Sovereign Grand Master's Message 3
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Volume 22, Issue 4 Independent Order of Odd Fellows News July—August 2019 Units of the Order Odd Fellows Lodge Rebekah Lodge Encampment Ladies Encampment Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant Junior Odd Fellows Lodge Theta Rho Girls’ Club United Youth Groups ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The World of Odd Fellowship 1 Australia 2 Belgium 3 Belize 4 Canada 5 Czech Republic 6 Chile 7 Cuba 8 Denmark 9 Dominican Republic 10 Estonia 11 Finland 12 Germany 13 Iceland 14 Italy 15 Mexico 16 Netherlands, The 17 New Zealand 18 Nigeria 19 Norway 20 Philippines 21 Poland Sovereign Grand Master’s Message 3 22 Spain 23 Sweden President - I.A.R.A. - Message 4 24 Switzerland 25 United Kingdom General Commanding / President - I.A.L.A.P.M. - Messages 5 26 USA 2019 Session Information 7 2019 fall banquet notices 9-12 Sympathy to: The family of Barbara S. Moser, 17 July 2019—PT-IARA, 1989-1991 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Thinking of you: Mr & Mrs J. Edward Stallings George E. Shaw Charles E. Worrell Sr. Mr & Mrs Robert J Robbins Margaret Winthrop Mr & Mrs Richard S. Kim Mr & Mrs Delmar L. Burns Rebekah Lodge No. Mrs Mary Mount Mrs Frances Hughes 153, MA — 120 years Mrs Florence Sadler Mrs Phyllis Irving Mrs Gracie Call Mrs Janet Smith Mrs Darlene E. Wick Mrs Gloria Mundt-Wood Mrs Connie Humby Mrs Lynda W. Baker Mrs Judy M. Geer Gen & Lady G. Darrell Lawson Gen & Lady Jack L. Reasoner Gen & Lady K.D. toney Lady Cleone Fansler Lady Billie Jean Beech Lady Betty J. Hamilton Lady Frances Ingraham Lady Bernice fiorin Lady Althea Lyons Lady Barbara Judge Lady Mary L. Lang I.O.O.F. News Lady Patty White Lady Sandra Lu McWhirter Phone: 336-725-5955 Lady Wilma E. Schultz Fax: 336-722-7317 E-Mail: [email protected] I.O.O.F. News is the official publication of the Notice: Independent Order of Odd Fellows. New Members are given a one year subscription to the I.O.O.F. News. Please Douglas E. Pittman, Editor The Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., Publisher. check the expiration on your paper and make sure to continue your subscription by sending I.O.O.F. News is published bi-monthly at 422 Trade St. in the proper fee shown on the back of you NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-2830, U.S.A. paper. 2 - I.O.O.F. News — Vol. 22, Issue 4 Office of the Sovereign Grand Master Independent Order of Odd Fellows July 2019 Greetings, Brothers and Sisters, as long as we let the little things divide us as Brothers and Sisters we will fail to do the things As I sit down and begin to write this article, I we are charged with doing that will insure that this must share with you, that I have struggled with the Great Fraternity is kept alive for future notion that it is the last one I will write as your generations. Sovereign Grand Master. I will forever treasure this experience and the I am sitting at the beautiful Mahogany Rolltop opportunity that has been granted to me. Thank desk that occupies the office of the Sovereign you, Sovereign Grand Representatives for trusting Grand Master in Winston Salem this morning for and electing me to serve as your Sovereign Grand the very first time this year and I am still in awe at Master. I hope and Pray that I have been worthy the enormity of what all has transpired over the last of the trust you placed in me. three years. My mind has spent the day wandering When I was elected three years ago, I was from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, particularly the blessed with an amazing team of leaders. Sister ones that I have had the pleasure to visit and the Patty Heighton, President of the International many things I have learned along the way. Association of Rebekah Assemblies from the We all don’t do things the same way in every Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia), General S. Ray jurisdiction, and it was interesting to see the Johnson General Commanding of the General different ways that we all accomplish our duties as Military Council from Indiana, and Lady Michelle Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. I have enjoyed Jones, President of the International Association working with our members all over the world to Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant from my make our Order and World a better place for all of home jurisdiction of Colorado. Thank you to these us. I have been truly blessed to have known each amazing and talented Brother and Sisters for your of you and by the friendships that have been made friendship and support. along this journey. At the same time, I have been To the Past Sovereign Grand Masters, I thank frustrated by the ones that think they need to you for the encouragement and support as I change us to suite their own needs and beliefs. We considered running for office. I thank you for your are Odd Fellows and Rebekahs! We believe in a council and guidance with some tough decisions Supreme Being, a creator and preserver! We teach that had to be made and helping us to keep the and believe in Biblical teachings, yet separate focus on the “Good of the Order”. All of you have ourselves from any specific religion, this is what been an invaluable resource to me as well as the makes us non-sectarian! Let me say it a different rest of the Executive Committee. way, non-sectarian does not mean, not religious, To my Executive Committee, E. Wesley only that we are not associated with any specific Nelson, Deputy Sovereign Grand Master; Charles church or religion. Our Order was founded on E. ‘Chuck’ Lusk, Sovereign Grand Warden; Terry these Teachings and Traditions and it is important L. Barrett, Sovereign Grand Secretary; Harless A. that we not turn our backs or allow some members Turner, Sovereign Grand Treasure; and John A. to divert our attention from this part of our past. Miller Sr., Past Sovereign Grand Master. Thank We cannot allow the things that seem to tear us you for your hard work and your commitment as apart and divide us to continue. We need to be in you visited the many jurisdictions and thank you harmony with one another and work together for for your support and the friendship, we all share. the advancement of Odd Fellowship. One of my My wish for all of you is that your terms be emblems, the bundle of sticks reminds us all that (Continued on page 6) “we seek to improve and elevate the character of man” Vol. 22, Issue 4 — I.O.O.F. News - 3 Office of the President International Association of Rebekah Assemblies I.O.O.F. July 2019 Greetings Sisters and Brothers; This will be my final letter as my year of “TOGETHER WE CAN”, is coming to the end. It is hard to believe that 3 years has passed so quickly. What an opportunity this has been! I have truly enjoyed my three years visiting the Jurisdictions and meeting so many friends along the way. The friendships that I have been blessed with, love and gifts; have created many wonderful memories for me to look back on. Wonderful to know that I have a “family” away from home. The Executive has been excellent to work with and I truly thank each and everyone over the three years for their friendships, guidance, love and support as we grew Together. We have had a difficult year in our family with many deaths and illness. My International Association of Rebekah Assemblies Guardian Janet Mattatall passed away during the term and we will remember her at the upcoming Session in Winston Salem. Also, the death of Connor has had a profound impact on my family. I will be raffling off chances on a beautiful quilt at the Session to raise money for the SUDEP / Epilepsy Foundation in Nova Scotia. Also, purple ribbons will be available for a donation. There will be a table set up with information on the SUDEP. I thank those members and Jurisdictions that have donated to my special project. Truly surprise to receive word about the donation! Many thanks!! When Doug Pittman, Michelle Jones, S. Ray Johnson and I sat on the stage three years ago as strangers; I thought what will the next three years bring? We have grown to know each other; friendships have been created and many wonderful memories and stories have been written for a new chapter in my book. To my Sovereign Grand Master Doug Pittman, my International Association Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant President Michelle Jones and General S. Ray Johnson, General Commander of the GMC; I thank you for being such an important part of an incredible journey th and I wouldn’t have asked for anyone else to share this special time during the 200 Anniversary of the Order with!! I look forward to greeting everyone as we Celebrate the 200th Anniversary in Winston Salem, NC this August. It will be a busy time for all. Thank you to Terry Barrett and the host Committee for all their hard work preparing these celebrations. With Rebekah Love, Patty March of the Nutcracker 4 - I.O.O.F. News — Vol. 22, Issue 4 Office of the General Commanding General Military Council, Patriarchs Militant July 2019 Greetings Chevaliers, Ladies, Brothers and Sisters, PM Branch. We are slowly bringing in some new members to our Order. GMC is trying to change Greetings from the General Military our Constitution and By-laws to make it easier to Council, the uniformed branch of the Independent bring in new members.