"We are people who normally would not mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful."
(AA Big Book Pg 17)
The Annual Housecleaning Retreat for AA and Al-Anon was originally organized by two members of the current committee. The retreat committee has grown and changed over the years and the location has also changed several time over the years but the commitment to service and dedication to the Father of Light has never changed.
The general format for the retreat was originally designed in the 1940s. The early AAs knew of the immense value a short get away to focus on our conscience contact with God had on their sobriety and spirituality. Bill in his writings refers to retreats and even makes mention in the 12&12 chapter 11, ""Many of us go in for annual or semiannual housecleaning. Many of us also like the experience of an occasional retreat from the outside world where we can quiet down for an undisturbed day or so of self-overhaul and meditation." (Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions, Pg. 89 or 91)".
We are a small group of "men and woman who have recovered from a seeming hopeless state of mind and body". (AA Big Book Forward to First Addition) We abide by the Traditions of AA and Al-Anon and we feel strongly that the way to recovery is through the 12 suggested steps. We are folks that you could bump into at almost any AA or Al-Anon meeting across this country or even around the world. We are not professionals, we bring this retreat as our service commitment for our own recovery and our fellows wishing to recover. It is the sincere wish of this committee that you "Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny. May God bless you and keep you - until then." (AA Big Book Pg 164)
To contact us you can send email to info@retreatforaa-alanon.com or call Tom Brown at 813-951-5740.
