It’s May! In Old English mæg meant” am able, have power”, and we couldn’t find this more appropriate to where we are RIGHT NOW. We’re an able, powerful Sangha here in Chicago; we know this because we enjoyed meeting so many of you at our Spring retreat last weekend. It’s time to put our power to use!
We’ve got alot of exciting opportunities to get involved over the coming month, both on and off the cushions. As many of our meetings are in need of a fresh batch of facilitators this summer, we’re offering a workshop to help members acclimate and try stepping into a leadership role. And with just a couple of months until Refcon 5 kicks off, our Welcoming Committee can use all the eager energy you can spare.
As we look towards the summer, let’s pause and reflect on a quote by William Shakespeare.
” We know what we are, but know not what we may be. “
Come find out who you can be with us this Summer!
LAST WEEK – GET YOUR EARLY BIRD TICKETS
Buddha, Dharma and a whole lot of Sangha will be happening in July at the Refuge Recovery Fifth Annual Conference in CHICAGO! We’ll be meditating, workshopping, hanging with the sangha and doing some RR business. Can’t wait to see you there!
When: July 12-14, 2019
Where: University of Illinois – Chicago
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS ONLY $100 THROUGH MAY 15th, 2019!
Events & Announcements
* Welcoming Committee
We’ve now had two meetings for our Welcoming Committee, and things are moving fast. Join us to get involved in producing the event. We’re finding donors for raffle items, planning social itineraries around the event, and sourcing swag to help cement this event. Help us make Chicago the place to meet!
Also, join us upstairs at 7pm for our weekly LGBTQIA meeting, and then for fellowship afterwards!
When: Thursday, May 16th and May 30th @ 6pm-7pm
Where: Center on Halsted in Lakeview
* Meeting Facilitator Support
Refuge Recovery in Chicago is growing quickly and for good reason. We are reaching people in a way that feels both refreshingly new as well as deeply personal.
On June 18th, we are holding our first Facilitator Support session to talk through what it means to facilitate a meeting and provide an open, safe place for all people who come to the meetings. This session is open to anyone, no matter if you are interested in chairing meetings or simply looking for a place to talk about your personal experiences. Your presence will make an impact on recovery in Chicago!
When: Saturday, June 8th @ 1pm
Where: New Hope Recovery Center
* Beach Clean Up
Join your Chicago Area Sangha for a beach clean up organized by the Alliance for the Great Lakes! Afterwards we’ll grab lunch and carpool to the Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple in Woodstock for Vesakha Day, a celebration of the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha!
When: Saturday, May 18th @ 10am
Where: 63rd Street Beach
* Weekly Inventory Writing
Enjoy some company as we begin to find time each week to fumble through this important exercise together. Come to find a friend to share your story with, or to meet one to help you find the courage to start writing it!
Also, join us upstairs at 7pm for our weekly LGBTQIA meeting, and then for fellowship afterwards!
When: Every Saturday from @ 6pm-7pm
Where: 1st Floor lobby of the Center on Halsted in Lakeview
* Book Orders – New Hope Recovery Centerwill be holding a back stock of literature for our meetings going forward. If you’re interested in purchasing replacement literature at cost for an existing meeting, or getting help furnishing a new meeting, contact us at Refuge Recovery Chicago.
An Homage from a Refuge
Submitted by Tony Marvelis
I’m so grateful to have happened upon this path. I’ve been searching for it since day one. Drinking and drugs dulled the chaos in my brain. They even made fun possible. Until they stopped working, and the collateral damage began to pile up.
I’ve fought through other recovery programs since 2003, struggled with higher powers, control, and my own identity. Then, in 2018, a kind soul pointed me toward Refuge. My focus sharpened, and I began a dedicated practice of meditation and mindfulness. Through compassion, acceptance, and loving-kindness, I’ve reignited my true fire for life. I’ve connected with a powerful community that has deep roots of love and understanding. RR has helped me discover and polish the jewel underneath my relentless addiction, and translate chaos into stillness every day.
Featured Meeting
Downtown Monday’s Noon Meeting
Want a little Refuge in the midst of a really serious Monday? Monday’s at Foundations Recovery Network is a lunchtime meeting that’s just an hour long, just north of the loop in Downtown on Washington. Take a long lunch and come check us out!
When: Monday’s at Noon
Where: Foundations Recovery Network
Service Opportunities!
March was a great month for our intersangha: just this Saturday, we enjoyed an architecture tour of the Chicago Cultural Center, pictured above. And earlier this month we gathered for our first inventory workshop! Our Outreach committee members lead education events on Refuge at local recovery center’s, and began talking directly with several local Health Care providers. Work like this happens when we work together; join us in doing so this April! Enthusiasm is the only requirement; experience with any of this kind of work is a blessing
If you’re interested in joining us in working to spread Refuge Recovery, by finding new homes for meetings, or in introducing our practice to institutions, Outreach needs you! Reach out to Michael Kramer if you’re interested in hearing more.
Are you a Social Butterfly? Come create great opportunities for fellowship with your friends amongst the Sangha (both those you know and those you haven’t met yet) with our Activities Committee! Get ahold of Zoe Winter if you want to work with Sangha on the Third Jewel.
If you’re interested in helping us prepare for our part in producing RefCon 5 this July, join our Welcoming Committee by sending us an email directly at Refuge Recovery Chicago
Please Consider Donating!
We are funded entirely through the generosity of our local meetings, as well as from donations from the public. We use donations to help support the local community for things such as outreach and activities, retreats and workshops, and other operational expenses. Please help support us in getting our message out to those who are still suffering by donating today!
DONATE NOW!
Happy to be of service!
Have some ideas or suggestions to share? Need to order books for your local meeting? Do you just want to say hello? Please be sure to reach out via email at refugerecoverychicago@gmail.com at any time an we will be sure to get back to you!
