Syria Shriners Coronavirus Response Update for May 10th
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:
- 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.
Happy Mothers Day!
Today is the day we set aside each year to honor our mothers and other important women in our lives. If you're fortunate enough to still have your mother with you, and even though you may not be able to see her in person this year, please give her at least a virtual hug from all of us, and offer her the best wishes of all of us at Syria Shriners!
Most of Us Enter the Yellow Phase of Recovery Next Friday ... So Now What?
Governor Tom Wolf announced last Friday that 13 Southwest Pennsylvania counties, will join 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. At this time, Beaver County remains in the Red Phase, subject to stay-at-home orders.
Gatherings of up to 25 people will now be permissible. That said, the Grand Master's order of May 1, extending the suspension of all Masonic activity in Pennsylvania until at least July 1, remains in effect. Shriners International has told Temples to take direction from their respective Grand Masters, so we still cannot hold meetings.
Click here for a link to details on state regulations in the various phases of reopening and recovery.
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.
Details will be published in this space next Sunday, and again May 24 and 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.
In Case You Missed It
Grand Ole Opry Livestream - With support from Shriners Hospitals for Children®, last night, for the 4,923rd consecutive Saturday night, the show went on at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, featuring Trace Adkins, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, and Dustin Lynch, keeping the music playing in Music City, once again without a live audience. Last night's preshow was from Sara Evans. Click the image to the left and enjoy the show.
SHC has kept the music playing the last nine Saturdays. See all the shows here.
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
The Potentate's Stag Testimonial Dinner, originally scheduled for March 21, has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 21. Rocky Bleier will join us that day. Hospitality Suite reservations have been shifted to November, and all tickets issued will be honored in November.
The Potentate's Ball, originally scheduled for April 18, has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 24. The same menu, entertainment, and other festivities will be offered in the fall. All reservations have been shifted to the new date.
The North HIlls Home Brew Fest, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 9, has been rescheduled for Saturday, August 29. More information here.
The Swing Time dances, featuring the Syria Stage Band, scheduled for April 24, and May 15 have been canceled. The dances are scheduled to resume on the third Friday in June, and continue on the third Friday of every month through November.
The Sportsmen's Bash Early Bird Drawing has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 11. Get your ticket stubs in before that date for inclusion in the drawing. The bash has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 5. More information here.
The Legion of Honor meetings scheduled for Monday, May 4, have been rescheduled for Monday, June 8.
The Annual Syria Shrine Ladies Luncheon, honoring First Lady Eleanor Taylor, has been rescheduled from May 30 to Saturday, August 8. The event begins at noon, with luncheon served at 12:30pm, and entertainment following lunch. Ladies, mark your calendar now for the new date for this fun afternoon Girls' Day Out!
Canceled & Postponed Events not yet rescheduled
The Quarterly Meeting, and First Ceremonial, scheduled for April 6, has been postponed to a date to be determined. Shriners International bylaws require Temples to meet at least once a quarter, and we will reschedule when we can safely do so. We have a goal date in mind, but it would be premature to announce that at this time.
The First Choice Wine Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, has been canceled for this year.
The fall Night at the Races fundraiser, scheduled for Saturday, September 19, has been canceled by the organizing committee, in consultation with the Illustrious Potentate.
PARADES CANCELED
Prospect - May 23
Carnegie - May 24
Coraopolis - May 25
Lawrenceville - May 25
Monroeville - May 25
Sewickley - May 25
Independence Day
Brentwood
Monroeville
At this time, we are scheduled to resume activities in June. We will keep you informed as developments unfold.
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.
