|
|
|
|
|
Congratulations Sobriety
Birthday Celebrants!
Deborah E. with 30 years
James T. with 39 years
Michael B. with 43 years
Donate a contribution in the amount of your years of sobriety and we'll say congratulations to you here!
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
PROGRESS is being made!!
Can you believe that the Northern Virginia Intergroup is SIXTY SIX years old?! Our goal is that 66 people contribute $66. So far we have raised $2,046. Just $2,300 more to go.
Your contribution helps us help you! |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Excerpts from the Big Book related to Step Four
Focus on Action and Freedom. Step Four is our first concrete action toward freedom, moving us from merely talking about recovery to actively cleaning house. While the thought of a 'searching and fearless moral inventory' can feel daunting, it is not a project in self-condemnation, but a necessary uncovering of the truths that have blocked us from joy. By picking up the pen and honestly listing our resentments, fears, and parts in past conflicts, we shine a light on the patterns that drove our drinking. Remember: this is not about shame, but about finding the courage to face our past so we can finally let it go.
Focus on Practicality. A business that skips inventory goes broke, and the same is true for our recovery. Step Four asks us to look closely at our lives—not to beat ourselves up, but to see what is working and what is not. Focusing on our own character defects rather than the actions of others is the goal here. If the task seems overwhelming, remember to take it one piece at a time, trust the process, and lean on your sponsor to help you see the patterns you might miss.
Focus on Emotional Sobriety. Step Four is our foundation for emotional sobriety, helping us transition from acting on raw emotions to understanding them. By examining the 'why' behind our anger and fears, we begin to move away from blaming others and toward personal responsibility. It is a powerful exercise in self-awareness that allows us to identify our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Let’s remember to treat ourselves with compassion during this process—it’s a search for truth, not a search for excuses to feel guilty. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
APRIL is the FOURTH month
Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Tradition 4: Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Concept 4: "The right of participation" ensures that everyone in service, from the group level to the General Service Board, has a voice and the right to be heard, treating all members as equals rather than superiors or inferiors. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At some point in your sobriety and with the different service positions you've held, the Responsibility Statement is known by heart! Here it is again: "I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible."
Our NVI hotline may be the first call a person in need makes. And it can be the difference for someone's sobriety. Are you ready to be of service in this regard? Work from your own home on one of three shifts that works for you:
- Midnight (12 am) to noon (12 pm)
- Noon (12 pm) to 6 pm
- 6 pm to midnight (12 am)
Sometimes these calls are routed to a 12th step volunteer. We are especially in need of women volunteers that can respond to women callers that are looking for support beyond that first phone call.
Contact NVI to get more details and put your sobriety into service to others!
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
The following are just a few of the upcoming events. Explore these websites to find more!
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Send something that you would like to share and any suggestions you may have for how to improve our newsletter (whether that's ideas for new or different content or you have information about anything AA related in our area) to newsletter@nvintergroup.org. We would love to hear from YOU!
Amy W.
|
|
|---|
|
Volunteers Needed!
- Literature Chair
- 12th Steppers
- CPC
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next NVI Board Meeting will take place
Tuesday, May 5, at 7:30 pm
All board meetings are hybrid (in-person & online) and held the first Tuesday of each month. Meeting announcements go out to the NVI mailing list.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Shop at the NVI Online Bookstore for your literature and sobriety medallions! |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Intergroup Officers
Chair: Irving M.
chair@nvintergroup.org
Vice Chair: Beth D.
vicechair@nvintergroup.org
Treasurer: Sam
treasurer@nvintergroup.org
Secretary: Jess P.
secretary@nvintergroup.org
Operations Manager: Chris
info@nvintergroup.org |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Web Team
website@nvintergroup.org
Newsletter: Amy
newsletter@nvintergroup.org
Events & Ad Hoc Committees
Fundraising & GB 2026: Travis fundraising@nvintergroup
Young People: Ashley liaison-vscypaa@nvintergroup.org
WAIA: Jerry F. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Come Visit NVI!!
Want to visit the NVI bookstore located in our office and shop in person?
Need to meet with the NVI Operations Manager?
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
The Unity Lifeline is a monthly newsletter of the Northern Virginia Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is about, by and for the members of the Fellowship of AA. Opinions expressed herein are NOT to be attributed to AA as a whole, nor does publication of information imply any endorsement by either AA or the Northern Virginia Intergroup and artwork from AA literature are reprinted with permission from AA World Service, Inc. and/or The AA Grapevine, Inc. Contributions from our readers are encouraged! Submissions are edited for space and clarity ONLY. Contact information is required and anonymity is respected. In keeping with our goal of being self-supporting, your subscription is appreciated.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
For inclusion in the next newsletter, please submit info to newsletter@nvintergroup.org |
|
|---|
|
|
