Downloader” (DD)
And pass on information from the WSO and other OA websites. You can do this valuable DD service for your local group, intergroup, service board, or region. One good source of downloads for a DD is: www.oa.org/documents/ Many members of the OA Fellowship do not have access to computers. As a “Designated Downloader” or “DD” you can provide: The Courier A Step Ahead (ASA) Service Body & Region Newsletters Registration Forms OA Literature Catalog/Order Form . . . and more! Give it a try!
Sunday, December 7 2:00—3:00 pm Central Time
Literature: Heart and Soul of OA Focus on Twelfth-Step-Within Handbook, provided by the Board of Trustees Virtual Services Committee, featuring OA Trustee speakers; dial 1-424-203-8405 and enter access code 925619#; Stephanie D. 1-727-641-3437; email [email protected]
Sunday, December 12 All Day
12 Twelfth Step Within Day
Relapse is not contagious, but recovery is.
Sunday, December 12 7:00 am—11:00 pm Central Time
Twelfth Step Within Day: Ending the Isolation Hosted by the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Meeting; dial 712-432-5200 and enter PIN 4285115#; Evangelyn R. 845-386-3127; email [email protected]
Tuesday, December 14 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
I am beautiful -inside and out Body Acceptance Workshop Pass It on Club, 6225 Forest Home Av, Milwaukee, WI Contact Sue W. 414-588-0255
Wednesday, December 17 7:00 am—11:00 pm Central Time
Dedication to My Program Hosted by the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Meeting; dial 712-432-5200 and enter PIN 4285115#; Evangelyn R. 845-386-3127; email [email protected]
Wednesday, December 24 7:00 am—11:00 pm Central Time
Enjoying the Promises of OA Recovery Hosted by the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Meeting; dial 712-432-5200 and enter PIN 4285115#; Evangelyn R. 845-386-3127; email [email protected]
Wednesday, December 25 7:00 am—11:00 pm Central Time
Gifts of the Program Hosted by the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Meeting; dial 712-432-5200 and enter PIN 4285115#; Evangelyn R. 845-386-3127; email [email protected]
Thursday, December 26 7:00 am—11:00 pm Central Time
Gratitude for the ‘We’ in the Program Hosted by the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Meeting; dial 712-432-5200 and enter PIN 4285115#; Evangelyn R. 845-386-3127; email [email protected]
Wednesday, December 31 7:00 am—11:00 pm Central Time
Each Day a New Beginning Hosted by the 6:45 a.m. Sunrise Meeting; dial 712-432-5200 and enter PIN 4285115#; Evangelyn R. 845-386-3127; email [email protected]
WANT TO SEE YOUR GROUP’S EVENT LISTED HERE? SEND YOUR FLYER OR INFORMATION TO [email protected]
OA COMPUTER LINKS
VISIT THE CHIWIF WEBSITE Click Here
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FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE—Region 5 November Newsletter Under Construction
A STEP AHEAD NEWSLETTER—Fall Edition Click Here
MILWAUKEE AREA INTERGROUP WEBSITE—Special Events Click Here
BUTTERFLYER—Past Issues Click Here
LIFELINE WEEKLY—Past Issues Click Here
CHIWIF MEETINGS—Location, Days, & Times Click Here
When City Where Type of Meeting Contact Group #
Sunday 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Batavia Fox Valley Unity Church— 230 Webster Street at Van Buren St
Literature Meeting Vicki (630) 618-8730
(013-30514)
Sunday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Glen Ellyn St. Thomas United Methodist Church— 2S511 Rt. 53 just north of Butterfield Road
Format Varies Open Mtg on the 4th Sun.
Karol
(630) 329-1921 (013-45132)
Sunday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
LaGrange
First Congregational Church— 100 South 6th Avenue at Cossitt
Big Book Study
Sheila S.
(630) 747-1001 (013-50044)
Monday 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
DeKalb Senior Center 409 S Grove
Format Varies Joan
(815) 899-8960 (013-45133)
Monday - 7:00 PM-8:00 PM
Yorkville Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ—409 Center Parkway
Format Varies Bonnie (815) 498-4431
(013-00777)
Monday 7pm-8pm
Wheaton St Paul Church 515 South Wheaton Ave
OA Literature Kim (630) 858-6295
(013-50466)
Monday 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Naperville New Covenant Church — 75th Street & Washington Street
Format Varies Open Mtg on the 3rd Mon.
Susan M. (630) 852-3771
(013-04500)
Tuesday Noon - 1:00 PM
Naperville Compass Church, 1551 Hobson Road at College/Wehrli Room 3101
Varies— Open Mtg on the 5th Tues.
Marilyn (630) 416-3723
(013-39620)
Tuesday 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Darien
Lord of Life Lutheran Church 725 75th St.
OA 12 & 12
Sindee (630) 968-6328
(013-35752)
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Darien
Lord of Life Lutheran Church 725 75th St.
Open to All Back to Basics
Belle S. (630) 747-7669
(013-51048)
Tuesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Forest Park United Church of Christ Harvard & Elgin
Format Varies Open to All
Kathleen (773) 458-6137
(013-52223)
Tuesday 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
St. Charles Hosanna Lutheran Church Red Gate Rd & Randall Rd
Format Varies Meghan R. (586)383-0880
(013-21464)
Wednesday 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Aurora Our Lady of Good Counsel St. Francis Center, 620 S. Fifth Street Format Varies
Linda V. (630)244-2416
(013-08909)
Wednesday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Geneva
St. Mark’s Church 320 Franklin—Room 7
Big Book Study
Kelly J. (630) 485-9705
(013-50083)
Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Wheaton St. Paul Lutheran Church 515 S Wheaton Avenue at Evergreen Street
Format Varies Kim S. (630) 858-6295
(013-00804)
Thursday Noon - 1:00 PM
Downers Grove
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church 3910 Highland Avenue at 39th Street
OA 12 & 12
Susan S. (630) 841-6517
(013-47257)
Thursday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Aurora Mercy Center Hospital, McDermott Room 1325 N Highland, Aurora
Format Varies Cherie (630) 442-9646 or
(013-35368)
Thursday 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Oswego Wheatland Salem Church 1217 Wolf Road, Oswego Needs Support
Format Varies Barbara H. (630) 674-9341
(013-51364)
Thursday 6:45 PM - 7:15 PM
Downers Grove
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church 3910 Highland Avenue at 39th Street
Newcomers/Information Session Open to All
Evelyn (630) 653-8608
Thursday 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Downers Grove
St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church 3910 Highland Avenue at 39th Street Needs Support
Format Varies—Open Mtg on the 5th Thursday.
Susan S. (630) 841-6517
(013-04530)
Friday 7:00AM - 8:00AM
Oak Park Good Shepherd Lutheran Church—Back Door 611 Randolph (3 blocks E of Oak Park Ave)
Format Varies Needs Support
Mary Lou (708) 343-8360
(013-46432)
Friday 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
LaGrange First Congregational Church 100 South 6th Avenue at Cossitt
Format Varies Jane K. at (708) 579-1785
(013-20655)
Friday 5:30 PM-6:30 PM
Darien Lord of Life Lutheran Church 725 75th St.
Big Book
Sindee (630) 968-6328 (013-00937)
Friday 7:00PM—8:00PM
Bartlett Living Lord Lutheran Church 1044 Congress Drive Needs Support
Format Varies Dwayne G (630) 433-0656 (013-53121)
= needs support Chi-WIF Meeting List (013-09168) Last Updated 09/2014 = babysitting
Saturday 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
DeKalb/Sycamore South end of Lagoon parking lot— Lincoln Hwy & Castle Drive. Meet in Castle Drive Parking Lot. April—October Nov.– March @ Federated Church 612 W. State in Sycamore IL.
Walk ‘N Talk Indoors
Kim (815) 529-3749
(013-40820)
Saturday 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Burr Ridge Burr Ridge United Church of Christ NW Corner of County Line & Plainfield Roads
Format varies Babysitting no longer available
Terri N. (630) 688-7841
(013-38938)
Saturday 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Roselle Trinity Lutheran Church 405 W Rush Street,Conference Room 119
Big Book, Steps Becky at (847) 524-0356
(013-36157)
Saturday 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Winfield Central DuPage Hospital Behavioral Health Services, Room 131 27W350 High Lake Road
Format Varies Dan V. (630) 244-2415
(013-39585)
Saturday 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
River Forest Grace Lutheran Church 7401 West Division (Learning Center)
OA 12 & 12 Kathleen (708) 408-5702
(013-35325)
Saturday 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Darien
Lord of Life Lutheran Church 725 75th Street
Format Varies— Open Mtg on the 5th Sat.
Joann B.
(630) 515-8329
(013-24782)
Saturday 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Elmhurst Epiphany Evangelical Lutheran Church 314 W Vallette St (Spring & Vallette) In the library
Format Varies— Open Mtg on the 5th Sat.
Maryann (630) 530-2484
(013-32222)
When City Where Type of Meeting Contact Group #
= needs support Chi-WIF Meeting List (013-09168) Last Updated 09/2014 = babysitting
Percent Service Body Address
60% Intergroup* CHI-WIF Treasurer CHI-WIF CONTRIBUTION FORM PO Box 4419 Click Here Lisle, IL 60532
30%
World Service*
World Service Office WORLD SERVICE CONTRIBUTION FORM PO Box 44020 Click Here for mail in form Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4020 Click Here for on-line contribution
10%
Region* New Address:
Region 5 Treasurer REGION 5 CONTRIBUTION FORM PO Box 199223 Indianapolis, Indiana 46219 Click Here for mail in form (Old address on form)
*Include full meeting information with your payment
7th Tradition Support OA the 60/30/10 Way! THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUR REGION 5 TREASURY
Thank you for helping our Region 5 treasury during this long 18 month gap between conventions. Your donations exceeded expectations. Our Columbus Convention fell short of projections so the extra money is much appreciated.
New Year’s Eve Dec 4—Intl Hug Dec 21—Winter