Alcoholic's Anonymous- AA

One of Springfield Cumberland Presbyterian Church's very successful ministries is our Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)group. It is a part of our community outreach. We provide a meeting place for an AA group every weekday, Monday through Friday, which meets officially from 5:30 until 6:30 pm. We have been told it is the biggest AA group in town, with probably 150-200 people coming through each week and an attendance of 70-100 each night. We are the only location that offers babysitting every night for those who go to the meetings.

The AA group has access to the whole church during their meetings most nights, unless another church group needs a room or two. They have coffee (and other foods sometimes). Some who attend our church go to the meetings and oversee everything. The meetings are closed except for one night a month, so only those who are working on overcoming their addictions and alcoholism are attending. Nobody is supposed to come just to watch in this group unless it is open night. The purpose is to respect the privacy of those who attend. For example, a person may not have had a drink for 10, 20 or 30 years, but may need the support of the group to continue to abstain. There are employers who would fire them if they knew they attended AA, even if the problem has not existed for many years. Life is not fair, thus a need for privacy.

Several AA members have keys and come over any time they want to pray or meet with mentors or spend time with others. Generally, some start coming to the church by 3 pm and do not leave until about 7:30 pm. They meet at other times with their mentors at the church too and have had leadership meetings and classes.

There are so many people who are battling addictions and alcoholism and need the support. They come from all walks of life and many are hard working people holding good and responsible jobs. Our church ministers by providing a safe and open environment for the recovery process to happen. Some might call it a community service or a community outreach. Any person who attends AA is always welcome in our church. No distinctions are made. It has happened a few times that someone who attends church services is drunk and we are kind to them. What better place for a hurting person to be than in the house of the Lord?

Alcoholism is an illness. Our ministry is to be supportive of those who struggle and to welcome them. Jesus was accused of eating with sinners and he did not condemn those who were making an effort to move forward in their lives. May our attitude be like Christ's.