Harmony Grand Chapter

To the Grand Worthy Patron Terry E. Crowder Jr., Grand Associate Matron Beverly Richardson, Grand Associate Patron William Thompson, All Elected & Appointed, Past & Present Grand Officers, Worthy Matrons, Worthy Patrons, Officers & Members

Good Morning:

It is indeed a pleasure to stand before you as your Grand Worthy Matron. Right now I feel overwhelmed with pride and joy. I know my sisters and brothers, you have entrusted your vote of confidence in me to serve this great body of Harmony Grand Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, Jurisdiction of Missouri.

First, I must give honor to my Lord and Savior, who is my Alpha and Omega.

Second, I must give honor the Past Grand Matrons and Patrons who have come before me; whose big shoes I will try to fill. A trail has been set.

Third, I must give honor to my legacy and my chapter, Corinthian #9. In my childhood days, I had grandparents that were always going to meetings. My grandfather, John Henry Gasway Sr. was always sprucing himself up in his black suit, white shirt, and black tie and then he left to go to his lodge meetings, Future Great Lodge #60. My grandmother, PM Clara Lucille Gasway, was very busy in Corinthian #9, and in Royal Louvina Ct. #14 Order of Cyrenes. My aunt, Loretta Stevenson, Past Matron in Corinthian #9, and my late uncle, Thomas Stevenson, was a Past Patron in Corinthian #9. So you see, my sister, Cynthia Gasway, Past Matron and I had no choice but to join Corinthian #9.

I must thank my chapter members for being there for me and supporting me. I love you, Corinthian Chapter #9.

Now, you say, what are we going to do now? I believe in working in the community, doing the work of benevolence and charity. So, my sisters and brothers, we are going to roll up our sleeves and get busy. We do not have to wait until September to have a chapter meeting. Our children and grandchildren can not wait. Most schools reopen in August. Let's go back home and start a back to school supplies drive. I expect all board representatives to head this drive in their respective districts and provide me a report before Christmas.

There are many ways in which Harmony Grand Chapter Order of Eastern Star can be seen in the public eye in a positive light. Such as, the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Walk, the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, the United Negro College Fund, and the 100 Black Men Prostate Cancer Walk just to name a few.

I have some goals in mind that we as an organization can accomplish. .I say we, because I know that I can not do this alone; we must come together as one and be on the same page. That is why I have chosen as my motto:

We will be united on one accord.

Many years ago, Past Grand Lecturer Willa Bell Ashford introduced the pill box hat to be worn as a part of our burial regalia. It was worded “to be worn on the crown of the head”. This was then accepted by the Grand Worthy Matron and the body during grand session. We will in this administration wear the pill box hat at the crown of the head.

We will be united on one accord.

I have a package for each and every chapter; it includes Membership Petition Forms, Investigation Forms, Demit, and Restoration Forms. Also, in my travels to different chapter meetings, there are a lot of us that do not know the opening and closing songs in our chapter meetings. I am giving a CD to each chapter in which the ritualistic opening and Closing is sung and is played instrumentally. Also included are uplifting spiritual songs that could be used for an official visit or just for your listening pleasure.

We will be united on one accord.

We will have a Grand Burial Team with the cooperation and participation of the Past Grand Matrons and Patrons. Upon the demise of an Elected Grand Officer or Past Grand Matron or Patron, this team will be ready to serve.

We will be united on one accord.

This next point has been very heavy on my heart, my sisters. We know how to dress for chapter meetings and fraternal services. My concern is for formal affairs. The price of the ticket may be high. Then trying find a dress is getting harder and harder to find. In order to increase the attendance at these affairs, I am willing to accept after five dressy pants outfits. NO JEANS, NO DENIM. As your leader, I will continue to wear the after five dress, but I hope to see your smiling faces at these formal affairs.

We will be united on one accord.