on this forest to make this memorable occasion just a little better for yourself. As you and I know, every L.A. meeting, of whatever kind and purpose, is really a communion. And the communion is a time when we gather together under God’s grace. We close every communion with the prayer of our Lord. And before we come to that, I would like to recall to you that we are thirty people, and countless ones since. We have heard over the centuries the voice of Francis, one of the greatest followers of the Master. He has voiced our aspirations as none of us could. It is altogether fitting that you share with me the prayer of Francis. Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardon that we are pardoned. And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Now let it conclude. Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Good morning everybody. We’re ready to get our meeting underway, and I would like to get started in the usual way by observing a moment of silence. Thank you. Now I ask Cora Louise Belford to come forward and lead us in the serenity prayer. Hi everybody. I’m Cora Louise Belford, and a very grateful alcoholic, grateful for this weekend and to all of you for being here. And would you join me in saying the serenity prayer? Shall we all stand? God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. We had a few announcements, as usual, and I’d like to make those at this time. I’d like to remind all of you that there will be no picture-taking at these sessions, but that panoramic photograph will be available for purchase at the Fontainebleau and also in the lobby of Convention Hall out here. Also please, no taping of meetings. All the meetings here and all of those at the hotel, with the exception of the workshop, have been taped, and these tapes are available at the Fontainebleau and here at Convention Hall. The orders can be placed. As you know, free bus service is available to and from Convention Hall here from the major hotels. Schedules are available at the information booth in the Fontainebleau, and your convention badge is your admission ticket. There are still souvenir programs and pens available at the Fontainebleau, and best cartoons from the grapevine, and favorite editorials from the Al-Anon Forum. Both of these are also available at the headquarters hotel and here at Convention Hall. I’ve been asked to announce, to request Bill Cottrell from Hamilton, Ontario, to please contact Hector at the Hotel Waltzman. I believe that I was in error last night when I announced that the reception for the host committee would be from 1 to 3 this afternoon. That reception will be from 3 to 5. I’m sorry for having given you the wrong information. Reception for the host committee at the Fontainebleau from 3 to 5 this afternoon. I’d just like to remind you that there is a lost and found department at the information booth at the Fontainebleau, and also a message center there. I’m told that there are many messages on the message board there which have not been picked up, so you might just want to check that out. Now it’s my pleasure to introduce to you our chairman for this meeting, Dr. Statt. Folks, we have a tremendous thrill. Our prayers have been answered, Bill is here, and will be coming home. Dear folks, there is always something new in one’s AA life, and what do you think it is with me this morning? It is that I am absolutely speechless. That is almost absolutely speechless. As I look out across this crowd, there floats back to me a mightiest chance, and this is a mightiest chance for AA’s future. That indeed, it will go on for so long as God wants us. The other thing I would like to set on the record is my tremendous gratitude at being able to be with you in this finest hour of our closing meet. So I can only say, may God bless and keep you and Alpha Follies Anonymous forever. Thank you.
