68th Biennial Supreme Session
DoubleTree by Hilton
Worthington, Ohio
July 17-22, 2015
The 68th Biennial Supreme Session of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias and the Supreme Court Order of Calanthe was held in Worthington, Ohio July 17-22, 2015 at the Double Tree by Hilton Worthington-Columbus.
Friday, July 17th: The Supreme Session opened on Friday, July 17th with the Grand Chancellors and Grand Worthy Counsellors’ Joint Meeting. A Buffet Luncheon and Separate Meetings followed. At the Separate Meetings Goals and Objectives for membership growth were established. Several Goals were set to determine the direction that the Order intended to move in the future. Objectives were approved to determine how to reach the specific Goals.
Saturday, July 18th: On Saturday the Supreme Court met to continue working on revising the Constitution. Approximately one third of the Constitution was completed, voted on and sent to the Supreme Lodge for approval. A tour of the city was taken by approximately thirty members at 4:00 p.m. followed by the Uniform Rank Dance at eight.
Sunday, July 19th: The 68th Supreme Biennial Worship Service – 9:00 a.m. . . Sis / Rev. Marjorie Edwards, Presided . . . Worship through Music was led by Sis. Mariam Carraway, Bro LeRon Montgomery, Bro. Ephraim Bryant & Bro Aundra Bryant. The Morning Message was delivered by Reverend Jacqueline L. Randolph, Shorter Chapel AME Church, Springfield, Ohio.
Memorial Service – 4:00 p.m. . . . Sir Aundra Bryant, Supreme Prelate, Presiding . . . Worship through Music by Sis. Mariam Carraway, Bro LeRon Montgomery . . . Necrology Reports by Sir Herbert Strickland and Sis Channa Newbern showing 20-Knights and 30-Calanthe deaths respectively.
Youth Program – 6:00 p.m. . . . . Sis Alice Williams, Supreme Youth Matron, (FL) & Sis Jurrell Gilliam, Grand Youth Matron, (TX) showcased their Youth Groups. Pilgrim Aubre Williams, (FL) and Pilgrim Ty Smithers, (TX) Presided. . . . the program consisted of a Western Theme; Scripture/Prayer; Welcome; Solo by Pilgrim A’Vionia Whitaker, (FL); Solo by Pilgrim D’Imani Hobbs, (TX); Reading by Pilgrim Ja’Carius Smithers, (TX) and a Praise Dance by Pilgrims from Florida.
Monday, July 20, 2015 – 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Supreme Lodge Degree (7) and Supreme Court Degree (9); Supreme Lodge/Court Open for business. 68th Biennial Supreme Banquet – 7:00 p.m. Theme: Modifying Our Foundation, Committing to Humanity. Keynote Speaker: Mrs. Cheryl L. Boyce, M.S. – Cheryl A. Boyce retired as Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health in late 2010. She is an independent Public Health Consultant with a specialty in issues of health disparities.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 – 8:00 a.m. Princesses of Omar Service Breakfast . . . Princess Barbara Sue Williams, Imperial Empress . . . Awards were presented to Princess Lula Wilson (FL), Princess Blanch Miller (FL), Princess Bobbye J. Bullock (TX), Princess Hazel Ellis (TX) and Princess Tanya Frazer, 2013 Queen (Iowa) . . . A $100.00 donation was also given to charity . . . Joint Meeting Supreme Lodge & Court 9:00 a.m. Greetings by Grand Lodge and Grand Court of Ohio; Sir Donald Austin, SC; Sir Clarence Monette, SWC; Princess of Omar; DOKO; Uniform Rank and a report by Sis Alice Williams, SYM.
Supreme Lodge/Court Open for business . . . The elections for the Supreme Lodge and Supreme Court were conducted by Sir Lloyd Green and Sir Clarence Monette, Supreme Worthy Counsellor respectively. An announcement was made that the 69th Biennial Supreme Session is scheduled for Charlotte, North Carolina in July of 2017.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015 Closing of the 68th Biennial Session.
SUPREME LODGE OFFICERS
Sir Clarence Monette, Supreme Chancellor (FL); Sir Donald Austin, Vice Supreme Chancellor (IA); Sir Michael Lovings Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal (TN); Sir Kevin Shield, Supreme Prelate (KS); Sir Herbert Strickland, Supreme Master of Exchequer (OH); Sir John Franklin, Supreme Master at Arms (FL); Sir Johnny Johnson, Supreme Inner Guard (FL); Sir William Onney Supreme Outer Guard (FL),; Sir Kenneth Brown, Supreme General (FL); Sir Ephraim Bryant, Supreme Lecturer (FL); Sir Lawrence Tolliver, Supreme Recorder (MO); Sir Aundra Bryant, Health Director (FL); Sir LeRon Montgomery, Youth Director (NC).
SUPREME COURT OFFICERS ROSTER
Sir Donald Austin, Supreme Worthy Counsellor (IA); Sis Sarah Holmes, Supreme Worthy Inspectrix (MD); Sis Elmira Purdie, Supreme Asst. Inspectrix (VA); Sis Arelia Thymes- Armstrong, Supreme Receiver of Deposits (TX); Sis Channa Newbern, Supreme Register of Deeds (AZ); Sis Carolyn Gibson, Asst. Supreme Register of Deeds (NC) and Sis Alice Williams, Supreme Youth Matron (FL), Sis Emma B. Wade, Supreme Worthy Protector, (FL), Sis Blanch Miller, Supreme Princess, (FL).
Click on the link below to view photos of the Supreme Convention.