Founders Day Tribute

The founder of our beautiful organization that we are a part of is William Mark Sexson. His birthday is July 8, 1877.   He was born in Missouri, but moved many times.  At the age of 14 he began his ministry and soon after became an ordained minister when he was just 17 years old. 

He became a Master Mason in 1902.  Soon after he moved to Oklahoma where he continued to be an active member in his lodge.  In 1923 he was elected to serve as the Grand Master.  He also became very involved with the Scottish Rite and Eastern Star.    

During this time he decided an order for girls was needed.  He expressed the idea to the Worthy Matron.  She loved it and said that  “We would start it if we had someone write the ceremony of initiation.” Rev. Sexson accepted the challenge and wrote the ritual and gave it the name “Order of the Rainbow for Girls”.

He asked the officers of South McAlester Chapter No. 149, O.E.S., to exemplify the ceremony and furnished them with typewritten copies of the Ritual.  On April 6^th, 1922, the degrees were given for the first time to 171 girls in the auditorium of the Scottish Rite Temple in McAlester, Oklahoma.

Rev. Sexson formed the Supreme Body in June of 1922. He wrote the governing laws and was made the Supreme Recorder.  Later, he received the title of the Supreme Worthy Advisor Emeritus.

On December 20, 1953, Rev. Sexson died in a hospital in McAlester, OK. The funeral service was held at the church where he served as minister for many years and where the Ritual of our Order was written.  

There are two special days that we honor in our organization. The first is Founder’s Day, which is recognized on his birth date of July 8th.  The other is the Sunday closest to April 6^th,  which is  to recognize and celebrate our anniversary.  Fun fact….did you all know that on the day the assembly goes to church, no member of the assembly is excused unless sick or out of the area?!

This great man created the organization we are affiliated with today. He is the reason we are all sitting in this room together. He made our friendships possible and why we have memories to hold with us for a life time.

Katie

Manassas #13

We finally did it!!! Manassas Assembly finally took Assembly of the Year!! We worked so hard this past year to earn this. I’m so glad I was able to help my assembly through this and earn as many points we possibly could! I had one goal for my term as Worthy Advisor and I accomplished it!! I could not have done it without my assembly and our adults for driving us all over the world!! 

Thank you to everyone!

In RL&S,

Katie 

Grand Assembly  – By Ella

At Grand Assembly, a lot of the girls were there.  I liked a lot about Grand Assembly.  I can not name them all but here are some:

• I liked the dance because it made people laugh. The older girls danced with me and made me feel special.
• I liked the banquet because people were excited. I was so happy to hear that Manassas Assembly got Assembly of the Year.  They worked so hard for it!  We also won the travel award and many ritual competitions.  In fact, I even won 1^st place in the Pledge Competition.

I am looking forward to having fun with Kensley this year.  I am also looking forward to being a Rainbow Girl.  I just turned 8 so only 3 more years left!

OFFICERS for Term 2019-A

Worthy Advisor – Marah

Worthy Associate Advisor – Marisa

Sister of Charity – Hailey, PWA

Sister of Hope – Triska, PWA

Sister of Faith – Hannah, PWA

Recorder – Mom Rose Paulin

Chaplain – Jeanne, JPWA

Drill Leader – Cordelia, PWA

Sister of Love – Julia

Sister of Religion –

Sister of Nature – Lynnsey

Sister of Immortality – Ellen, PWA

Sister of Fidelity –

Sister of Patriotism –

Sister of Service – Natalie

Confidential Observer –

Outer Observer –

Mother Advisor – Mom Edna Apaga, PWM

THEME:    Spring Flowers and Self Love
SCRIPTURE: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Jesus Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10
MOTTO:   “I’m the one I should love in this world; shining me, precious soul of mine; not so perfect but so beautiful; I’m the one I should love.” — Epiphany (BTS)
FLOWER:   Yellow Rose
MASCOT:  Bumblebee
COLORS:   Pastel Pink and Sunshine Yellow
SERVICE PROJECT:
CHARITY: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Springfield Assembly #14, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, meets twice monthly in Springfield. If you would like more information about how to join, please email us at springfield@virginiarainbow.org.