Published: June 29, 2009 10:24 pm      

Gainesville Chapter OES No 1123 elects new officers

Special to the Register

On June 20, the Gainesville Chapter No. 1123, Order of the Eastern Star (OES) in Texas installed new officers.

The Order of the Eastern Star, according to the Grand Chapter web site, ’is a Masonic-related fraternity of women and men dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness. Although not a part of the Masonic fraternity, membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or relationship, a belief in God, and a desire to acquire additional knowledge and for self improvement.

’The degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star teach lessons of fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love. These degrees are presented in a ritualistic ceremony designed to not only teach the lessons, but also to provide insight for future study and understanding.

’Local Eastern Star Chapters select their own charities and places of service in their own communities. Some statewide projects include scholarships for ministerial students, other general scholarships for youth, and supporting a home for aged members. Each year special charities are selected for that year`s emphasis and might include volunteer programs in elementary schools or volunteers in literacy programs and specific community outreach.

’The Order of the Eastern Star was conceived, written and taught by a Master Mason to provide a place where both men and women could work and serve side by side. It is now the largest Fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women belong.

’Master Masons in good standing, the wives, mothers, daughters, legally adopted daughters, widows, sisters, half-sisters, step daughters and step-sisters of Master Masons in good standing at the time of death are eligible for membership. Rainbow Girls and Job's Daughters with three or more years membership in those youth groups before petitioning are eligible for membership in the OES.

’The fraternal order is comprised of people with deep religious convictions and spiritual values open to all faiths except no faith.

’The Order of the Eastern Star is benevolent and charitable in its actions, raising millions of dollars annually, throughout the world for projects that benefit all human kind.’

Gainesville’s lead officer for the coming year, called Worthy Matron, is Alexis Osborne, assisted by her husband, J Osborne.

The lead officers are aided by the second set of officers, called associate matron and associate patron, Kenlyn Lawrence and her husband Don. They will take the lead office in June 2010.

The next two officers in line, who have not yet named their assisting officers are Jimmie Almon for the 2011 year and Judy Neal for the 2012 year,

Other officers being installed for the ensuing year were Kathy McColly, George Eierdam, Lilly Griffin, Carl Garrison, Emogene House, Ann Young, Bernice Cason, Gayle Doyle, Nancy Stevens, Jane Hickerson, Jeannette Munn and Joe Munn.

Alexis Osborne’s Motto for the Year is ’In God We Trust’ and her overall theme is patriotism.

The Bible verse that should guide all the work of the chapter for the coming year is Corinthians 1, 13: 13: ’ Now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three. An the greatest of these is charity.’

She picked white daisies and bluebonnets to decorate the chapter room and dining room contrasting with the navy, silver and white colors she used throughout the rooms.

The prayer box is the symbol she chose for her year.