Together AgainYouthMasonic

By Mark Schmidt

After a year of isolation, Zoom meetings, social distancing and public health precautions, members of Illinois’ Masonic youth orders are coming together again with a renewed sense of excitement and commitment to building their organizations. During the summer months, Illinois DeMolay, Job’s Daughters and Rainbow all gathered for statewide meetings to plan and build for the future.

Newly installed DeMolay State Master Councilor Alex Sturgis described the challenge in this way: “We are coming out of a hard patch, but I am convinced that we can really shine.” Sturgis said that during the first phase of the pandemic, DeMolay limited itself to online meetings. However, as things moved forward, chapters across Illinois were encouraged to gather outside and in socially distanced settings to maintain important personal contact among the members. “We focused on athletics and other ways in which we could gather outdoors.”

Illinois DeMolay held its Annual Conclave July 24-25 at Eureka College. While the schedule was a bit abbreviated compared to previous years, Sturgis hopes that it was the latest step on the return to normal.

Sturgis has chosen the popular Nickelodeon TV show “Avatar: The Last Airbender” as his theme for the year. The series focuses on four elements: water, earth, fire, and air. The State Master Councilor has developed a series of what he calls Elemental Challenges, which encourage local chapters to become more active, increase membership, learn the ritual of the order, and ensure that all members have Obligation Cards. “We’re going to get Illinois DeMolay back on its feet,” he noted.

Sky Lafary, Grand Worthy Advisor of Illinois Rainbow, was installed during that group’s Grand Assembly in Springfield in early July. “It is time for Illinois Rainbow to dream big,” Lafary said. She has chosen “Dreams Determine Destiny” as her theme for the year. Lafary, who lives in Bushnell, is a student at Western Illinois University.

One big change for Illinois Rainbow impacts the annual Rainbow Leadership Camp. After canceling the camp in its entirety in 2020, the organization has shifted to a virtual leadership camp held via Zoom in 2021. “The new format really helps us reach more girls,” Lafary noted. “Every member of Rainbow is invited to take part, as well as prospective members. Participant kits for projects, games and other activities were sent to each Assembly. It was a lot of fun!”

Service is always an important part of the life of all Rainbow members. Lafary has chosen St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as her Grand Charity for 2021-2022. Despite the pandemic, members of Rainbow continue to support each Grand Charity, raising more than $10,000 for Backstoppers, a nonprofit helping the families of first responders killed in the line of duty. Backstoppers was the Grand Charity of Junior Past Grand Worthy Advisor Jillian Jennings.

In June, Illinois Job’s Daughters held its annual Grand Bethel in Bloomington. Natasha Sparks of Belleville was installed as Grand Bethel Honored Queen. Sparks is a 2021 graduate of Troy Triad High School. She is a dual member of Bethel 24 in Belleville and Bethel 96 in Chillicothe.

The new GBHQ is expecting “super” things from Job’s Daughters in the year to come. She has chosen a superhero theme for her year, along with the motto “Be Your Own Hero”. “Our members have been heroes for more than a year as they kept things going through the pandemic. I am looking for great things from Job’s Daughters in the year to come.”

Sky Lafary, Grand Worthy Advisor of Illinois Rainbow, Alex Sturgis, State Master Councilor of DeMolay and Natasha Sparks, Grand Bethel Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters Illinois are shown at the recent Grand Assembly session in Springfield.

A lover of animals, Natasha has chosen the Humane Society as her Grand Charity for the coming year. After a year’s absence, the girls were excited to gather for the Order’s annual Job A Rama. While camping was not on the agenda due to continuing COVID restrictions, members enjoyed a day of crafts, fun activities, learning and a fight with silly string!

Grand Guardian Margo Nelson reports that two Illinois members are among those competing online for Miss International Job’s Daughters, and that her members are excited to resume traveling as installations are on the calendar for local Bethels.

WB Mark Schmidt Associate Editor

Hello All! I’m Jennifer Martin, the new Director of IMOS (Talia Dean’s replacement). It is so nice to greet you all and I am looking forward to meeting you in person someday as well! I wanted to say hello and share a little bit about myself. I have a background of over ten years in human services with a master’s degree in human services along with a graduate certificate in executive coaching. I also spent 16 years at a phone company with ten of those years in engineering working with outside plant technicians, construction managers, and engineers throughout the State of Illinois. I have always enjoyed the opportunity to work with people to try to make a difference. I am so excited to be working for your amazing fraternity that does so much to support each other.

I work with a very dedicated Board of Managers that have been so wonderful to work with along with our remarkable Board Chairman, Ronald Ehemann. Each day I spend here is a blessing!

We have a strong team in IMOS. Ralph Hunt recently started as the new Assistant Director. He brings great energy and many years of experience in human services. Many of you may already know IMOS two amazing case workers, Jen Labbato and Sue Rentsch. They have a strong devotion to IMOS and have been so helpful in my transition. Thank you to them for all that they do in assisting others and for bringing me up to speed! My plan for the future is to keep spreading the word about IMOS and to continue to grow the IMOS program. Outreach is so important, and I really appreciate the referrals I have received from you. Please keep spreading the word to others that IMOS is here for them! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call, write, or email me.

Our former Director sends along the following message of thanks and appreciation: “Greetings! After 10 years serving in the role as the IMOS Director, my tenure has come to an end. For the past decade, it has been my greatest honor to serve in this role for the masonic fraternity, its members, widows, and family. While this may be "goodbye" for now; I will cherish the memories that I have made and the people I have met forever. IMOS is such a special program and will always hold a special place in my heart. Under the leadership of our amazing Board Chairman, Ronald Ehemann, I have the utmost confidence that the IMOS mission will stay alive and well - and continue in "making connections and impacting lives". Brethren - thank you for making me a part of your "Masonic family"; I will miss you all and wish nothing but the best for everyone in health and happiness. Until we meet again! Talia.”

Jennifer Martin

Director, Illinois Masonic Outreach Services

Grand Lodge of Illinois 2866 Via Verde Springfield, IL 62703

Phone: 217.529.8900 ext. 212

Fax: 217.529.0242 outreach@ilmason.org

ILLINOIS MASONIC CHILDREN’S ASSISTANCE PROGRAM