May 1-6:World Service Business Conference - Growing OA Unity Worldwide, Albuquerque, NM (OBI will send a delegate)
Tuesday, May 2:
Mini Workshop - 12-Stepping A Problem: Use the New OA Pocket Guide on Any Situation, 6 to 7 pm
Flyer
Tuesday, May 2: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
6 p.m.: Mini Workshop
7 p.m.: Literature Sales & Fellowship
7:30 p.m.: Meeting
St. Patrick's Church,
2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI.
Saturday, May 13: Metro West Intergroup sponsors Sponsorship event, 9 to 11 a.m., Shipley Auditorium, 2014 Washington St., Newton, MA. Info Suzanne 617-965-4845
Monday, May 22: Special Speaker Meeting sponsored by Southeastern CT Intergroup, 7 pm at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 56 Great Hammock Rd. (Rt. 154) Old Saybrook, CT
Flyer
Wed., May 31: Mini Workshop Encore: Tools: Reorganize Your Tool Box, 7 to 8 p.m. at First Parish Universalist Church, 70 Church, Green, Taunton, MA.
June 2-4: WMI OA Retreat: A Weekend Walk Th
rough the Steps at Genesis Spiritual Center.
June 2-4: Using the Steps to Navigate the Ups and Downs of Relapse Retreat sponsored by MetroWest Intergroup, Sacred Heart Retreat Center in Wareham, MA
Flyer
Saturday, June 3: North Shore Intergroup 7th Annual Retreat, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Notre Dame Spirituality Center, 30 Jeffrey's Neck Road, Ipswich, MA
Tuesday, June 6: Sponsorship: I'm not Ready But My Sponsor Thinks I Am
Flyer
Tuesday, June 6: Ocean and Bay Intergroup Meeting
6 p.m.: Mini Workshop
7 p.m.: Literature Sales & Fellowship
7:30 p.m.: Meeting
St. Patrick's Church,
2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI.
Saturday, June 10: 12 Steps in 5 Hours, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. John's Episcopal Church, 8 Revere St., Jamaica Plain, MA. Marcela 617-501-6275.
June 23-25: Tranquility: Get Motivated weekend retreat sponsored by Southeastern Connecticut Intergroup at Incarnation Conference Center, Ivoryton, CT
Flyer
Tuesday, July 11: Mini Workshop
Tuesday, July 11: OBI Intergroup Meeting
Tuesday, August 1: Mini Workshop
Tuesday, August 1: OBI Intergroup Meeting
Tuesday, September 5: Mini Workshop
Tuesday, September 5: OBI Intergroup Meeting
October 6-8: Second Annual Fall Into Recovery: Practicing These Principles in all our Affairs, Espousal Retreat House, 554 Lexington St., Waltham, MA
Flyer
October 6-8: Here are the Steps we Took 15th Annual Retreat, Marie Joseph Spiritual Center, Biddeford Pool, ME
Flyer
October 20-22:
2017 Region 6 Convention, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
www.oaregion6.org/2017/
Saturday, Oct. 28: Central Mass Intergroup Day Workshop, Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester, 90 Holden St., Worcester, MA
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PHONE SUPPORT AVAILABLE ON
MAJOR HOLIDAYS
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MARATHON PHONE MEETINGS ARE HELD ON
ALL MAJOR HOLIDAYS
EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR BEGINNING AT 8 A.M. AROUND REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS. EACH MARATHON HAS A TOPIC FOR THE DAY.
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Seventh Tradition
The Seventh Tradition states OA is fully self-supporting, accepting contributions only from OA members. Groups may send either monthly or periodic donations (via mail or in person) to Intergroup. Thank you for your donation, which helps us to spread the word of recovery. Intergroup treasurer reports are always available -- just ask.
On average, six groups donate each month. Does your group donate on a regular basis?
To send donations (payable to Ocean & Bay Intergroup) via mail:
Ocean and Bay Intergroup
Attn: Treasurer
P.O. Box 41273
Providence, RI 02940
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LIFELINE DEADLINE
SEPTEMBER 2017
Deadline: 5/15/16
The Spiritual Principles of OA
The Principles give us a place to start and a way to move forward. Search "spiritual principles" on oa.org to find the list of Principles and share about how they have helped you work your program.
Loving Our Literature
Share how that one passage, pamphlet, or piece of literature first touched your heart. What words do you return to for inspiration? How have you used the literature Tool? What OA literature has helped you most? Lifeline: An OA Service What role does Lifeline play in your recovery? How has giving service by writing for Lifeline helped? Was someone else's Lifeline story exactly what you needed? How else have you used Lifeline?
OCTOBER 2017
Deadline: 6/15/17
Celebrating Abstinence
Share your experience about becoming abstinent and tips for maintaining abstinence. How did you discover your personal abstinence? How does the plan of eating Tool help you keep abstinent? What must you do to maintain abstinence? How do you make it a priority? What are the benefits of abstinence?
Many Ways to Work the Program
Let's celebrate OA unity by sharing about our diverse program. For example, OA offers about forty types of special topic and special focus meetings, such as "men," "young people," and "Lifeline"; and any OA member can attend any of these meetings. If your regular meeting has a special focus or special topic, or if you have tried one of these meetings, share what you learned and how it has helped your recovery.
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Intergroup Board
CONTACT US
Corresponding Secretary - Lea
Other Service Positions:
Public Information/ Professional Outreach: Holly
Inmate Initiative: Natalie
Meeting List: Deanna
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Mission & Vision
Ocean & Bay Intergroup is dedicated to supporting individuals in need of recovery from compulsive eating (e.g.: overeating, bulimia, anorexia) through carrying the OA message and empowering all meetings within the Intergroup.
1. Help members strengthen their personal recovery
2. Increase the number of sponsors
3. Increase the number of newcomers
4. Increase the retention of newcomers
5. Help those in relapse
6. Inspire people to give more service
7. Increase outreach activities, including outreach to members and healthcare professionals
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Meeting List
last updated June 2016
IMPORTANT!
GROUP CONTACT INFORMATION: Please check your group contact name and phone number on the local Ocean and Bay Meeting List. Send changes to
oceanandbayoa@yahoo.com.
Also, check your meeting listing and contact info on the Overeaters Anonymous website meeting list at oa.org. The oa.org website listing is different than the local meeting list and must be updated by your meeting contact person.
* Please call ahead to verify meetings are taking place, especially during holidays.
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Ocean & Bay Website!
oceanandbay.org
includes events, meeting list, info for newcomers, and more!
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LINKS
New England Intergroups
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Please note that every effort has been made to adhere to OA's policy for newsletter publications.
Opinions and experiences expressed within are those of the individual writer and not OA as a whole.
REMINDER: This is your newsletter, so please feel free to submit your writing contributions to: oceanandbayoa@yahoo.com.
You are also invited to be one of the members who provides answers for a Q&A. Again, just send us a note to: oceanandbayoa@yahoo.com.
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Dear Fellow OA Member:
I moved this weekend. I packed, I donated, I tossed, and yet, in the end I still had a lot of stuff to move. Some of it is useful, some of it is sentimental or adds value to my life, and other stuff, well, it's just stuff. And that stuff will need resorting, and when I am ready to let go, removal from my life to free up space and lighten my load.
As usual, this got me to thinking how this move parallels my recovery life.
I am just about done with yet another fourth step - two more hours should wrap it up. (I thought I was going to be done in March, but here we are in May.) Shortly I will sit down with my sponsor to share my truth and discoveries as step five tells us to do. Another layer of the onion is being peeled.
The first time I did steps four and five, I had been carrying around tons of stuff with me that I didn't need - physically, emotionally, or figuratively. My head was chuck full. I didn't know that until I wrote my fourth step and gave it away in a fifth step. With the help of my then sponsor, we sorted out what was no longer of benefit. Today, as I finish up my latest fourth step, so much of what was in the first one is no longer being carried around or taking up precious space. Yet, there are still things I have moved around with me that need to be resorted and much of it ultimately tossed. That will be done with the support of a caring sponsor and loving God.
My hand in yours,
Leslie |
Ocean & Bay Intergroup News
All OA members are welcome to attend Ocean & Bay Intergroup (OBI) meetings held the first Tuesday of the month at St. Patrick Church, 2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI. The next meeting is
TUESDAY, MAY 2nd at 7:30 p.m., with literature sales at 7 p.m.
PRIOR TO THE MEETING -- THE MINI WORKSHOP, "12-STEPPING A PROBLEM: USE THE NEW OA POCKET GUIDE ON ANY SITUATION" will start at 6 p.m.
FLYER
Come get a special boost to your program. You are welcome to stay for the Intergroup meeting after the workshop.
News from April meeting: The Prison Initiative will take a break for the summer. The Public Information and Professional Outreach Committee is seeking members. OBI was represented at the Region 6 Assembly in April. OBI Budget Committee is developing a recommended policy on Intergroup donations. A coloring book project is still in the works. Support is requested for the Cranston meetings at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
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TUESDAY
MAY 2nd
12 Stepping
a Problem
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OCEAN & BAY INTERGROUP
12 STEPPING A PROBLEM
Use the OA Pocket Guide on Any Situation
TUESDAY, MAY 2nd, 2017
at 6 p.m.
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2068 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI 02920
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OA RESOURCES TO 12-STEP A PROBLEM
POCKET GUIDE: Buy the Pocket Guide to have with you whenever you need it. ($.40 for convenient pocket guide or
free download)
POD CAST: Listen to this workshop on Using the Twelve Steps on Life Problems (
free link)
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CRANSTON MEETINGS NEED SUPPORT
Come share your experience, strength and hope.
Mondays & Thursdays at 7 p.m.
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2068 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI 02920
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MINI WORKSHOP ENCORE
TOOLS: Reorganize your Tool Box
Wednesday, May 31st, 7 to 8 p.m.
First Parish Universalist Church
70 Church Green
Taunton, MA
Enter lower level through large red side doors
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Reg
ion 6 Con
vent
ion
TORONTO
Stepping
Up For
RECOVERY
October 20-21
2017
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Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites
Richmond Hill, Ontario
Hotel Reservations Open
Early Bird Convention Registration through August 15th
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Tools of Recovery
"In working Overeaters Anonymous' Twelve-Step program of recovery from compulsive overeating, we have found that a number of tools are available to assist us. We use these tools ... on a regular basis, to help us achieve and maintain abstinence and recover from our disease."
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The Tools of Recovery p.1
TOOL OF THE MONTH
WRITING
Putting our thoughts and feelings down on paper helps us to better understand our actions and reactions in a way that is often not revealed to us by simply thinking or talking about them.
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From your fellow OA members
I
use the tool of writing almost everyday as part of my prayer and meditation time. When I write I gain understandings of myself and others. I gain an honesty that is certain and genuine. I learn I am not terminally unique and my story shares commonality with other compulsive overeaters.
- Beth P.
I use the tool of writing to help me investigate what is going on inside me. I also write to God when I am in a negative situation. I grab a little piece of paper from anywhere and write down what I am feeling. When I am very emotional, I abbreviate the letter like this: "I-h t j" mean "I hate this job." I might write this 100 times. There is much more.
- Faith
I have used the tool of writing for all 40 of my years in OA. I am a daily writer. I write an open letter to God each morning, speaking of my concerns or fears for the day ahead. I often mention people who are still suffering with this disease, asking Him for their peace of mind.
Because writing is a tool I heard about so long ago, I get a sense of comfort and ease each morning when I write. I also put down lots of things I am grateful for. This writing is quite brief, taking me no more than 5 minutes a day.
- Jean H.
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Little gems and pearls of wisdom from meetings
and literature.
The stuff we did didn't kill us, so writing it down won't kill us either.
In OA we learn to utilize, not analyze.
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The World Service Business Conference (WSBC), attended by delegates from around the world, meets annually each May to conduct the business of OA. From May 1-7, I will be in Albuquerque, NM serving as the Ocean & Bay delegate for WSBC. It is a privilege to represent Rhode Island, and there is a lot of news I will share upon my return including an update on the revised edition of the "OA Twelve and Twelve."
"As Always"
Kara
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SIGN UP FOR OA REGION 6 NEWSLETTER
to find out what is going on in our area and beyond. Look for the box on the bottom right of the Region 6 home page to fill in your email address.
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What thoughts and feelings did you have prior to your Fifth Step?
Beth P. - I was scared to share my deep dark secrets and eager to get rid of the shame. I wanted what others had and the only way out was through.
Faith - I very much look forward to doing that step 5 so I could get a load off my chest and have someone else help carry the load.
Jean H. - I really did not look forward to reading all my stuff to my sponsor but I so wanted to do the steps thoroughly this time.
What was it like doing your Fifth Step?
Beth P. - My sponsor was kind, gentle, understanding and supportive. She encouraged me to dig deep. I was also worried she wouldn't talk to me afterwards because I did awful things.
Faith -
I was amazed during and after that my listener just listened and didn't drop dead.
Jean H. -
I was feeling better with each page that I read as someone else knew the real me not the bits and pieces I had shared with other fifth steps I had done over the years
How did you feel after your Fifth Step?
Beth P. - Grateful for the compassion and wisdom of my sponsor, the step and the OA path of recovery -- one day at a time.
Faith - I sang all the way home!
Jean H. - After my fifth step I felt relief and excitement that I had done this mighty assignment. I also was at a very high place with God at that moment it was over.
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How I got out of R-E-L-A-P-S-E
Relapse.... goodness I know a lot about that.
The pain of relapse is indescribable.
This disease only gets worse; never better. I was bingeing almost around the clock. I gained 130 pounds in the blink of an eye. I got out of breath walking from one room to the other. I could not walk around the grocery store without a shopping carriage to hold me up. It would often take me 20 minutes to walk into the store since I had so much shame at what I had become. I was essentially a hermit and knew I would die soon.
Coming back to OA from relapse was overwhelming and hard and scary. I could hardly sit through a meeting. I had very little hope I could get better and have any sense of a real life.
The two biggest things that made a difference for me was
getting an abstinent sponsor right away who worked the steps and who I sensed would treat me with kindness. I called her regularly (and still do). I started opening up slowly. And
I went to a meeting every day for 90 days. Even after 90 days I went to many meetings. Eventually I went through the steps with her guidance.
Abstinence is the most important thing. I follow a food plan that works for me. I am a good friend, family member, employee and a member of Overeaters Anonymous. I have a higher power. I am so very very grateful for God working through people in my life. I practice the next right, imperfectly but I do my best.
Today I live a full, healthy and normal life. I am in a normal size body. I can walk for miles. I am a happy and healthy 61-year-old woman.
Robin
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