AA "church"

The first time I took my kids to go celebrate a relative's getting a chip at AA on a Sunday, they each said that they loved "AA church," to which we all chuckled, related to, but knew AA wasn't *really* a church.

After so many years with a loved one in program, I don't see much of a difference anymore. 

We are all sinners. We all need our Higher Power's help. We need community to help us and to help. 

When I first went to The Episcopal Church, one of the things that I loved most was reciting the general confession - we all said it in unison. We all know that we ourselves are sinners. We all know that the person sitting next to us is, too. Then, afterward, we shake hands and offer the peace of God to all - to make amends with those we've had hard feelings against, and to hug those that we love, as well.

The simpler we can keep God, the better. 

♥ Melody

P.S. This is the confession that I spoke of (The Book of Common Prayer; pg 360)

Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.