General Order No. 1 - Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of

From the Desk of the Grand Commander
SK John A. Habel, Jr.
128 Homewood Ave
Belle Vernon, PA 15012-2245
Phone: 724-929-9153
E-Mail: johnhabel@comcast.net
May 17, 2015
TO: Elected and Appointed Grand Officers; Past Grand Officers; Division
Commanders; Officers and Members of the Constituent Commanderies of the
Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania:
GENERAL ORDER NUMBER ONE
GREETINGS:
Sir Knights:
Our Journey Begins With Prayer. That is my theme for this year, for no
undertaking should begin without prayer. Please notice that I said, “Our Journey”
not my journey. We are in this together because without you I am nothing. I pray
that you will help me have a successful year and that our Grand Commandery will
prosper.
I have three major goals this year. First that each Knight Templar become
an organ donor, second to endow the Holy Land Pilgrimage, and third to renew
interest in drill and tactics.
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 1
Feed the Hungry, Bind Up the Wounds of the Afflicted
In the last several General Order Number Ones we have seen these words.
Let me give you two easy ways to do this. Become a volunteer to deliver Meals on
Wheels. It is easy, Lady Ruth and I do it twice a month. Become an organ donor.
It is easy to sign up. Details will be on the internet.
Communication
Like it or not, we are in the twenty first century. We now communicate with
email and web pages. The most important web page is
www.pagrandcommandery.org. You can download information about receptions,
testimonials, various training programs, the Knight Templar Funeral Service, Drill
and Tactics and much more valuable information. It is all there. Even this General
Order. Please do not forget www.mymasonicjourney.com. It contains information
about membership and conferrals. When a commandery is conferring an Order,
the recorder should inform the webmaster at yorkriteweb@gmail.com. If you need
an Order conferred, check that web site for the time and place that Orders are being
conferred.
Membership
Each Sir Knight should go to the Grand Encampment website:
www.knightstemplar.org to see what recognition he can receive for recommending
new members. The Grand Commandery has three awards: “Membership
Traveling Trophy”, the “Charles Butz Wolfretz Membership Trophy”, and the
“Division Commander’s Award”. Details about these awards can be found on our
web page.
It is my hope that each Section, with the cooperation of Grand Chapter and
Grand Council will be able to hold a “One Day York Rite Class”.
Inspection Programs
This program will be under the direction of the Inspector General, Sir Knight
George W. Metz, REPGC. Rehearsal of duties during the opening of a
commandery are optional this year and will not be inspected.
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 2
NOTICES
If you are meeting monthly, you may send bi - monthly notices. If you meet
less frequently, then send a notice for each meeting. Notices may be emailed. It
should contain the membership information required in the previous years. All
elected grand line officers should receive a copy of your notices.
Awards
There are three different awards that can be used to reward a member of
your commandery. The first is the Illustrious Knight of the Triangle. Each
commandery is allotted one award for every 100 members. If your commandery
has 101 members then it has two awards. The form to apply for this award is on
the Grand Commandery website and is to be mailed to the chairman of the
committee as found in the roster. The Knight Commander of the Temple is
controlled by the College of Honors. A general order will be forthcoming
explaining nominations process for the Knight Templar Cross of Honor. Next year
we will be eligible to receive two awards. It would be a shame if only one
Commandery submitted a nomination.
Section/Division
The Section is under the direction of the Section Officer. It is not necessary
that he visit every commandery in his section, however he may choose to do so. If
a commandery is having problems, naturally the Section Officer would become
involved. He should keep the Grand Commander informed of the activities in his
section.
The Division Commanders should study the Division Commander’s
Handbook and follow the requirements listed in it.
The Division Commanders are responsible for conducting a Workshop in
their Division. Several Divisions may combine to have a joint Workshop or a
Sectional Workshop may be conducted.
Sectional/Division Receptions are held throughout the year. The purpose of these
receptions is for the members in the Section to meet the Grand Officers. We really
want to meet you. We really want your input. At any given reception at least one
Grand Officer has travelled a considerable distance. Perhaps some will have to
stay somewhere over night. Since they are doing this to meet you, I am requesting
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 3
that the members of the commanderies in the Section make an honest effort to
meet them.
I have appointed Sir Knight Seth Anthony, PDC, to a position I have just
created. The newly created position is Quartermaster General. If you have any
questions as to where to order regalia or what is Pennsylvania regulation regalia
contact Seth at 1901 Mountain View Rd, Middletown, PA 17057. Phone: 717421-4546, email sethant@gmail.com.
I have appointed a committee consisting of Sir Knights Richard F. Muth,
EGSW, Sean M. Tomasic, EGJW and Harry J. Smith, PDC to study the
reorganization of the Divisions and the Sections. I expect this to take several years
to accomplish and therefore hope that my successors would reappoint this
committee.
All preceding parts of this General Order, to this point, are to be read in full
at the next stated conclave of each Commandery, and the entire General Order
entered in full or attached to the records.
Only those portions of the Jurisdictional Assignments which pertain to your
respective Section, Division, and Commandery are required to be read.
Given under my hand and seal of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar
of Pennsylvania this day, May 17, in the year of our Lord 2015, A.O. 897.
John A. Habel, Jr.
Grand Commander
Attest: Douglas M. Rowe, Grand Recorder
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 4
JURISDICTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
Entire Jurisdiction
Sir Knight John A. Habel, Jr. (1)
Right Eminent Grand Commander
128 Homewood Ave
Belle Vernon, PA 15012-2245
(Ruth) (724) 929-9153
Email: johnhabel@comcast.net
Eminent Grand Treasurer
A. Richard Baker, PC (47)
Masonic Temple
1 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(Kay) (215) 567-5836
gndrecrb@verizon.net
Eminent Grand Recorde
Douglas M. Rowe, PDC (36)
Masonic Temple
1 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(Nina) (215) -567-5836
gndrec1@verizon.net
Marshal of Grand Commandery
Ronald F. Rearick, PDC
628 Sheasley Hill Rd
Shelocta, PA 15774
(Lisa) (724) 354-4395
duqc72@outlook.com
Eminent Grand Prelate
Rev. Harold L. Knppenberger, Jr, (3)
307 Locust Ave
Washington, PA 15301-3307
(Elsie) 724-223-8457
harold.knappeenberger@verizon.net
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
YRIS Liaison
A. Richard Baker, PC (47)
Masonic Temple
1 North Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(Kay) (215) 567-5836
gndrecrb@verizon.net
Quartermaster General
Seth C. Anthony, PDC (34)
1901 Mountain View Rd
Middletown, PA 17057-3470
717-421-4546
sethant@gmail.com
Page 5
Southeast Section
Division 1, 3, 5
George H. Taylor (55)
Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander
14 Beaver Dam Road
Coatesville, PA 19320-4919
(Jane) 610-384-1928 (H)
484-753-3620 ©
taylorghtaylor@verizon.net
Steven P. Ralston, DC (54)
515 Edamm Rd
Glenside, PA 19038-2520
(Miriam) 215-887-2965
skralston@kensington-kadosh.org
Division Commander No. 1
Commanderies 4, 36, 47, 54
Scott A. Wolfertz, DC (96)
PO Box 53
Wycomb, PA 18980
(Christa) 267-784-5960
1templar.warrior@gmail.com
Division Commander No. 3
Commanderies 71, 95, 96
Mark G. Mattern, PC (24)
129 Doreen Drive
Hummelstown, Pa. 17036
(Jodi) (717) 566-9028
mgmattern@gmail.com
Division Commander No. 5
Commanderies 13, 24, 34, 55
Rev. Robert A. Witmyer, PC (71)
Associate Grand Prelate
465 Memorial Highway
Fleetwood, PA 19522
(Michelle) 610-944-1286
rwitmyer@ptd.net
Robert W. Bunch, Jr., PC, (96)
Aide to the Grand Commander
614 Wade Ave
Horsham, PA 19044
215-628-0172
skrwbjr@yahoo.com
Joseph P. Tolin, PC (54)
Aide to the Grand Commander
7152 Kindred St
Philadelphia, PA 19149-1130
sktinmankt@hotmail.com
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 6
Northeast Section
Divisions 7, 9, 13
Benjamin A. Beynon, (14)
Eminent Grand Captain General
37 Beynon Drive
Waymart, Pa. 18472-4518
(Brenda) (570) 937-4145
BABeynon@hotmail.com
Bradley V. Wood, DC
29 Main St
Ashland, PA 17921
(Diane) 570-875-1629
bdswood@ptd.net
Division Commander No. 7
Commanderies 23, 39, 41, 73, 77
Edwin J. Filchner (81)
346 North Penn Dixie Road
Bath, Pa. 18014-8704
(Christine) (610) 759-3634
deiseldoc5@aol.com
Division Commander No. 9
Commanderies 9, 19, 20, 81
Joseph M. Asklar, (45)
330 Highlark Drive
Larksville, Pa. 18704-1656
(Wendy) (570) 288-7600
jmaskler@kings.edu
Division Commander No. 13
Commanderies 14, 16, 17, 27, 45, 8, 99
James E. Flemming, PC (20)
Eminent Grand Warder
6021 Mantz Rd
Germansville, PA 18053
(Linda) 610-760-1896
bluewhale561@hotmail.com
Richard M. Barner, P (46)
Associate Grand Prelate
325 Woodland Ave
Williamsport, PA 17701
(Sandra) 570-323-5936
hevrich2@comcast.net
Adam J. Bernodin, Sr., PDC (39)
Aide to the Grand Commander
25 S. Ninth Streeet
Ashland, PA
(Elizabeth) 570-875-4031
adam12@verizon.net
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 7
Central Section
Divisions 6, 11, 14
Ray K. Sheaffer (8)
Eminent Grand Generalissimo
3 Valley Ranch Road
Shermansdale, Pa. 17090
(Sonja) 717-957-3416
Rks1945@aol.com
P. Terry Reed, DC (10)
3958 5th Street
Altoona, PA 16602
(Inger) 814-215-5597
Treed46@atlanticbb.net
Division Commander No. 6
Commanderies 10, 61, 65
Stanley T. Johnston, Jr. (11)
6034 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, Pa. 17112
(717) 540-5825
stan.johnston@dentsply.com
Division Commander No. 11
Commanderies 8, 11, 21, 56, 79, 98
Kenneth T. Seay (37)
815 North High Street
Duncannon, Pa. 17020-1708
(Christine) (717) 834-6754
ken815@ptd.net
Division Commander No. 14
Commanderies 12, 22, 26, 33, 37, 46
85
Lewis E. Burgett, PC (8)
Associate Grand Prelate
31 Greenfield Dr
Carlisle, PA 17022
(Rita) 717-243-1892
lbrb65@aol.com
Ronald L. Barndt, PDC (33)
Aide to the Grand Commander
1056 Bullit Rd
Howard, PA 16841
(Joanne) 814-355-5775
jmlazar@gmail.com
Edward W. Stenger, PDC (11)
Aide to the Grand Commander
PO Box 68
McConnellsburg, PA 17233
(Sandra) 717-485-4801
estengerdc11@gmail.com
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 8
Southwest Section
Division 2, 4
Sean M. Tomasic (1)
Eminent Grand Junior Warden
505 Neola Dr
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412-512-8553
sean_tomasic@hotmail.com
David A. Eichelberger, DC (72)
377 S Winebiddle St
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
630-661-3452
davideosl@yahoo.com
Division Commander No. 2
Commanderies 1, 35, 72, 78
Larry D. Horath (80)
974 Wood Street
California, Pa. 15419
724-938-0247
hjorath@verizon.net
Division Commander No. 4
Commanderies 3, 7, 18, 80
Orville R. Jones, P (1)
Associate Grand Prelate
1341 Bellasco Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
(Joy) 412-563-2429
ojjones@verizon.net
John A. Habel, III., PC (1)
Eminent Grand Standard Bearer
105 Grove Ave
Belle Vernon, PA 15012
(Mary) 724-953-4660
johnhabel@gmail.com
Robert A. Farquhar, PC (80)
Eminent Grand Sword Bearer
405 Fayette City Rd
Perryopolis, PA 15473
(Peggy) 724-736-4956
recsec@hughes.net
Joseph V. Corcoran, PC (35)
Eminent Grand Sentinel
3111 North View St
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(Jean) 412-481-7844
videoss77@aol.com
Michael S. Kasyan, PC (1)
Aide to the Grand Commander
3156 Glendale Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
412-496-6487
mskaysan@gmail.com
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 9
Northwest Section
Divisions 8, 10, 12
Richard F. Muth (84)
Eminent Grand Junior Warden
184 Richard Drive
Aliquippa, Pennsylvania 15001-1513
(Michelle) 724-203-0521
Richard.muth@comcast.net
J. Lawrence Kemp, PC (84)
535 Grove Dr
Beaver, PA 15009
(Sandy) 724-775-1094
j.l.kemp@att.net
Division Commander No. 8
Commanderies 62, 67, 84, 87, 100
Harvey J. Long, DC (44)
PO Box 180
Pleasantville, PA
(Martha) 814-589-5363
hjlong@zoominternet.net
Division Commander No10
Commanderies No. 58, 63, 69
Dale E. Konen, DC (30)
1560 Robison Road East
Erie, Pa.16509-5628
(814) 825-9755
camaro396425@verizon.net
Division Commander No. 12
Commanderies 30, 44
Rev. Dr. Jerry D. Belloit, P (44)
Associate Grand Prelate
1397 Eberline Road
Clarion, PA 16214
(Clara) 814-227-2673
belloit@clarion.edu
John R. Dinkle, PC (84)
Aide to the Grand Commander
2108 Elmwood Dr
Aliquippa, PA 15001
(Kathy) 412-977-4621
jdcommander@comcast.net
GENERAL ORDER No. 1 May 17, 2015
Page 10