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68th Biennial Supreme Session

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.

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Knights of Pythias Presents Scholarships

R.A. Driesbach, Sr. Lodge #77 Knights of Pythias presented scholarships totaling $1,200 to five graduating seniors at Port St. Joe High School on Thursday, May 28.  The scholarships were presented to the graduates by Sir Knight Willie Otis Smith.

Students receiving scholarships: Caleb Greenwoood-Florida Polytechnic University; Haley Jolynn Wood-Gulf Coast State College; Elisha Vereen-Gulf Coast State College; Lindsay Furr-Gulf Coast State College and Morgan Butts-University of South Florida.

The Essay topic for 2015 was The Power of Friendship.  In her scholarship essay, Elisha Vereen stated “Having friends is just as important as having food and water each day.  . . . We never know how much our friendship will impact someone’s life, therefore it is our responsibility to uphold the integrity of friendship and honesty.”

Students were awarded scholarships based on the following criteria: Citizenship– Demonstrate good character; Complete 20 hours of community service; Exhibit positive attitude and school spirit.  Scholarship-Maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average; Pass FCAT 2.0 or equivalent test for High School graduation (ACT or SAT.Must be a full time student of higher education carrying a minimum of 12 semester hours or equivalent; Attach a copy of college acceptance letter or form.  Essay– Read and become familiar with the story of Damon and Pythias; Write a 500 word essay incorporating the friendship of Damon and Pythias.

A total of 74 graduates were awarded diplomas.  More than $155,000.00 in Awards and Scholarships were given out.

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Annual Youth Day 2015

The Annual Mr. Bow and Miss Button Youth Program was held on Sunday, April 26 at Rich Bay A.M.E. Church in Havana, Florida.  Sis Alice William, Youth matron, gave the following Vote of Thanks:  “A loving word, a cheerful smile, a kind though of two, a helpful hand, your prayers and your finances has helped make our program a success and we deeply appreciate kind and loyal people like you, You and YOU!”
 
 Click on the link below to view pictures of the Annual Youth Program.

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68th Biennial Supreme Session

The 68th Biennial Supreme Session will be held in Worthington, Ohio July 17-22, 2015. 

Convention Registration is $85.00 and should be made by May 31st; Souvenir Book Ads deadline is May 18th.  .You will find attached the following items of information:

Letter from Sir Donald Austin, SCC; Letter from Sir Herb Strickland, GC; Tentative Schedule of Events; Registration Form; Souvenir Book Application; Ohio Set-Up Registration & Schedule.

Click on the link below to view the Double Tree Hotel in Worthington, Ohio

DoubleTree Hotel

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Home Going Celebration for Sir Thomas P. Caldwell

The Home Going Celebration for Sir Knight Thomas Porter Caldwell, Supreme Keeper of Records & Seal was held on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Charlotte North Carolina, 11:00 p.m.  Family, Friends visitation and Ritualistic Services were held on Monday, April 6th  6:00 – 9:00 pm. 

The Eulogy was delivered by Dr. Leonzo D. Lynch and Hymns of Comfort by Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir.  The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias and Grand Court Order of Calanthe served as Honorary Pallbearers and Honorary Flower Attendants respectively.  Donations may be made to the Ebenezer Baptist Church Scholarship Fund in the name of Thomas Caldwell.

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