For many churches, 12-step meetings held in basements or parish halls draw more of a crowd than Sunday services.
The Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at Falmouth Lutheran Church each draw 75 to 100 people. But only 50 to 75 attend the Sunday service, said the Rev. Carl Evans. And while the crowd at the Narcotics Anonymous meetings are young, the faithful attendees on Sunday are over 60, the pastor said.
The Hyannis Federated Church hosts from six to a dozen 12-step recovery meetings each week, drawing more than 100 people, said the Rev. Dr. John Terry. But on Sunday, only about 75 to 80 attend the service, with an average age of 75 or older, the senior minister said.