This Issue

National Grand Master Address pg 1

Memo from the National YRB Editor pg 2

State of VA in the Community pg 3

Chick fil A Spirit Night pg 4

Christmas Caroling pg 5

Can – A – Thon pg 6

Solider Letter/Care Package pg 7

Chick Fil A Spirit Night pg 8

Law Enforcement Symposium pg 9

State of Virginia Community Service pg 10

Ronald McDonald House pg 11

National Amaranth Blast pg 12

Halloween Candy Distribution pg 13

Mississippi at Work pg 14

Crusaders Visiting pg 15

VA Giving at Thanksgiving pg 16

Race for a Cure pg 17

How I got Over pg 18

Who was Queen Esther pg 19

National G.L. Scholarship Recipients pg 20

200 Year Grand Communication pg 21

From the Desk of the National Grand Master

To All My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whom all

things are possible if you only believe. First, let me wish all of you and

your love ones a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Secondly, let me extend to you an invitation to join us in St. Louis Missouri

on July 28, 2016 thru August 4, 2016 for our 155th

National Grand Lodge,

Grand Masters Council and National Department Heads Workshop. I am

looking forward to your attendance and participation!

As always, I am looking forward to working with all National Department

Heads and Grand Masters to make this great organization of ours the best it

can be through educating and training of our members and through charities

we provide in our community.

Looking forward to your presence in St. Louis, Missouri.

I am Fraternally Yours,

Hon. Lee E. Singleton

Hon. Lee E. Singleton

Most Worshipful National Grand Master

York Rite Bulletin – Online Edition

Volume 3 Issue 1 January 2016

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From the Desk of the National York Rite Bulletin Editor

Greetings Brothers and Sisters and Happy New Year!

I pray that 2016 is full of Peace, Blessings, and Prosperity for you and for this great Compact!

Thank you for your support and your contributions towards the York Rite Bulletin in 2015! You are doing a GREAT

work in the communities, please keep it up and keep the articles rolling in!

Please note that the distributions of the YRB will be disseminated in 2016 on a regular basis. The distribution schedule

is listed below. Also please adhere to the deadline for article submission and the criteria for submitting an article. Please

be in compliance with the submission criteria/guidelines to ensure accuracy and publication of your article.

YRB Criteria/Guidelines

Please send all submissions via email! PLEASE NOTE THE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS to send ALL

Masonic correspondence for distribution and YRB article submissions (This new email is effective 2-2-16):

nationalyorkriteeditor@gmail.com

Please put the following in the subject line for YRB article submissions (see example below)

o YRB Submission, State, Editor Name

o EXAMPLE: YRB SUBMISSION, AL, Vonderia Yeldell

If you wish to have flyers, announcements, sick notices, etc. distributed via email, please label your email as

shown below

o YRB Distribution, Date to distribute, State, Sender

o EXAMPLE: YRB DISTRIBUTION, 1-31-16, AL, Vonderia

Please be sure that all articles are at least one paragraph (3 complete sentences) and that the article is in the body

of the email or in a Microsoft Word Document or Adobe PDF File.

Please be sure that all attached pictures have a unique name.

2016 Bulletin Distribution Dates 2016 Article Submission Deadlines

Issue 1 January 31, 2016 For Issue 1 December 31, 2015

Issue 2 March 31, 2016 For Issue 2 February 29, 2015

Issue 3 June 30, 2016 For Issue 3 May 31, 2016

Issue 4 September 30, 2016 For Issue 4 August 31, 2016

Issue 5 December 31, 2016 For Issue 5 November 30, 2016

Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation in this matter

Vonderia L. Yeldell Vonderia L. Yeldell

National YRD Editor

National Technology Chair

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STATE OF VIRGINIA IN THE COMMUNITY

Submitted by: Sister Sylvia Hawkins-Scott – VA State Editor

Mount Arratt Lodge #20 and Morning Star OES Chapter #55 of Esmont, VA (Sister Diane Key is the

Worthy Matron) distributed food baskets for Thanksgiving to families in the Esmont, VA area. They

also donated gifts to the B.F Yancey School Holiday Heart program and gave gifts to five kids at the

school. Each child received a coat, pair shoes, an outfit and 2 toys. These Brothers and Sisters are

doing their part!

QUEEN MARTHA#1 HOPEWELL GIVES SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Queen Martha (Worthy Matron Sister Sheila Collins)provided a $500 scholarship to Ms. Kaylee Nicole Tucker of Hopewell,

Virginia. Miss Tucker is a recent 2014 graduate of Hopewell High School and she currently attends John Tyler Community

College enrolled in the Nursing Program. Ms. Tucker's entry packet was selected over 8 other applicants based on her

community involvement, community service, GPA, letters of recommendation and the required essay "What steps should be

taken to improve the quality of education in our public schools? Queen Martha and St Michaels Lodge #1of Hopewell also

prepared and fed Thanksgiving dinner to over75 homeless and less fortunate citizens of Petersburg, Virginia.

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Naomi Martha #103

Sis. Leola Hatcher, WM

Sis. Shemika Grant, Assoc. Matron

Chick fil A Spirit Night

December 18, 2014

Naomi Martha #103 continues to do well in the community. The Chapter closed out 2014

with their last Spirit Night for the year. Several members came out to show support.

Members listed include; Sis. Hatcher, Sis. Grant, Sis. Johnson, Sis. Trammell, Sis.

McGhee, and not pictured Bro. Alonza Hill.

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Order of Eastern Star Naomi/Martha #103 Atlanta District #1

Sis. Leola Hatcher, WM 2014 Christmas Caroling

Every year Naomi/Martha #103 participates in a Christmas Caroling event in December to share our time and holiday

cheer with others. Previously, we have been to nursing homes, senior living facilities, and things of that nature; this year

we decided to pay a visit to some of our Sick and Shut-In Sisters.

Sis. Leola Hatcher (WM), Sis. Shemika Grant (AM), Sis. Carolyn Trammell (PGWM), Sis. Lucinda Strozier, Sis. Khaleah

Warner, and Sis. Kimberly McGhee of Naomi/Martha #103 made a heartfelt visit to Sis. Emma Foster, Sis. Kimberly

Kemp, and Sis. Naomi Singleton on Sunday, December 21st, 2014.

At each visit, we let our sister know that she may be going “through” but she is not “through”.

Carols were sung and fellowshipping was done. This initiative exemplifies what our organization is all about.

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Order of Eastern Star Naomi/Martha #103 Atlanta District #1

Sis. Leola Hatcher, WM 2014 Atlanta District #1 Can-A-Thon

Sis. Leola Hatcher, WM of Naomi/Martha #103 and members of Naomi/Martha #103

spearheaded a charity project to donate, collect, sort, and pack canned goods to be

donated to Atlanta 11 Alive (WXIA) and the Salvation Can-A-Thon. This was a district

wide initiative and the goal was to collect 1100 cans. The goal was exceeded initially

with the first collection of cans being 1,283. Upon arrival at the stadium, more cans were

donated and we ended up with a total of 1600 canned goods. Way to go Atlanta District

#1 we made it happen! This shows that when we come together as a unit, anything is

possible.

The sisters of Naomi/Martha #103 and brothers from Royal Ark #574 met at Turner Field early morning on Dec 5th, 2014

to donate the cans. Channel 11 News and V-103’s Ryan Cameron and Wanda Smith were there to cover the event.

Thanks are given to all who supported this district wide initiative:

Silver Crescent

Angel #139

Apex #67

Atlanta District # 1 Youth Department

Sis. Ruby Parks

Sis. Millie Terrell

Lilly of the Valley #118

Nightingale #612

Royal Ark #574

North Atlanta Lodge No. 611

King of the South #475

Joy Chapter #137 of Lithonia District #15

Job #108

Deborah Chapter # 13

Samuel Chapter #92

Friendly Star #18

Ruth Chapter #7

Golden Rule Court #210

St. Mary #9

Rose of Sharon #98

House of Faith

Queen of Sheba #89

Rosalind Stephenson

Westside #420

Arabia Court #1

Sis. Annie Thomas (District Matron)

Bro Marco Jones (District Deputy)

Bro. Christopher Thorne (He transported all canned goods to Turner Field)

Other member of SAGL, family, and friends

Order of Eastern Star

Naomi/Martha #103

Atlanta District #1

Sis. Leola Hatcher, WM

2014 Soldier Letters and Care Packages

The sisters of Naomi/Martha #103 gathered to write letters to soldiers and prepare care packages for them. There are

80 soldiers in the particular unit that these letters and packages are being prepared for and this was of importance

because there are some soldiers that never receive any correspondence or packages from family or friends. They

need to know that their services and duty to our country is appreciated. Special thanks to our Charity Chair, Sis.

Morticia Wilson for coordinating this aid for our soldiers and making sure that everyone did their part so the packages

could be prepared.

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Order of Eastern Stars Naomi/Martha #103

Atlanta District #1 Sis. Leola Hatcher, WM Sis. Shemika Grant, AM

Naomi/Martha #103 Spirit Night November 20, 2014

Chick-Fil-A

The Members of Naomi/Martha #103 hosted Spirit Night at Chick-Fil-A (Wesley Chapel Rd). Chick-Fil-A donated a portion of their sales to Naomi/Martha #103 Charity Projects such as the

American Cancer Society. The event was a huge success! In addition to hosting the event, the members prepared letters for soldiers who are deployed. The letters will be included in Care

Packages for the soldiers.

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Law Enforcement Symposium

Submitted by: Brother John Todd - Alabama

On September 26, 2015 Agape Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, held its first ever Law Enforcement

Symposium. The title of the program: “How to deal with law enforcement and stay out of harm’s way”. The

participation for the event was spectacular including over 75 participants (including members of Friendly Sisters #27,

Geneva #59, and McCeaser #92 of Birmingham, AL). Speakers for the event included: Circuit Court Judge, David

Hobdy (10th

Judicial Circuit), Captain Rod Wilkins (University of Alabama at Birmingham, PD), McCeaser #92’s own

Past Master, John W. Todd (City of Tarrant Police Department), and other esteemed members of the judicial and law

enforcement community. There were three lectures, fifteen minutes in length each, were presented by the law

enforcement officers, as well as a skit performed where a civilian (McCeaser #92’s own Brother Eric Worthey-

Worshipful Master) played the role of officer and had to deal with a combative offender in a traffic stop (played by law

enforcement officers Capt. Wilkins and Sgt. Ricky McClure (Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office). This event concluded

with food and fellowship for all. As one participant noted, “it felt really good to have our own people take time to talk

to us about problems in our community.”

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STATE OF VIRGINIA COMMUNITY SERVICE Submitted by: Sister Sylvia Hawkins-Scott

York Rite Lodge#154 and Rock of Ages OES

Chapter#2 of Portsmouth VA along with

Sons of Solomon Lodge#222 of Suffolk, VA

participated in the 24th Annual Echoes of

Joy in Portsmouth on January 31st at the

Neighborhood Recreational Center in

Portsmouth. Food, entertainment, health

screening, clothes closet items were

distributed to the Homeless and less fortunate. This event was sponsored by the city's Department of

Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services. It provides a host of free services with volunteer labor. The yearly

event is held to benefit the area's homeless and disadvantaged persons.

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Ronald McDonald Community Service Event

Submitted by: Sister Phoneshia Robinson – State of Alabama

On Saturday December 12, 2015, Butler Pride #93 in conjunction with Mary Council #11 was blessed

with multiple opportunities to share this season’s spirit of giving with patrons of the Ronald McDonald

House. We provided a very filling menu of lasagna; fried chicken; green beans; sweet corn; and cupcakes,

which was shared with among seven families and the RMH staff. A few of these families were kind

enough to share their testimonies with us. After the food and fellowship, along with the help of a group

of eager young men, we unloaded boxes and bags of girls’ and boys’ clothing and toys. A fair amount of

the clothing and toys covered infants and children five and under. By the end of the evening, Butler Pride

had donated over $5,000 of baby booties and more than $8,000 in clothes and toys to the Ronald

McDonald House organization. We are looking forward to serving again next year!

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National Amaranth Blast Submitted by: Sister Vonderia Yeldell – State of Alabama

On January 30, 2015, under the leadership of the National

Royal Matron, Honor Lady Jacqueline Wright, the National

Court of Amaranth held its first Annual Amaranth Blast.

The event was held at the at the Hyatt Place hotel in the city of Atlanta, GA. The “blast” was an event where Honor

Ladies had the opportunity to exchange information and experiences, revel in the sisterhood, and to gain a deeper

understanding of being an Honor Lady.

The workshops were fun and informative and the Honor Ladies were tickled “red” to have the support and

participation from the Sublime Princes along with the full support of the National Commander in Chief, Tommy Taylor,

33°!

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Halloween Candy Distribution Submitted by: Brother John Todd

On October 31, 2015 the Brothers of McCeaser Lodge #92 participated in a community

“trick or truck” event in the Eastlake, AL community.

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Mississippi at Work Electa Chapter #2 recognized their own for Breast cancer awareness.

Marquita Melvin presented Rhonda Williams with a bag of breast cancer

items.

Electa Chapter #2 and County Line Lodge #2 participated in the 3rd annual

Drew Day Festival

Electa Chapter #2 & County Line Lodge

sponsored Blood Drive @ Scooter's Place on

October 23,2015

Electa Chapter #2 & County Line Lodge #2 of Mound Bayou, MS presented Christmas gifts to Ms. Contessa Sellars

class @ Parks Elementary in Cleveland, MS.

Electa Chapter #2 & County Line Lodge #2 of

Mound Bayou presented Christmas gifts to Mrs.

Marquita Williams Melvin @ Margaret Green

in Cleveland, MS.

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St Teresa Grand Council of Crusaders visiting and Community Service

Submitted by: Sister Sylvia Hawkins-Scott

Saint Teresa Grand Council of Crusaders State of Virginia made a trip to Friendship Manor during the

Crusaders and Amaranth Workshop on Oct. 24th

to visit with our sister Cornelia Fountain. The Princesses

also sung and talked to the other residents and they too thoroughly enjoyed us. It was a warm and productive

visit.

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Submitted by: Sister Sylvia Hawkins-Scott – VA State Editor

The Rock of Ages OES Chapter#2 and York Rite Lodge#154 of Portsmouth VA fed families for the

Thanksgiving holidays.

W.F.Cromartie Lodge#1 - Richmond, VA donated Thanksgiving baskets to two families in the Richmond

Area.

Mt. Arrat Lodge #20 and Morning Star#55-Esmont VA prepared boxes of food and turkeys for families for

Thanksgiving

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Article from “The Queen’s Corner” - Volume 3, Issue1

Submitted by: Sister Angela Howard - State of Indiana

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Article from “The Queen’s Corner” - Volume 3, Issue1

Submitted by: Sister Angela Howard - State of Indiana

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Article from “The Queen’s Corner” - Volume 3, Issue1

Submitted by: Sister Angela Howard - State of Indiana

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National Grand Lodge Scholarship Recipients for 2015

Submitted by: PNGM Clyde Shepard, 33°

The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge awarded five scholarships through the Jefferson D. Tufts Scholarship Fund at its 154th Grand Master’s Council and National Department Heads Workshop in Birmingham, AL. The National Grand Lodge recognizes the importance of a college education and the opportunities it presents. With

the job market and the global economy becoming increasingly more competitive, and in order to give these students

the best chance for a well-paying job, we understand the need and importance of financial assistance.

We are very pleased the Jefferson D. Tufts Scholarship Fund has made a difference in the tune of over $37,000 in the

past several years between the cost of college and what the students and families can provide. However, it’s through

donations from fundraising projects and individual donations that make it possible for us to continue having a

significant impact on meeting these student’s needs.

The awards are based on a written composition of a stated theme, academic development achievement, community

activities, and financial need.

The recipients were Devin Rooks will be attending Florida Atlantic University, In Boca Raton, FL, Dariyan N. Hampton , Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, Naaman Lukie, Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, SC, Chole Johnson, USC Aiken, Aiken, SC and Keri Gates, Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC,

Dariyah Hampton Devin Rooks Keri Gates Chloe Johnson

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State of Pennsylvania Sister B. Grace Boone, Pennsylvania Editor The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania 200th Year Grand Communication

The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons

of the State of Pennsylvania celebrated their 200th Grand Communication this

year, were Honorable Anthony Chambers is the Grand Master and Sister

Evelyn Jones is Grand Worthy Matron. The State of Pennsylvania was

established in 1815. This was a historic event for all Masons in this jurisdiction.

Pennsylvania is the only State in this jurisdiction that has been in existence for 200 years and we hope we can

continue being in existence for many years to come.

The State of Pennsylvania celebrated this historic event by hosting a banquet, which

was held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at the Reformation Lutheran Church, 1215

East Vernon Road, Philadelphia, PA. The speaker of the hour was Minister

Carl Phinney of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Reflections were done by some of Pennsylvania members. They also had a

souvenir journal publish for a life time keepsake. Sister Grace Boone would

like to thank everyone who put an Ad In this

journal, and by doing so you became a part

of this great historic event. You can look back years from now and say, I help make

the State of Pennsylvania 200th Grand Communication a success.

Some of our out of town guest, that attended the banquet

were: Bro. Herbert McClam, RW National Grand Junior

Warden, Grand Master Herbert Williams, for the State of New

Jersey and his lovely wife, Sister Mary Williams, Grand

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Associate Matron for the State of New Jersey and Sister Cathy Thomas, Grand Matron for the State of Delaware and

some of her members. The Grand Master, Brother Anthony Chambers, thanked everyone for attending the banquet.

The Chairperson and Master of Ceremony, Brother William Jones, thanked his committee members for all their hard

work.

Everyone enjoyed the banquet and we hope that everyone who received the Pennsylvania 200th Year Souvenir

Journal was pleased with it.

IF GOD IS FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US

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