After more than a year and half, Georgetown Chapter held their first meeting back to face-to-face. This was a special afternoon and evening in August with a family picnic. Dave Fischer, Worshipful Master of Mimbres Lodge, grilled burgers and hotdogs. Members brought the sides and fellowship was had by all.

During the meeting a special ceremony message was shared by Sister Sabrina Pack, Grand Conductress, about friendship. Here is that special message where the star points participated as well.

Sharing in friendship-by Sabrina Pack (I have been asked to share this for those who wanted to be there, but could not be. May this touch your heart and feel that Georgetown love).

As sisters and brothers coming together, we celebrate friendship. I would like you to reflect with me for a moment and think about what really matters in our lives. For right now, lets let our minds and hearts escape the outside world and focus on what is within these halls. I will have our conductress place this lantern on our altar for this special friendship program as the lantern light reflects the inner beauty of our chapter, which is the light of each of you with the light from above.

We have a special friendship quote from each of our star points.

Adah-I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light. Ruth—A good friend knows all your stories. A best friend helped you create them. Esther- Good friends are like stars, you don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. Martha – A true friend is someone who sees the pain in your eyes while everyone believes the smile on your face. Electa-Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. Georgetown Chapter is strong and true and holds us dear even when we are not near. Who would have thought the Official Visit here in 2020 would have been the last time until now to have the blessing of its members inside these halls. It has been 1 year 6 months and 13 days since we returned to meet in the Lodge room. As we look around the room, we can feel those who have passed this way who now look down upon us. We can see the dear smiles and feel the love from those who have gathered here today.

I do not believe that ever in the history of Star in our state have we been absent from meetings for so long. None of us could have imagined the last time we stood here together around our altar that it would be so long before we assembled yet again. Let us not ever take for granted the time we have.

And on this friendship eve let us honor our friendships that have helped us through this pandemic and reflect upon those who have passed since we last met. We have had to say good-bye to Sisters Evon Bleak, Susan Fowler, Mary Ellen Foster, Shelly Ray and Brothers Walter Hamilton and Richard Hamilton. But tonight in joyous celebration we reflect on their friendships in our lives and rejoice in our friends who have joined us here tonight.

Now in memory of our departed sisters and brothers, let us sing May the Circle Be Unbroken.

OES is something so special that one who knows this organization cannot easily put into words its depth of meaning and impact in our lives. The fellowship we know has helped us bridge this 18 plus months physically apart. When you sing Lamplight Time in the Valley, as our closing ode, I hope the words will touch your heart once more. As the moon is full and these halls are bright because you joined us tonight.

To conclude with one of my favorite friendship quotes, it is by Eleanor Roosevelt.

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”

You are each a true friend and what makes OES so special.

Star Love, Sabrina Pack-Esther (Georgetown)

Grand Conductress NM