To: Nobles and Daughters

From: Henry A.M. Coffiel

Imperial Deputy of the Desert of Mississippi

Aleikum Es Salaam Desert of Mississippi,

I bring you fraternal greetings as the sixth Imperial Deputy of the Desert of Mississippi. Since taking over the reins of the Desert in August 2020, I have had the honor of interacting with some of the most gifted and talented Nobles and Daughters in the Imperial Domain. I want to personally thank each and every Noble and Daughter that I have encountered for their kindness and hospitality. It is with your continued love and support that we will continue to move the Desert of Mississippi forward.

Since taking office, the Desert of Mississippi has bought in to the vision and leadership of the 44th Imperial Potentate, John T. Chapman and that of the Imperial Council by lifting the Imperial programs to a new height in the Desert. We are looking to be fully engaged with Imperial programs, such as Shriners as Mentors, Community Health Initiative, Voter Registration, and Membership/Group Supervision to name a few. Implementing these programs will allow us to fulfill my dream of One Desert, One Team! I, along with the Desert Divan seek to assist you and your

Temples/Courts anyway we can, to ensure successful program outcomes.

According to the 44th Imperial Potentate, “Probably the greatest internal challenge we face is membership (Chapman, 2020, pg. 6).” It is with that backdrop, that I am calling on each Noble and Daughter to look among your closest peers and should you find one so worthy of our Nobility, invite them to take part in this great Organization. I am aware that our current world is filled with uncertainty as we continue to struggle with the global COVID-19 pandemic. It is up to the Nobles and Daughters to be creative and resourceful when finding ways to attract new members to our Order. Also, let us not forget about our fellow Nobles and Daughters who were once counted among our ranks, that may have fell by the wayside. Let us find ways to pull these Nobles and Daughters back into our fold. This year, the Desert of Mississippi will actively be engaged in recruiting, reclaiming, and retaining Nobles and Daughters.

In closing, I would like to echo the charge as given to us by one of our forefathers, John H. Murphy, Sr., “…Let us stand for all that is best in manhood and in Masonry (Walkes, Jr., 1993, pg. 78). I pray that each and every one of you will have much continued success in your current and future endeavors.