PA's Senior DeMolays - William Shillady

I keep being impressed with how many hits my stories on PA's Senior DeMolays are getting. Since everyone seems to be interested in these articles, I'm going to post another one! Today, we take a look at one of PA's Past State Master Councilor's, Bro. William Shillady, who served in 1975-76. While you may not know his name, some very important people do - like former President Bill Clinton and his family!

I found a great biography of Bro. Shillady at the United Methodist City Society's web page:

"Rev. Dr. William S. Shillady has served as Executive Director of the United Methodist City Society since September 2008. Before taking this position, he served as a pastor for 29 years.

A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Rev. Shillady received his undergraduate degree from Lebanon Valley College. In 1981 he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School. During his time at Duke he served a four point United Methodist charge in Eastern North Carolina and a Presbyterian Church in downtown Raleigh.

After seminary, Rev. Shillady served one year in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference at the Hawes Avenue United Methodist Church. In 1982 he transferred to the New York Conference and served for six years as the associate pastor to Rev. Dr. Clayton Miller at Asbury Crestwood United Methodist Church in Yonkers.

In 1988 he was appointed to the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church on the Sound shore in Westchester, where he was senior pastor for 11 years. During his tenure, the church raised the funds for and accomplished a major restoration project, prompted by the 2,000 pound church bell falling through the steeple one memorable Sunday morning. Also during this period, Shillady earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew Theological School.

In 1999, he was appointed to the Park Avenue United Methodist Church on the upper east side of Manhattan, where he served as senior pastor for 9 years.

On September 1, 2008 Shillady became the fifth Executive Director of the merged mission associations that created the United Methodist City Society.

Over the years, Rev. Shillady has served on a variety of boards and committees of the New York Annual Conference, as well as community based programs and boards. He now is the chairperson of the Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the Conference, a mentor to candidates for ministry, and serves as chair of the District Committee on Ministry. And currently, he is a member of the Board of Visitors of Duke Divinity School and on the Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity, NYC."

Pretty impressive huh? Well, check this out, from an article by Linda Bloom, located at http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=8551293

"A United Methodist pastor and Jewish rabbi officiated at the July 31 wedding ceremony of Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky in Rhinebeck, N.Y.

The Rev. Bill Shillady, executive director of the New York City Society and a clergy member of the New York Annual (regional) Conference, performed the ceremony with Rabbi James Ponet, the Jewish chaplain of Yale University.

“It was a wonderful honor to be part of this special day in Chelsea and Marc’s life,” Shillady told United Methodist News Service."

Brother Shillady continues to live the life of a DeMolay and we are proud to have such an esteemed member of society among our PSMC's!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

A Moment of Prayer

This piece originally appeared in the "Key Crew," the official newsletter of the Key Man Conference. It was written by Bro. Jordan Ippolito, who was participating in the JO track at KMC 2012. The article caught the eye of "Dad" Labagh, EO of PA DeMolay, and he sent it my way, recommending it as a blog post. Enjoy!

Why do we say a prayer before each meal? We do not just do it because we have to, but because we want to give thanks for the food we are about to receive, as well as what we have and those who are surrounding us. Realizing that blessings happen every day, it is of the utmost importance that we, as DeMolays, be thankful for these things provided to us. DeMolay does not tell us to worship any specific faith, but simply encourages us to be reverent people and realize the blessings from God. So, from now on, every time we say a prayer, remember to be thankful all that you have and that we are also observing our Second Precept, Reverence for Sacred Things.

A Parade of Understanding

Today was one of those days where I didn't have much of an idea of what I should blog about. Convention is coming up next week, so I'm knee deep in preparations for that event. This leaves me little time to just contemplate something to write about. However, my daily routine came to the rescue and provided me a nugget of a post.

Each morning I make it a point to check out what is going on in the world by reading Google News. Some folks pick up the paper, while others get their news through television; I just happen to get mine via the internet. One of the plus sides of getting information this way is that I can check out stories that might not make it into the papers or onto the television. Today, I read and watched a piece created by PBS on the issues that are still occurring in Northern Ireland.

"Issues? What issues?" is probably the response from almost any active DeMolay. The only Ireland they can remember is the peaceful one that beckons tourists to come to see the Emerald Isle. However, some of the older readers will certainly know what I mean. Ireland went through 30 years of internal conflict and strife, mainly due to differences between Catholic and Protestant residents. Known as "The Troubles," the conflict was a major problem in world politics. Bombings, beatings, burnings, and other heinous crimes were committed by both sides, all in the name of fighting for faith and culture.

The short clip I watched discussed "the marching season." Each year, around July 12, members of the Protestant community in Northern Ireland gather to parade through the streets to commemorate their victory over the Catholics several hundred years ago. Many times, these parades run right through Catholic neighborhoods, which obviously brings conflict to the area. There is a whole history to this tradition, which I find mighty interesting (and which involves some heavy Masonic influence as well.) However, the part that got me thinking was the discussion the reporter had with some Irish youths.

The young men she interviewed talked about the differences they face as Catholics and Protestants. In Northern Ireland, many schools are still segregated by faith. Most young people don't have a friend of another faith tradition at all. In fact, at one point, some Catholic young men discuss their interest in meeting a Protestant to "see if they get on like us." The two worlds are really quite alien to each other.

As usual, I'm guessing most of you are wondering what this has to do with DeMolay. Seeing these young men, living in working class neighborhoods, made me think of the members of our Order. While the teens of Northern Ireland are still divided due to an age old rivalry, the young men of American can't even fathom such a situation. In our country, parades are a celebration of the community - a summer tradition marking patriotism and pride. In Ireland, young men are bussed away from parades so they don't get caught up in the inevitable violence.

DeMolay creates an atmosphere where an open dialogue about faith traditions and religion can occur. I have friends of nearly ever faith tradition thanks to our organization - Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, and more. As long as you believe in a Supreme Being, you are welcome in DeMolay. It is up to you how you interpret your faith. That is the power of our organization; it brings people together and puts them on the same level, letting them have frank discussions without any threat of judgement or violence.

My brothers, be thankful for what we have in DeMolay. It is small reminders, like this story, that show me how valuable our program is.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony