Sir Knights,

Thank you for electing me to serve as your Grand Commander this Templar year. It is an honor and a privilege to serve you, and it is one I do not take lightly.

My theme for this Templar year is “Luceat Lux Vestra” or “Let Your Light Shine” (Matthew 5:16). For many years and in various ways, you have worked to fulfill our obligation to Feed the Hungry, Clothe the Naked, and Bind Up the Wounds of the Afflicted, and I ask that you please continue to do so. I also ask that you take one step further and “Let Your Light Shine” by sharing news of good works and enjoyable events. When your commandery hosts an event, takes up a collection, or performs a service, please take a photo and send it to me along with a brief description of what you did. Your stories of service and fellowship may be featured in upcoming issues of our monthly newsletter, the Pennsylvania Crusader. I also encourage you to share them on our Knights Templar of Pennsylvania Discussion page on Facebook for your fraters to see. Your idea may spark another Sir Knight or commandery to perform similar service or host a similar gathering.

My designated personal charity is Give Kids The World Village, a nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. It’s a magical week where wish kids can experience the simple joys of childhood, and where families can recapture some of the precious moments that may have been missed due to illness. My own family visited in 2017 while on our daughter Miriam’s Make-A-Wish trip, and we still fondly recall the many happy memories we made during our week there. A stay at the Village helps bind the mental and emotional wounds experienced by children with life-threatening illnesses and their caregiving families. I hope you will join me in fulfilling our obligation by supporting this very worthy cause.

One of my goals during this Templar year is to collectively improve our proficiency in drill, tactics, and swordwork. To accomplish this, we will be updating the Manual of the Sword and publishing a corresponding video to aid Sir Knights in learning the proper mechanics. During the year, each section will host a one-day Sectional Workshop, at which Sir Knights will receive hands-on, in-person instruction. These will take the place of the previous Line Officers’ Seminar. To recognize Sir Knights who demonstrate their proficiency, they will be awarded a new Sword Proficiency Bar approved for uniform wear.

Another goal is for our Grand Commandery to reach 100% Life Sponsorship of the Knight Templar Eye Foundation. The foundation supports research focused on the prevention and cure of potentially blinding diseases in infants and children. Thanks to their efforts and your support, an untold number of children have the gift of sight today. To date, at least 20 Grand Commanderies in the U.S. have reached the goal of 100% Life Sponsorships, but Pennsylvania is not one of them. Approximately 1200 Sir Knights in Pennsylvania are not yet Life Sponsors. As one of the largest and strongest Grand Commanderies of the Grand Encampment, we should be leading the way. I ask that all Sir Knights consider making a one-time contribution of $30.00 to the foundation to be counted as a Life Sponsor.
Information about donating online or via mail is on the Foundation’s website.

Lady Kathy and I are excited to visit with you in our travels this year and share in the special fellowship that we enjoy as Knights Templar. To see when we’ll be visiting near you, click here to view our travel schedule. Dates are subject to change and new events will be added throughout the year.

Until we’re together again, may our God of goodness and mercy continue to bless each and every one of you.

Courteously,
SK Joshua J. Nay, REGC