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Tradition 7

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Every RCA group should be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.

The principle is simple–being self-supporting is a tremendous source of strength and self-respect. This Tradition places the responsibility for supporting our group on our own shoulders. We do not accept outside contributions. We do not sell our independence. We do not owe anyone favors. We do not give anyone special treatment. As a fellowship we are responsible for our own financial survival, just as a couple or an individual we are responsible for our progress in recovery.

This tradition should govern the actions of the World Service Organization and WSO office just as it includes the individual groups in Recovering Couples Anonymous. We do not solicit funds outside our fellowship. We do not use the RCA name in connection with any allied enterprise. We believe that accepting gifts or contributions carrying any obligations is unwise. Joint ventures with outside organizations or individuals always contain downside obligations. They should be rigorously avoided.

In keeping with Tradition Seven, the membership supports the World Service Organization by group contributions, by individual donations, and the sale of approved literature and other materials from WSO. Although there are no dues or fees for membership, voluntary contributions are typically collected when each meeting “practices the Seventh Tradition” and a basket is passed.

It is a tradition of RCA to not accumulate funds in excess of that needed for basic RCA functions. If excess money were accumulated, problems could arise diverting us from our primary purpose. Funds beyond normal operating expenses and a prudent reserve should be forwarded to the WSO office. WSO should always invest in the RCA fellowship.

Tradition 6

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RCA ought never endorse, finance, or lend the RCA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

The purpose of RCA is to carry its message to recovering couples who still suffer. Tradition Six is an elaboration on the many possible ways a group might not stick to its primary purpose as well as, a reflection on how to avoid actions which could lead to disunity. It establishes boundaries for our fellowship, much as we set personal boundaries.

Problems of money, property and authority may easily divert us from our primary aim. Therefore, significant property, should be separately incorporated and managed,.

An RCA group, as such, should never go into business, but we need to cooperate with many other entities that have similar or supportive aims. Without this cooperation we could not let couples that suffer know of our existence and our program. But while an RCA group may cooperate with anyone, such cooperation ought never go so far as affiliation or endorsement, actual or implied. Adjuncts to RCA, such as clubs, therapists, couples counseling entities, ought to be separately incorporated and so set apart that, if necessary, they can be freely discarded by the groups. They should not use the RCA name. Their management should be the sole responsibility of those people who financially support them.

An RCA group can bind itself to no one. It has been our experience that outside organizations are attracted to RCA. They send members to us. RCA has a common bond with other 12-step programs such as AA–that of recovery, but even though we have similar aims, we should not affiliate with them.

When we adhere to the principles of Tradition Six we are able to carry the message and interact with others, knowing that we will not compromise our purpose. Some of the principles that help us observe Tradition Six include humility, integrity, faith, harmony, and anonymity.

Tradition 5

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Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to recovering couples who still suffer.

Tradition Five suggests that we will best be able to help other couples who are still suffering when we first help ourselves practice the Twelve Steps. The Twelve Steps give us the guidance we need to:

  • share our own experience, strength and hope with other couples,
  • give comfort to other couples, and
  • listen to other couples.

Each Recovering Couples Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose – that of carrying its message of intimacy and commitment to couples who still suffer.

Many couples come to RCA not knowing if they belong. Some may not even be aware that anything is wrong with their coupleship. In RCA we have the “Characteristics of Dysfunctional Couples,” which is a list to help couples identify problem areas in their coupleships. Couples do not have to relate to all of these to admit their coupleships are suffering or to seek help or guidance. The identification of such characteristics serves to let us know that “we are not alone” in our struggle to find intimacy.

RCA believes that a coupleship is like an infant, needing constant nurturing and care from both partners. It is important that each partner accepts responsibility for the problems or progress of the coupleship, and that each recognizes individual recovery as an important factor for couple recovery. In RCA we think of coupleship as being represented by a three-legged stool: our individual recovery, our partner’s recovery, and our coupleship recovery are all important “legs” to the serenity, stability, and intimacy we seek.

When we welcome newcomer couples to our fellowship, we share our experience, strength and hope. We offer spiritual support and the opportunity to connect with other couples, typically through sponsorship, meetings, and RCA social events. We provide RCA-approved literature, the Blue Book, the newcomer brochure, and where possible a listing of meetings in the area and local phone numbers. Tradition Five reflects that in order to “get the program,” we must “give it away!”

Tradition 4

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Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or RCA as a whole.

Each RCA group is autonomous and responsible to its own group conscience. However, we strive to conduct our work in the program according to the spiritual principles outlined in the Traditions. Following our Traditions safeguards our program, guiding us while not controlling us, allowing us to act independently but reminding us to be ever mindful of our group as part of the larger fellowship.

RCA is less a top-down organization than a bottom-up fellowship made up of couples in recovery. But when our plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups, those groups ought to be consulted. No group, regional committee, couple or individual should ever take any action that might affect RCA as a whole without conferring with World Service Board. On such issues our common welfare must be paramount.

Each group is responsible to conduct itself in a way that is good for the fellowship as a whole. The RCA Blue Book has Safety Guidelines and a suggested meeting format in it to explain how to conduct meetings. Each group is free to choose its own meeting program and topics for discussion; to decide where and when it shall meet and how the funds will be apportioned.

We all strive to carry a unified message to the couples who are still suffering. To do this, it is RCAs intention to be open to all sincere couples; to use conference approved literature; and to provide a safe place for the sharing of our pain and hope. To check how well we are doing this, it is suggested each meeting regularly take its own inventory. Further, it suggested that local groups conduct periodic business meetings where discussion at length may be indicated. Minority opinions are to be aired and taken into consideration. Each RCA group is responsible to take the time to know the Traditions and understand why they are important to the Fellowship.

Tradition 3

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The only requirement for RCA membership is a desire to remain in a committed relationship.

Tradition Three tells us who are eligible to be members of RCA. We are couples committed to restoring healthy communication, caring, and greater intimacy to our coupleships. We suffer from addictions, co-addictions, or other dysfunctions; some of these identified and some not, some treated and some not. We also come from many levels of brokenness. Many of us have been separated or near divorce. Some of us are new in our coupleships and seek to build intimacy as we grow together as couples. We may refuse no couple who wishes to recover.

Ultimately, we feel it is important for both partners to be involved in individual recovery for real progress to be made in our coupleships. However, individual recovery is not a requirement to get started in couple recovery. RCA is a safe place to begin the healing process, and it offers support for continued individual work.

Any two or more couples gathered together for restoring the commitment, communication and caring to their relationship may call themselves an RCA group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

Tradition 2

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For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority –  a loving God as known in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

Locally, we have service or leadership positions such as secretaries or chairs, treasurers, group contact couples, or delegate couples. Nationally and internationally we may see people serving on the Board of Trustees of the World Service Organization, or on its committees.

Those are individuals and couples who are willing to devote time, work and dedication to the RCA Fellowship. These RCA members serve and direct our fellowship by following our group conscience. The positions do not give authority beyond the consent of the fellowship. Ultimate RCA authority is from the bottom up, not the top down.

Rotation of officers gives equal opportunity for service, and restricts dominance by any individual or couple. This rotation emphasizes group conscience rather the control by any individual. Following this Tradition emphasizes equality among all members, teaching us that equality is the cornerstone of our coupleships.

Even when there is difficulty in finding someone to take a leadership position, it is important not to allow an individual or couple to continue doing the work indefinitely simply because they are willing to do so. People who remain in leadership positions too long can begin to feel they’re indispensable, or conversely, feel put upon or used. Therefore, we search for and encourage couples and members to volunteer for positions. Service helps a couple experience growth in their coupleship.

The Second Tradition reminds us not to assume authority over a sponsee couple. Our purpose is not to give advice or impose a decision. Sponsor couples agree to share their own experience, strength and hope. They are fair witnesses helping sponsee couples see their own processes as well as providing a safe space to work on their issues and options.

Longtime RCA couples may be helpful in starting new groups. Their role should be to guide the development and structure of the meetings, but then encourage other couples to assume the leadership roles as they gain program knowledge and experience.

The group conscience is what governs the group, and we arrive at this conscience, by open discussion. We set limits on holding office. We share the workload. This Tradition protects and safeguards all of us and our group. When this tradition is followed a state of humility exists because the source of authority is our Higher Power.

Tradition 1

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Our common welfare should come first; couple recovery depends upon RCA unity.

As a fellowship we have seen that by working the Twelve Steps of the RCA program, our coupleships have grown in commitment and intimacy. The Twelve Traditions provide guidance and direction for the RCA fellowship. In order for the fellowship to flourish, the Twelve Traditions need to be understood and applied.

The Traditions are the glue and backbone of RCA itself. These Twelve Traditions come to us from the program of Alcoholics Anonymous and were adapted to the needs of our fellowship. We follow the Traditions to ensure the RCA fellowship will always be available for those couples who are recovering from addictions or dysfunctional behaviors that have affected their coupleships.

Many of us have found that doing service has helped to speed our healing process. We have a new sense of belonging when we learn to not isolate and to work with other couples.

Before recovery, many of us thought our own personal approach was the only correct one. However, we learned in our RCA groups to listen to our partner as well as other couples. We learned from other couples that partners have differing opinions and viewpoints. We became able to listen without judgment. We learned to share time with each other and not monopolize the group with “oh, ain’t it awful” stories. In our meetings, we learned to stay focused on the meeting topics. We learned to follow our Safety Guidelines and our group conscience process. Learning to respect the needs of the group taught us to respect the needs of our coupleship.

In addition to our own recovery, we have a responsibility to express ourselves to promote group unity. We have experience, strength and hope in our coupleships to share. We have histories that need to be heard which show we are not unique. As couples, we sometimes share just by listening and being present to hear other couples stories. However, if we consistently remain silent, it inhibits group unity.

Making newcomers feel welcome promotes RCA growth and unity. Some of the ways we have found helpful in making newcomers welcome are:

  • providing temporary sponsors,
  • giving out newcomer chips,
  • sharing how RCA has been helpful to us,
  • handing out newcomer packets with phone numbers of active members.
  • And of course, chatting informally with newcomers before and after the meeting.

 

Meeting Readings – Script

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For printable copy click here

Introduction

Revised 20250616

Welcome to the Sunday Video Trailblazers meeting of Recovering Couples Anonymous. This meeting lasts for an hour and a half. This is an open meeting; both singles and couples are welcome. I am ___ in coupleship with ___ , and we will be leading the meeting today.

You are asked to try to keep your video on, and we will conduct this like a face-to-face meeting. To have the full face-to-face experience, we recommend you use the Gallery View in the upper right-hand corner of your screen to see everyone at the same time. (Use can also use Ctrl F2) Please mute your line using the button on zoom, if you are not sharing.

Please treat this as a face to face meeting and please try to refrain from talking during the meeting. If you need to get up please try to do so between couple shares.

[Leader:  Only when there is a pending time change (spring and fall), read:

Trailblazer meetings start at 7 pm Copenhagen, Denmark time, except for a few weeks each year, as Europe and the US change to and from daylight savings time at different times. To determine the current time, please go to: www.worldtimebuddy.com and compare your local time to 7 pm Copenhagen, Denmark time.]

We hope you will find in this Fellowship the help and friendship we have been privileged to enjoy. Let’s open the meeting with a moment of silence, followed by the Couples Serenity Prayer.

Start Sharing Screen Use Desktop share and maximize your browser.

SERENITY PRAYER

God, grant us the serenity

to accept the things we cannot change,

courage to change the things we can,

 and wisdom to know the difference.

Would [leaders select a member couple] read: Page 50 in the basic text (4th edition)

RCA Preamble

Ours is a fellowship of recovering couples. We suffer from many different addictions and dysfunctions, and we share our experience, strength, and hope with each other that we may solve our common problems and help other recovering couples restore their relationships. The only requirement for membership is a desire to remain committed to each other and to develop new intimacy.

There are no dues or fees for membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. We are not allied with any organization. We do not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorse nor oppose any causes.

Although there is no organizational affiliation between Alcoholics Anonymous and our fellowship, we are based on the principles of AA. Our primary purpose is to stay committed in loving and intimate relationships and to help other couples achieve freedom from dysfunctional relationships.

Would [leaders select a member couple] read: Page 51 in the basic text (4th edition)

How It Works Part One

          Rarely have we seen a couple fail who have thoroughly followed our path. Those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program. They are naturally incapable of grasping and developing a manner of living which demands mutual and rigorous honesty.

There are those, too, who cannot or will not make a commitment to their partner. There are those who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover if they have the capacity to be honest. Our stories disclose in a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now. If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it, then you are ready to take certain steps.

At some of these we balked. We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not. With all the earnestness at our command, we beg of you to be fearless and thorough from the start. Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas, and the result was nil until we let go absolutely.

Remember that we deal with addictions – cunning, baffling, powerful. We also deal with all those memories of past hurts, misbehavior, and vows violated. Without help our anger, hurt, and mistrust are too great for us. But there is one who has all power; that one is God. May you find God now.

Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the turning point. We asked God’s protection and care with complete abandon. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program of recovery.

Would [leaders select a member couple] read: Page 52 in the basic text (4th edition)

The Twelve Steps of RCA

  1. We admitted we were powerless over our relationship – that our lives together had become unmanageable.
  2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to commitment and intimacy.
  3. We made a decision to turn our wills and our life together over to the care of God as we understood God.
  4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our relationship together as a couple.
  5. We admitted to God, to each other, and to another couple the exact nature of our wrongs.
  6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character, communication, and caring.
  7. We humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
  8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
  9. We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
  10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it to our partner and to others we had harmed.
  11. We sought through our common prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.
  12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to other couples, and to practice these principles in all aspects of our lives, our relationship, and our families.

Leaders read the tradition of the month: Page 56 in the basic text (4th edition)

The Tradition of the Month

  1. Our common welfare should come first; couple recovery depends upon RCA unity.
  2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority, a loving God as known in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
  3. The only requirement for RCA membership is a desire to remain in a committed relationship.
  4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or RCA as a whole.
  5. Each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to recovering couples who still suffer.
  6. RCA ought never endorse, finance, or lend the RCA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
  7. Every RCA group should be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
  8. Recovering Couples Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  9. RCA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
  10. Recovering Couples Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the RCA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
  11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, TV, and films and other media.
  12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Would [leaders select a member couple] read: Page 54 in the basic text (4th edition)

How It Works Part Two

         Many of us exclaimed, “What an order! We can’t go through with it. Our love is lost, our vows forever violated, our communication destroyed, our families broken beyond repair.”

Do not be discouraged. No couple among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles.

We are not saints, our love is not perfect, our energy not unbounded, nor our relationships ideal. There is no such thing as the ultimately caring and nurturing partner or perfect intimacy. The point is that we are willing to grow together along spiritual lines.

The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. In our spirituality we claim the goal of greater caring, communication, and intimacy.

Our understanding of our addictions, dysfunctions, and our personal histories before and after recovery make clear three pertinent ideas:

  1. That our relationship had become unmanageable. That despite our best efforts we were headed for  separation and/or divorce.
  2. That probably no human power could have restored us to commitment and intimacy.
  3. That God could and would if God were sought.

Introductions

Now is the time we introduce ourselves by our first names. Please let us know where you are joining us from. If there are any newcomers to our meeting or RCA, please let us know, so that we can welcome you.

NEWCOMERS

Leaders: Please ask if there are any newcomers. If so, read the following text and send to NEWCOMERS ONLY in chat window.

The love and respect we offer to newcomers is a reflection of the love and respect we are learning to offer ourselves. If your coupleship is new to RCA, we encourage you to contact the Welcome Couple via email at welcomecouple@RCATrailblazers.org to request a welcome letter that will give you information for requesting a newcomer packet, which will be mailed to your home directly. Also, for additional support to your coupleship, instructions are posted in the welcome letter for adding your contact information to the Trailblazers Contact List.

Please feel free to stay after the meeting to have any questions addressed by the Welcome or Greeter Couple.
Please copy this information as it will disappear when you close zoom

Leaders, if the Welcome Couple is not present at the meeting, ask for stand-in Greeter Couple.

Would a couple be willing to stay after the meeting to serve as the Greeter Couple for our newcomers today? Thank-you ______.

Business meetings are held on the last Sunday of the month, immediately following the recovery meeting. Please email the Business Lead Couple at BusinessLead@rcatrailblazers.org to have an item added to the agenda, and then attend the business meeting as a couple. We encourage everyone to stay for the business meetings and help to keep our group working well!  You are welcome to stay on the video channel for fellowship after the meeting.

Here are the Trailblazers announcements. (click here)  [The Secretary Couple will read the announcements.]

To request or be added to the contact list, please email the Contact List Couple at ContactListCouple@RCATrailblazers.org

Is there a couple who will volunteer to be our spiritual time keepers for the meeting today?  The group has decided to allow each individual 2 minutes (or at lead couple discretion, 3 minutes, depending on meeting size) to share, so please set your timer for 2 (or 3) minutes. Please use the audio as well as visual cues to let people know their time is up.

The format for today’s meeting is:

1st Sunday – Step Meeting 

https://rcatrailblazers.org/our-services/

Ask a couple to read the entire step for the month (e.g. Jan = Step 1) from the RCA basic text.

2nd Sunday – Speaker or Topic Meeting

Ask if any couple is willing to share their experience strength and hope. (10 min. per couple)

Otherwise: Topic meeting – please choose and read a daily reflection from chapter VI (pgs 233-296) in the basic text followed by general sharing.

3rd Sunday – Traditions Meeting

https://rcatrailblazers.org/our-services/

Ask a couple to read the entire tradition for the month (e.g. Jan = Tradition 1) from the RCA basic text – open meeting for sharing on either the tradition or anything from your coupleship.

4th Sunday – Newcomer and  Anniversary Meeting

Ask if there are any newcomers and welcome them.

Ask if there is a couple celebrating an RCA anniversary. If so they get 10 minutes each to share their experience strength and hope.

If not the chair can read, or ask another couple to read either a Reflection (pp. 233-296 of the Blue Book) or the Characteristics of Functional/Dysfunctional Couples,  then open the meeting for sharing.

5th Sunday – Reflection or Topic 

Please choose a reading/contract from any of the RCA literature and open the meeting for sharing.

Would [leaders select a member] read: Page 55 in the basic text (4th edition)

Safety Guidelines

Anonymity and mutual respect of boundaries are essential to providing a healing experience to each of us. Most of us have had great difficulty establishing our boundaries, assertiveness, and personal space. We are sensitive to cross-talk. Our purpose is not to give advice or try to fix one another, but rather to create a safe environment where we can experience and share our pain, hope and joy.

We have found that:

  1. It is OK to feel.
  2. It is OK to make mistakes.
  3. It is OK to have respectful conflict.
  4. It is OK to have needs and ask for them to be met.
  5. It is important to respect others (partners and others in the group). It is important to avoid self-righteous statements, baiting or button-pushing statements, case-building statements, and the taking or sharing of another persons inventory.
  6. It is important to respect ourselves and to avoid self put-downs and self-pity. It is helpful to take ownership of our own story and to take credit for our progress and work in recovery.
  7. Anonymity is our spiritual foundation. Whom you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.

We have care and concern for ourselves and our coupleships. We meet to both receive and provide the nurturing our relationships need to grow and endure. For that reason, it is important for us to act and speak respectfully to our partners and others. As we do this, we value the group and the relationships in it.

Sharing Guidelines (leaders read)

As this is an open meeting; both singles and couples are welcome.  All are welcome to share whether your partner is present or not. We ask that you keep your sharing focused on your own part in the coupleship as stated in the RCA Safety Guidelines.  

We ask that we avoid cross-talk.  Cross-talk is giving advice to others who have already shared, speaking directly to your partner, rather than the group, and questioning or interrupting the couple sharing or leading the meeting at the time. In our meetings we make I statements, as opposed to you statements. If you would like to respond personally to what someone has shared, we suggest that you talk to that person one-to-one after the meeting. These guidelines apply to the use of the chat window.

In RCA, we suffer from many different addictions and dysfunctions. In this group, we ask that you be mindful of crosstalk, appropriate dress and who and what appears on your screen. At any time anyone can send a gentle reminder message to a couple, or message safety to ALL.  The facilitators will stop the sharing and address the issue.

We have 2 minute shares.  We will time each share, and you will see a signal when your time is up.  The meeting is now open for sharing on the topic, the reading or your coupleship issues.

NOTE:

  • 15 minutes before meeting ends – Leaders ask, “Are there any newcomers who haven’t shared, but would like to share?”
  • 5 minutes before meeting ends – Read next section on 7th Tradition

7th Tradition

Now is the time we practice the Seventh Tradition which states we are self-supporting through our own contributions. Your group contributions go to newcomer welcome packets, group expenses such as the Trailblazers web-site, as well as support of RCA World Services. Be mindful of your own needs first, and give only as you can. Please go to www.rcatrailblazers.org and push the 7th Tradition button to make your contribution via PayPal.

Closing

[if newcomers, say:] Welcome again to our newcomers. Please email:   WelcomeCouple@RCATrailblazers.org, so we can send you a welcome letter.

[If a speaker couple meeting, say:] Let’s thank our speakers!

[On last Sunday of the month say:] We encourage everyone to stay for the business meeting today. Please help us keep our group working well! The business meeting will begin at 40 past the hour to allow for newcomers to connect in fellowship.

[If not the last Sunday, say:] You are welcome to stay on the video channel for fellowship after the meeting.

Is there a couple who would be willing to lead next week’s meeting?

In closing, we would like to say that the opinions expressed here were strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest.

Would [secretary selects a member] read: Page 59 in the basic text (4th edition)

RCA Promises

If we are honest about our commitment and painstaking about working the Twelve Steps together, we will quickly be amazed at how soon our love returns. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will learn how to play and have fun together. As we experience mutual forgiveness we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Trust in each other will return. We will comprehend the word serenity, and we will know peace.

No matter how close to brokenness we have come, we will see how our experiences can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness, shame, and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our partners, families, and others. Self-seeking will slip away.  Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will be better parents, workers, helpers, and friends. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.

For those of you who are new to our fellowship, there are no problems that you have experienced that are not common to many of us. Just as our love for our partners has been imperfect, we may not always be adequately able to express to you the deep love and acceptance we feel for you. Keep coming back; the process of loving and communication grows in us, and with each other, one day at a time.

With everyone remaining muted, would those of you who would like to, please join us as we close with the Unity Prayer? [Page 60 in the basic text (4th edition)]

Unity Prayer

I put my hand in yours,

and together we can do

what we could never do alone.

No longer is there a sense of hopelessness.

No longer must we each depend

upon our own unsteady willpower.

We are all together now,

reaching out our hands

for a power and strength greater than ours.

And as we join hands,

we find love and understanding

beyond our wildest dreams.