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Local Eastern Star chapters select their own charities and places of service in their respective communities. To this end, the Grand Chapter of Maine proudly supports the statewide community through its Eastern Star Training Awards for Religious Leadership, Shriner's Hospitals, Knights Templar Eye Foundation, Cancer Research and Education, and The Heart Foundation. The stated purposes of the organization are: Charitable, Educational, Fraternal, and Scientific. Eastern Star strives to take good people and through uplifting and elevating associations of love and service, and through precept and example, build an Order which is truly dedicated to charity, truth and loving kindness. They are presented in a beautiful ritualistic ceremony designed to not only teach the lessons, but also to portray the noble principles which should adorn the personal lives of Eastern Star members. The degrees of the Order of the Eastern Star teach lessons of fidelity, constancy, loyalty, faith and love. The personal welfare of our members is vital to all of those in the Eastern Star, and it is considered a privilege to help another member whenever we can. While this is an Order composed of people of deep spiritual convictions, it is open to all faiths, except no faith. Maine Grand Chapter has about 6,000+ members.Īlthough not a part of the Masonic fraternity, membership is based on a Masonic affiliation or relationship, a belief in God, and a desire to acquire additional knowledge and self improvement. Worldwide, there are currently more than 1.2 million members under the General Grand Chapter. The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both men and women may belong.