Lifeline Topics
for 2016
Learn how you can submit your stories to
Lifeline and what the
writing prompts are for the coming year.
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Ocean & Bay Website!
oceanandbay.org
includes events, meeting list, info for newcomers, and more!
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Design for Living:
a new meeting in Portsmouth, RI
There is a new OA Big Book meeting on Friday mornings in Portsmouth.
Check it out!
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Meeting List
* Please call ahead to verify meetings are taking place, especially during holidays.
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Upcoming Events
September 19 | Brighton, MA
October
3 | Boston, MA
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Ocean & Bay Intergroup
Next Meeting:
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month and all are welcome. Check it out
- Literature Sales 7:00-7:30 pm
- Intergroup Meeting 7:30-8:30 pm
St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2068 Cranston Street, Cranston, RI 02920.
Directions
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Intergroup Board
CONTACT US
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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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Dear Fellow OA Member,
When was the last time you took the time to read a really good book?
In our fast-paced world we don't usually have the time to sit down and read, but on September 6--National Read-a-Book Day--you have an excuse to do just that.
Literature is one of the tools we are encouraged to use
to help us achieve and maintain abstinence and recover from our disease. So why not spend the day relaxing and reading and taking some time for yourself?
We study and read OA-approved pamphlets; OA-approved books, such as Overeaters Anonymous, Second Edition, The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous and For Today; and we read Lifeline, our monthly magazine on recovery. We also study the book Alcoholics Anonymous, referred to as the "Big Book," to understand and reinforce our program. Many OA members find that when read daily, the literature further reinforces how to live the Twelve Steps. Our OA literature and the AA "Big Book" are ever-available tools which provide insight into our problem of eating compulsively, strength to deal with it, and the very real hope that there is a solution for us.
In humble service,
"As Always"
Kara
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OA Saved Me From Anorexia It's all the same disease.
Overeaters Anonymous has saved my life, but I didn't come here from a desire to lose weight. I hadn't tried any diets. In fact, when I came to OA, I needed to follow a weight-gain food plan. I was too thin. Lucky me, right? Wrong! I have the same disease all OA members have. Food ruled my life. I came to OA to learn how to live without the obsession of food. My food addiction imprisoned me. I spent many waking hours with food in my head. My obsessions with what I ate or didn't eat, how many calories I ate or saved, when and how long I should exercise and whether or not I would eat for the rest of the day or week controlled me. I was only half present for my life. My bible was a book of caloric values--until OA.
I attend OA for many reasons:
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Anniversary Gratitude
I will be 63 this month. In OA, I'm celebrating my first year.
When I came into the program, my desperation was acute; my cynicism, negativity and hopelessness seemed terminal. But this year has brought with it a lengthening gratitude list: A wise and compassionate sponsor--with patience, certainty and discernment that can only have come from long suffering, deep recovery and profound faith-has taught me to "wear program like a loose garment," but always to seek and find the willingness to keep working it. A living galaxy of fellows has alleviated my isolation and made me a witness to their inner journeys. Through listening, I have rediscovered the capacity to be moved; through sharing, to venture emotional vulnerability. Through gradual Step work, there is a beginning of reconciliation and reparation, humility and surrender, resolution and peace, and even, at moments, of faith. A foundation in abstinence (with a weight loss this year of 60 pounds) is slowly being built, and I remind myself to be grateful that this work is incremental--literally teaching me to "be patient longer" and to live "one day at a time." Remembering the way back, after each slip, has been an essential part of my first year of recovery. Thank you, OA
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- M.M.
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Anonymity Extends to Social Media 
At last month's Intergroup meeting the subject of social media and anonymity came up.
There are some people online who publicly identify themselves as members of 12 Step Programs. However, when you identify yourself as a member of OA (or any other anonymous program), you could be inadvertently identifying someone else. Just be mindful of this when you mention your anniversary date, post OA jargon, tag fellowship members, or "friend" people.
While OA World Service has not issued a public statement about this, last November AA published a document about this very subject.
Please keep in mind that both AA and OA considers anonymity to be the "spiritual foundation of all our Traditions." (It's in our name!)
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Heard it at a Meeting
Keeping anonymity in mind, we ask that you submit anything you've heard at a meeting that has helped your recovery by emailing us at
[email protected].
Here are some new examples submitted by fellow OA members:
- PAUSE: Pray And Use Spiritual Energy
- To keep abstinence alive, I have to be constantly aware of it.
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Let go or get dragged.
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The less I come to OA Meetings, the less I want to come.
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It's Not Too Late!
Register for the 2015 Convention
Let's head to Hartford and REACH OUT FOR RECOVERY!
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