The Foundry Church in Winona will begin Celebrate Recovery, a 12-step, Christ-centered program, on October 14.
According to Rita Eldridge, Celebrate Recovery’s women’s leader, the program differs from Alcoholics Anonymous because it doesn’t just focus on addiction.
“[It is for] any hurt, hang up, or habit in your life that has made your life unmanageable,” Eldridge said.
The program follows eight principals based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12), part of Jesus’s teachings. It follows a 12-step program, each centering around a specific scripture that teaches participants to be forward-looking and look deeper into a their history to focus on the origin of a particular behavior or hurt.
Eldridge said the program features lessons based on God’s word. For some habits or hang ups, she said the solution could be to make better choices, with an emphasis on personal responsibility. For more serious hurts, like abuse or addiction, the program helps participants reflect on their behavior to move forward.
“This emphasizes a spiritual commitment to Jesus,” Eldridge said. “It shows that we must totally surrender our lives to Christ.”
The program provides leaders to assist participants and hold them accountable as they go on their journey through Celebrate Recovery.
“We weren’t meant to do this alone,” Eldridge said. “It also encourages you to serve. A large percentage of people who go through the program become leaders in their church and their communities. You are taught to take what you learned and help someone else.”
Eldridge said like Alcoholics Anonymous, Celebrate Recovery has been approved by the courts an option for sentencing.
Eldridge, and several others from The Foundry, completed a year-long Celebrate Recovery Bible Study to lead the 12-step program.
The first meeting is October 14 at 6 p.m. at The Foundry, located at 208 Summit Street in Winona. It is open to the public, and refreshments will be served prior to worship and group discussion. Those interested can join a meeting at any time.
“I encourage anyone to come and be a part of it,” Eldridge said. “We hope it can make a difference in our community in every way.”
For more information, contact Eldridge at 662-310-6933 or Jan Bailey, men’s leader, at 662-614-4316.
