Mocha November 2010.indd - Mocha Shriners

Recorder’s Corner
by Jeff Brown
We are still relishing the success of our
MSPOTS project and the completion of our
financial commitment 1 ½ years early. The
Nobles and friends of Mocha Shrine deserve
all the credit and I, for one, congratulate
you. The kick-off celebration on October
the 13th was great and the coverage on
the A Channel was appreciated in helping us get the word out to
the public about what we do, not only for Shriners Hospitals but
for the community at large. Thank you to all who came to the
LHSC that day to wear the Fez and show our support. Thanks too
to those who attended the satellite clinics.
Talking about financial matters, I wanted to express my desire to
see Clubs & Units reporting their financial contributions more
fully. It is a requirement for all Clubs & Units to file their respective
financial reports with me by March 1st of each year but many
do not or lag behind to the point it becomes a huge chore to
keep chasing them down. In addition, we need to know not just
your contributions to the Shrine Hospitals and Patient
Transportation Fund but any and ALL donations to local children
and charities as well.
We want to advertise how Mocha Shriners not only support our
own charity but also local ones too, so the public can be aware
of who we are and what we do not only for the kids that we send
to other cities for treatment but also to support local kids in this
region. Wouldn’t that paint a better picture for the public to see
advertised? Help me to achieve that goal, PLEASE!
In another direction I must confide I am troubled at some news
that Nobles within some of our Clubs and Units are intent on
supporting items or projects that are not related to helping children.
Nobles and Brothers, I must remind you to have a look at
the Shriner’s Creed and remember the oath you took to support
Chaplain’s Chat
Dear Nobles,
Recently I have been reflecting on
the December stated meeting at which
we will elect our Divan for the coming
year. It was December 1974 that I was
made a Noble of the Mystic Shrine at
the fourth Ceremonial in Potentate Ray
Powell's year. Over these past thirtysix
years as Assistant Chaplain and
then as Chaplain I have been surprised
at how many of the Potentates have taken me aside and
expressed their disappointment in the un-Masonic conduct of
so many of the Nobility. Some it bothered deeply, others have
tougher skin, and for others it rolled off them like water from a
duck's back. A passage of scripture comes to mind. It is
Philippians, chapter three, verses three and four. St. Paul
writes to the Christians in Philippi, "Do nothing from selfish
ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than
OUR Charity with “spirit, time, talent
and means.” We, as Shriners are not
here to support adults, the elderly, or
the infirmed who are not children. I
know some of these cases can be heart wrenching and severe
but we cannot detract from our mandated goal as Shriners to
support those causes or individuals as well. We can as individuals,
but not with money that is raised “under the Fez.” Our goal
is also not supposed to be about making it easier for ourselves
as Shriners, but to strive to make the lives of children that need
our help better. We need to take a hard look at what we are
doing as individuals and within our Clubs & Units remains truly
focussed on children and not “feathering our own nests”.
Some time back I circulated electronic copies of the Imperial
Bylaws to anyone who requested them. Remember that these
bylaws are revised at every Imperial Session so a 2006 copy will
not be true with the 2010 copy. I have some plans to include
snippets of sections from the Imperial Bylaws in future editions
of the Mocha News so you can become familiar with some of the
requirements we have, as Shriners, to our fraternity and to each
other. I hope these inserts will be informative for everyone.
We are now fast approaching the Christmas Season. From my
Lady Lynne and myself I wish each and every one of you a Very
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Remember your Faith,
our children and those of less
fortunate means during this
festive season.
Let’s continue to work
together to achieve our
goals in 2011. Remember,
“UNITY WINS”!
yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but
to the interests of others." (The Holy Bible, New Revised
Standard Version, Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1990) Now, if
we were to follow Paul's advise, we would cease to be conceited
and see others as better than ourselves. How much better
Shrinedom and Masonry in general would be if we all put
the interests of others ahead of our own interest. If we regard
our leaders as better than ourselves we would be ready to follow.
If our leaders regard their membership as better than they
are, our leaders would be ready to listen and lead. We as
Shrine Masons could turn the world upside down. GO FOR
IT!!!
As we prepare for our election meeting, December 8, consider
carefully your vote and who you wish to be your 2011 Divan.
May the peace and joy of the Christ child be with you this
Christmas and through the coming year.
To God be the Glory,
Rev. Canon Michael Farr, Chaplain
MOCHA NEWS November 2010 Page 3