Dear Nobles & Ladies;
 
I am deeply honored to serve as Potentate of Abba Shrine for 2009. As I look back over the last five years serving on the Divan, time has truly gone by in a flash. There has been good times and of course some changes, but we all know change is the one thing that remains constant. My goal has always been to work for Abba Shrine, so that we could continue to support the hospitals and the children and families we help.

I would like to encourage all Nobles & their Ladies to come out and support the great cause that we all work for, and the true reason we become Shriners. Always remember together we can accomplish and achieve anything, a positive attitude is a powerful force.

Lady Dee and I have chosen the theme “Shriners Helping Children In Mind, Body & Spirit.” The theme speaks for itself as the hospitals perform and work miracles with these children to help them mentally, physically and spiritually to become active in today’s world.

Abba is a great temple and on the road hopefully to turning its membership around and keeping it in positive numbers. Nobles, no Potentate and certainly no Divan can do this without your help. We all need to go back to the Blue Lodges and talk to all Brothers about becoming Shriners and inform them of the Great Philanthropy, Shriners work for.

We all know that Shriners like to have fun and fellowship; this is certainly encouraged, but always remember we do it with a purpose. Abba will continue to have many activities that promote fun and fellowship, but we will need to also continue the work needed to provide the care for the children and their families that need us.

In closing I am proud to be a Shiner and proud to work for Our Temple and the purpose we all joined Abba Shrine for.
 
Yours In the Faith,
John L Carlisle
Potentate 2009