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Covid 19 Response – Syria Shriners Memorial Day Weekend Update

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:

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. New calendar announcements are highlighted below.

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

LEST WE FORGET . . .

Monday, May 25th is, of course, Memorial Day. Although it's long been co-opted by retailers as a time for sales, and celebrated by many as the traditional beginning of the summer season, and misused by some to serve as a springtime observance of Veterans Day, let's remember that this day is set aside to honor and remember those men and women of our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives in defense of our freedom and way of life. Click the image at left to learn more about Memorial Day.

Lawrence Co. Going Green! Could We be Next?

This Friday, Lawrence County will enter the Green Phase of the Commonwealth's COvID-19 reopening process. We are hopeful that the remainder of our oasis will soon follow.

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, Speical 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 Green Phase areas are no longer limited to 25 people. Dine-in food and beverage service can resume, at 50 per cent of normal occupancy. Proper physical distancing remains required, and masks should continue to be worn when physical distancing may not be possible.

Click the chart above for a link to details on state regulations in the various phases of reopening and recovery.

Click the Grand Lodge seal at right to see the May 15 letter from the R.W. Grand Master, outlining guidelines for reopening, and the resumption of Masonic activity.

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

In accordance with Imperial Sir Jeff Sowder's General Order No. 3, we have scheduled a Quarterly Meeting using ZOOM, Monday, June 1 at 7:30pm.

YOU MUST 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.

CLICK HERE TO SEND AN EMAIL TO THE RECORDER REGISTERING FOR THE MEETING.

We need to create a new and upgraded ZOOM account for Syria Shriners to facilitate this meeting. Once that account is opened, and the meeting scheduled, you will receive an email from the Recorder, confirming your registration, and containing login information.

PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO REGISTER!  DO IT NOW, WHILE YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT.

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

​​In Case You Missed It

Grand Ole Opry Livestream -  With continuing support from Shriners Hospitals for Children®, last night, for the 4,925th consecutive Saturday night, the show went on at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, with the traditional Memorial Weekend "Salute to the Troops," featuring Craig Morgan, Stephen Curtis Chapman, and Kellie Pickler, keeping the music playing in Music City, once again without a live audience. Click the image to the right and enjoy the show.

SHC has kept the music playing the last 11 Saturdays. See all the shows here.

Pittsburgh Shrine Center Office Closure

The Pittsburgh Shrine Center office 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.

Pittsburgh Shrine Center Reopening

Effective Friday, May 29, Units, Caravans and Clubs may begin to meet in the Pittsburgh Shrine Center.

In keeping with the Grand Master's directive of May 15, you must continue to practice physical distancing, and follow all guidelines from the CDC, state and local public health authorities. Accordingly, for now, gatherings are limited to a maximum of 25 people. Please be certain to maintain a clean and safe environment in our building and on our grounds.

Rescheduled Events

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.


THIS YEAR'S BIG BUTLER FAIR HAS BEEN CANCELED. 
AT THIS TIME, THE FAYETTE, WASHINGTON, AND WESTMORELAND COUNTY FAIRS REMAIN ON THE CALENDAR AS SCHEDULED.


PARADES CANCELED

Memorial Weekend
Carnegie - May 24
Coraopolis - May 25
Lawrenceville - May 25
Monroeville - May 25
Sewickley - May 25

Independence Day
Brentwood
Monroeville

Zelionople


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.

Syria Shriners

Founded in 1877, Syria Shriners is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. Our fraternity is open to men of integrity from all walks of life.

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