This was Lemoore’s first attempt at Messenger Team competition. Lemoore’s 5 member team from left to right: Miss JolieAnn Shimmon (10), Miss Keita Gain, PHQ (15), Miss Andrea Mattos PHQ (14), Miss Jordan Bush PHQ (16) and Miss Shannyn Martyn (12).
A lot of memory work, practice and dedication are required for this type of competition. The Messengers of Job competition this year had 43 entries from all over the state, competing in 2 divisions. It is one of the most highly prized honors that a member of Job’s Daughters can achieve as a team during Grand Bethel.
For more than 10 years, Visalia’s Convention Center has served as a yearly gathering place for California’s Job’s Daughters. It is commonly known as Grand Bethel of California. Mrs. Carol Ann Hayden is this year’s Grand Guardian, and Mr. Doug Anderson is the Associate Grand Guardian for the State of California. “Any Grain of Sand Can Become a Pearl” was this year’s theme.
Job’s Daughters is based on the Book of Job. This particular part of the Old Testament was chosen for Job’s Daughters because of the trials and tribulations of Job. According to the Book, Job was a pious and upright man who worshiped God and was blessed with many children, land, flocks and possessions. His family worshiped God every day. Job had his faith in God tested by having everything taken away, he was left alone and had no possessions.
No matter what happened to Job, he continued to worship God, he never gave up. Job believed that as long as his faith in God was steadfast, he would go to Heaven. Because Job continued to keep faithful to God, he was given renewed wealth after his faith was tested. There is a Biblical passage that ties it together: “And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job, and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.” (Job 42:15) Job’s Daughters are in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Philippines as well as the United States. It is non-denominational, yet belief in God and respect for your country and its flag are requirements.
The 2015 Grand Bethel was the 69th Annual Installation of Officers held June 25 through June 28. It brought hundreds of young women, ages 10 through 20, (9-year-old girls are allowed to participate as JD2B [Job’s Daughter to be]), along with their chaperones and parents.
Grand Bethel includes competitions for members in both individual and team categories. Competitions include essays, librarian’s original writings, music (both vocals and instrumental), arts and crafts, drill team, volleyball, and ritual memory work, just to name a few.
Every Grand Council chooses a philanthropic project. This year’s is “Canine Companions for Independence.” Each Bethel in California promotes, donates time and money for the philanthropic project chosen by the Grand Council.
Job’s Daughters International is a part of the Masonic Family, which includes, but is not limited to, the Shriners, Rainbow Girls and DeMolay. These associations and their individual foundations offer college and post graduate scholarships to members locally, statewide, nationally and internationally. Education and appreciation for the arts, as well as service to the community, are just some of the platforms for all Masonic organizations. Who hasn’t heard of Shriners’ Hospital for Children?
Lemoore and Porterville Job’s Daughters Chapters are the closest to the Visalia-Hanford area.
Miss Daley Roche from Porterville served as Grand Bethel Honored Queen for the 2014-2015 term. This Grand Bethel ends her term and she served as the installing Honored Queen for the 69th Installation of Officers. Daley has represented our local community and California’s Job’s Daughters.
Grand Officers like Daley must visit as many Bethels as possible during her term in office, as well as represent Job’s Daughters for events for other Masonic associations throughout the state.
Grand Bethel of California fills up hotels in Visalia, as well bringing some serious shoppers with money to spend. The event translates to hundreds of thousands of dollars to the local community every year.
Mrs. Ethel T. Wead Mick founded the International Order of Job’s Daughters in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1920. The purpose of the Order is to band together young women with Masonic relationship for character building through moral and spiritual development by teaching a greater reverence for God and the Holy Scriptures; loyalty to the flag and the country for which it stands, and respect for parents and guardians, as well as to promote friendship among young women. It gives members the foundation on which to build the qualities needed to become contributing partners of society through personal growth.
Membership enables girls to learn leadership skills, organizational methods, and the importance of fulfilling individual responsibilities within a group. By planning their own activities, the members have fun doing what they want to do and at the same time create lasting friendships.
Job’s Daughters combines the energy and adventure of teen-age years with the lasting values of concern for others. Its activities provide opportunities for young women to develop confidence, good character, life-long friendships, moral and spiritual values, and leadership abilities — and to have a lot of fun along the way. All adults directly involved with the members are required to attend a Certified Adult Volunteer program, then are given a criminal background check through their International Chapter known as Supreme Council.
Job’s Daughters is always seeking to improve their membership. If you have an interest in becoming a member, visit website www.caiojd.org or contact Grand Secretary Charlotte Keel, 303 W. Lincoln Ave. Suite 210, Anaheim, CA 92805 or by calling (714) 535-4575.