June 08 - May 09:
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This page will hopefully give you an idea of who we are and what we do at our chapter meetings. If you wish to learn more about us or have a question, please click on the link at the bottom of this page and drop us a line.
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The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal (social) organization in the world to which both men and women may belong. The Order is dedicated to Charity, Truth, and Loving Kindness, and is comprised of people with deep religious convictions and spiritual values. It is open to people of all faiths but is not open to people of no faith.
Although the Order is not a part of the Masonic fraternity, membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or relationship, a belief in God and a desire to acquire additional knowledge and for self improvement. The degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star teach lessons of fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love. These degrees are presented in a beautiful ritualistic ceremony designed to not only teach the lessons, but also to provide insight for future study and understanding. To find out more about our background, visit our OES History page.
Signet Chapter No. 129, was constituted on June 3rd, 1912 and is part of Region 15B (formerly District 27) of the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. Signet Chapter is currently in its 95th year of existence. We look forward to celebrating our centennial in 2012.
Signet is comprised of Sisters and Brothers who work hard to keep the name of Eastern Star alive and well. We try to make sure that we are up to date on our ritual work as well as any other changes that the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania institutes. We have also incorporated this web site into our plans so that we continue to stay in touch with changes in technology and always looking to the future to make our Chapter and our web site better than ever.
If you are interested in contacting Signet Chapter please drop us a line. If you are a traveling Sister or Brother and are interested in visiting our Chapter, we invite you to drop us a line to let us know when you will be in our area. This way we will be prepared to properly greet you and to plan something fun for the occasion.
Signet Chapter meets on the First Tuesday of the month in the Fellowship Hall at The Philadelphia Protestant Home which is located at 6500 Tabor Road in Philadelphia, PA. The exception to this schedule happens in the month of November during Election time. Because the Philadelphia Protestant Home uses the Fellowship Hall for Elections, we usually need to change our meeting to the first Monday of the month instead of the first Tuesday.
The facilities we use at the Philadelphia Protestant Home are both comfortable and spacious, and accommodate many members. We meet in a room called the Fellowship Hall located on the first floor of the main building of the home. This means that our members and visitors do not have to worry about steps or elevators. It is also handicap accessible. We are fortunate in that respect.
Signet meets ten months of the year for Stated meetings, the exception is July and August, when we go dark to take a break for the summer and re-charge. However, we do not stop all activities! We try to plan activities that will get us together over the summer to keep the membership connection alive. Our regular Stated Meeting resumes on the first Tuesday in September.
Our 'Ways and Means' meetings are mostly for the purpose of long range planning and are normally held on the Second Tuesday of the month. During these 'Ways and Means' meetings, we have the opportunity to plan activities for the year and to share some of our ideas for fundraisers and fun nights. The meetings are normally held at the home of one of the members or at the Protestant Home in one of their game rooms. At the conclusion of the meeting, light refreshments are served and we get a chance to socialize with each other. These meetings are a great way for new members to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know everyone better and for old members to re-connect with each other in a more relaxed setting than at a Stated Meeting.