Rebekah Assemblies IOOF
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Volume 16, Issue 6 Independent Order of Odd Fellows News November—December 2013 Units of the Order Odd Fellows Lodge Rebekah Lodge In the spirit of the Season Encampment Ladies we wish you Encampment Auxiliary Friendship, Love and Truth; Patriarchs Militant Ladies Auxiliary Faith, Hope and Charity; Patriarchs Militant Junior Odd and Fellows Lodge Universal Justice Theta Rho Girls’ Club United Youth Groups Lady Debra LaVerne ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ President The World International Association of of Ladies Auxiliaries Patriarchs Militant Odd Fellowship 1 Australia 2 Belgium Dorothy M. Laycock 3 Belize President 4 Canada International Association of Rebekah Assemblies 5 Czech Republic 6 Chile 7 Cuba General Kirjath D. Toney 8 Denmark 9 Dominican General Commanding Republic General Military Council 10 Estonia 11 Finland 12 Germany The Honorable Robert W. Smith 13 Iceland Sovereign Grand Master 14 Mexico Independent Order of Odd Fellows 15 Netherlands, The 16 New Zealand 17 Nigeria 18 Norway 19 Philippines 20 Poland Sovereign Grand Master’s Message 3 21 Spain 22 Sweden President - I.A.R.A. - Message 4 23 Switzerland General Commanding / President - I.A.L.A.P.M. - Messages 5 24 United Kingdom 25 USA Pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Unknown 16-19 26 Uruguay Membership 20-23 Sympathy to: The family of Donald R. Smith, PSGM 69-70. Celebrating ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 232 years Thank You: The Honorable Thomas Wildey Past Grand Sire From Laura Argue, PP-IARA: for the many 15 January 1782 cards, phone calls, prayers and visits at the time of the sudden passing of my husband Jim on Sept 25th. Your concerns and compassion truly touched my heart. From PDSGM-E Harald Thoen and wife Vivi for the many kind hospitalities extended through the years. From GR John Miller of Connecticut for the many cards and messages during recent surgery and recovery. I.O.O.F. News Phone: 336-725-5955 Fax: 336-722-7317 E-Mail: [email protected] I.O.O.F. News is the official publication of the Inde- Notice: pendent Order of Odd Fellows. New Members are given a one year subscription to the I.O.O.F. News. Please Robert W. Smith, Editor check the expiration on your paper and make The Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., Publisher. 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. 16, Issue 5 Office of the Sovereign Grand Master Independent Order of Odd Fellows November 2013 Hello my Brothers and Sisters, The wind whistled through the windows room, not because of magic, but because of the as the snow slowly covered the ground. I had sacrifices of my parents. It just wouldn’t have spent weeks paging through the catalogues and happened without them. As a parent, I marking those items that were of special experienced great joy watching my children interest. It was too cold to play outside and open their treasures that seemed to appear mom had already warned about too much magically each holiday season. But, I was very commotion. This was a perfect time to prepare much aware that it was not really Santa, but a final list for Santa. Soon a visit to the fat old mom and dad that made it happen. gentleman in the traditional red suit would be As I travel and visit so many of our Grand necessary. Finally the day arrived. This was Lodges and hear the reports of the phenomenal too important to make any mistakes. I waited things that are taking place and the lives that in a long line, and when my turn came, I pulled are being changed through our day to day out the list and carefully noted each item. efforts, I realize that we are truly fulfilling our Now, the long wait until that special day. That mandate to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, evening after supper, the whole family gathered bury the dead, and educate the orphan. And … in the living room to decorate. Dad set up the in addition, we are meeting the needs of people tree and strung it with lights. Then, everyone all around us in ways too numerous to mention. took turns carefully placing each ornament on These things don't happen magically … even at the tree. Finally, when that was finished, mom this special holiday season. We are truly set up the old cardboard fireplace. She always changing the world, one person at a time. explained that if Santa could come down a And … It just wouldn’t happen without you! chimney, he could surely use one that was cardboard. Besides, it all happened magically I just want to say thanks! anyway. Armed with a thumbtack, I carefully placed my stocking on the mantle and now I In Friendship, Love, and Truth, was ready for the reindeer to land on the roof top, pulling a sleigh loaded with treasures. Amazingly, every year, there were special packages under the tree for each of us. Robert “Bob” Smith Many years have passed since those days of childhood, but the memories are still precious treasures. Now as an adult, I am very much aware that the gifts appeared in our living “WE SEEK TO IMPROVE AND ELEVATE THE CHARACTER OF MAN” Vol. 16, Issue 5 — I.O.O.F. News - 3 Office of the President International Association of Rebekah Assemblies I.O.O.F. November 2013 Greetings Sisters and Brothers, As we work on some part of the program of December ends our holiday season. May we “Working Today for Building Tomorrow – Make a look upon the past for ways to improve the future; Difference – Turn on the Lights” – I trust you have counting those experiences, good or bad, for the a wonderful start. I have enjoyed attending the betterment of mankind; reaping our rewards in Rebekah Assembly Sessions of South Dakota, thought that all happens for the best. Love one Kentucky, Illinois, and Idaho greeting old friends, another and pray for Peace on Earth and Good Will making new friends where enthusiasm has been among Men. high and the jurisdiction are working together. It is well for us to remember at this season of As we come closer to the end of the year, it is the year, the good things others have done for us, to time we should go over the list of those members ignore what the world owes us, but rather think on who might be subject to being dropped at year’s what we owe the world. To feel that our end and so I urge you to go call on them. Point out fellowman is as humanly real as we are; to realize to them the great things our Order is doing and that that the only good reason for our existence is not they cannot afford NOT to be a part of our great what we are going to get, but what we are going to Order. give in life; to close our books of complaint and It takes patience, tolerance and faith with look around us for a place to sow the seeds of earnest workers to bring about success in our Happiness. Order. Put aside the selfishness, jealousy and Now, may the magic and the wonder of the pettiness. Many of us have the mistaken idea that holiday season stay with you throughout the Odd Fellowship will go on forever without any coming year. nurturing on our part. That is not the case – whatever is accomplished in the name of Odd Fraternally, Fellowship must be done by each of us – the devoted members of the Order. Odd Fellowship is not a living thing; it has no hands with which to work; no eyes with which to predict the future and no mind within which to frame the plans whereby our goals can be achieved. Dorothy M. Laycock Odd Fellowship has to use OUR eyes to predict the future, OUR minds to develop the plans and OUR hands to do the job. The future of our Order is buried within ourselves as individuals. It will become as great as we make it or as small as we allow it to become. Odd Fellowship can be compared to a ‘flower’ that was planted many years ago by the members of yesterday – it is our duty to cultivate it today to see Preserving the Past – Ensuring the Future. that its beauty and fragrance will be enjoyed by future generations of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. Make a Difference; Share a Smile! 4 - I.O.O.F. News — Vol. 16, Issue 5 Office of the General Commanding General Military Council, Patriarchs Militant November 2013 Chevaliers, Ladies, Brothers, Sisters and My first visit was to Florida Veterans Youth, Memorial Service, it was well attended, I thank all for the courtesies extended. My First I want to thank all of you for next visit will be in December to Brother electing me to the office of General Bob’s Testimonial. Commanding; this was an office that I did My Prayer is that all Odd Fellows not believe I would ever reach. It is with everywhere the very best this year and know humility that I entered into this journey. that you are in my Prayers each and every The G.M.C. Officers are now making their day. The weather is getting colder now so Jurisdictional visits; I thank you in advance stay warm God Bless. for the courtesies that you extend to them.