Looking for help?

[cltn]

If you go to the 11 step program do you need to say why you are there?

[harveyf]

You do NOT have to say why you are there, you can be a fly on the wall or participate as little or as much as you feel comfortable with this is how the meetings in my area work (las Vegas)

What goes on in a meeting ?

All meetings are held in church building, usually away from other meetings, and usually in a part of the building that is more private, with its own entrance. Above all anonymity is crucial, it is important that participants feel safe coming and that they won't be recognized going into a meeting. Signs should indicate only that this is a LDS Support meeting. There should be signs where to go, at all entrances to the church. The dress is casual, only first names are used. Even titles as Bishop and President are not used in this setting, we are all equals. Even the missionaries go by their first names. The chairs are all in a circle, or semi circle. Interesting note. (Many participants do NOT attend their home ward or stake group, but go as far away as possible to avoid recognition).

The meeting starts by a welcome by the group leader and introduction of themselves and the facilitator. Participants are asked that cell phones be turned off or at least on vibrate. A volunteer is asked to say the opening prayer, (non members X members and dis-fellowshipped members may pray, this is not an "official church meeting")

The mission statement is read. Any announcements are given. The 12 steps are read by the group, each person reading a step, and then the lesson is read, everyone reading a paragraph or two, if someone does not want to read they can just pass. The Lesson usually lasts 10 to12 minutes. The meeting is then turned over to the facilitator. He conducts the sharing portion of the meeting. Each person is given the opportunity to share. If someone does not want to share they just state their name and say that they pass for now. After everyone has had the chance to share, the meeting is opened up for questions. The same rules apply as regular sharing, speak only in the “I form” Questions are only answered by directing comments to the WHOLE group and not to the person who asked the question. We only share what experience we have personally had, we are not there to give advice or fix each other. The remaining time is used up; the meeting should not go over time. Sharing may be about the lesson or about anything going on in their life that might be of benefit. When it is the persons turn they say “my name is _______ and everyone says hi______ then share. The Sharing is a safe place to open up. No matter what is shared, profound or not so profound, at the end of a persons sharing everyone says thanks_______.

Sharing is like a focused subject, testimony meeting. No one is interrupted while sharing, no preaching is allowed; everything said is in the "I" form and not the "you" form. After sharing the group leader gives some closing thought and a closing prayer is given.

hope this helps

harvey

[Truth558]

Ephesians 1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Why was I banned for stating scripture? It makes me question your website!

God bless

[pam]

Seeing as how the person requesting advice was over 3 years ago, I'm closing this thread.