Independent Order of Odd Fellows of West Virginia

2009 Workshop

 

Thanks to Sherman Davidson PGP, for these wonderful photos from the workshop.                      
                                                                                                              

Workshop at Flatwoods

by Jim Varney GM

May 17, 2009

The co-chairman Brother Ronald Fletcher, PGP and Sister Wanda Ashcraft, PP along with Brother James E. Varney, Grand Master and Mary Ellen Stillwagoner, President, gave a welcome.

 

The Bible was open by Sister Barbara Zimmerman, PP and Brother Larry Collins, Grand Chaplin with the help of the Bible Angel Loretta Jacobs, PNG. Brother Larry Collins, Grand Chaplin gave the invocation. 

 

A wonderful divine service was held with the first ever I.O.O.F. choir and singing by all. The Grand Master and President read their poem “Friendships Door”. Pray request was given and prayer held with all saying the Lords Prayer.

 

 Message given by Bill Forbes along with him singing.

All sang amazing Grace.

 

Announcement given.

 

The Bible was closed by Sister Barbara Zimmerman, PP and Brother Larry Collins, Grand Chaplin with the help of the Bible Angel Loretta Jacobs, PNG. Sister Barbara Zimmerman, PP gave the benediction.  

 

A wonderful lunch was held along with prizes given.

Brother James E. Varney, Grand Master awarded his medallion award to Brothers Robert Stillwagoner, Deputy Grand Master and Brian Miller of Cowen No. 176.

 

“Grand Lodge”

Lodge was opened in due form by the Grand Lodge Officers with each part being done by memory.
Once lodge was opened, roll call was taken of all lodges within the jurisdiction of West Virginia.
 
After roll call an award was given to Cowen Lodge No. 176 I.O.O.F. for the most members present. We began the workshop, the following lodges made presentations at the workshop:

 Hacker Valley No. 364 - Funeral Ceremony
    
 Cowen No. 176 - Balloting of candidates

 Tygart Valley No. 66 - Working in and out of an open Lodge

 Wheeling No. 9 - Honors of the Order and introduction of Officers 

 Cowen No. 176 - Flag Ceremony

 Harmony No. 118 - Proper Bible Protocol

 Adamston No. 263 - Draping of the Charter and Un-Draping of a Charter

 General discussion of how an Official State Officer when late  is admitted to an open Lodge and introduced.

 

With all members present talking about how they do things in their Lodges. It was wonderful to hear the different ways each do things.

The Grand Master said “Just because you do it different doesn’t mean it’s not right, we all have different ways to do all of the things shown here today and it’s ok as long as we do them well”.

Discussion was held about how a member gets the annual traveling password

After all was done on the various issues; Good of the Order was given by all with everyone in attendance speaking.

Lodge Closed in due form, by memory.

 

“Rebekah Assembly”

 

An award was given to Ivy No. 112 for most members present.

 

Sister Mary Bess, Secretary showed how to present Flags in a Lodge

 

Sister Barbara Zimmerman, PP showed how that a Bible was to opened in a Lodge along with Sister Glendora Headley, PP instructing how to do it along with them showing how to draping an alter.

 

The West Virginia Odd Fellow and Rebekah News was talked about.

 

The elevator at the Odd Fellow and Rebekah Home was talked about

 

Along with other Projects of the Order