The Communicator January/February 2016

Volume 63, No. 01

January - February 2016

You have the Key!

- pg 6

Jubilee Report

Generals

Guest Speaker

pg 8

pg 10

pg 13

2 Seattle Scottish Rite

Scottish Rite Communicator

Scottish Rite Fun Facts

Valley of Seattle

www.seattle-scottishrite.org

SCOTTISH RITE OFFICERS Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33° Sovereign Grand Commander Ill. Alvin W. Jorgensen, 33° S:.G:.I:.G:., Orient of Washington Ill. Sat Tashiro, 33° Personal Rep. of S:.G:.I:.G:. pr@seattle-scottishrite.org Ill. Greg Goodrich, 33° General Secretary Communicator Editor secretary@seattle-scottishrite.org Ill. Brian Thomas, 33° Treasurer Ill. George A. Lofthus, 33° Almoner PRESIDING OFFICERS Ill. E. Jeff Craig, 33° Master of Kadosh, Consistory Bryan Bechler, 32° Commander, Council of Kadosh Richard Brustowicz, 32° Wise Master, Chapter of Rose Croix Steve Dazey, 32° Venerable Master, Lodge of Perfection Seattle Scottish Rite Center 1207 N 152nd St Seattle, WA 98133-6213 206 324-3330 voice 206 324-3332 fax Brian Lorton Building Manager brian@seattle-scottishrite.org Lorna Schack Administrative Assistant lorna@seattle-scottishrite.org The Communicator (USPS 485-660) is published by the Valley of Seattle, A&A Scottish Rite, 1207 N 152nd St., Seattle, WA 98133-6213, for the benefit of its members, bimonthly and is mailed as a non-profit publication to all members of the Valley of Seattle and to specified other interested parties. $2.00 per member is assessed for the publication of The Communicator. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, Washington and at additional mailing offices.

The material contained within this publication is intended for the education and enjoyment of the members of the Masonic Fraternity and all material published becomes the property of Seattle Valley of Scottish Rite. Postmaster: Send address changes to — The Communicator at 1207 N 152nd St., Seattle, WA 98133-6213.

Did you know?

Where and when was the 33° jewel first described? The Grand Constitutions of 1786, supposedly authorized and signed by Frederick the Great, describe the 33° jewel.

The Grand Decorations of The Order rest upon a Teutonic Cross. They are a nine-pointed Star, namely, one formed by three triangles of gold, one upon the other, and interlaced.

From the lower part of the left side to the upper part of the right, a Sword extends, and in the opposite direction is a hand of (as it is called), Justice. In the center of the Shield of The Order, azure, charged with an Eagle like that on the Banner, having on the dexter side a Balance, or, and on the sinister side a Compass of the second, united with a Square of the second. Around the whole Shield runs a band of the first, with the Latin Inscription, of the second, “ORDO AB CHAO”; which band is enclosed by two circles, formed by two Serpents of the second, each biting his own tail. Of the smaller triangles that are formed by the intersection of the greater ones, those nine that are nearest the band are of crimson color, and each of them has one of the letters that compose the word S.A.P.I.E.NT.IA.

Seattle Scottish Rite 3

News from the Personal Representative T

his Communicator marks the beginning of a new year for the Valley of Seattle and its members. As we start off the Scottish Rite year for 2016, we are looking forward to another memorable year. We continue to upgrade our facilities as time and money permits. Be sure to notice the new sign at the entrance to our grounds. The bronze double eagle, mounted on the sign, has a long history, and came from our old Broadway building on Capital Hill.

The November meeting was extremely successful, with Dr. Brent Morris, 3320 G.C. of the Supreme Council in attendance. Our attendance numbered over 75 including many guests. In early November the 32nd degree also was presented to the class of 2015. The degrees were performed in an exceptional manner and we were honored to cap 12 members of the 2015 class.

It also marked the election of the officers of the four bodies in the Valley of Seattle, including Steve Dazey, Venerable Master elect of the Lodge of Perfection; Richard Brustowicz, Wise Master elect of the Rose Croix; Bryan Bechler, Commander-elect of the Kadosh; and Jeff Craig, Master of Kadosh-elect of Consistory. The installation of these body leaders, the other elected and appointed officers and directors will be at our January stated meeting.

I want to also acknowledge the participation of new faces in our Valley, who have been involved this year. The number of black hats participating is the largest in many years, and many had received their 32nd in the past two-three years. This continues in our new officers, elected and appointed, of our bodies in the coming year, with many of the class joining our efforts to make the Valley an experience.

We start our new year with a 2016 budget which was presented and approved at the November meeting. I want to express my appreciation to the members of the Finance Committee for the Valley, who have provided a needed insight into our investments, and which will provide the basis for decisions assuring our continued growth.

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s we proceed into the planning for the coming years, we were interested last year and will be interested this year in hearing from our members, on their opinions regarding the plus and minus of our meetings, specialized events, speakers, degrees, etc. An earlier survey was prepared by our General Secretary this past fall and many of you responded.

We will be preparing a brief summary of the findings in the coming Communicator.

MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP. We need to grow our 2016 class in the coming months before we start our schedule of terminal degrees. Promote our activities with your friends who are Master Masons, but not yet Scottish Rite Masons. We need some good men to join us. The General Secretary has membership packets to give to interested Master Masons, please call the office if you would like him to mail one to a potential candidate.

The meetings of our two new clubs, one in the South-end of King County meeting at Kent Masonic Hall, and the other in the Eastside meeting at Bellevue Masonic Center are continuing and gaining momentum.

We urge all Scottish Rite members, who wish to maintain contact on happenings within the Valley and are difficult-travelmiles from our Shoreline building, to attend one of the clubs in your area. Aside from our stated meetings we are trying to avoid weekday meetings, and keep our Saturday meetings to a minimum and as short as possible to minimize time away from family. Your attendance at the club meetings is equivalent to attending our stated meetings.

Join these clubs. Information on the meeting dates and times should be obtained by contacting the office or the club contacts.

Please contact Kyle Grafstrom of the South-end Scottish Rite Club at 206-351-3380, or Brian Thomas of the Eastside Scottish Rite Club at 425-213-3464, for more information.

Fraternally, Sat Tashiro, 33째 Personal Representative of the S:.G:.I:.G:.

4 Seattle Scottish Rite

A

new year is upon us and we are excited for the activities to come. As mentioned in the previous Communicator our new monument sign has finally been installed. It took a little longer than expected due to some unforeseen issues with the City of Shoreline and the manufacturer of our sign. Who knew replacing the extant sign would take so much red tape!

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n Saturday January 23rd we will have a another guest speaker. Steve McIntosh from the The Institute for Cultural Evolution will present a lecture on Integral Philosophy. A lecture that will focus on the presence of the infinite focuses on our culture’s need for better spiritual leadership, and provides a timely cultural analysis and critique of the various forms of spirituality that are vying for influence in contemporary American society. Building on this context, McIntosh shows how evolutionary spirituality overcomes the limitations of religious, secular, and progressive spirituality by better harmonizing science and spirit. All are welcome and this is a great opportunity for you to bring your spouse and friends (see page 13 for more info).

Fraternally, Greg Goodrich, 33° General Secretary

New Sign installed December 2015

Seattle Scottish Rite 5

Master Craftsman Completion Medals New Master Craftsman completion medals have been designed and are in the process of being manufactured for those who complete any one of those courses.

In the future when you finish the first course, you will receive the medal.

Thereafter you will receive a small Teutonic cross (pip) to affix to the ribbon, one for each subsequent course completed.

If you have finished any of the other courses offered by the Supreme Council, you can purchase a medal and pips through our Master Craftsman office at the House of the Temple. (Email your request to mastercraftsman@ scottishrite.org and we will follow up with up-to-date details on price and availability).

Will you accept the Challenge?

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he Valley of Seattle is engaged in the Supreme Council’s Valley Membership Achievement Program or VMAP. Among several items the program is meant to engage, membership is a major priority. As with any organization, we need members to survive and grow. The Supreme Council is awarding those brethren that bring in either a new member or is able to reinstate an old member by gifting you a beautiful Challenge Coin to any brother that assists in this endeavour. The coin is 1.75” round and is a proud reminder of your contribution towards our Valley’s growth.

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s your Secretary, I am here to assist you in this endeavour. Once you have identified a brother that is either interested in joining the Scottish Rite (new member) or coming back to Scottish Rite (reinstatement), I will mail them or you a membership packet for the interested brother. In addition, if you are the first line signer on two petitions this year, you will receive an additional gift of a custom Seattle Scottish Rite Jacket. For more information on the program please call the Valley office or send an e-mail to the General Secretary. Will you accept the challenge?

Membership coin from the Supreme Council given to all first line signers for new or returning members.

6 Seattle Scottish Rite

You have the Key! A

s a member of the Scottish Rite you have been through our degrees and learned the lessons taught by them. You have been given the key to the mysteries, and it devolved upon you to discover its uses.

M

asonry is many things to many people. There is no “right” or “wrong” way and no individual has the title of official spokesman for all of Masonry. As Scottish Rite Masons we have to be ever vigilant of those that try to convince us of the opposite. As you make your travels through life will the key that you have been given be used to open the gates or will you merely allow it to rest comfortably in your pocket? The success of our Valley is dependant upon members like you.

As our membership ages, we need new members to be active in the Valley. We need you to seek out worthy Master Masons in your lodge that would enjoy the fruits of our labours and gain from the teachings of Scottish Rite. You have been given the Key and have passed through gates. Help us make the Valley of Seattle to be the best we can be!

Seattle Scottish Rite 7

8 Seattle Scottish Rite

The Centennial Jubilee By: Todd Pike, 32°

T

he Biennial session this year was an extra special occasion as it also marked the centennial jubilee of the dedication of the House of the Temple. It was also my first visit to The House of the Temple and my first trip to Washington DC. The jubilee was a multiday celebration intermixed with the biennial session that kicked off with a rededication ceremony on the front steps of the House of the Temple. The ceremony had a classical feel to it. I’ve never been to a cornerstone-laying event but I suspect it is probably similar in nature. The pinnacle of the morning was reached when our Sovereign Grand Commander and several members of the Grand Council anointed a small selection of 100-year-old bricks from the House of the Temple with water, oil, salt, and other ceremonial offerings. The ritual lasted only about an hour or so and nicely transitioned into a mid morning Garden Party brunch.

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he Garden Party was a delicious BBQ under a huge big top tent on the rear lawn of the House of the Temple. The DC sun and accompanying humidity was starting to become noticeable so the shade of the big top was a welcome relief. I was a little concerned it was a bit too early to be eating BBQ but after my first bite I quickly realized it’s never too early for BBQ. There was plenty of food and plenty of homemade sweet tea. As the Garden party wound down my wife and I took an opportunity to wander around the inside of the House of the Temple. We toured the library and admired some of the architecture and artwork. It truly is a crown jewel of a building. It’s hard to believe it’s 100 years old.

After a short BBQ induced nap back at the hotel room and some light sight seeing we prepared for our next jubilee event which was a silent auction and banquet at the House of the Temple. The silent auction/cocktail hour took place in a long room in one of the lower level rooms of the House of the Temple and the dinner itself took place in what I can only describe as the middle chamber of the building. I know we were underground and probably in the very center grand room. It was a wonderful formal sit down dinner. Somehow I came away from the auction with a large glass flower vase with the 33rd Degree Eagle etched into it. It now has a permanent home on the mantle of the fireplace in my home office.

Our day ended with a midnight ghost tour of the House of the Temple. It was certainly a rare event that will likely not happen again for another 100 years. We were divided into groups, given glow sticks, and led around a darkened House of the Temple where in each room we heard a different tale from a ‘ghost’ about unusual or unexplained events that have been witnessed at the Temple. It was fun, informative, and a little bit spooky.

Kim & Todd Pike

O

Seattle Scottish Rite 9

ur day two schedule was a bit more relaxed. I attended a fascinating Q&A session with Arturo de Hoyos and Brent Morris at the Hilton Ballroom while my wife was treated to mimosas and a fashion show. This was followed up by a lunch reception at the St Regis Hotel and an afternoon Vesper Service at St John’s Church in Lafayette Square directly in front of the White House.

Day three was the official biennial business session of the Supreme council, which I didn’t attend but wished I would have and various other events that I wasn’t allowed to attend (33rd Degree). We ended the day with an unofficial dinner at a local restaurant for those of us from Washington State.

had an amazing time in Washington DC at the biennial session. It exceeded my wildest expectations for the trip but the most memorable portion of the trip was something I hadn’t expected at all. It was the incredible people I got a chance to spend time with. Everyone was so kind and genuine. My wife and I were treated like we belonged.

It was as if we were and always had been part of the group. I can’t express enough thanks to Don, Jim, Al, their significant others, and the rest of the Washington group for treating me and my wife like true Family.

I

10 S e a t t l e S c o t t i s h R i t e

The number of general officers in the Continental Army who were Masons is often exaggerated—by Masons and antiMasons alike! Well-meaning Masons want to claim as many as possible to show the positive influence of Freemasonry from the country’s first days. Anti-Masons want to claim as many as possible to show the “sinister” influence on Freemasonry from the country’s first days.

Here are the facts. There were 81 general officers in the Continental Army, and 33—or 41%—of them are Freemasons. This is an impressive number of Masons in service to their country. It’s probably not enough to satisfy over-enthusiastic Masons or conspiracists, but it has the advantage of being the truth.

General Officers in the Continental Army who were Freemasons • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Benedict Arnold, Hiram Lodge No. 1, New Haven, Conn.

James Clinton, Warren Lodge No. 17, N.Y. Elias Dayton, Lodge No. 19, Pa. Joseph Frye, attended the Feast of St. John, December 27, 1760, Mass.

Mordecai Gist, Army Lodge No. 27, Pa. John Glover, Philanthropic Lodge, Mass.

John Greaton, Masters Lodge, Albany, N.Y. Edward Hand, Military Lodge No. 19, Pa. James Hogun, Royal Arch Lodge No. 3, Philadelphia Henry Knox, attended First Lodge, Boston Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, attended Loge de St. Jean de la Candeur, Paris Benjamin Lincoln, Lodge of St. Andrew, Boston William Maxwell, Military Lodge No. 19, Pa. Hugh Mercer, Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, Va. Richard Montgomery, Unity Lodge No. 18, Pa. John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, Royal Arch Lodge No. 3, Philadelphia John Nixon, attended American Union Lodge, Conn.

Samuel Holden Parsons, American Union Lodge, Conn.

John Paterson, Berkshire Lodge No. 5, Stockbridge, Mass.

Israel Putnam, attended American Union Lodge, Conn.

Rufus Putnam, American Union Lodge, Conn.

Arthur St. Clair, Nova Caesarea Lodge No. 10, Cincinnati John Stark, Masters Lodge, Albany Friedrich W. A. H. F. von Steuben, Trinity Lodge No. 10, N.Y. John Sullivan, Grand Master of Masons, N.H. Jethro Sumner, royal White Hart Lodge No. 2, Halifax, N.C. William Thompson, Royal Arch Lodge No. 3, Philadelphia James Mitchell Varnum, attended St. John’s Lodge, Providence, R.I. George Washington, Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, Va. George Weedon, Port Royal Kilwinning Cross Lodge No. 2, Va. Otho Holland Williams, American Union Lodge, Conn.

William Woodford, Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, Va. David Wooster, Hiram Lodge No. 1, Conn.

—From May/June 2012 Scottish Rite Journal

S e a t t l e S c o t t i s h R i t e 11

Gnosis is Conscious Knowledge Gnosis: (Greek γνώσις) knowledge. The word Gnosis can refer to:

• The knowledge we acquire through our own experience, as opposed to knowledge that we are told or believe in. Gnosis is conscious, experiential knowledge, not merely intellectual or conceptual knowledge, belief, or theory. This term is synonymous with the Hebrew “da’ath,” the Sanskrit “jna” or “vidya,” and the Tibetan “rigpa.”

• The tradition that gave birth to our most respected philosophies, sciences, arts, and religions.

Although some modern people believe the term gnosis is related only to certain groups active in the Middle East some 2,000 years ago, the reality is different.

The word Gnosis implies a type of knowledge that is derived from experience, and encompasses the whole of a person. That is, it is genuine knowledge of the truth. Reality, truth, does not fit neatly into a concept, dogma, or theory, thus genuine Gnosis must also be something that one must experience. Personal experience is not transmissible in conceptual terms; a concept is merely an idea, and experience is far more than an idea. In other words, real Gnosis is an experience that defies conceptualization, belief, or any attempt to convey it.

To understand it, one must experience it. This is why real spirituality is based on one’s own effort to experience the truth, and the method to reach that experience is primarily practical.

Nonetheless, in order to understand what we experience, we must study the experiences of others. For this, we prefer to rely on those who have proven the qualities we wish to embody ourselves: profound love for all beings, brilliant intelligence, and radiant joy. As such, we rely on the greatest human beings and their legacies, in every field of understanding: philosophy, science, art, and religion.

“Howsoever men approach Me, even so do I welcome them, for the path men take from every side is Mine.” - Krishna, from the Bhagavad-gita

12 S e a t t l e S c o t t i s h R i t e

Myths & Facts about the Scottish Rite Myth - The Scottish Rite originated in Scotland.

The Scottish Rite actually came to the United States by way of France. This is unequivocally the most common misconception we hear from visitors to the House of the Temple.

There is evidence of “Scotch Masons’ Lodges” dating back to 1733 in England; and there were also predecessors such as the “Adonhiramite Rite” (ca. 1781) which included many degrees that ultimately became part of the Scottish Rite.1 Yet, it was not until 1763 and the creation of the “Order of the Royal Secret” by Stephen Morin of France, that the ritual we practice today began to coalesce into a form recognizable to a modern Scottish Rite Mason.

Fact - How many people belong to the Scottish Rite?

There are about 1.7 million Masons in the United States and about 550,000 of those are Scottish Rite Masons.

Myth - The Royal Arch is older than the Scottish Rite.

Much credence is erroneously given to the notion that the Royal Arch is older than the Scottish Rite. This misconception comes largely from England where the Royal Arch is much more closely connected to the Craft and is seen by many as a part of and the culmination of Craft Masonry. This misconception migrated into the United States where it continues to this day. As stated earlier, the earliest record of a “Scot’s Master” dates to 1733. The first mention of “Royal Arch Masons” is in a 1744 Dublin pamphlet, A Serious and Impartial Enquiry into the Cause of the Present Decay in Free Masonry in the Kingdom of Ireland. The first record of the Royal Arch being conferred is in Fredericksburg Lodge, Virginia, in 1753.

Fact - What is the official name of the Supreme Council?

The name of the Supreme Council reveals history, tradition, and accomplishment. The official, full name of this Supreme Council is: “The Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General Knights Commanders of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-third degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America.”

Myth - I have to be invited to join Scottish Rite?

NO. Membership is open to all worthy Master Masons. So, in other words, to join the Scottish Rite, you only need to ask another Scottish Rite Mason or contact the Valley office. Unlike Craft Lodge, there is no prohibition in asking Brethren to join. Scottish Rite members may ask non-Scottish Rite masons if they would be interested in learning more about Scottish Rite Masonry.

Fact - What do the 14° rings mean?

The Scottish Rite Fourteenth degree ring is a flat, plain band of gold, and embossed thereon is a plate in the form of an equilateral triangle and within the triangle is the Hebrew letter yod, the initial letters of Jehovah in Hebrew (yod he vau he).

Inside the ring is inscribed the Fourteenth Degree Motto: Virtus Junxit, Mors Non Separabit (Virtue has united and death shall not separate). The rings circle expresses the unbreakable fraternal bond between Masons of all generations. Upon the death of the owner, the ring should go into the hands of his widow, eldest son, the friend who was loved above all others, or another Scottish Rite Mason.

Fact - Is Freemasonry a religion?

No. While it is a requirement that each member believe in a Supreme Being, it is not important how one expresses that very personal belief. Further, there is no dogmatic system in Freemasonry. However, confusion about the secular nature of Freemasonry has been a common misconception for many years. Most likely, this misconception is due to the Holy Book that sits on the altar in the middle of a Masonic lodge. This Holy Book does not have to be Christian, like the Bible, rather it can be any Holy Book that is important to the members of the lodge. In the U.S. where the population is mostly Christian, the Holy Book most often used in Lodges is the King James Version of the Bible.

S e a t t l e S c o t t i s h R i t e 13

All masons & their guests are welcome : Registration Required 10:00 am (9:00 am Breakfast Reception) : No Cost To register for your free ticket or for more information visit www.seattle-scottishrite.org

14 S e a t t l e S c o t t i s h R i t e

Messages Happy Birthday!

Congratulations from all your Scottish Rite brethren to our members over 90 who have reached a very important birthday!

January

February

Charles German

1/20/1918

John Moe

2/13/1922

Roy Brown

1/14/1921

Willard Smith

2/28/1922

Edward Hauff

1/23/1924

Sprague Vigus

2/27/1924

Rudy Coffing

1/29/1924

Brian Kirkpatrick 2/28/1925

William Ellzey

1/8/1925

Harold Johnson

1/25/1925

Gordon Mc Carrell 1/19/1926

Lodge of Sorrow Our brethren lie before us, overtaken by that relentless fate which, sooner or later, is to overtake us all..

Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit

Theodore Feenstra Ronald Goss Ronald (Ron) VanHoose

S e a t t l e S c o t t i s h R i t e 15

C a l e n d a r

www.seattle-scottishrite.org

MONTH

TIME

EVENT

January

Saturday Jan 16th

9:00 am

Executive Council (followed by KCCH ceremony).

Tuesday Jan 19th

6:30 pm

Dinner & Stated Meeting (Installation of Officers).

Thursday Jan 21st

6:30 pm

South End Scottish Rite Club (Kent Masonic Hall).

Saturday Jan 23rd

9:00 am

Speaker Forum (Guest: Steve McIntosh).

9:00 am

Executive Council

Tuesday Feb 16th

6:30 pm

Dinner & Stated Meeting.

Saturday Feb 20th

10:00 am

East Side Scottish Rite Club (location TBA).

February Saturday Feb 6th

* All events subject to change.

Scottish Rite Members Lounge (Great friends. Great Chats. Great Drinks.)

After all stated meetings stop in the membership lounge for further fellowship. Have a glass of wine or a pint of fresh poured draught.

Come in and see what’s on tap!

This is a great place to catch up with members after meetings, discuss ritual and enjoy the fellowship and all that the Seattle Scottish Rite has to offer.

Scottish Rite of Freemasonry 1207 N 152nd St. Shoreline, WA 98133-6247

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