The Bristol Newcomers Group – go into the retreat business!

Wandering merrily around the internet (as you do) we came across this little item c/o the Newcomers Group Bristol (meeting location: Catholic Chaplaincy, 103 Queens Rd, Clifton. Bristol)

It would seem that it is these we should thank (?) for the so-called Bristol Reunion (see here and elsewhere on the site for more info) and their 'promotional' activities. For some time now this group has been busily engaged in 'ignoring' whatever traditions they can (that is if they ever bothered to acknowledge them in the first place!), and are now enthusiastically 'ignoring' yet another ie. non-affiliation (Traditions 3 and 6).

Observe their online flier:

It would seem they have 'allied' themselves with something called the “Editors of Bristol Fashion” during this “Spiritual Weekend”. Moreover those who evidently hunger for such sustenance will be addressed by Sr Margaret Harlock, a member of the “Congregation of La Retraite... (Congregation of Retreat of the Sacred Heart) based at Emmaus House, Bristol”

Now we're quite sure the good sister is more than equal to the task of tending to the spiritual needs of the great unwashed but then we're equally sure she has absolutely no idea what she has got herself into! And why should she? It's not her responsibility. But it is the Newcomers Group's responsibility. They should know better! But they obviously don't? And whose responsibility do you think it is to enlighten them …. and take action if they choose to ignore this advice? Take a guess? Ours! And by “ours” we mean AA's!

See:

Tradition 3 (extract from the Long form):

and Tradition 6 (extract again from the Long form):

Moreover see here.

Finally for the benefit of the Newcomers group (whose memory is evidently so poor) an extract from … what's it called?.... Ah yes! The preamble:

“A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organisation or institution...”

Our responsibility is indicated by the much misquoted Tradition 4.

In fact we think is it so frequently mis-cited that we've produced our own radical version (Short form):

“Except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole each group should be autonomous”

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous … and still alive!)

PS Of course we'll be sending a copy of this to the good sisters of La Retraite!