Past News and Events


November 7 & 8, 2020


October 31, 2020 Halloween 2020 ACA Speaker Meeting

Meeting is on the regular Zoom speaker meeting access. Contact Mary 805-680-7762 for information.


October 24-25, 2020
ACA Recovery Summit 2020
Transforming Pain to Promises
A free Zoom recovery event embracing members of all 12-Step fellowships and is a sacred, healing space for all who wish to recover from childhood trauma & dysfunction.  This is not a retreat, but a gathering of passionate and determined survivors forging a new identity based on unconditional self-love. To register, go to www.acarecoverysummit2020.com, Registration ends at Midnight US/PST on Wednesday, 10/21/2020. For Summit updates and Q&A, join our google group: groups.google.com/g/aca-recovery-space. For more info on ACA, please go to adultchildren.org. Sponsored by the Washington State ACA Intergroup and The Healing Consortium.
www.acarecoverysummit2020.com


“Deep water in shallow pools”
A Recovery Workshop – Songwriting as a tool of personal transformation.

Each of us experiences our inner lives in unique and yet shared ways. We each see a progression of and for ourselves – our personal histories and challenges stack up against our goals, and hopes, and dreams. We work these seams like miners, hoping to find ways to express and release hidden knots in the seams. Song is a powerful medium for this journey. Songs are an alchemy. One hundred words strung together like beads over the cadence and flow of harmonious sounds. How can anything of depth or merit be found there, much less mined and extracted? And yet, for most human beings, that is exactly what happens. Good songs – the ones that tap something at our core – shift and grow in us like vines. They flower unexpectedly and often beautifully. They can open entire new areas of insight long after they were written.

The Workshop: We will cover a concise and professional-level view of the hows and whys and wherefores of songwriting. We’ll do some warm-up exercises and ‘practice’ songs. Then each participant will write a song, as personal, detached, serious, or frivolous as they choose. The teaching team will then select two or three songs to build out into arranged demos.

Equipment: Is OPTIONAL! However, in order for us to complete a song with YOUR voice, you will need to have a Smartphone with a voice recorder, and the ability to share that recording. Or the equivalent. You will also need a separate method – a laptop or a second phone – that you can use to listen with headphones while recording on the Smartphone. These two or three songs will be shared with all participants .

LIVE ONLINE EVENT: Saturday, July 11, 10 AM to 12 Noon and 1PM to 2 PM with a lunch break near midday. Participants may remain online to mingle!

This experimental, first-run event is open to all participants! We may cap attendance in order to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share their song. There is no charge for the workshop. Donations are welcomed and will be forwarded as a single donation to ACA.

To ENROLL, send an email to dlpetry@gmail.com .

Workshop leaders: David P. began writing songs 20 years ago. Lois Mahalia has released an album of his songs, Build Me a Window, and his band The Great Get Gone has one record out, Cinderella Shoe and a second record coming out this year, Misters and Misses. He has been in ACA recovery since November 2017.
Musical directors: We will have one or two program-based musical directors to assist!


Workshop slide decks from 2020 ACA World Convention


ACA Workshop Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Thousand Oaks, CA
Chapter 8: “The Next Step” – The Solution: Becoming Your Own Loving Parent – A Workshop on Learning How to Love Yourself.

Esau will be presenting this fine-tuned high-quality ACA workshop at the upcoming ACA World Convention in Toronto in April.

March 24th, 10:30am sharp – 1pm (please arrive early) 300 McCloud Ave in Thousand Oaks, CA Fellowship carpooling recommended. See flyer for more information.

Dear Fellow Traveler, I hope this invitation finds you well. My name is Esau and I am personally inviting you, perhaps again, to join me in a workshop that teaches us how to love ourselves. In my life I’ve heard many people suggest that if you don’t love yourself you cannot truly love somebody else. That raised an interesting question for me, do I truly know what love is? And do I truly know “myself”? This workshop introduces these two concepts to us using the wisdom of the ACA Big Red Book. This workshop may be the first step towards learning what love is actually supposed to look like, what it is supposed to feel like, what it is supposed to sound like. Another aspect to loving ourselves is getting to know who our “Self” truly is. This workshop begins the process to understand how to get into contact with that part within us that wants to be heard, felt, and healed. This stepping stone can be the beginning towards giving us the ability to truly love our selves, maybe for the first time.

If you have attended once and would like to come again please do so, many have shared that returning to this workshop has allowed for a better understanding of the concepts taught and really shined a different light on their recovery journey. Don’t be shy, come get another bracelet!

This particular workshop in Thousand Oaks may or may not be close to your area, but that’s okay. I ask, if you can, to share it anyway, share it far and wide. By word of mouth, phone (texting the flyer) or email (you can simply forward this email), or in your meeting (print and share). Why? Because we never know when someone else may coincidentally be in another town passing by and be able to attend. Any ACA news is good news to share.

P.S. If you have attended this workshop before and haven’t yet sent in your thoughts, feelings, or suggestions about your workshop experience, please use this opportunity to do so now.. This workshop has grown and evolved thanks to the feedback I receive from people like you. You can email me at mresau@outlook.com.

In Love and Service, Esau

Workshop flyer 3.24.18

PS: Hi, Duncan B. in Santa Barbara here.. I attended this workshop last year and it is VERY good. Well worth attending! I hope you’ll make it toward treating yourself with more gentleness, humor, love and respect.


Walk on the Wild Side – Promise 7 Event on Sunday, November 19th at the Santa Barbara Zoo.

Let’s learn to play and have fun in our lives!

An afternoon at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Sunday, November 19th. Purchase your ticket online at sbzoo.org and meet at the zoo entrance at 10am – 5pm.

Info: Jannelle 805-727-1513


Sunday October 22, 2017

Promise 7 – Island Style boat trip to Santa Cruz Island.. learning to play and have fun in our lives!

Join fellow ACA’s for a day boat trip to SANTA CRUZ ISLAND at Channel Islands Park.
Advance reservation and payment directly with Island Packers ($54/senior & $59/person) is required.

www.islandpackers.com

Check in 8:15am at 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105B, Ventura, CA 93001. Island Packers boat leaves Ventura Harbor 9:00am to Prisoner’s Cove and departs Santa Cruz Island at 3:30pm returning to Ventura Harbor at 5:15pm.

John K. 805-390-6115
Jannelle 805-727-1513


ACA Workshop 10 Sept 2017 in Thousand Oaks, CA

Chapter 8 – “The Next Step” – The Solution: Becoming Your Own Loving Parent – A Workshop on Learning How to Love Yourself.

September 10th 2017 – 11:00am to 1:00pm – 300 McCloud Ave., Thousand Oaks, CA
In Recreation Room of Oaknoll Villas – 2 blocks from Oaks Mall off Hillcrest & McCloud – Fellowship carpooling recommended.

For more information: Email: ch.8thenextstep@gmail.com

Workshop flyer 9.10.17


ACA Annual Business Conference and World Convention April 20-23, 2017 in San Diego.

Talk – Trust – Feel

Saturday, March 4, 2017, in Ojai ACA

“Stepping it up… One Day At A Time Workshop”
An ACA Workshop Focusing on Steps 10, 11, 12.

Join us in Ojai for a day of informative speakers, recess, stuffed animals, and yummy food.
Learn to deepen your understanding into these three valuable and timeless Steps.

What to bring:
– Journal & ACA books
– Your inner child
– A friendly stuffed animal
– A photo of your child self

When: Saturday March 4, 2017

Where: Saint Andrews Church – 409 Topa Topa Drive, Ojai, CA 93023

Time: 9:00AM – 3:00PM

Potluck: Please bring a dish to share. Water, tea & coffee provided.

Contact: Charles: 805-310-7140 and Onella 805-550-9234

Suggested donation: $5.00

Talk Trust Feel Conference Logo

stepbystepSB-ACA Step Workshop

Saturday, May 21st
10 am – 4 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
909 N. La Cumbre Road
SB 93110

This workshop will help participants work the 12-Steps of ACA. There will be a speaker addressing each step, time for sharing, and panels. This workshop will be a safe place to explore the unique elements of the individual steps and to share experience, strength and hope!

A potluck lunch will be served as well as coffee and tea. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Isabelle at iwalkerinsb@gmail.com or 805-886-0937

StepWorkshopFlyer click here

stepbystep



John

Join us to celebrate the life of our fellow traveler, John Robert Luther
on Friday, April 8th
at 6:30 pm
Location:
The Unity Church of Santa Barbara
227 E. Arrellaga
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
We will meet in the youth room downstairs
This memorial service is open to John’s family and all 12 Step Groups

For John Luther Flyer Please click here.

 



 WORKSHOP sponsored by Santa Barbara ACA Intergroup 
February 27, 2016

RECOVERY & TRANSFORMATION OF THE HEART

by
Esoteric Interpretation of the Myth of Joseph,
view selected clips of film, reflect, and
meditate with Rumi’s poetry, music, and participate in movement
On the Theme of Surrendering, to Reunite with Higher Self

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”  Rumi

As Rumi suggests, the myth of Joseph reminds us to become aware that each of us at some point in our life had sold our inner Joseph, the archetypal figure of  our Eternal Self, into slavery by betraying it, as had the brothers of Joseph, and now we have the desire to claim it back, to reunite with it. Losing this Origin has cost us a lot of predicaments, pain, anxiety and depression.

aca 14

Workshop leader:  
Mahnaz Anissian, ACA
Ph.D. in Depth psychology
License in Marriage & Family Therapy
Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy

Date & Time: Saturday. February 27th 2016
10 am sign-in and socializing
10:30 am – 4 pm workshop*
12-1 potluck lunch
Cost:     Free, Love offering donation

Location:  Trinity Lutheran Church
909 N La Cumbre Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (Foothill Rd. and La Cumbre)

*Workshop includes:  Film clips (foreign with subtitle), Rumi poetry, Movements, and Reflection.

**Monthly Speaker Meeting will follow this event at Unity Church (6:30 pm).



An ACA afternoon of kayaking/paddle boarding, fellowship and a beachside meeting in Santa Barbara!

When: Saturday, October 17th, 2015
Time: 11:30AM
Where: The Dolphin statue at Sterns Wharf

Here’s the plan: Meet at the dolphin statue at Stern’s Wharf in Santa Barbara. Your mission, to decide just exactly how you want to have fun! Here are the choices:

Paddle boarding or kayaking starting at $15 per hour
Renting a bike (for 2 or 4 people) $10 to $29 per hour
Explore Sterns Wharf or Santa Barbara’s Harbor

Once we have everyone out of the water, we will gather and go grab a bite to eat. Long Boards is on the Wharf and is large enough to house us all. Everything available to do is within a block or two and there is plenty of parking available. And of course, there is always State Street to investigate and the art show on Cabrillo street to discover…

We will end our afternoon together with a meeting on the beach. Umbrellas, blankets, swimsuits and chairs optional!
Please R.V.S.P. so we will have an idea of how big a group we will have.

ACA Fun Day for 10-17-15 (flyer)



Many past events can now be viewed by looking in the website archives (viewable in the lower right panel) by their date and are not longer posted on this page but saved there.



April 26 in Orcutt – Dinner & Movie after the 4:00 ACA meeting. Dinner at the Chinese place by Rabobank or the new  Jaffe Café (if it is open) and then movie at the old Edward’s movie theater ($3.50/person).  Bring your family/friends or just yourself!



March 22 in Orcutt – ACA Fire Circle Social Gathering – Following the regular Sunday 4-5pm Orcutt ACA meeting, there will be a fire circle gathering at a nearby member’s home. All ACA members are welcome to attend the meeting and gathering. There may be carpools from Santa Barbara.



February 27-29 ACA International Convention in Redondo Beach.
The printed hand outs and recordings of the convention speakers are available for free download from the convention website. Link to convention page: http://www.acaconvention.org/



November 8 Ojai ACA Art of Gratitude Workshop and Social Gathering. Ojai is hosting this 1pm to 8pm afternoon of interactive workshops for feeling and healing with RECESS for fun and games. Chili, cornbread and salad will be served for dinner  (side dishes or desserts are optional and appreciated) with a talent show. Do you have a talent you want to share? Contact Charles: (805) 310-7140  or Cynthia: (805) 798-2930. Any members who like to play music and/or sing are welcomed to join in with the group of entertainers who will be performing during the evening portion of the event. Please contact us to get on the bill. St. Andrew’s Church/Parish Hall, 409 Topa Topa Drive, Ojai CA. $10 Suggested Donation. All are Welcome Please RSVP to Lauri: (805) 794-0397

Ojai ACA Art Of Gratitude Workshop Flyer Nov 8, 2014



September 27 in Santa Barbara – ACA SOUL CARDS Workshop. Some of you SB ACA “oldtimers” may remember the brilliant collage making activity that Lynne facilitated at our first SB ACA Retreat on the Gaviota Coast in early 2013. This ACA Soul Card Workshop with potluck lunch will happen at Trinity Lutheran Fellowship Hall at 909 N. La Cumbre Road at Foothill Road from 10AM to 5PM where participants will create a collage style “SOUL CARD” of their very own and have a chance to share about it with others. Very cool concept!

Soul Collage Card Workshop Flyer

September 19-21 in San Bernardino Mountains – 26th Annunal Fall Mountain Retreat – Theme: Claim your Baggage, Claim your Life – with meetings and speakers, hikes, talent/no-talent show, arts & crafts, pool, jacuzzi, massages, and much more..

Flyer cover: http://repository.adultchildren.org/images/2826585401329_FMR_RETREAT_FLYER-2014a.jpg

Flyer inside: http://repository.adultchildren.org/images/mps_flyers/2826585401329_FMR_RETREAT_FLYER-2014b.jpg



July 12 in Santa Barbara – 10am to 5pm ACA Workshop – Nancy M., who was a workshop leader at the 2014 ACA World Convention, will be traveling from Las Vegas to lead our SB-ACA workshop. There is no fee for this workshop. All ACA members, newcomers, and anyone interested in ACA recovery are welcomed to attend. Please bring a potluck lunch item, writing materials, and a donation to help with venue rent & supplies.

Workshop Schedule:

10 – 10:30 Sign-in & Social
10:30 – 12 First Step Elephant Training
Laundry List effects of family dysfunction & defining powerlessness & learned helplessness, tools of recovery to understand how we help ourselves, the solution of being our own loving parent, and discovery of our personal power.
12 – 1 Potluck Lunch
1 – 2:30 Breaking the Pattern of Victim Mentality
Living from the viewpoint of victims, ways to shift into accepting life on life’s terms, how the inner loving parent helps in how I see the world through the conditioned lens of my childhood, and waking from imprisoning beliefs that color my mental stories.
2:30 – 3 Break
3 – 4:30 The ACA Solution and Promises
How the Solution prompts shifts in how we relate to life and experience gratitude, and how we practice making the Promises come true in our lives.
4:30 – 5 Closing
5 – 6 Social & Clean-up
6:30 Restaurant Dinner; Location TBD

Workshop flyer: SB ACA Workshop Flyer 071214

June 21 in Grover Beach – Communication for Conflict Situations Workshop at Grover Beach

Flyer for Communication for Conflict Situations workshop