Coronavirus Response Update from Syria Shriners for May 17th

At Syria Shriners, we are doing our best to continue keeping you informed as circumstances quickly change and events are canceled or rescheduled, while our Grand Lodge and Shriners International reach decisions and issue statements that affect all of us. While it has never been our intention to flood your inbox with email, we feel an absolute responsibility to maintain the flow of information.

You can view our previous updates and news at these links below:

• Syria Shriners Coronavirus Response Update for May 10th
• May 3rd COVID-19 Response Update – Syria Shriners to Remain Closed Through July 1
• Syria Shriners COVID-19 Response Update, April 26th
• April 19th Update on Syria Shriners COVID-19 Response
• Syria Shriners Coronavirus Response Update for Sunday, April 12
• Syria Shriners’ Covid-19 Response April 5 Update
• Syria Shriners’ COVID-19 Response Update March 29
• Pittsburgh Shrine Center to Remain Closed Through at Least June 1st -R.W. Grand Master
• March 22nd Update on Syria Temple’s COVID 19 (Coronavirus) Response
• Imperial Potentate Defers to Grand Masters on Temple Activities
• 3/16 Update: Syria Shriners Facility Closures and Event Rescheduling

Watch for additional communication, check our website at syriashriners.org, and follow our Facebook page for ongoing information as developments unfold. We'll all get through this together, and if we take proper public health precautions, most of us will not become seriously ill.

Let's continue to pray for one another and support each other through safe social contact (i.e., phone, text, email, FaceTime, Skype, etc.), all the while practicing proper physical distancing to control the spread of the coronavirus. We must all do our part. Even if you think this situation is overblown, please exercise caution, as many of your friends and neighbors are counting on you not to increase their likelihood of exposure or illness.

We are repeating some information below, in the hope that more people will see it. More people are signing up for our emails, and our open rate is improving, but most who receive messages from us continue not to open them, so we apologize for the repetition, and hope you understand that redundancy is not a bad thing when the information is important. There's plenty of new content, though, so keep reading!

Meanwhile, stay well, and stay home. We look forward to being together again soon.

Now We're All in the Yellow Phase . . Big Changes Coming Soon!

Last Friday, 13 Southwest Pennsylvania counties joined the 24 previously designated counties in the Northwest and North Central regions in transitioning to the Yellow Phase of the Commonwealth's COVID-19 reopening process. Beaver County will enter the Yellow Phase this Friday. Accordingly, all of the counties in the oasis of Syria Shriners will no longer be under stay-at-home orders.

Brother Thomas Gamon IV, R.W. Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania, is allowing limited Masonic activity in counties that have entered the Yellow Phase, two weeks after the transition. Accordingly, beginning Friday, May 29, for most of our oasis, and Friday, June 5 in Beaver County, Masonic activity may resume. Stated, Special and Extra Lodge Meetings, however, are still prohibited. Other Masonic activities can be allowed, provided they are in compliance with all federal, state and local guidelines.

Gatherings in Yellow Phase areas are limited to 25 people. Dine-in food and beverage service remains prohibited. Proper physical distancing remains required, and masks should continue to be worn when physical distancing may not be possible.

Click this link to details on state regulations in the various phases of reopening and recovery.

Visit this Grand Lodge to see the May 15 letter from the R.W. Grand Master, outlining guidelines for reopening, and the resumption of Masonic activity.

Second Quarterly Meeting Virtually ZOOMs to Monday, June 1

Shriners International Imperial Potentate Jeff. Sowder recently issued General Order No. 2, allowing for electronic meetings. The bylaws of Shriners International require all Temples to meet at least quarterly. The bylaws of Syria Shriners establish quarterly meetings on the first Monday of January, April, August and October.

The Quarterly Meeting of Syria Shriners, previously scheduled for Monday, April 6 had to be postponed, as electronic meetings were not yet possible, the Grand Master had suspended all Masonic activity in Pennsylvania, and Imperial Sir Jeff had directed Shrine Temples to take their lead from their respective Grand Masters. We have now scheduled a Quarterly Meeting using ZOOM, Monday, June 1 at 7:30pm. Watch your email for a link and directions to attend the meeting using your computer, smartphone, tablet, or landline. 

You will need to register in advance for the meeting, in order that we may keep it secure. Only those registered, and verified as members in good standing, will be admitted. 

We need to create a new and upgraded Zoom account for Syria Shriners to facilitate this meeting. After we've done that, details will be published in this space next Sunday, and again May 31.

You can download the ZOOM app for your tablet or smartphone from The App Store or Google Play. 

For your MAC or PC, go to zoom.us. It will also be possible to join the meeting for audio only from any telephone, without the need for a computer or mobile device, or downloading an app or software.

You will still need to register for the meeting.

Pittsburgh Shrine Center Closure

The Pittsburgh Shrine Center remains closed until further notice. Please keep our office and facilities staff, and our entire Syria Shriners family in your prayers. We all need to remember each other during this trying period. Call your fellow Shriners, and look after their well-being. Run errands to the grocery or drug store if your situation allows, and theirs does not.

Rescheduled Events

• Sat. July 11 Sportsmen's Bash Early Bird More information here
• Sat. Aug. 8 Ladies' Luncheon More information here
• Sat. Aug. 29 North Hills Home Brew Fest More information here
• Sat. Sep. 5 Sportsmen's Bash More information here
• Sat. Oct. 24 Potentate's Ball
• Sat. Nov. 21 .Potentate's Stag Testimonial Banquet

Canceled & Postponed Events not yet rescheduled

The Walk for Love and Community Day at SHC-Erie, scheduled for Sunday, June 7, has been postponed.

The Butler Shrine Luncheon Club and Butler Caravan 14 picnic, scheduled for Wednesday, June 24, has been canceled.

The fall Night at the Races fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, September 19, has been canceled.

PARADES CANCELED

Taking care of ourselves and each other

Let's make sure we look out for each other as we navigate our way through the "new normal." While we practice physical distancing, let's be sure no one goes without vital social contact. Reach out to your fellow Nobles, Lodge Brothers, friends, family and neighbors. If your situation allows, run an errand to the grocery store, pharmacy or other essential business for someone who can't, or really shouldn't, be leaving their home right now. And while you're at it, be sure to take proper precautions like those below.

​Stay Informed!

There is so much misinformation being shared on social media and by email. Do yourself, and all of us a favor, and go right to a trusted source for your information. Please don't pass along things your seen posted or things you've been sent unless they have come directly from a legitimate public health or government authority. Click on the image to the left to visit the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, FEMA and the White House at coronavirus.gov.