THE WORKMAN Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California Jon D. Humphreys, GHP ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 2015
Vol. VI $o. 10
GHP MESSAGE: OFFICERS’ SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION MEET YOUR GRAND OFFICERS GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS LEADING CHANGE RECEPTIONS, FESTIVALS & DEGREES COMPTCHE OUTDOOR DEGREES
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THE CLOTHES LINE 5 THE ENCOMPASSER 5 GRAND HIGH PRIEST’S CALENDAR 6 CONTACT INFORMATION 6 MODESTO RECEPTION 7 NOR CAL RECEPTION 8 COMPTCHE FLYER 9 GRA$D SESSIO$S REG DOC 10-11 _________________________________________________________________________________________
Grand High Priest’s Message RITUAL – THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC Dear Companions: Sometimes eating seems to characterize our institution. Wherever I have gone this year, I have enjoyed wonderful food. Preceded, of course, by delicious appetizers – as if my appetite needed to be encouraged. And, as a result, I have gained a few pounds during the year. But, despite appearances, eating is not the defining feature of our institution. The defining feature – the hallmark, of Freemasonry – is ritualistic presentation. Ritual and lecture, coupled with speculative thought, is what makes us Masons. Through ritual, lecture and speculation we seek to understand the will of the Great Creator for our lives. We seek to learn how to shape and polish those stones that make the Temple of our character. If we are not doing those things, our Chapters may be very happy, very social, and very community spirited – but we are not Freemasons. It is for this reason that I encourage you to attend one of the Grand Lecturer’s current Officer’s Schools of Instruction. The school in Bellflower was on February 28th, so you have missed that one. But here are two more, in Woodland and Union City, on March 21 and April 18. The details are elsewhere in this newsletter. Page 1 of 11
If you are an officer in one of our Chapters, please make every effort to attend one of these remaining schools. They will help you improve your understanding and presentation of our ritual. And that is central to what we do – teach through ritual and lecture. But whether you attend a school this year or not, consider this – ritual IS the central and defining characteristic of the way we Masons do things. So be a part of your Chapter’s ritualistic presentation. Whether opening as an officer or as part of a degree team, learn the work and present it with beauty and majesty. “Be the Change You Want to See.” JON D. HUMPHREYS Grand High Priest _______________________________________________________________________________________
MEET YOUR GRAND OFFICERS Grand Musician.
Art has B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Accounting, and a Masters Degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Now retired and living in Union City, Art’s career has included work as an Accountant, Auditor, Contract Analysis Manager, Marketing Representative and Development Manager for a variety of companies including Lockheed and IBM. Art was raised in Mountain View Lodge No. 194 in 1990, and served as Master of San Jose Lodge No. 10 in 1998, where he has also served as Secretary since 1999. He is a member of Howard Chapter No. 14, R.A.M., where he currently serves as High Priest. Art is also an Illustrious Past Master of San Jose Council No. 20, Cryptic Masons and a member of San Jose Commandery No. 10, K.T., as well as the Red Cross of Constantine, the Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, High Twelve, and York Rite College. Our Grand Musician’s hobbies include O-scale trains, wood working, photography, and golf. He has traveled extensively as a member of three different symphonic choirs, and teaches piano and guitar to children who can not otherwise afford lessons.
Art and Patricia Walton. Art and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 36 years. Their family includes a son, a daughter, and two grand-daughters.
Excellent Companion Art Walton was born in San Diego, California in 1940, and, with his father serving as a Chief Warrant Officer in the U.S. Navy, was raised in a variety of cities, including San Diego, Norfolk, Galveston and Astoria. Page 2 of 11
Our Grand Secretary is a member, co-founder and past presiding officer of several Masonic organizations, including Inland Empire Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Excalibur Council, A.M.D.; Southern California York Rite College No. 110; and Southern California York Rite Association.
Grand Secretary
Among his many other Masonic affiliations, are membership in the Masonic Rosicrucian Society (S.R.I.C.F.), Knight Masons, Royal Order of Scotland, and Scottish Rite. He is a Knight York Cross of Honour. He is also a 50-year member and Past Manager of the Orders and Medals Society of America, and founder and Past President of the Southern California Orders and Medals Society. Ken is especially proud of having received our General Grand Chapter’s International Distinguished Service Medal in Silver.
CHAPTER OFFICERS OFFICERS’ SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
Ken Hope Most Excellent Companion Kenneth G. Hope was born in Shanghai, China, and grew up in Hong Kong. He and Sonny have been married for 51 years, and the couple has two children and six grandchildren. Ken’s hobbies include collecting both military and Masonic medals. Ken has a B.A. Degree from Loyola University. He has served as our Grand Secretary for the last 22 years (and also serves in the same capacity for our Grand Council and Grand Commandery). Ken is a Past Master of Moneta Lodge No. 405, where he served as Secretary for 15 years, and a member of Bellflower Lodge No. 320. He is a Past High Priest of Downey Chapter No. 157, R.A.M., and has served as Secretary of Triple Tau Chapter No. 33 for the last 24 years.
The School of Instruction in Bellflower this last weekend was well attended with 18 Chapters represented and 50 companions n attendance. The Ritual Staff will be conducting two additional Officers’ Schools of Instruction in the next two months, as follows: Mar 21st: Woodland Lodge Apr 18th: Siminoff Lodge We will cover Opening and Closing Ritual, Balloting, various Administrative matters. We will also do some exemplification in the four degrees, as well as consider proposed enhancements. Please bring Companions who may be interested, especially if they work on Degree Teams, or are in your progressive line. The meetings will begin at 8:30 am, lunch at noon, and breakup when we are done – no later than 3:00 pm RSVP is a must, philipandnancy@aol.com.
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by
email,
to
_________________________ GRAND SESSIONS Below you will find the registration form for the Grand Sessions this May. Now is the time to act, personally, to arrange for a room and meals, and other activities. And it is time also for your Chapter to take out an Ad in the session brochure – this is important to help defray the expense associated with organizing and managing this five-day affair for the three bodies.
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LEADING CHANGE Do’s and Don’t’s for High Priests Our Grand High Priest has made a strong appeal to “be the change you want to see.” Clearly that means that we as High Priests are to be leaders of change. What are the things that High Priests need to be aware of as they undertake the effort to lead change? First, it will likely mean working together as a team. Make sure you as High Priest do not make decisions by yourself when you are encouraging teamwork. Further, do not forget to acknowledge those who contribute to the Chapter’s effort in embracing change.
GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS For info about Scholarships, go to the following website: http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org/royalarch/ rara.html If you have the resources, please consider making a significant donation on behalf of our Masonic Youth. Send any excess cash (!) to the Grand Chapter Scholarship Program at 11428 E. Artesia Blvd, #13, Artesia, CA 90701-3872 Remember that all donations to the Scholarship Program are Tax Deductible, so keep this in mind as you plan your annual giving and when you pay your dues.
Second, listen carefully to what your chapter members are suggesting as you work towards change. All too often we forget that God gave us two ears and one mouth. We have a natural tendency to speak when we should be listening as the leaders of change. Third, if your objective is to make changes that impact your Chapter over a longer period of time, do not push for quick results. Fourth, be sure to include Companions with a wide variety of views. In other words, make sure you are not building a team with members who will unconsciously support whatever you propose as High Priest. Fifth, change will likely mean thinking outside the box. As a leader of change make sure you are not pushing for the safe or secure solution. An Article Submitted by Arthur H. Walton
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Children half-price; only companions pay the registration. Make checks payable to COMPTCHE OUTDOOR DEGREES, and complete and send the registration document below to Guy Chalmers, 50 Lohrrman Lane, Petaluma, CA 94952-3609.
INFORMATION ON RECEPTIONS, FESTIVALS & DEGREES At the very end of this Newsletter you will find copies of flyers for many of the activities throughout the year – some, but not all, Receptions as well as Degree conferrals, whether individual or part of a Festival. For other events not included here, refer to the Grand High Priest Calendar summarized below, or with full details, at the Grand York Rite website.
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THE CLOTHES LINE
COMPTCHE OUTDOOR DEGREES The 43rd Annual Comptche Outdoor Royal Arch Degrees are scheduled this year for June 26th at Tunzi Ranch. All four Degrees will be conferred on Saturday, with the Prologue beginning at 8:30 a.m. The reservation deadline is June 18th. You could make a vacation around this event. Self-contained RVs and tent campers are welcome to setup from June 23rd through the 28th. There are no 120V hookups but there are chemical toilets in the meadow. There is a hot water shower in the restroom shack, as well as men’s and women’s bathrooms. Fish Fry Friday night -- $15.50 Breakfast Saturday morning -- $10 Dues Registration -- $12 Companions Lunch -- $12.50 Tri-tip Barbeque Saturday Night -- $20 Breakfast Sunday morning -- $10
A line of Jackets for our York Rite bodies continues to be available at MP. ENTERPRISES. The price for red and blue is great -- $75.00 plus tax and shipping, for sizes 34 to 49 in short, regular and tall; and $87.00 plus tax and shipping for sizes 50 to 60, also in short, regular, and tall. Purple Jackets are little more expensive at $95.00 for the smaller and $107.00 for the larger. Also available are Men’s and ladies’ vests, tuxedos and shirts, pins, patches, and flags, and OES T-Shirts. Contact Max Luy at (510) 502-3224; or at his website: www.mpenterprises.weebly.com; or directly to his email at maxluy@hotmail.com.
ENCOMPASSER The January 2015 edition of the Encompasser has been mailed and is now on the website. Go to http://www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org and click on The Encompasser on the left hand toolbar. You can help us control cost by letting us know you are willing to take the Encompasser by email only.
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Check out the new format available – you can now read the Encompasser online! No need to even print it out. Many thanks to our web-master, Excellent Companion Richard Thornton, for his efforts in applying this technology to our needs!
GRA$D HIGH PRIEST’S CALE$DAR FOR FEBRUARY A$D MARCH
Date
Event
Location
March 8
Siminoff Council, A.M.D. Grand Chapter Reception Grand Officers’ Conference Granddaughter’s Wedding !!!
Union City
Grand Lecturer’s School of Instruction Grand Assembly, Rainbow for Girls (Gr. King representing)
Woodland
Grand Lecturer’s School of Instruction 3-way Reception
Union City
March 12 March 1314 March 2022 March 21
March 28
April 18 April 30
GRA$D CHAPTER CO$TACT I$FORMATIO$ Grand High Priest: Jon D. Humphreys, KYGCH 580 Village Drive Galt, CA 95632-8156 (209) 745-9193 (H) (916) 205-8104 (C) jonhumphreys42@yahoo.com Grand Secretary: Ken Hope 11428 E. Artesia Blvd, #13 Artesia, CA 90701-3872 (562) 924-6500 (W) (562) 484-1611(C) ca.yorkrite@verizon.net
Vista Bakersfield Phoenix
Editor: Phil Hardiman, KYGCH 2713 Hoffman Woods Lane Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 712-4814(C) philipandnancy@aol.com
Fresno
Website: WWW.YORKRITEOFCALIFOR$IA.ORG
Nevada City
GOLDE$ STATE CHAPTER OF RESEARCH Website:
Details available on York Rite website at: http://yorkriteofcalifornia.org/royalarch/ghp calendar.html
WWW.GOLDE$STATECHAPTER.ORG GRA$D SESSIO$S, FORMS & SCHEDULES Website: WWW.CA-GYRS.ORG
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