The Order of the Eastern Star is a
fraternal organization in which both men and women can
belong. The men are required to be a Master Mason before
they may belong to Eastern Star. The women must be
related to a Master Mason to be eligible for membership.
Those
desiring to belong must ask to join. Eastern Star checks
the prospective member's character and reputation,
seeking to elect by unanimous vote only those persons
with high mental, moral and spiritual qualities and who
will work well together with the members towards
attaining its purposes.
Eastern Star was founded using Biblical examples of
heroic conduct and moral values. These examples depict
the principles that are expected from their members. They
are dedicated to Charity, Truth and Loving Kindness.
Eastern Star is a "Way of Life". It is not a
religion or a church, but its members have deep religious
convictions and spiritual values. A deep fraternal bond
exists between its members in a wholesome relationship of
love in our daily lives endearing us to each other.
Eastern Star membership is open to all religious
faiths. Only those with no faith are ineligible for
membership.
Eastern Star contributes financially to support Cancer
Research, Arthritis Fund, Heart Fund, Knights Templar Eye
Foundation, Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children,
orphanages, and other charities.
A special project is ESTARL (Eastern Star Training
Awards for Religious Leadership). Scholarships are given
in amounts of $500.00 to $1,000.00. The awards are
available to deserving college students at the Sophomore
level or above. The students must be preparing for
Christian service as ministers, missionaries, music
ministries, or other specialized fields of Christian
endeavors. Applicants sponsored by a Montana Chapter of
the Order of the Eastern Star must be residents of
Montana. It is not necessary for applicants to be of
Masonic background. This project is self-supporting and
does not receive money from any other funds. It depends
upon Chapter contributions, memorials and special gifts.
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| Who May Join: |
Affiliated Master Masons in good
standing and any Female relatives who are
related by birth, marriage, or adoption to Affiliated Master Masons in good standing, or if
deceased were in good standing at the time of their death; as well as members
– either active for three (3) years or majority – in the International
Order of the Rainbow of Girls®
or in Job’s Daughters International®, each
of whom having attained at least the age of eighteen (18) years, are
eligible to membership in the Order of the Eastern Star. |
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