The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation JANUARY 2024 MASONIC YOUTH TALKING POINTS The Masonic Youth Talking Points is published by the PA Masonic Youth Foundation to share ideas and to inspire Masonic leaders to creatively support the Masonic Youth Groups and the programs of the PA Masonic Youth Foundation. It is emailed to all District Deputy Grand Masters, District Youth Chairmen, Lodge Youth Chairmen, and Masonic Youth Group Leaders. All Lodge Youth Chairmen are asked to make a short report at each Lodge meeting, using the information provided in this publication.
Why We Do What We Do “Although we are a youth-run organization, we are still kids in need of some good advice. My (DeMolay) advisors have helped me grow, see what is possible, and motivate me. I would not be anywhere close to the young man I am today if it were not for this amazing Masonic youth group.” -Benjamin, member of DeMolay Youth Group Snippets Pennsylvania Rainbow for Girls will be holding their annual Grand Officer Weekend and Initiation at Patton Campus in Elizabethtown the weekend of January 19-21, 2024. All Masons and their spouses are invited to attend the 10:15 AM initiation on Saturday, January 20th. For more details, please contact Supreme Inspector Helen Snedden at 412 953 9455 or at hsnedden@aol.com When a new member joins DeMolay he is mailed a New Member Welcome Kit, which is a sturdy box of DeMolay Essentials: a Ritual of Secret Work, a DeMolay Handbook, PA DeMolay and PA DeMolay 100th Anniversary lapel pins, pair of colorful DeMolay socks, a personalized Chapter Contact Sheet, and a welcome letter from the Executive Officer of PA DeMolay. Community Service – a true DeMolay Ideal One of the cardinal tenets of DeMolay is Patriotism which often manifests itself in public service. Here are three examples of recent community service projects: Steel City Chapter (Coraopolis) partnered with Zerubbabel Duquesne Royal Arch Chapter No. 162 to prepare and deliver meals to families staying at a local Ronald McDonald House. Centennial Chapter (Downingtown) worked with the Masonic Lodges in District 5 to collect canned goods for the Lord’s Pantry, a non-profit organization that supports Chester County families in need. William C. Graham Squires Manor (an appendant organization for younger youth, ages 9-11, associated with Lorraine Chapter in Butler) raised over $1,600.00 for the Butler County Children and Youth Services through a spaghetti dinner that they held.
Upcoming Events of Note: April 26-28, 2024 Power of Five Youth Group Summit Ten active members and ten adults from each of the five youth groups will spend a weekend of sharing, learning, and networking at Patton Campus in Elizabethtown. June 21, 2024 York Revolution Home Run Patio Party The Southcentral PMYF Regional Activity will have participants from all five youth groups invited to participate. The York Revolution will face off against the Lancaster Barnstormers in an evening that will include admission to the game, a Home Run Patio Buffet Dinner, souvenir ball hats, an information table, and a night of fun, fraternalism, and food! PMYF Scholarship Opportunities Ainsley, the daughter of a Master Mason from Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 in Elizabethtown, and Sophomore at Salisbury University in Maryland, who is majoring in Nursing with a minor in Deaf Studies, shares her appreciation in receiving a 2023 PMYF Scholarship: “I am so incredibly grateful for the scholarships that I have received from the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. I pay for most of my college so it’s a huge relief. I have worked multiple jobs since I was 14 so I could afford to pay for college, and now I work as an advanced EMT over summers and breaks. I just want to say how grateful I am to all the donors who created these scholarships for students like me. You are truly a blessing. Thank you!” The 2024 PMYF Scholarship Resource Guide, listing over 50 scholarship opportunities for youth group members, PA Masons, and the siblings, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of PA Masons, and an application are available on the PA Masonic Youth Foundation Website. Applications for the PMYF Scholarship must be postmarked by March 15, 2024. Please continue to promote participation in our scholarship program. Thank You! Thank You Thank you for sharing the good news about our Masonic Youth Groups and the PA Masonic Youth Foundation. The PMYF Staff and Board of Directors looks forward to another great year of cooperation with all Masons and their appendant organization in Pennsylvania. Permission is granted to make copies of this publication and to freely distribute them to all who have an interest in the youth of Pennsylvania. The Masonic Youth Talking Points is also available on-line at www.pmyf.org Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 David W. Berry, Executive Director 1.800.266.8424 X4 or 1. 717.367.1536 X4