OMN - 2023 February

The Grand Master’s Message: Training Time!

The unfaltering search for Masonic Light is an essential part of our identity as Freemasons. Learning and insight can be obtained from a myriad of sources and are delivered in different ways.

During my professional and Masonic careers, I have attended and presented information during many training sessions. Early on, I was given an idea which I believe to be true – that every training session has something new which can be of use. While new Masons are often eager to obtain information, experienced members of the fraternity sometimes prioritize other activities over current training, resulting in missed opportunities.

I am delighted to invite all Oregon Master Masons to attend the 2023 Statewide Training Day on Saturday, February 25, 2023, in each District throughout Oregon. This will be an in-person event which will feature Zoom webinar training and fellowship with the Brothers of your District. Included in this event will be information regarding the WestGate Experience. The format of the Statewide Training Day has been designed to provide high-quality training without the need for long-distance travel. Additionally, this format offers a chance to meet in person to share a meal and discuss local Masonic issues. Please consider attending with a group from your Lodge.

I would also like to highlight the availability of Schools of Instruction upon request. The Grand Lecturer and his Deputy Instructors enjoy providing these sessions regarding ritual and etiquette. Attendance at a School of Instruction is a requirement to obtain proficiency cards. If you would like to arrange such a class, please contact your area Deputy Instructor or the Grand Lecturer.

Additional training sessions are being planned for spring 2023 to offer the “Fellows of the Craft” instructor certification classes at various locations around the state. I am excited these learning opportunities will be available this year, and I encourage you to take advantage of them for your personal benefit and for the betterment of the Craft in Oregon.

Fraternally, M.W.B. Mark L. Posler, Grand Master, The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon

Long Range Plan

The Long Range Planning Committee has been meeting over the last several months to review the 2020 Long Range Plan and the 2022 Update, as well as talk about other important issues to the Craft. In addition, we have been discussing things we have observed in Lodges throughout the state.

The Committee includes W.B. Richard Varner, Chairman, R.W.B. Jim Munson, W.B. Earl Wilson, W.B. Dale Wiley, and W.B. John Lohrfink. W.B. Grant Sharp and R.W.B. Greg Hinkelman have also joined our Zoom meetings to offer their perspectives from the Membership Committee and as previous members of the Long Range Planning Committee.

There are many initiatives from the 2020 Plan which are in progress. Some have been successfully implemented, such as the Lodge Restoration and Repair Grant Program. This year marks the roll-out of one of the most ambitious and probably most impactful of the strategies from

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W.B. Richard D. Varner Senior Grand Deacon

M.W.B. Mark L. Posler Grand Master

Long

Range Plan,

continued from page one

2020, WestGate. We look forward to its implementation.

As we have been discussing our perspectives, we have identified a need for a handbook and training for Lodge officers, trustees, and building managers for Lodges that own or are partners in buildings. Certain pieces of this already exist, such as the Lodge Security Handbook, sample rental agreements, and some portions of the Secretary’s Handbook. We believe it is important to bring these together along with building needs assessment, financial planning, and income opportunities, among others, to allow a Lodge to develop a plan and systems for its physical facilities.

Another idea under consideration is the creative use of our Masonic history to promote awareness of the Craft, including creating newsworthy events that highlight our connection to our communities.

We are expanding our strategy to include more than just our Masonic youth groups to promote awareness as well to garner and keep good members. Our Masonic ladies can have a positive impact on promoting membership and strengthening ties for members to the Craft. This might also include highlighting our Appendant and Concordant bodies more in communications and in our facilities.

Among the other items being discussed are the following:

• Strengthening the ties between Lodges and leveraging the strengths of the Lodges and members within our Masonic districts to benefit all the Lodges within the district.

• Having more in-person events and training to develop camaraderie between members with like roles in different Lodges. Some of this may be on the state and regional levels.

• Working with Lodges on how to develop opportunities for members to learn more about each other. This sharing of who we are and where we are on our Masonic journey is an important part of the human connection.

• Providing more readily accessible resources for Masonic education.

• Providing resources and training to Lodges on how to communicate more effectively with members with different communication preferences.

Our goal is to present an updated strategies document to the Trustees in the spring for their approval and then dissemination to the Craft for implementation in the coming years.

Fraternally, W.B. Richard Varner, Senior Grand Deacon

Heartfelt Thanks from the MasonicAid Giving Tree

The 2022 Giving Tree Program has wrapped up, and once again, our MasonicAid clients received an outpouring of kindness and generosity from the Masonic and Eastern Star families. Each client received a gift of money, made possible by your generous donations.

Over the past few weeks, several cards and phone calls have come in from Giving Tree recipients, thanking the Masonic & Eastern Star members for their generosity. Below are a few of these “Thank You” messages:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful gift from the Giving Tree. You have done so much for me and my family. I appreciate all that you do.

- Newport Lodge No. 85

Thank you for the Giving Tree gift. Things are much brighter now. I appreciate it more than you know.

- Ashland Lodge No. 23

Thank you, and thanks to all the Masons and Eastern Star members for the generous Giving Tree gift and the continued help that allows my aunt to live in her own home, where she is happy & content. It has been a difficult year, and we’re looking forward to better days in 2023.

- Niece of Widow, Tigard-Orenomah Lodge No. 207

Your charitable contributions and support are invaluable to our Giving Tree recipients. On behalf of the MasonicAid program, THANK YOU!

Warm Regards, Danielle Christopherson, MasonicAid Director

T H A N K Y O U

simultaneously.

During a recent historical records trip to Seaport Lodge No. 7 in Astoria, 1,200 pages of minutes were scanned in five hours (which is 240 pages an hour.) I can guarantee that scanning 1,200 pages with a regular scanner would take days instead of hours.

A backup of your Lodge’s minutes and history should be a priority for all Lodges, and that is why the Library and Museum Committee would like to loan the CZUR scanner to Lodges in this jurisdiction. In return, the Richmond Memorial Library continued on page five

LEARN MORE IN GRAND VIEW

NEWS FROM OUR LODGES —

Willamette Lodge No. 2

- submitted by W.B. Mitchell Pennell

Union Lodge No. 3

The Grand Lodge of Oregon came out in force for a Master Mason Degree at Union Lodge in McMinnville on Dec. 17, 2022.

Pictured (L to R): W.B. Dale Palileo, Grand Orator; R.W.B. Michael Robinson, Grand Chaplain; M.W.B. Greg Jenkins, I.P.G.M.; Bro. Johnny B.J. Edwards; Bro. Ian Jones; W.B. Ken Anderson, Grand Pursuivant; M.W.B. Hunt Compton, P.G.M.; and W.B. Johnny J. Edwards, Grand Historian. - submitted by W.B. Johnny J. Edwards

Newport Lodge No. 85

Lodge held its 137th annual installation of officers on Dec. 10, 2022. W.B. Mark C. Phillips, Past Grand Secretary, was installed as Worshipful Master. M.W.B. Gregory A. Jenkins, I.P.G.M., was the Installing Officer.

Pictured are W.B. Mitchell Pennell, outgoing Master, Brothers of the Lodge, among visitors during R.W.B. Richard S. Nowacki’s Official Visit, District Deputy No. 5, to Willamette Lodge in Portland.

CZUR Scanner,

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Access Grand View in the upper right!

and Museum would appreciate your Lodge sharing the scanned documents to be included with the history of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. Sharing your Lodge’s scanned pages will help future researchers who visit the archives of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Oregon.

We are all a part of the same history which makes up this Grand Jurisdiction. Let’s begin the copying and sharing of our histories.

This scanner can be mailed to Lodges located all around the state with return postage included. For more information, please contact your Library and Museum Committee at jedwards@oregonfreemasonry. com

Fraternally, W.B. Johnny J. Edwards, Grand Historian and Library and Museum Chairman

HA P PY

A Refreshed Online Presence for Oregon Freemasonry

The Grand Lodge is proud to introduce an updated version of our public website, located at www.OregonFreemasonry.com. We optimized the site to be more mobile-friendly, simpler to navigate, and to attract the interest of potential candidates for our Lodges.

We realize that making a website better isn’t just about making it look nice, but understanding what visitors and potential candiates need and expect. We have designed the site to do just that, offering the most commonly viewed information from the old site in prominant locations on the new site.

As a result, we feel the website accurately portrays the Craft, its tenets, and values to non-Masonic audiences. This is an avenue of connection to men who are interested in learning more about Freemasonry and what it means to be a modern-day Mason. We seek to proclaim the principles of our fraternity as widely as men will hear them; our website, in turn, emphasizes the tenets of brotherly love, relief, and truth.

In its own way, we hope this new digital face to our fraternity will enable us to share the gift of Freemasonry as widely as men will receive it.

Note: While this site is public-facing, offering information about our fraternity, you’ll still have secure access to your own profile, member resources, and downloads in Grand View. Please login to confirm your contact information is up to date and to add your spouse’s name, if applicable.

Valentine's Day

You can also download the Grand View app to gain easy access on your smart device, just visit: https://or.grandview.systems/ public_members/app

FROM THE GRAND LODGE OF OREGON

Senior DeMolays, Where Are They Now?

The Oregon State Council Order of DeMolay is seeking Senior DeMolays as part of celebrating Oregon DeMolay’s 100th birthday in May.

Derek Sprague, Executive Officer for Oregon, has recruited Past International Master Councilor William “Bill” Clark to serve as the chairman for the upcoming gala and induct the first seven men into the newly formed Oregon DeMolay Hall of Fame. Brother Clark announced this historic event in the December issue of this publication.

DeMolay was officially created in 1923 for the state of Oregon. Thousands of young men were initiated during that time. They grew into productive men, sought careers, raised families, and volunteered in their community and the Masonic Family.

The State Council is reaching out to our Brethren in Oregon Lodges to share this special event with their family and friends. Many Master Masons are Senior DeMolays, as well as being a family member of a DeMolay.

Membership records and rosters have been lost and/or deteriorated over time. We ask our Brethren to contact the State Council with the names and contact information of any Oregon Senior DeMolays. We especially would like to locate our past state officers, elected and appointed, along with our past chapter, district, and state sweethearts.

More information on the gala event and Hall of Fame on May 25, 2023, can be found on the “Oregon DeMolay 100 Anniversary and Hall of Fame” Facebook page.

The Gala Committee would also appreciate members willing to share their stories and the effect DeMolay has had on their lives. We are also asking if members would lend or donate artifacts, news clippings, photos, videos, and DeMolay paraphernalia. We will be making posters, scrapbooks, and table displays for your “Sentimental Journey” over the years. Members who contribute their memorabilia, upon request, will have their treasures returned after the event closes.

Another avenue we are pursuing is asking Oregon Lodges to research their records for any DeMolay records or paraphernalia that can be given to the State Council. The most important item is locating our Brethren who belong to an Oregon Chapter, past or present. Readers who have information, questions about locating our Senior members, or to provide historical material, may contact committee member Bro. Todd Cooper, Willamette Chapter, and member of Salem Lodge No. 4, at (541) 954-4645 or by email at marshaltodd90550@yahoo.com. Bro. Todd looks forward to hearing from his fellow members and/or their family and friends.

Oregon Rainbow’s Camp SAS

Hello Oregon Masons. My name is Kat Moran, and I am Grand Recorder for Oregon Rainbow. I have some exciting news for you! This month, Oregon Rainbow will hold our annual Camp SAS. This year’s theme is an Enchanted Forest to go alongside our Grand Worthy Advisor Cady’s theme, Enchanted Garden.

You might be wondering what Camp SAS is and why we hold it every year. SAS stands for Skills and Sisterhood and is where Rainbow youth members learn about life skills, fun group activities, and team bonding. Each year, we hold this camp to build our youths’ life skills as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow. This year, we are learning about many things including Car Care 101, where the youth learn how to change a spark plug or tire. Our wonderful State Rainbow Dad will be teaching some of these amazing lessons.

Another class that might spike the interest of some Masons is our Parliamentarian class. This class will teach the amazing lessons within Rainbow that involve the parliament side of things. It gives a deeper understanding to the youth on why we have the amazing lessons throughout our Order and why we perform lectures and speeches the way we do. Isn’t that interesting?

One of our most important bonding activities this year is Purses of Empowerment. This activity will help our local communities as we assemble these helpful purses, which include personal hygiene items and things to empower the women in our communities. This project also supports the efforts of our Supreme Worthy Advisor’s “Hands on Service” project for 2022-2024.

We hope that in the future, you can join us in teaching the youth of Oregon Rainbow many lessons! One of them is why you cannot run through a campsite. You can only ran because it is past tents! Please laugh at my dad joke.

Sincerely, Kat Moran, Grand Recorder

Grand Master’s Tentative Itinerary

February 2023

Grand Lodge of Alaska, Anchorage - U, SU, L

Tigard-Orenomah No. 207, Tigard, Official Visit; dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7 p.m. - U, L

Rogue River No. 226, Grants Pass, Official Visit; lunch, 12 p.m.; Lodge, 1 p.m. - U, L

MESH/Trustee Meeting; Forest Grove, 8 a.m. - U, SU

Marys River No. 221, Corvallis, Official Visit; dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L

Conference of Grand Masters of North America, Alexandria, VA - U, SU, L

Statewide Masonic Training in each District

Ainsworth No. 201, Salem, English Festive Board; dinner, 6 p.m. - Masons only

March 2023

Rickreall No. 110, Official Visit & Past Masters Night; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - Bib overall and Old Tie, L

Belt No. 18, Kerby, Official Visit; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L

Leadership Meeting, Grand Lodge Headquarters, Forest Grove, 1 p.m. - BC, L

MESH/Trustee Meeting; Forest Grove, 8 a.m. - U, SU

Creswell No. 112, Official Visit; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L

Union No. 3, McMinnville, Official Visit; Corned Beef & Cabbage dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L

Columbia No. 114, Portland, Official Visit; dinner, 6 p.m.; Lodge, 7 p.m. - U, L

Amaranth Grand Court, Valley River Inn, Eugene - T, L

Sunnyside No. 163, Portland, Official Visit; Lodge, 10 a.m.; brunch, 11 a.m. - U, L

Jefferson No. 33, Official Visit; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L

Grand Lodge of New Mexico, Albuquerque - U, SU, L

St. John’s No. 17, Albany, Official Visit; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L

Cascade No. 208, Shady Cove, Official Visit; dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Lodge, 7:30 p.m. - U, L U = Uniform; L = Ladies; T = Tuxedo; S = Suit; SU = Summer Uniform; BC = Business Casual

Memorial Service for W.B. Dennis Stephens

Amemorial

service will be held for W.B. Dennis A. Stephens on Feb. 11, at 2 p.m., at the Salem Scottish Rite Center. W.B. Stephens dedicated many years of service to this jurisdiction at the Lodge and Grand Lodge levels as well as the Scottish Rite and York Rite. He served as chairman of the Oregon Masonic Charitable Foundation’s Golf Tournament and was awarded Mason of the Year in 2010.

OREGON MASONIC NEWS

The Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of OR 2150 Masonic Way Forest Grove, OR 97116

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Oregon Masonic News

The Oregon Masonic News is published monthly (except July and August) by authority of the trustees of The Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon. Editors are the trustees of the Grand Lodge. Deadline for copy is the first of the month preceding the publication date. Example: May 1 for the June issue.

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“News from Our Lodges” is solicited. Rights are reserved to edit all submitted material, and views expressed in articles may not necessarily be the official position of the Grand Lodge nor an endorsement thereof. Non-members’ domestic-subscription rate is $5 per year. PLEASE NOTE: The mailing address is Oregon Masonic News, 2150 Masonic Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. Phone: 503-357-3158; outside the Portland-area, 800-970-9920. Fax: 503357-1815.

Website: www.oregonfreemasonry.com

Email: OMN@oregonfreemasonry.com