marinadock.org

Non-Profit Corporation

The Marina Dock Newsletter June 2004

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Me and Mein Gott

Last week I decided to go on one of those "inside job" retreats, one of those retreats where you don't actually go anywhere, you just decide to abstain from all the usual avenues of escape and avoidance. For three or four days I really tried through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with a god of my understanding. I read step eleven again for the first time in a long time. Step eleven has saved the day for me on more than one occasion over the years. In the beginning I was one of those who "recoiled from meditation and prayer as obstinately as the scientist who refused to perform a certain experiment lest it prove his pet theory wrong. Of course we finally did experiment, and when unexpected results followed, we felt different; in fact we knew different; and so we were sold on meditation and prayer. And that, we have found, can happen to anybody who tries. It has been well said "almost the only scoffers at prayer are those who never tried it enough." (12x12, p.97).

"As we have seen, self-searching is the means by which we bring new vision, action, and grace to bear upon the dark and negative side of our natures. It is a step in the development of that kind of humility that makes it possible for us to receive God's help. Yet it is only a step. We will want to go further."(12x12, p, 98) After a few days of this type of introspection I felt I had been given a new lease of life and I was again ready to deal with the realities of life on life's terms.

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Prayer, Meditation, Money and Upgrades

In June, we intend to replace the carpet in the East Room ($2,200.00) it will be the same color and texture as the one in the Social Room. We are also planning on finishing the plastering and doing a new paint job in the East Room. A few days ago I attended a meeting in the East Room and I noticed all the chairs are loose and squeaky, not at all conducive to prayer and meditation. I am thinking about phasing these chairs out period and replacing them with some Hefty solid futons like the ones in the social room. There are a couple of reasons for thinking this way, one, it's hard to find these chairs anymore, and two, these futons are sturdy and durable and we can clean the covers on a regular basis. Don't panic, the new arrangement will have chairs and futons, for those of us who find change unsettling. Also, if I can get the owner to go along with the program, I would like to raise the ceiling in the East Room, just a couple of feet, which would really improve the ventilation in there during meetings. The owner and I talked about this last year and he seemed amenable and said it was ok by him.

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Has our financial situation changed, we think not?

Despite a rising tide, that's apparently highly selective, raising boats that are in the luxury liner category only, we will not be discouraged. Our goal is to continue making this facility one of the safest and best, clean and sober meeting places and social clubs, in the land. The more comfortable and attractive our facility, the more people come to visit and attend meetings, and hopefully show their appreciation through membership and contributions.

I still hold firm to the belief, that the way to survive and prosper in times of economic stress is through continued improvements of goods and services to our patrons. You may have noticed we are now serving Peets Coffee and to say that people like it is putting it mildly, we are making it like it is going out of fashion. Peets according to the coffee aficionados is indisputably the highest quality coffee in the city, in addition starting in June we are changing to recyclable paper cups, you may have already seen them, we tried them out in May for a while and they were a huge success. We are asking our patrons to be overall more aware in terms of recycling. We spend a lot of time going through the garbage pulling out cups full of liquid and items that are recyclable. I am trying to find a larger recycle can that is more conspicuous and impossible to mistake for a regular garbage container, in the hope that it will increase our recycling volume.

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How is this possible?

In the final analysis God either is or is not, we are no longer "Bush League pinch hitters" we have the courage of our convictions and the knowledge that in God's world all is well. You, our supporters, are saying you want this place to be here and our job is to make that a reality, one day at a time. We have a lot to be grateful for, why not relax, and allow things to happen in God's time. Saturday May 29th Memorial Day is definitely a day for a party. It's the 36th President's birthday, Bob Hope's birthday, and yours truly. So we decided to have a buffet starting around 7.30pm, it should be a well attended event so come on down and enjoy the weekend in a clean and sober environment where you can partake of a meeting, Peets coffee and some decent hors d'oeuvres, compliments of The Marina Dock. As always we could use some financial support, and don't forget you can choose to contribute monthly through direct payment Visa/MasterCard or direct deposit through your bank. We'll take it however we can get it. Have a great holiday and remember we have a daily reprieve, the one in charge, is the same one who made the stars and keeps us out of bars? Thank you one and all for making a difference and allowing me the privilege to be of service.

 

Anthony T. Murray

"Irish Tony"