Some breathing space for alcoholics and addicts who want truth, not opinion;

Dick B., Author, A.A. Historian, Bible Student, 27 Years continuous sobriety -

Substantial, valuable, expansive changes are here announced as to The First International Alcoholics Anonymous Conference in Portland Maine over the seven day period in September . We are seeing many registrations for this admission free conference pouring in. And they enable us to meet with many leaders and speakers before and after the Friday and Saturday conference events. They also enable us to allot 10 minute presentations by the distinguished speakers--no audience participation--where the speakers will tell us what they are currently doing in the recovery arena; how well it is going; needs to be met, and future visions under way.

The conference will endeavor to have representatives from many states and from other countries. The subjects will be diverse--Quiet Time and 11th Step, Sponsorship, Focus on Newcomer, The real historical Christian roots of A.A., and how old school A.A. ideas can and should be applied in today's recovery fellowships and programs as a powerful opportunity for those who want God's help in overcoming alcoholism and addiction and are willing to go to any lengths to get it.

If you are one of those who sees the need for learning more about old school A.A., about how much it has changed through revisions since 1935, how it is still appropriate to apply the principles and practices of of God's help in a fellowship that certainly today includes Christians, Jews, Moslems, Hindus, atheists, agnostics, unbelievers, and those with no belief at all.

There is room for all. There is no room for those who try to blockade free exercise of rights and privileges by any particular approach so long the free exercise maintains the primary purpose of helping the alcoholic and addict who still suffers. There is plenty of room for those who want to share their experience with a newcomer and make known the major role that God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible played and can play in recovery today. Room for those who want truth, not opinion. Room for those who help, instead of criticize and hinder. Room for those who want healing, instead of in-and-out bondage, temptation, and relapse. Room for those that recognize the heart of A.A. was and is The Solution set forth on page 25 of the 4th edition of the Big Book--a solution grounded on bringing the Creator into the hearts and minds of those who believe Divine Aid was the solution sought in the beginning and sought now by those who recognize that they can't help themselves, that  probably no human can, that God can and will, and that they can choose to exit from the "medically incurable" fellowship to the reliance on God segment.

Tens and tens of thousands of Christians and others are still in and coming in to 12 Step fellowships. They are puzzled by talk of nonsense gods, higher powers, spirituality, atheism, and restrictive remarks in meetings. They need not be, and ours is the only international gathering devoted to disseminating the truth and the options. You will meet leaders in the fields of garden variety drinking, garden variety addictive behaviors, religion, medicine, psychiatry, old school A.A., the origins of A.A., the founding of A.A., the original Christian Fellowship of A.A., and the opportunity to observe what both Bob and Bill stressed: (1) Love and tolerance as our code. (2) Love and service as the essence of the program--old and new--and the form it took and is taking.

And here is a letter we started sending out today to those already registering, inquiring, and attending;

Aloha to you, Sandy, from Maui, Hawaii!

My dad (Dick B.--www.DickB.com) and I are very glad to know that you will be joining us at the First International Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference in Portland, Maine, September 6-7, 2013. The conference will be held Friday evening and throughout the day on Saturday at the following location:

The First Baptist Church of Portland, Maine
360 Canco Rd.
Portland, ME 04103
http://www.firstbaptistportland.org/

My dad and I will be staying at:

Hilton Garden Inn Portland Airport
145 Jetport Blvd.
Portland, ME, 041021-866-767-0278

We will be checking in on Thursday evening, September 5, and will be checking out on Thursday morning, September 12. We will have plenty of time for personal and small group meetings before, during, and after the conference proper; and we look forward to spending time with you and other Christian leaders and workers in the recovery arena.

In GOD's love,

Dick B.'s son, Ken
Cell: 1-808-276-4945