Holy Protection Orthodox Church, a congregation of about 70 parishioners in Dover, is set apart from other local churches not only in its denominational practices, but also in its efforts to offer a 12-step program for local people who want to overcome their addictions.
Church leaders have worked to develop the program for about a year, drawing ideas from Alcoholics Anonymous, but hoping to incorporate a spiritual element to the recovery process.
Harry Linsinbigler, pastor of Holy Protection, is responsible for developing the program’s curriculum and inviting guest speakers to share their insight. He said it was not meant to replace programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, but to supplement those programs with spiritual guidance.
“We call it recovery … but it’s really healing, and the ultimate healer of our souls and bodies is Christ,” Linsinbigler said.
The first meeting was Dec. 1. There will continue to be one meeting each month for a year that introduces a new step of the recovery process, and supplementary meetings will explore the month’s step in depth and teach participants how to apply it in their own lives.
Although each monthly meeting builds on previous steps, new members can join at any time. They will be integrated at their own pace.
The program is for both men and women, but each participant will be matched with a church member as a mentor and accountability partner, who will be of the same gender.
“The program got started because people in our parish are in need of a program such as this,” he said. “So it was our intent to train, learn and apply the principles that have gotten people sober and kept them sober.”
As someone who has had close relationships with recovering alcoholics, the program leader, who wishes to remain anonymous outside of the church, has seen how effective a 12-step program such as Holy Protection’s can be.
“When you think about it, a very big number of people in the United States are addicted to some form of a chemical — drugs, alcohol, those sorts of things,” he said.
Regardless of religious beliefs or lack thereof, the program is for any member of the community who hopes to overcome an addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Linsinbigler said that the church has recently been focusing more on outreach than it has before. Its two other outreach ministries emphasize prayer for parishioners’ workplaces and co-workers, and care for the sick.
“You don’t come to church. You are the Church,” Linsinbigler said. “Wherever we meet and wherever we are, we are the Church.”
For more information or to express interest in joining the program, contact Linsinbigler at fatherharryL3@yahoo.com, or call the church at (813) 659-0123. The church is located at 3820 Moores Lake Road, Dover.
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.