Dinner planned to kick off relaunch

Sterling Masonic Lodge looking to restart Order of Eastern Star chapter

Members of the Sterling Masonic family are hoping to re-open the Sterling chapter of Order of the Eastern Star.

A kickoff dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 18 at the Sterling Masonic Lodge, at the corner of Springdale Road and West Main St.

David Castoe, a Sterling Freemason heading the effort to reopen the chapter, said the original chapter was chartered in 1905 and closed in 2015.

“The OES mission is to make a positive difference in the world with charitable works, lasting friendships, and loving kindness to all mankind,” Castoe said.

Eastern Star is an “appendant body” to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, open to both men and women. It was established in 1850 by lawyer and educator Rob Morris, a noted Freemason, and adopted and approved as an appendant body of the Masonic Fraternity in 1873. The order is based on some teachings from the Bible, and is open to people of all religious beliefs. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in 18 countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter.

Members of the Order of the Eastern Star are aged 18 and older; men must be Master Masons and women must have specific relationships with Masons. Originally, a woman would have to be the daughter, widow, wife, sister, or mother of a Master Mason. The Order now allows other relatives as well as allowing Job’s Daughters and Rainbow Girls to become members when of age.

Symbolism of Eastern Star represents five virtues as illustrated through biblical stories: fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love. As with Freemasonry, much of the ritual of Eastern Star is known only to members of the order.

Anyone needing more information can call Castoe, 970-571-2762.