Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Jurisdiction of Georgia

Transcription

1 Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star Jurisdiction of Georgia Annual Address Of the 14 th Grand Worthy Matron Sister Marilyn Moore Strategizing THE STAR through the Synergy of Service: Education, Wellness and Volunteerism 112 th Annual Grand Communication O*E*S: Mastering the Essence of True Service Courage, Friendship, Loyalty, and Love Hosted by Columbus Masonic District No. 4 June 15 18, 2010 Columbus conference and Trade Center Columbus, Georgia

2 112 th Emphasis of Prince Hall Grand Chapter s Communication O*E*S: Mastering the Essence of True Service Courage, Friendship, Loyalty, and Love (The Heroine, Ruth) Salutations To the Honorable Ramsey Davis, Jr., 33, Most Worshipful Grand Master, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Jurisdiction of Georgia; Brother Marvin Knight, Grand Worthy Patron; 13 th Past Grand Worthy Matron, Sister Vashti Grimes Pullen; 12 th Past Grand Worthy Matron, Sister Belle S. Clark; 11 th Past Grand Worthy Matron, Sister Ruby C. Clayton; 8 th Past Grand Worthy Patron, Brother Aaron Kent, 32, 7 th Past Grand Worthy Patron, Brother Felton L. Hudson; 6 th Past Grand Worthy Patron, Brother Willie V. Coleman; Elected and Appointed Grand Chapter Officers Past and Present; District Worthy Matrons, District Worthy Patrons, Worthy Matrons, Worthy Patrons, Past and Present; Officers and Members of Subordinate Chapters; visiting Jurisdictions, Heads of Concordant Bodies, and all assembled to make up this Grand Body at the 112 th Annual Communications of Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of Georgia, Good Morning! Greetings In the name of our great sisterhood, knitted together in... charity and sincere friendship, and, by the Mercies and Grace of God, our heavenly Father, through His son, Jesus the Savior, we have assembled for the annual communications of Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Georgia. We have come to foster our mission as the "O*E*S: Mastering the Essence of True Service Courage, Friendship, Loyalty, and Love in honor of the Heroine Ruth. The heartiest of thanks, gratitude and honor are given to the Columbus Masonic District No. 4, Sister Teena Delgado, District Worthy Matron, Brother Michael Johnson, District Worthy Patron, Brother Freddie Grisson, DDGM, and Sister Margarite Green, PDWM, District Chairperson, for the hosting of this 112 th Grand Session. Mission accomplished, you may now exhale! It is an esteemed pleasure and honor to welcome you, our Sisters, Brothers and Visitors to the 112 th Annual Grand Session and its deliberations. WELCOME to Columbus, the Fountain City. It is good to be here surrounded by such beautiful and good company in devotion, friendship and fellowship Embracing service Boldly with dignity and honor. State of the Order The Jurisdiction of Georgia, Order of the Eastern Star, is thriving in love, peace and harmony. Yes, the Order is doing well despite the roadblocks, turbulences and challenges to overcome. I have discovered that there is a greater need for the application of correct knowledge, wisdom, precepts and examples for growth and improvement if our Order is to survive, fulfill its mission and continue as a profound, unmovable organization in this jurisdiction. With Jesus and the Holy Spirit as our guide and road atlas, we can press on toward the mark to overcome the overwhelming opportunities presented to this organization and come forth as loyal, devoted individuals and members of this Order. GOD, our greatest landmark, will order our steps, steady our hands, guide our minds, and direct our actions to solidify the course of this great Order. Hence, we can Master True Service by correcting and weeding out wrong to do that which is right decently, in order and with love for the survival of this Order. To do so we will abide by Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of Georgia s Adopted Rituals, Standards and Information. This is a great Sisterhood preserved by the lessons of the Heroines and left in our (your) hands to insure its perpetual state for the Order in this jurisdiction!. Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 2 of 8

3 Goals Accomplished Resolved 99% of the Financial woes which plagued the Order Properties in Savannah renovated and living conditions more comfortable for our clients All financially accounts are working in the black (working out of the red) Strong Endowment account with a savings Practical and applicable Lecturer Guidebook for use by Districts and Chapters Goals to work toward Use Technology TEAMS to go GREEN (paperless) Generate investment prospects to enhance finances Reassess the Grand Chapter s Bylaws and align to current procedures and standards Partnership with the American Red Cross for Community Service projects and the wellness program through Morehouse College Charitable Contributions Charitable contributions were made to various organizations such as American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, MSG, NAACP, Fort Valley State University Scholarship Foundation and Educational Enrichment, Community Support, and relief to distressed Eastern Star Sisters. Necrology The evening shade has appeared. Sunset has invaded the ranks of our Order. Last evening we remembered the lives of Sisters and Brothers who made their transition form labor to reward. Let us forever keep their memory alive and live out the kind of lives worthy of the vocation we profess. Let us always remember their lives and the Service they rendered to this Order. More importantly, let us live a life ready to say as Paul, I am ready... for the joy of the morning! Youth The Youth is the future of this great Order. We must support the youth chapters in our care. We must continue to lead by example to insure that our Youth will stand tall and strong as the leaders of tomorrow for this Order. The 34 th Annual Grand Session was held in Douglas, GA, at the C. E. Weir Center and Baptist Church, April The Grand Youth Officers did an outstanding job of carrying on the business of the session. Appreciation, gratitude and thanks go to the Fitzgerald Masonic District No. 23 for hosting the session. Thank you, Sister Eddie Lee Marsh for your dedication and services to the Youth. We congratulate Sister Marsh s tenure as Grand Youth Directress which ended at the 34 th Grand Session in Douglas. Commendations are also bestowed upon the Youth Chapters, Youth Directors and District Youth Coordinators for a job well done. We look forward to the 35 th session in 2011 to be hosted by Atlanta Masonic District No. 3 Youth Chapters and the 36 th annual session to be hosted by Statesboro District No. 18. Remember to remain committed and assist our Youth to evolve as the future members and leaders of our local O*E*S Chapters -- a vital, direct link to membership. Scholarship Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 3 of 8

4 The Sol C. Johnson Scholarship program yielded better than $123, through the Lillian E. Blake Queens Extravaganza. The scholarship program is the means by which one aspect of the educational phase of Strategizing the STAR... is addressed. We shall continue to support the scholarship program and the Lillian E. Blake Queens Extravaganza. Scholarship is awarded upon the completion of application and verification of school attendance for students attending college or continuing in college immediately following high school graduation. We will continue to Praise and support programs supporting the scholarship fund and the educational endeavors of young adults. We are so thankful to each of the queens who represented at the bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels. We are especially proud of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter Queen, Savannah District No. 1, isn t she beautiful! Thank you Savannah and the entire jurisdiction for your continued support toward the scholarship endeavor. Conferences South East Region Conference, June 26 29, 2009, Nassau, Bahamas and the Jurisdiction of the Bahamas Grand Session 61 st Conference of Conference of Grand Worthy Matrons and Grand Worthy Patron, Newton, Massachusetts. Attending with the Grand Worthy Matron were: Grand Associate Patron Sam McDonald; the Grand Conductress Deaidra Wilson; and, the Grand Associate Conductress Saundra Parks. Attended Conferences, Grand Sessions, and other concordant bodies representing Prince Hall Grand Chapter. o Grand Session: Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Nassau, Bahamas (Chairperson of the Region) o The centennial celebration of Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of SC. Attending with the Grand Worthy Matron were: the Grand Associate Matron Lynnette Hymes, Grand Associate Patron Sam McDonald, the Grand Associate Conductress Saundra Parks, Grand Secretary Barbara Jackson, Grand Trustee Joyce Gilchrist, Past Grand Worthy Matrons Belle S. Clark and Vashti G. Pullen; Grand Financial Assistant Frankie Totten; Sisters of the Macon Masonic District No. 5, Sisters o - Brenda Grimes Little-Carswell, Patricia Watkins, PWM, (Pat sister), Faye Butts, PWM; and Sisters of Capitol Star Chapter No.148, Sisters S. Dianne White, WM, Rosa Weston, PWM, Denise Mundy, WM King Solomon Chapter. Represented and greetings extended on behalf of Prince Hall Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Georgia, at the annual convocations. o Yorkrite Bodies-Heroines of Jericho and Cyrene Crusades, and John Robinson Grand Chapter Ladies of the Circle of Perfections Conference Awards: Crystal Hardy was awarded a $ scholarship from the 62 nd Conference of Grand Matrons and Grand Patrons held in Newton, Massachusetts. Welcome We welcome the following chartered Chapters in the Atlanta Masonic District no. 3 to the Princ Hall Family, Jurisdiction of Georgia. Foundation UD Chapter, October 17, 2009 Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 4 of 8

5 South Fulton UD Chapter, June 11, 2010 True Level Un Chapter, June 22, 2010 State of the Country The country is in the midst of an economic slump and security upheavals. Yes, we are faced with the lack of jobs and unemployment, lay-offs, pay cuts, furloughs, the rising cost of living, the battle of the healthcare bill, cuts in education and increased class size, crime stoppers, etc. Coupled with disrespect for the law and authority, we must realize who is in charge and believe that The earth is the Lord s... He will provide and take care of His people as He takes care of the Lily. Today and always we must gain greater faith and knowledge of His awesomeness to deliver us! Seek him and pray that our local, state and world leaders will also seek Him for counsel, directions and more faith for the soul to combat the economic ruins of the world. Recommendations 1. Follow the Adoptive Rite Ritual for all ritualistic work. 1. Practice and conduct the ritualistic opening and closing at all meetings as outlined in the adoptive rites of our order. 2. Use the Jurisdiction of Georgia s sanctioned ritualistic work and studies to conduct our meetings and guide our Studies. No online Studies or Private Study Sessions. All Sessions are to according to the documents and resources prescribed by the Jurisdiction of Georgia 3. Go Green (Technology TEAMS) for dissemination of information to chapters and districts throughout this jurisdiction. Those without internet access will continue to receive mailings. 4. Support the attendance of Conference 5. Implement and enforce an anti-hazing Policy to be included in the Constitution and Bylaws and make it effective immediately. 6. Align, update and assess the Constitution and Bylaws through the executive board. 7. Allow all committees imperative to the operations of the Grand Chapter to continue to work in the absence of the Grand Chapter. Directives 1. The application fee and all fees will be returned to any lady who is blackballed by a chapter. 2. The candidates will not be asked to provide refreshments, repasts or any type of food for the night of initiation. The Chapter may provide refreshments or a repast on the night of initiation if they so desire. 3. The elective Grand Chapter Officers shall become the official administrative board of the Grand Chapter and/or empowered to act accordingly. Closing This is a great sisterhood! It shall forever stand as a great sisterhood bonded together for the benefit of its existence. In so doing, we should treat it as such and make it our model to do good with all truthfulness and honor. We must be true Eastern Stars Acting Responsibly. We must STAND firm in our efforts to practice the lessons of courage, loyalty, love and devotion. I left with you one year ago a beautiful garden whereby these virtues could be harvested and gleaned. I left you with a charge to plant a few rows of peas amongst which was politeness. I encouraged you to weed out indifferences by squashing attitudes of (I, me, and mine). You were Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 5 of 8

6 admonished to cultivate practices which would insure friendship, fellowship, love and devotion for the Order to do the right thing at all times. It was by these lessons I felt we could stand today for the object and purposes of our beloved Order. Today it is my desire to cultivate charitable and fraternal practices that we may comfort, protect, and aid each other in our journey through the labyrinth of life. Today I Stand to offer you prayer in the lessons of morality and doing good one to the other as the golden rule inscribes is our harvest of hope. Hope in a vow for self and others; friendship to treat each other honorably, aid and strengthen each other; courage to Stand boldly in all lowliness; faith in God and the Order to believe that all will be right; and love to conquer all circumstances. These fruits of the rite and the scriptural writ are the attributes we are to voluntarily portray in our daily discourse of sisterhood and in life. It is only by these virtues that we can Master the Essence of true Service in our lives and within the Order. Like Ruth, stay loyal, devoted and friendly. What a friend we have in Jesus? What a friend she found in Naomi. Such a friend will lead us in prayer to reaffirm in our lives the oath of Ruth. Entreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee: for whither thy goest, I will go; and where thy lodges, I will lodge: thou people shall be my people and thou God my God: where thou diest, will I die, and there I will be buried: the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. It is by this pledge to ourselves, with the help of our heavenly friend through His Son that we can stand tall as Eastern Stars: Mastering the essence of true service, shinning ever so brightly as we evolve and reassemble; Embracing Service with Courage, Dignity and Honor. We did yesterday; we can today; we will tomorrow and for centuries to come--decently, in order, and with LOVE for the good of the Order in this jurisdiction. Thank you in the name of our great sisterhood... Your humble servant, Sister Marilyn Moore The 14 th Grand Worthy Matron Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star Jurisdiction of Georgia Addendum: Stewardship Itinerary attached Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 6 of 8

7 Grand Worthy Matron s Stewardship Report June 2009 to June 2010 The following stewardship report outlines an account of visitations and other activities of the Grand Worthy Matron June June South East Regional Meeting, Nassau, Bahamas June 28 Saint John s Day Celebration, Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Bahamas June 29 Visitation Day, Prince Hall Grand Chapter, Jurisdiction of the Bahamas June 30-July 2 July 15 Office Day, Riverdale July Attended Jurisdiction of SC 100 th Annual Grand Chapter Session July 25 Statesboro District Workshop Cape Jessamine John Wesley Lodge Family Day Picnic and Activities July 25- August Received and Processed Scholarship Applications July 26 Worship Services with Cape Jasmine Chapter, Statesboro August 1 Lydia Chapter s Anniversary, Darien August 2 Rose Metter Anniversary, Statesboro August 9 Speaker, Statesboro Past Matrons Council Anniversary August 12 Office Day August 15 Statesboro Family Picnic August 22 Statesboro District Meeting Vidalia District Family Picnic August 8 Resume work at Dublin High School August Month devoted to processing scholarships August 2 Vidalia District No. 24 Family/ Friends Day Outing, Uvalda, GA August 22 Attended Statesboro District Meeting, Statesboro Motivational Message: Beulah Chapter s Anniversary, Millen September 6 Office: Processed out first mailing of scholarship checks September Executive Board Meeting; Prince Hall Day Weekend Activities, Rome, GA September 19 Attended Dublin District No. 19 District Meeting, Dublin September Attended and representation at Yorkrite Bodies Convocation (Heroines of Jericho, Cyrene Crusaders, and Ladies of the Circle of Perfection), Atlanta September 27 Ruth Chapter Five Point Tea October 3 Louisville Masonic District No. 22 District Meeting, Summertown October 9 Office Day, Riverdale October 10 Funeral Services for Dora Young, Midville October 11 October 17 October 18 October 23 Amy R. Dunn chapter Anniversary Set-up Foundation Chapter, Atlanta Attended Katherine Brown Youth chapter s Anniversary, Atlanta Attended Carrollton Chapter Anniversary, Carrollton Speaker, Morris Brown Chapter s Anniversary, Covington Fitzgerald District No. 23, District Meeting, Rochelle, GA Tri County Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons Anniversary, Dublin Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 7 of 8

8 October 25 October November 7 November 14 November 21 November 21 November 30 December 4 December 5 December 6 December 20 December December 27 December January 8 January 16 January 19 January January 29 February 27 February 28 March 5-7 March 6 March 13 March March March 20 March 21 March 27 April 7-8 April 17 April May May 22 May June 2-4 June 2 June 11 Forsyth Chapter and Forsyth Lodge Anniversary, Forsyth Homecoming Activities, Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley Peace Chapter Anniversary Laurel Growth and Hourglass Lodge Worthy Matron/Worshipful Master Banquet Millen District No. 16 K. C. Childers Awards Banquet, Waynesboro Fidelity Chapter No. 45 Anniversary Celebration, Dublin Vidalia District 24 District Workshop, Vidalia Wake Services for Marion Forrest, Vidalia Funeral Services of Past Grand Senior Warden, Mose Davis, Macon Chartered Member of LOCOP under NC Jurisdiction, Macon Attended Funeral Services of Grand Musician Susan Gibson s Father, Forsyth Dublin District No. 19, Administrative Degree Work, Dublin Office Work Days, Riverdale Office, Riverdale Represented and Participated in MLK Jar, Parade Activities, Dublin Office Day, Riverdale State In-service, FACS Teachers, Marietta Macon District School of Instruction, hosted by Past Matron s Council, Macon Attended Statesboro Masonic District Meeting Attended Grand Workshop of Wilhelmina Parrish Grand Court, Heroines of Jericho Attended Ideal Chapter No. 101 Chapter Anniversary Attended and represented at the Grand State Assembly/Council of Deliberation, Atl. Funeral, DDGM Horace Middleton s Mother, Forsyth Attended Brunswick District 7 Meeting Attended Chapter Anniversary, Metter Office Day, Riverdale FCCLA Leadership Conference, Athens Attended Macon Masonic District No. 5, District Meeting, Forsyth Attended Esther Day Observance, Pulaski Site Visit/Planned for 112 th Annual Session, Columbus Marriott Attended Atlanta Masonic District No. 3, District Meeting, Atlanta Attended the 34 th Grand Youth Session, Douglas Attended the Conference of Grand Masters, Grand Matrons and Grand Patrons, Newton, MA Visited Statesboro District Queen Office Days Funeral of Brother Gaines Mother, Forsyth Attended Initiation & Set-up South Fulton & True Level Interest Group Chapters Ruth Chapter No. 102 Chapter Meeting Let all things be done decently and in order and with love. Page 8 of 8