Who are Scottish Rite Masons...

The Scottish Rite is an appendant body of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may proceed after he has completed the degrees conferred in Blue Lodge. The Scottish Rite confers 29 degrees. The 33 degree is an honorary degree that is conferred by the Supreme Council for outstanding work in the community or Rite.

When we meet...

Our Valley meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month with the exception of June, July and August, at the Masonic Center at 521 North Street in Tumwater Washington, and have a program either at dinner or just prior to our meeting. Ladies are invited to all dinners. We invite all sojourners to visit and enjoy good Brotherhood. we have a dinner at 6:30 with the meeting to follow at 7:30 PM.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

What’s happening in the Valley of Olympia

26 Tishri 5770 (14 October) – Chapter of Rose Croix; Feast of Tishri 6:30, with Speaker to follow
28 October – Consistory; Dinner at 6:30, followed by the 4th Degree conferral


Congratulations!
Please join our Personal Representative Jon Lenander, 32º KCCH in congratulating the following Brothers: Rick Bonnell, Casper LeBlanc, Brian Morgan

Each has been named to receive the rank and honor of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour. The Western Washington investiture is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, at 1pm, and held at the Tacoma Scottish Rite Center. It is a public ceremony, so please come and join in this celebration and deserved recognition.

More Congratulations!
In addition, Brothers Jon Lenander and Bruce York have been chosen by our Supreme Council to be coroneted with the 33rd degree, Inspector General Honorary. Both are well-deserving in this honor for their service and contribution to Masonry, and will be coroneted in a private ceremony.

Further Congratulations!
Kudos to Brothers Tony Ward and Larry Byrd, both of whom have attained the title of Master Craftsman!! This means each has completed the program of significant reading and six quizzes about Scottish Rite history, ritual, and our degrees. The program recognizes that the future of Scottish Rite depends upon our future leadership having additional depth and knowledge to go along with interest and enthusiasm. Way to go Brothers!

The Valley needs your help!
Venerable Master Casper LeBlanc notes that Saturday, November 21 is just around the corner.
So what, you ask. Well, the Valley has several candidates who will be expecting to receive their 18th, 30th, and 32nd degrees on November 21. That means that we need cast members to participate in the practice and conferral. (Complicating things a bit this year is that the date is shared by the TMSC/Afifi trip to Portland, and is close to Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, our schedulers had few options on this, and “it is what it is”.)

VM Casper (in a style only he can do!) admonishes us to “step up” to the challenge, will personally provide a pep talk to anyone with a wavering cable tow. I (18º), and the other two Degree Masters, Bruce York (30º) and Rod Mason (32º) believe that our casts are complete, however butterflies still abound.

Three ways you can help:
First, if you are available to assist with the degree work, please volunteer. There always seems to be a part or two to fill; and if not you, who?

Second, if you have agreed already to take a part and find that you cannot be there, you need to let your Degree Master know asap. Better yet would be to help out the Degree Master and find a replacement first.

Third, show up as a side-liner. The cast and candidates truly appreciate the fellowship and support!

Some sage thoughts from MW Wayne I. Smith, PR of the Valley of Everett
(I don’t mind ‘stealing’ a great article from another source – in this case the September Everett newsletter. Actually, I got permission . . .)

While preparing for our upcoming 4th Degree, Secret Master, we come across the word “Duty” many times. We should stop for a moment and reflect on what these duties are. The degree talks of Masonic duty generally and the specific duties of being a Secret Master.

Have you recently thought about our Masonic Duties? I am not going to spell them out as most of them are contained in the esoteric work and I would suggest that each of us pull out our cipher or copy of the Standard Work and review them so here I will merely list the “keywords”. We all remember the three great tenets of a Mason’s profession: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth which were taught in the Entered Apprentice degree and the four Cardinal Virtues: Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence, and Justice. In the Fellowcraft degree these were expanded on and we promised to obey the rules and regulations of our Lodge, answer and obey ....., aid and assist, and to not cheat, wrong or defraud. In the third degree our duties go further such as keep the secrets of, not be present at, to not visit or converse Masonically ...., our duties to a Master Masons family, and to not strike a Brother in anger.
There are many more insights to our duties and I recommend reading again the Apron lecture, the various charges for each degree and to refresh your recollection of the working tools.

In the 4th Degree we learn of Duty, of our mission as Masons to serve our fellows, our country and mankind, and of the nine great Masonic virtues built upon three great pillars:
Truthfulness, Endurance, Independence, Justice, Mercy, Equity, Silence, Devotion, and Attainment. We are given the key to self-knowledge, and our feet are set firmly upon the path which leads there, and the way to achieve that goal is pointed out. We must learn to work for the work’s sake, without desire of approbation or reward. Work and action have their own rewards. It is the duty of a man who seeks and accumulates greater knowledge to know and practice those ethical and moral principles which demonstrate Man’s highest, and most noble nature.

To be a true and faithful Brother Master Mason and a Scottish Rite Mason is one of man’s greatest attainments. It behooves all of us to daily practice the virtues and lessons of Masonry and to insure that we are truly using the 24 inch gauge to divide our time whereby we devote eight hours to the service of God and distressed worthy brethren

In conclusion I remind you of the closing charge which is recommended for use in every Blue Lodge in Washington. “Brethren, we are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mingle again with the outer world. Amid its concerns and employments, forget not the duties which you have heard so frequently inculcated, and so forcefully recommended in this Lodge. Be diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. Remember that at this altar you have promised to befriend and relieve every Brother who shall need your assistance. You have been enjoined to remind a Brother in a most friendly manner of his fault, to endeavor to aid his reformation, and to defend his character. These generous principles extend further, for every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. Do good unto all. Finally, my Brethren, be ye all of one mind; live in peace; and may the God of Love and Peace delight to dwell with you and bless you.”
How can we make ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation better than by walking uprightly before God and man in our several stations as men and Masons?

Fraternally,
Kris

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