Newly installed officers for the Linden Chapter, Order of the Easter Star, stand with their new worthy matron Annette Olsen seated center.Middle row from left, Lacy Engledowl,Cathy Zachry,Gayle Riddle,Sally Hunt,Paul Pop Hunt,Charleen Granberry and Caroly
Providing continuous music throughout an hour and half installation ceremony was Carol Taylor of the Quitman Order of the Eastern Star chapter No. 695.
Quent Hudson, worthy patron of the Denton Masonic Lodge No. 259, is the installing officer for the new officers of the Linden Order of the Eastern Star 576.
Carole McGee is reading the Bible for the installation of officers for the Linden Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 576. Note the square and compass symbols of Masonry which,with special permission, can be placed on the Bible pages.
Annette Olsen is Worthy Matron for the Linden Chapter 576 of the Order of the Eastern Starr. Her husband Jerry is the worthy patron for the Eastern Star chapter.
New leaders of the Linden Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star are being led on a trek to their “stations.”These are the stations from which they will exercise leadership. They are symbolically walking around the lodge room as led by Judy Harris.
The interior room of the Linden Chapter of the Masonic Lodge is being used as the place for installation of officers in the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 576. Such a meeting is the only one open to the public during the chapter’s year.
The golden cup symbolizes charity and hospitality and is watched over by Eastern Star member Cathy Zachry. The cup also helps members organize their thoughts for prayer.
Around the room of the Linden Masonic Lodge are the new officers who are sitting in their stations or seats of authority and enjoying the ordination of other officers for the coming year.
Linden Order of Eastern Star
Linden’s Order of the Eastern Star — Chapter 576 — recently held the only public meeting the chapter will host in its year of meetings. This is, the ceremony of installation of new officers.
It took an hour and half, June 8, to install the some 15 office holders. Each was quietly and seriously “trekked” their “station” of leadership for the year. The Order of the Eastern Star goes back to 1850. The Masons with whom they are associated go so far back its year of origin is lost in time.
What the Eastern Star does strive to be is a benevolent organization. It is family like. To be a member of the Eastern Star women must be relative of a Mason. Men members must be a Mason themselves.
Meetings are quiet. Resolute might be the better word. Each of the smallest item and motion is approved. The installation ceremony is solemn. Tenets, ceremonies and principles have remained unchanged. For a long time, Masonry was fraternal. The laws of ancient Order of Masonry did not allow women to be eligible for its degrees.
Now that they are eligible, women members treat their participation with respect. It may not be known how Eastern Star members conduct their ordinary meetings. These are secret. But their installation of officers recently in Linden was done with noble care.
One member expressed the tie that binds her to the order.
“I’ve been an Order of the Eastern Star member all my life, it’s for certain,” said Leah West.
“I was two months old when my mother became a member of the Eastern Star. And then I was 18 when I became a member myself.”
Take a long look at these photos of the installation ceremony. You’ll have to wait another year to look again.