|
Tuesday, April 4: Mini Workshop - Body Image: Learning to Love Myself, 6 to 7 p.m.
St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2068 Cranston St., Cranston, RI
All welcome to attend Intergroup meeting that follows.
Flyer
Tuesday, April 4: 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, April 8: A Room With A View 20th Anniversary, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Newport County YMCA, 792 Valley Road, Middletown, RI. Guest speakers, fellowship.
Flyer
Saturday, April 8: Region 6 Spring Assembly, Radisson Hotel Albany, Albany, NY
Friday, April 21: 30th Anniversary Celebration, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Courage to Change, 100 Midway Place, Cranston, RI
April 28-30: OA By The Sea Retreat sponsored by Cape Cod Intergroup at Sacred Hearts Retreat Center, 226 Great Neck Road, Wareham, MA. Info: Gerry 508-896-3486. Registration prior to March 27, $200 pp double or $220 single.
Saturday, April 29: 12 Steps in 5 Hours led by speakers from Boston, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. David's Episcopal Church, corner of Rt. 12 and 214, Gales Ferry, CT For info: kathy19@gmail.com.
Flyer
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.
May 1-6:World Service Business Conference - Growing OA Unity Worldwide, Albuquerque, NM (OBI will send a delegate)
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
June 2-4: WMI OA Retreat: A Weekend Walk Th
rough the Steps at Genesis Spiritual Center.
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
October 20-22:
2017 Region 6 Convention, Sheraton Parkway Toronto North, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
www.oaregion6.org/2017/
|
|
_________________________________
PHONE SUPPORT AVAILABLE ON
MAJOR HOLIDAYS
 |
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.
|
|
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
|
LIFELINE DEADLINE
AUGUST 2017
Deadline: 4/15/16
TOPIC
Let's Share a Laugh
What's your funniest OA story?
Was there a time in recovery when you had to laugh at yourself? Was there a time when you chose to laugh instead of cry? What role does laughter play in your recovery?
Pets and Recovery
How can a pet be a compulsive eater's best friend in abstinence and recovery? How does your pet help you work the Steps, Traditions, or Tools or keep you from isolating? Pet photos welcome!
Why I Keep Coming Back
What do you find in OA that you can't find anywhere else? What thoughts and feelings keep you coming back? Has the decision to come back ever saved you from relapse or a slip or even saved your life? Is coming back habitual or do you have to commit every time? How do you come back when you don't feel like it?
|
Intergroup Board
CONTACT US
Corresponding Secretary - Lea
Other Service Positions:
Public Information/ Professional Outreach: Holly
Inmate Initiative: Natalie
Meeting List: Deanna
|
|
|
_______________________
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
|
|
|
__________________________
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.
|
|
|
____________________________
Ocean & Bay Website!
oceanandbay.org
includes events, meeting list, info for newcomers, and more!
|
|
|
_____________________________
LINKS
New England Intergroups
|
|
__________________________________________
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.
|
|
| |
|
Dear Fellow OA Member.
April -- it's the fourth month of the year already. You know what that means -- Step 4 will be read at a lot of meetings and, yes, we have a mention of it in Waves of Hope. (Check out the Q&A with three members -- they offer such great insight.) Anyway, I'm good with a focus on Step 4 because I happen to appreciate the process. The work that gets done while writing an inventory is pure faith put into action -- digging deep into one's past, taking stock of what is, and getting right with reality. Some of it isn't particularly pretty, in fact it can be rather gloomy at times -- sort of like April showers. Clouds overhead, rain coming down, a damp rawness that chills to the bone. Ugh. When will this be over and when will real spring be here with sunshine, white puffy clouds, warm breeze, bright flowers, and the new green growth everywhere? Those who have faith know it will come. Just like Step 4 -- "April showers bring May flowers." It is after having lived through the rain that those gray days blossom into living color. And, should it rain again, God has given us an umbrella, aka program, for protection!
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, APRIL 4th at 7:30 p.m., with literature sales at 7 p.m.
PRIOR TO THE MEETING -- THE MINI WORKSHOP, "BODY IMAGE: LEARNING TO LOVE MYSELF" 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.
|
OCEAN & BAY INTERGROUP
BODY IMAGE:
LEARNING TO LOVE MYSELF
TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017
at 6 p.m.
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2068 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI 02920
|
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
SATURDAY, APRIL 8th
9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
Special guest speakers!
Newport County YMCA
792 Valley Road (Off Route 138))
Middletown, RI
Take the stairs or elevator to the second floor.
***********************************************************
************************************************************
COURAGE TO CHANGE
30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
FRIDAY, APRIL 21st
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Garden City
100 Midway Place
Cranston, RI
Conference Room
|
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."
-
The Tools of Recovery p.1
TOOL OF THE MONTH
Telephone
Many members call, text or email their sponsors and other OA members daily. Telephone or electronic contact also provides an immediate outlet for those hard-to-handle highs and lows we may experience.
|
JUST PICK IT UP!
Who knew that a
cell phone could feel like it weighs 1,000 lbs? Well, that's what some say.
To sound like an old-timer, years ago, before the age of cell phones and texting, the only option was a home, work, or pay phone with a cord connected to the wall.
Fast forward to today. The evolution of the phone and its portability has opened more options for connecting. Cell phones make calls possible nearly anywhere (except those nasty dead zones) and anytime (um, and eliminate a lot of excuses).
Enter the life changing option of texting! Let me share with you about what some local OA members are doing. They have created a "group text" with fellow home group members as a way to communicate outside of meetings. They use it to touch base when challenges come up, to ask for support and prayers, to offer encouragement, and to recommit to their own abstinence for the day. What a great way to use the tool of telephone.
In the end, however and whenever you use the phone, the key is to pick it up and use it -- after all, it only weighs five ounces.
|
Little gems and pearls of wisdom from meetings
and literature.
F.L.Y. - First Love Yoursel
f
Take just one compulsive bite and it will take you.
|
OA Literature Right to Your Door
Did you know you can order literature directly at
|
What did you learn from writing your
4th Step?
Faith:
I learned I was a wonderful beautiful healthy child of God and that I had just chosen some ineffective behaviors. Also, I learned I could come out of my shame and join the human race on an equal footing -- not below or above anyone -- just unique in my own creation.
Jeanne:
I learned to put fear aside and just look at the person I think I am, like looking in a closet and seeing what's on the shelves. It's not meant to be the great American novel of how to beat myself up. I also realized that I would have a chance to come out of hiding, later having a chance to get all of this history off my chest by sharing it with someone. I would be able to unburden myself and start to let go of what held me in bondage to food. I learned that a large part of recovery is one person allowing another to be heard. We all want to be heard; step work opens the door.
Pat:
I got in touch with my feelings, actually finding the ability to identify what they were after all the years of shoving them down with the food.
What words of wisdom would you offer to someone who has not yet written a 4th Step?
Faith:
You do not want to miss this most important adventure and discovery in your life. Step 4 was the best investment I ever made in myself. I love to discover what makes me tick. If something is not working right then I can fix it. And, don't forget I get to see all my assets, too. I would tell a newcomer that they won't recover unless they do this and I will not be able to go any further with them if they stop here.
Jeanne: 1. Pick one format to follow as it is easy to get stuck thinking there is the perfect way. 2. Ask your sponsor or program friend for guidance. 3. Set a date to finish it by. There is always time in the future if other things surface. 4. Remember that you have made a decision to turn your will and your life over to the "care of God" in Step 3. Be in the presence of your Higher Power as you sit down to put pen to paper; we do not do this work alone. 5. Write it out in long hand and not on the computer (I think healing happens in the connection between the heart and the pen). 6. Remember that this is part of recovery, of getting a new life, a gift you are giving yourself. 7. Don't jump ahead into Step 5. 8. Start out with a timer set for 10-15 minutes each day, if you continue on past then and have the time just go for it. 9. Go to a favorite spot when you finish and just sit for a few minutes.
Pat:
There is such an unbelievable reward awaiting you on this journey of discovery. Just know we are travelling with you and your Higher Power will guide you every step of the way - mine sent me many of His emissaries with skin on to open my mind, heart and soul to a way to live with acceptance, forgiveness and love.
|
HOW TO MAKE THAT FIRST DREADED PHONE CALL
If someone gives you their phone number and says call me, they mean it! And, if you have a new sponsor, they, too, expect you to call -- sooner rather than later. But, doing that is easier said than done. You might think you don't know what to say, you have nothing to share, you don't know her/him, he/she doesn't know me.... Here is a tip to making that first call a little easier.
When you make your first few calls, tell the person on the other end that you are
you just practicing making calls.
That's a great opening to either keep it short or open up a conversation. Often the person on the other end is likely to share their experience in making those first few calls. Remember that we are more alike than we may think.
|
|
| |
|
