Mocha May 2011.indd - Mocha Shriners

Recorder’s Corner
by Jeff Brown
Gosh, here we go charging into a new year
with so many items to deal with. Our new
Potentate, Illustrious Sir Jack Cumming has
his hand firmly on the tiller and is leading
his new Divan through the challenges we
face. One of our issues this year is the
refurbishing of our upper banquet hall at
the Temple. It has been many years since
a major change has taken place in the hall and many are
beginning to realize it looks very “tired”.
Noble Barry O’Brien has stepped up to be the Committee
chairman for reviewing the whole project and will be looking at
all facets of the project from top to bottom. He is getting bids and
estimates and, with his committee, he will be developing a plan
to present to the Board of Directors for consideration. Ultimately
the Board will be bringing the plan to the membership for
approval. However, the costs for such a plan will need the
financial support of the Clubs & Units. More on that later.
Illustrious Sir Bob Henry and his committee on Long Range
Planning from 2010 has presented their report to the Divan late
last year and has now presented a modified version at the recent
Information Day seminar at Mocha on April 2nd. The report was
well received and the Divan has been acting prudently on many
concerns brought forward in the context of that report. Gratitude
is extended to Ill. Sir Bob Henry and his committee for their hard
work and diligence.
Speaking about the Information Day on April 2nd, although
numbers of attendees were a little lower than expected, I believe
they found the day to be enlightening. Many speakers and loads
of information were presented and a good interactive session
Chaplain’s Chat
Nobles: We are living in interesting
times. We are living in times of extreme
change. How exciting that can be if we
choose. How debilitating that can be if
we choose to live in the past. It was
reported to me that at this year's
installation our Potentate's grand
daughter said she would like to be a
Shriner like her grandfather and her
uncles. We live in interesting times. As
Shriners we profess to be people of faith putting ourselves at
God's disposal to be led into doing the good works that God
would have us do on this earth. We are also just into the second
decade of the 21st Century and it is time to remember that we
are joint citizens of the Kingdom of God(a Spiritual Kingdom)
and of this good land of Canada. It is time to rededicate
ourselves to both of these citizenship's.
As members of the Kingdom of God make sure that your faith
is firmly fixed on God and His will for you, rather than on your
own self-will and determination to have things our way rather
than God's way. As citizens of Canada remember that if you
seemed to highlight the day. Remember that Information Day is
an annual seminar for you, as members of Mocha and our Clubs
& Units. Plan on attending every year. We try to vary the
information presented and give you updates on current issues so
it is never a waste of your time to attend.
Membership issues are still haunting us as we suffered a number
of visits from the Black Camel recently and our numbers keep
falling. We need you to refocus on those Masons that you
know would make good Shriners. Our Membership Committee,
Nobles Harry Hewbank, Chris Bradley and Shayne Eldridge are
working hard to promote membership, can you support them? Do
you have an application form in your fez case? Do you have one
in your Masonic apron case? Are you talking to those Masons
you know that could be interested in joining us in the “World’s
Greatest Philanthropy”? Look around you, and don’t be hesitant to
mention membership to them.
Our horizon is now set on the upcoming Spring Ceremonial in
Southampton & Port Elgin on May 27 & 28. We have a good class
of candidates and are still looking for more! We initiated three
Nobles through a short form Ceremony at the Bruce Shrine Club
Official Visit on April 11th because they will be unable to attend
the Spring Ceremonial so we are off to a good start.
The Imperial Session is in Denver this year and your Divan will be
travelling there to participate in the seminars and business
sessions. Imperial Sir George Mitchell is winding down his year as
Imperial Potentate and we did “Let George Do It” after all. Denver,
of course is the home area for Imperial Sir Michael Severe, Deputy
Imperial Potentate and he will of course be anticipating his
election at that session.
Remember, “UNITY WINS”
and the Potentate’s Slogan;
“LET’S ALL PULL TOGETHER”
are doing God's will, it is likely to be of benefit to your family,
neighbors and the whole country.
We hold joint memberships in Mocha (our primary
membership) and in clubs and/or units to which we may
belong. "Mother Mocha" requires as much attention as our
clubs and/ units. A strong joint membership will benefit both.
I was reminded of the 'refurbishment committee' (for our
building) recently one Sunday when I attended St. Luke's
Church, Broughdale/London, with my mother. Also in
attendance was Noble Charles Ross who acted as the lawyer
for Mocha when the new banquet facility was added. I mention
this as a remembrance of the fact that the banquet facility was
added some time ago and probably needs up-dating. Let us
rededicate ourselves to looking after our present membership
and building for it is in having a strong Mocha membership
that others will become interested in joining us for fellowship
and working for Shrine Children.
In these interesting times of rapid change remember that it is
only God who does not change. Yet God requires us to change
as we are continually called to new ministries in God's
service.
To God be the Glory
Rev. Canon Michael Farr, Mocha Chaplain
MOCHA NEWS May 2011 Page 3