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Post by KansasPM on Jan 25, 2005 20:42:52 GMT
Greetings from Kansas, Brothers.
I'm a Past master of Orient Lodge #51, AF&AM here in Topeka, the State Capital. I'm also a Shriner and my Wife and I are in O.E.S. I am a P.A.B.G. of Job's Daughters Bethel #1, where our Daughter is a P.H.Q.
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Post by leonardo on Jan 25, 2005 20:56:37 GMT
Hi KansasPM, You're very welcome to the forum I think I'm right in saying you're our first member from that part of the world
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bod
Member
UGLE - MM (London), MMM RAM(Middx), OSM (London)
Posts: 1,296
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Post by bod on Jan 26, 2005 6:49:58 GMT
Welcome brother - hope you enjoy the forum.
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Post by waynecowley on Jan 26, 2005 8:16:23 GMT
Welcome Brother
Wayne
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Post by whistler on Jan 27, 2005 6:17:00 GMT
Greetings from Kansas, Brothers. I'm a Past master of Orient Lodge #51, AF&AM here in Topeka, the State Capital. I'm also a Shriner and my Wife and I are in O.E.S. I am a P.A.B.G. of Job's Daughters Bethel #1, where our Daughter is a P.H.Q. Hi Kansas, Welcome for an ignorant chap like me can you tell a little about Shriner, O.E.S. & Job's Daughters - are they unique to the USA
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Post by KansasPM on Jan 27, 2005 15:07:30 GMT
Brother Whistler- No problem. Shriners are members of the "Ancient Arab Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine", normally just referred to as "the Shrine". We're a large appendant body that a Master Mason may join. Since alcohol is prohibited in Blue Lodges in the States, the Shrine is where we go for fun, fellowship and to visit the bar there. Wives are encouraged to attend all social functions. The Shrine is best known for having a network of hospitals across the States that treat badly burned or crippled children at no cost to the family. We also sponsor a circus each year as a fund raiser, and like to participate in parades. Each Shrine is divided into Units that a member may join, depending on His interest - Golfers, motorcycle riders, horsemen, greeters, band, guys who ride little motorcycles or mini cars in parades, the patrol who like to march, and my Unit, the Ritualistic Cast - we dress up in elaborate arab costumes and perform the initiation ritual for candidates. Each Shrine is named with an Arab-sounding name -here in Kansas, we have Arab Shrine in Topeka (mine), Abdallah Shrine in Kansas City, Mirza Shrine in Pittsburg, Isis Shrine in Salina and Midian Shrine in Wichita. We're very recognizable ny the red fez we all wear at meetings and at public events. For more info, go to www.shrinershq.orgO.E.S. is the Order of the Eastern Star. It is an appendant body for women, but Master Masons may also join. Women wanting to petition must be the wife, mother, daughter, sister or widow of a Master Mason. 90% of the officers are women, with the men serving as Worthy Patron to the Worthy Matron (head of the Chapter) and Sentinal (tyler). The Worthy Patron recites most of the initiation ritual and we are also in charge of heavy lifting and setting up the Chapter Room. My Wife and I belong, and our Daughter joined when She turned 18. She never went to another meeting, though, as She went away to University right after that. Job's Daughters is a Masonic Youth Group for girls from 11-20. The girl must be the daughter, grand daughter or niece of a Master Mason. Their Chapters are called "Bethels", and are supported by the Local Lodges and meet at a Lodge. Each Bethel must have a Master Mason serve as Associate Bethel Guardian and an woman Eastern Star member as Bethel Guardian. The girls wear white grecian style robes to meetings, and the three top officers, the Junior Princess, Senior Princess and Honored Queen also wear purple capes and tiaras. My Daugher is a Past Honored Queen and I am a Past Associate Bethel Guardian. We have 2 other youth groups, Rainbow Girls, which has no requirement that the girl be related to a Mason, and DeMolay, a boys' group that also has no relationship requirement. My Daughter also belonged to Rainbow Girls, but was never very active in it. All 3 groups have dances and activities together. The Shrine has chapters in the States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. Eastern Star has chapters in the States, Canada, Scotland, England, South Africa and New Zealand. The cities listed in New Zealand with chapters are: Dunedin, Petone, Christchurch and Invercargill. Job's Daughters has chapters in the States, Canada, Brazil, the Phillipines and Australia - they had their Supreme Session in Sydney several years ago.
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Post by Jumile on Jan 27, 2005 15:46:18 GMT
I think there are a number Shriners here in the UK, but they're unable to meet or make fellow Shriners here (called a Shrine?). If my understanding is correct, I believe they're looking at creating a Shrine here sometime soon. It's something of great interest to me, so I'll be following any progress closely.
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