The past Sunday, 8.7.11, was a full day of York Rite activities at the Springfield Campus of the Ohio Masonic Home. The day began with a York Rite Co-operation meeting at 10:00 A.M.. This meeting was chaired by John Clime, Eminent Grand Commander. I have been going to these meeting for about 10 years and I believe this was the best attended meeting I have seen. The topic of the day was "Membership" and brought about some very lively discussion. We had two hours of reasons for the decline in membership and the same recommendations as how to stop the decline. Probably the use of today's technology, such as Facebook and Twitter, received the most attention. The meeting adjourned at approximately noon so that we could head for the chapel and the Divine service.
The Divine service was hosted by the Grand Chapter and the message given by REC Ray Sharritts. Prior to the service, a few pictures were taken and the Grand Lines introduced. As can be seen from this picture, attendance was quite good.
We did introductions with Commandery, then Council and finally Chapter. I took pictures of Commandery and Council but since I was doing Chapter introductions forgot to have a picture of the Grand Chapter Line. Some times your Grand High Priest is not real smart and this was one of those times.
Council is usually the best represented at this function but this year Chapter had one more officer than they did.
When I introduced the Grand Chapter Officers, which included 7 District Deputies, I informed Most Illustrious Grand Master Lively that he had introduced quantity and now I would introduce quality. As it turned out Grand Chapter had both quantity and quality!
It should be noted that any resident that wanted to come to this service was escorted by a Grand Chapter Officers. If a resident want to attend the cook-out and needed assistance they were escorted by a Grand Chapter officers.
After the Divine service we retired to the pavilion for the cook-out. I want to thank Right Excellent Companions Darrel Porter, Charles Bonecutter, George Nockengost and John Donahoo for working the grills. A special thanks goes to our Eminent Prior and Right Excellent Companion William Stratton who was also part of the grill crew. The did an excellent job. I also want to thank the staff of the Home for setting up the food table. We had hamburgs, hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans and cookies. Any body that did not get enough to eat has no one to blame but themselves. I did not take pictures of the cook-out because I did not want to publish pictures of the residents without their permission.
After we ate a 60 year service pin was presented by REC Darrel Porter and myself to Excellent Companion Jack Franklin Stickney. The Companion was High Priest of Shelby Chapter #178 50 years ago.
What a wonderful day! Even though it was hot there was a nice breeze and the pavilion was rather comfortable. We had no rain and so residents could get back and forth without any problems. I want to thank all the Grand Officers from Commandery, Council and Chapter for the support given this York Rite Tea.
Now the day would not be a travel day for Julia and I without rain. We took our van and had Right Excellent Companions Bill Young, Bill Stratton and George Nockengost along with his Lady Mary accompanying us. On the way home rain came at about route 42 & I-70. By the time we got to I-670 in Columbus it was pouring, or so I thought. As we passed the state fair grounds God opened another valve. At I-270 & I-71 He opened everything He had! It rained from here until we were almost to the 151 exit about as hard as I have seen it rain. We did mostly 35-40 miles per hour while both shoulders of I-71 became parking lots. We finally got out of heavy rain around Mansfield. and by the time we were almost home we had dry roads. Just another typical travel day for Julia and I!!
'til the next time.
