Congregation

 The word "congregation" as used in religion generally refers to the worship gathering of people.  They are a gathering for that moment in time inside the worship building.  Afterwards, they disperse to their own private lives.  But the root word, "congregatio" refers to a group of people in the bible who are wandering around in the desert with no permanent home.  They stay together for safety and support.  They are no longer slaves, but they are not in the promised land.  So a congregation really refers to a people who could be worse, but are by no means done with their journey and need to support one another.  They are tribal kin, not strangers from various neighborhoods, separated by income, politics, color or language.  People in recovery meetings are coming from slavery to substances, and moving towards a fuller life.  They need one another and all need a Power greater than themselves.