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.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Valley News.....

Brethren;
A quick reminder that the Lodge of Perfection meets this Wednesday, April 11. Dinner's at 6:30, with the meeting to follow at 7:30. I'm sure that Venerable Master Ed Woods will have some good items for thought, and he could certainly use your sideline support this Wednesday!

How was Guthrie, do you ask? In a word, it was 'marvelous'! I know that each Brother wants, and gets, something different from the experience. For me, I enjoy several things. For one, you can't beat it for Masonic Education. Besides the beautiful portrayal of the Degrees (and the lessons in each!), you have the opportunity to speak with Dr. and Br. Tresner, and Br. Davis - both 33 Grand Cross recipients, and obviously two of the most knowledgeable members of our Craft. (And, for persons of their stature, both are exceedingly friendly and approachable!) Secondly, the fellowship is simply wonderful. As South Sound Brothers, enjoying steak (or even catfish) with a couple of Shiner Bocks ain't a bad way to spend an evening. But more, getting to know Brothers from OK, NC, CA, and FL (in my case) was both fun and rewarding, whether in the cigar room or elsewhere! I could go on and on, but suffice it to say, you need to plan for next year!

Lastly, if you haven't purchased a copy of the new Morals and Dogma, I can attest that it's well written, and worth your time. While I know that Brothers may put a different value on Masonic Education; for all of us it is an obligation as Scottish Rite Masons. I was recently struck by passages from the 20th Degree.
Zoroaster admonished his people to "be good, be kind, be humane and charitable, love your fellows, console the afflicted, pardon those who have done you wrong." Confucius admonished "Love thy neighbor as thyself. Do not to others what thou wouldst not wish should be done to thyself. Forgive your enemy, be reconciled to him, give him assistance, invoke God on his behalf."
Br. Albert Pike admonishes and challenges us as Lodge members to not allow our morality be inferior to that of either Philosopher. (And you thought the beatitudes were a Christian ideal?)

See you Wednesday!
Fraternally,
Kris

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