May – June 2019 Potentate’s Message
Nobles, Families, and Friends of Jaffa Shriners,
As we head into the summer months, it is impossible not to reflect upon the great successes we have had through the first half of the year at Jaffa. Our fraternity has so many things to be grateful for. Our events have been well attended, our fundraisers continue to exceed their goals and every day our magnificent home, the Jaffa Mosque, continues to be a visible symbol to our community, and to the World, of all the good we as Jaffa Shriners represent.
We had a tremendous circus this year under the direction of fellow Jaffa Shriner, Billy Martin. I would like to acknowledge the great work the Circus Committee, our Units & Clubs, and the countless Nobles, families, and friends of Jaffa who volunteered their time, talent, and means to make the Jaffa Shrine Circus successful each and every year. Attendance was up from last year’s circus, with over 26,000 guests attending the 80th Jaffa Shrine Circus. I must recognize a couple individuals who take the helm of leading our Circus Committee. As the co-chairmen of our circus, Jerome Eckardt and Jeffrey Lynn Putt’s leadership in planning our circus was evident in its execution. As I have stated in a couple of speeches, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Our circus committee, and these two Nobles, plan our circus on a 12-month cycle and its success can be directly attributed to the organizational work and planning of all those involved. I would also like the thank Jobel Court and Dorcas Temple, PJ Simpson, Mike Colledge, John & Sue Bollinger, Randy & Chad Irwin, Tom Patz, John Grove and Alan Sipes for taking on individual sub-committee tasks in helping organize our circus. Job well done!
It is tough to put into words the gratitude Tiffany and I have for all those who helped with the Potentate’s Reception this year. Everything from the decorations, to dinner & entertainment, to the amazing renaissance outfits everyone wore made the day something we will never forget. I would like to express gratitude to our unit uniformed officers and the units who participated in the grand pageant and those who performed on the floor. As always, you continue to look and sound great and remain the standard in all of Shrinedom. I would like to acknowledge Lanny and Lynne Edwards, Butch & Shelly Garman, Scott & Angela Sipes, the Colyer family, Jim Burchfield and his father and all of the aides this year for the long hours put into making the day so memorable. We truly transformed our banquet hall into a medieval castle and I am pleased to report no one had to be rescued from the moat.
Our hospital fundraisers continue to do well each year. We finished up with our Hospital Crusades and our very first Jaffa Walk For Love at the beginning of June. Both fundraisers were well supported. Thank you to the units & shrine clubs of Jaffa, as well as Jobel Court & Dorcas Temple, for continuing to raise awareness of our hospital system within our communities. We will have close out reports and pictures on both of these fundraisers in the next Jaffa Journal.
Mark your calendars on July 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. for the Jaffa Charity Hockey Game at Galactic Ice in Altoona. Cheer on your very own Jaffa Hockey Team as they face off against the Washington DC Firefighters in a charity game for Shriners Hospitals for Children. If you have never been to a hockey game before, do not forget to bring a blanket to sit on in the ice rink…those aluminum bleachers can get cold.
Bringing in new members is a key element to the future success of Jaffa Shriners. On July 20, 2019, after the charity hockey game, our Membership Committee will be hosting Jaffa Community Day at the Jaffa Shrine Center. This is an opportunity for you to bring your friends, neighbors, and family to a Jaffa sponsored event. The event begins at 5 p.m. and will include free food, refreshments, games and entertainment suitable for the entire family. Let’s show the area we care about our mutual success in the future and encourage good men to make a difference in our community by becoming a Jaffa Shriner. Keep in mind the 20th Masonic District will be hosting a One Day Masonic Journey in November 2, 2019 at the Jaffa Shrine Center. All three blue lodge degrees will be performed in the morning with Scottish Rite degrees and the Shrine Ceremonial being conducted in the afternoon. Petitions need to be turned into their lodge secretaries by their September Stated Meetings.
Today is a great day to be a Shriner! Tomorrow will be the same. Thank you to the entire Jaffa family for all you do for our great fraternity. Let’s share our experiences at Jaffa with our friends and neighbors so they might want to join in with the fun and fellowship. By including our families and communities in our activities, Jaffa will continue to serve central Pennsylvania and all of Shrinedom for many years to come.
Yours in the Faith,
Jordan W. Settle
Potentate – 2019