Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Tacoma Orient of Washington February 2018 Edition
FEBRUARY EVENTS
Wise Master’s Message Bro. Joseph McAlister 320, KCCH Brethren: “Remembrance and Renewal”, including the “Extinguishing and Relighting of the Lights” is, in its simplest terms, a celebration of the gift of life. Quoting from the Forms and Traditions of the Scottish Rite: “…The Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal, including the Mystic Banquet, is not a religious observance. It is neither the Feast of the Passover nor a Sacrament of Holy Communion, although it commemorates the spirit of both days...” The Christian world traditionally fixes the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon on or, after the vernal equinox (March 21). Holy Week begins with the preceding Sunday (Palm Sunday) and Maundy Thursday falls in the middle of Holy Week. The members of the Chapter of Rose Croix have, since 1866, observed Maundy Thursday as a special day, when they honor those who have passed on during the previous year. In 1994, in deference to the Maundy Thursday rites in churches, it was decided to replace the Scottish Rite ceremony with a non-obligatory "Celebration of Remembrance and Renewal." This observance would be held near the vernal equinox, March 21. Chapters of Rose Croix observe the celebration of the Mystic Banquet as a memorial service honoring those who have died during the year. This observance strengthens the ties of brotherly love, past and present. They meet together to break the bread of fraternity to reconcile themselves with those they may have offended, and to drink the wine of refreshment and renewal. They celebrate the lives of their departed Brethren and promise to abide by the New Law, the Law of Love, with their present Brethren and all humanity. Fraternally,
Joseph McAlister, 320 KCCH Scottish Rite - Furthering Your Masonic Light and Journey
6 - Chapter of Rose Croix Feast of Kadosh Dinner 6:30 PM Meeting 7:30 PM By-Law Amendments 10 - West Seattle Scottish Rite Club South Gate Lodge No. 100 9:00 AM 1004 SW. 152nd St., Burien WA RSVP Richard Syson 206-909-9211 17 - Past Master’s Degree 6:00 PM 18 - Masonic Study Group 6:00 PM 27 - Officers’ Meeting 7:00 PM Knights of Kadosh Presiding
MARCH EVENTS 6 - Council of Knights of Kadosh Dinner 6:30 PM Meeting 7:30 PM 18 - Masonic Study Group 6:00 PM 20 - Visitation Valley of Seattle 1207 N. 152nd St., Shoreline, WA 6:30 PM 23-24 - Scottish Rite Workshops Bellevue, WA 27 - Officers’ Meeting 7:00 PM 29 - Chapter of Rose Croix Maundy Thursday & Relighting of Lights - 6:15 PM Valley meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Unless showed, all meetings and events are at 817 S. Vassault St., Tacoma, WA. All Sojourning Scottish Rite Masons are welcome.
The
Personal Representative’s Message Scottish Rite Masonic Temple 817 S. Vassault St. Tacoma, WA 98409
Office: (253) 565-0272 tacscottishrite@gmail.com The Trowel is published monthly, except July and August, by the Valley of Tacoma Scottish Rite. If you prefer to receive a printed copy of this newsletter by mail, yearly subscription is $10.00. Contact the office to subscribe. Bro. David A. Aponte, 32o Editor & Publisher (352) 228-3632 Email : trowelsr@gmail.com Mrs. Cindy Sims - Office Manager
SCOTTISH RITE OFFICERS Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33o Sovereign Grand Commander Ill. Alvin W. Jorgensen, 33o Sovereign Grand Inspector General 33o
Ill. Miles Stover, Personal Representative S.G.I.G. Ill. William H. Hammontree, 33o General Secretary Bro. James Nero, 320 Treasurer Ill. John Brett, 330 Almoner
Receipt of Scottish Rite Patent
Ill. Miles Stover, 33o Hello Brethren: It has been a while, since I have been able to address you as the Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Valley of Tacoma. Thanks to Illustrious Brother Yielding, you have been served well since I vacated the position more than a year ago due to some professional commitments. I hope that I can serve you at the same high level he did as he now has some professional commitments to meet. And of course, a thank you to Illustrious Brother Jorgensen for his confidence in me to meet his needs in relaying the needs of the Valley of Tacoma leadership to him. What are the responsibilities of a Personal Representative to a SGIG? The definition is very simple. He is to act as the eyes and ears of the SGIG when the leadership of the Valley wants the SGIG to 1) consider an action that requires the approval of the SGIG or 2) if the Valley leadership believes they would benefit from his experience or perspective. If the SGIG has a need of the Valley leadership, albeit an opinion or to take on a task, he will present that request/requirement to the Personal Representative, who will then present it to the Valley leadership or the whole Valley as appropriate. The bottom line is the “PR” is the information/request messenger between the Valley and the SGIG. Does this sound like the SGIG doesn’t want to be involved at the ground level of actions and events of the Valley? I hope not because he does but with thirteen Valleys in Washington, there is a need for some structure and respect for his time. Also, this “of counsel” and “at the ready” approach of the SGIG allows the elected leaders in the Valleys to demonstrate their leadership abilities by getting the goals they set for the Valley met. It also allows the SGIG to see which Brothers step up and help into getting goals met. This is important for the SGIG to know and he wants to know it. I know you respect the recent election of officers and will support them as they do their jobs and set the goals and vision for the Valley. This is their chance to move us all forward in a manner they feel is appropriate and important. I know, they will be looking to all the Brothers for support in many ways. Enough said in this first communiqué. Let our Valley, the Valley of Tacoma, be the best darn Valley in Washington. Let our Valley be the Valley all the others look to as the example to follow. And let’s have some fun along the way!
Bro. Matthew T. deMille, 320, received his Scottish Rite Patent at the January meeting from the Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Bro. Joseph McAlister, 320, KCCH. Congratulations Bro. Matthew!
Fraternally,
Miles Stover Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G.
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Elected Officers
Lodge of Perfection Bro. Michael J. Riley, 320 Venerable Master Bro. David B. Barrett, 320 Senior Warden Bro. Kyle (Coach) S. Foster, 320 Junior Warden
In Memoriam
Sickness & Distress
To all our Fraters that passed on to the Celestial Lodge above. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your love ones.
Please place in your prayers for a quick recovery and wellness the following brethren and their ladies:
Bro. David Nease
Bro. Jeff H. Steik’s wife
Bro. Morris Paulson
Bro. Gary W. Emmons
Ill. Horace Sunni
Chapter of Rose Croix
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, HEAR YE
Bro. Joseph L. McAlister, 320 , KCCH Wise Master Bro. David A. Aponte, Senior Warden
T
o the following brethren during this month the Valley of Tacoma wants to congratulate and wish them the best to: 1) those celebrating their birthday, may you have another wonderful and blessed year, 2) those celebrating another year as a Scottish Rite Mason, may you continue to enjoy and receive the Light as a Scottish Rite Mason.
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Bro. Kenneth (Ken) Cowen, 320 Junior Warden
Birthdays William Charles Acord Natural Allah Council of Knights Kadosh Barry Christopher Bede Oliver Aubrey Bond Bro. Mark W. Thompson, 320 Douglas Raymond Butler Commander William D. Cooper Bro. William D. Cooper, 320 , KCCH Thomas Daniel Crawford 1st Lieutenant Commander Leo Richardson Crocker Matthew K. J. Deuser Bro. Scott T. Dilley, 320 Scott Thomas Dilley 2nd Lieutenant Commander William Albert Ehlers Esper Michael Fairhart Carl Duane Fortune Kenneth Leo Gibson Timm Leroy Gunderson Consistory of Masters of the Richard Eugene Harshman Charles Lloyd Hill Royal Secret Franklin R. Hume 0 Bro. Michael A. Smitson, 32 , KCCH Thomas P. Irish Master of Kadosh Gary Ernest Jacobson Jack Leroy Jones 0
Membership David Michael Kuper Marvin Leonard LaPradd Brock Leroy Laffoon Louis Everett Macomber Daryl Lee McLaughlin Jimmie Victor Mendoza Martin Mueller Richard Edward Palmer Eugene Oliver Pearson Allyn Stanley Pollock Norman Alexander Ross Larry Robert Shank Donald Russell Swanson Ray Ralph Taylor Bruce Urani Eric John West Larry James Wetterhus Terry A. Wiggins
Bro. Alexander J. Jordan, 32 , KCCH Prior Bro. Karl S. Reith, 320 , KCCH Preceptor
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Anniversary James A Anderson 32° 52 years Arthur E Brown 14° 32 years Paul E Burchfield 32° 6 years Nathaniel G Kenison 32° 6 years Michael R Milanoski 32° 4 years Richard E Palmer 14° 32 years David B Rhodes 32° 15 years Robert W Simmons 14° 44 years Mark W Thompson 32° 6 years
What’s Happening in the
Installation 2018 Officers In our January meeting, the Scottish Rite Valley of Tacoma installed the 2018 Officers for 2018: Lodge of Perfection
FEAST OF KADOSH When: Tuesday, February 6 Time: 6:15 PM
Bro. Michael J. Riley, 320 - Venerable Master Bro. David B. Barrett, 320 - Senior Warden Bro. Kyle (Coach) S. Foster, 320 - Junior Warden
Where: Valley of Tacoma 817 S. Vassault St., Tacoma, WA
Chapter of Rose Croix Bro. Joseph L. McAlister, 320 , KCCH - Wise Master Bro. David A. Aponte, 320 - Senior Warden Bro. Kenneth (Ken) Cowen, 320 - Junior Warden
Do you want to further your Masonic education in Scottish Rite? Inquire on the Master Craftsman Program with Bro. 0 Joseph L. McAlister, 32 , KCCH.
Council of Knights Kadosh Bro. Mark W. Thompson, 320 - Commander Bro. William D. Cooper, 320 , KCCH - 1st Lieutenant Commander Bro. Scott T. Dilley, 320 - 2nd Lieutenant Commander
Consistory of Masters of the Royal Secret Bro. Michael A. Smitson, 320 , KCCH - Master of Kadosh Bro. Alexander J. Jordan, 320 , KCCH - Prior Bro. Karl S. Reith, 320 , KCCH - Preceptor
INVITE A MASTER MASON FROM YOUR LODGE TO FURTHER HIS MASONIC JOURNEY AND EDUCATION
Bro. James Nero, Treasurer Ill. Miles Stover, 330, Personal Representative
Need more information contact:
Ill. Alvin W. Jorgensen, 330, S.G.I.G.
Ill. William Hammontree, 330 General Secretary (253) 565-0272
Ill. William H. Hammontree, 330, General Secretary Ill. John Brett 330, Almoner
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What’s Happening in the Past Master’s Degree The Valley of Tacoma, informed the brethren of a joint project with the Pierce County Past Masters’ Association to do a Past Master’s Degree at the Valley of Tacoma Scottish Rite. The date has been set for February 17th. We will begin at 6:00 PM for registration. The Valley is happy to offer their assistance for such an activity. The project helps our brethren of Pierce County who have not taken this degree.
Masonic Education The Six Mistakes of Man Article Contributed by Bro. Michael Rawls, 320, KCCH
On January 3rd, 106 years BCE, the philosopher Marcus Tullius Cicero was born. In one of his most memorable treatises, Cicero outlined the six mistakes of man as he saw them evidenced in ancient Rome. More than 20 centuries later, as we take our never-ending journey from rough ashlar to perfect ashlar, the words of Cicero should remind us that we have work to do. THE SIX MISTAKES OF MAN 1. Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others; 2. Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected; 3. Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it; 4. Refusing to set aside trivial preferences; 5. Neglecting development and refinement of the mind; 6. Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.
material edifices, so Free and Accepted Masons are supposed to be employed in the erection of a superstructure of virtue and morality upon the foundation of the Masonic principles which they were taught at their admission into the Order. When the Lodge is engaged in reading petitions, hearing reports, debating financial matters, etc., it is said to be occupied in busyness; but when it is engaged in the form and ceremony of initiation into any of the Degrees, it is said to be at work. Initiation is Masonic labor. This phraseology at once suggests the connection of our Speculative System with an Operative Art that preceded it, and upon which it has been founded. Gadicke says: Labor is an important word in Freemasonry- indeed, we might say the most important. For this, and this alone, does a man become a Freemason.
Source: Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
Every other object is secondary or incidental. Labor is the costumed design of every Lodge meeting. But do such meetings always furnish evidence of industry? The labor of an Operative Mason will be visible, and he will receive his reward for it, even though the building he has constructed may, in the next hour, be overthrown by a tempest. He knows that he has done his labor. And so must the Freemason labor. His labor must be visible to himself and to his Brethren, or, at least, it must conduce to his own internal satisfaction. As we build neither a visible Solomonic Temple nor an Egyptian pyramid, our industry must become visible in works that are imperishable, so that when we vanish from the eyes of mortals it may be said of us that our labor was well done.
It is one of the most beautiful features of the Masonic Institution, that it teaches not only the necessity, but the nobility of labor. From the time of opening to that of closing, a Lodge is said to be at labor. This is but one of the numerous instances in which the terms of Operative Masonry are symbolically applied to Speculative; for, as the Operative Masons were engaged in the building of
As Freemasons, we labor in our Lodge to make ourselves a perfect building, without blemish, working hopefully for the consummation, when the house of our earthly tabernacle shall be finished, when the Lost Word of Divine Truth shall at last be discovered, and when we shall be found by our own efforts at perfection to have done God service.
-- (Via The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Washington) Good and timely counsel!
Labor
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6:30 PM
Feast of Kadosh Dinner
7:30 PM
February 6 Stated Meeting Chapter of Rose Croix
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19 Presidents’ Day
18 SR Study Group
EVENTS
13 Fat Tuesday
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February 17 Pierce County Past Master’s Degree 6:00 PM At the Valley of Tacoma
14 Ash Wednesday
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Pierce County Past Master Degree 6:00 PM
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West Seattle SR Club
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Saturday
February 27 Officers’ Meeting 7:00 PM Presiding Council of Knights Kadosh
2 Groundhog Day
Friday
February 18 Tacoma SR Study Group 6:00 PM Master Craftsman Study Group
Thursday
February 2018 Wednesday
February 10 West Seattle SR Club South Gate Lodge No. 100 1004 SW. 152nd St., Burien 9:00 AM RSVP Richard Syson (206) 909-9211
27 Officers’ Meeting
Feast of Kadosh Dinner
Meeting
6 Rose Croix
Tuesday
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Monday
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Sunday
Valley of Tacoma Chapter of Rose Croix
Bylaw Amendments At our Chapter of Rose Croix meeting in February 2018, the Tacoma Scottish Rite Bodies will vote on several amendments to update our Valley Bylaws. The following are the amendments (in bold letters and underlined) to be presented: A) BYLAWS OF TACOMA LODGE OF PERFECTION A1) Article VI Section 1 Shall Be Revised As: Section 1. Elective Officers. The elective officers of this Lodge of Perfection shall be the Venerable Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Orator, who shall be elected at the stated meeting in December each year and installed in person within 35 days thereafter. The Almoner shall also be elected in the Lodge of Perfection, unless appointed by the SGIG. They shall serve for a period of one year and until their successors have been elected (or appointed) and installed. The Almoner shall serve in all Bodies following his election (or appointment) in the Lodge of Perfection. A2) Article VII Section 7 Shall Be Revised As: Section 7. Almoner. The Almoner shall make disbursements from the Almoner's fund for charitable purposes. He shall work independently of the Bodies, reporting only to the Personal Representative in this Valley and giving an annual accounting to the Auditing Committee or auditor, showing receipts, disbursements, amounts on hand and any investments. Disbursements from the Almoner's fund shall be made by check, signed by the Almoner. The Almoner shall submit a written monthly report of all transactions and balances in his care, for review at the monthly officer’s meeting.
B) Throughout all the Valley’s bylaws: Remove hyphen in BY-LAWS to BYLAWS Remove the words “Bylaws 2016 Draft” that appear throughout our bylaws.
C) BYLAWS OF TACOMA CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX C1) Article VI Section 1 Shall Be Revised As: Section 1. Elective Officers. The elective officers of this Chapter shall be the Wise Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Orator, who shall be elected at the stated meeting in December each year and installed in person within 35 days thereafter. They shall serve for a period of one year and until their successors have been elected and installed. The Almoner shall serve in all Bodies following his election (or appointment) in the Lodge of Perfection. C2) Article VII Section 7 Shall Be Revised As: Section 7. Almoner. The Almoner shall make disbursements from the Almoner's fund for charitable purposes. He shall work independently of the Bodies, reporting only to the Personal Representative in this Valley and giving an annual accounting to the Auditing Committee or auditor, showing receipts, disbursements, amounts on hand and any investments. Disbursements from the Almoner's fund shall be made by check, signed by the Almoner. The Almoner shall submit a written monthly report of all transactions and balances in his care, for review at the monthly officer’s meeting.
D) BYLAWS OF TACOMA COUNCIL OF KADOSH D1) Article VI Section 1 Shall Be Revised As: Section 1. Elective Officers. The elective officers of this Council shall be the Commander, First Lieutenant Commander, Second Lieutenant Commander, Chancellor and Orator, who shall be elected at the stated meeting in December each year and installed in person within 35 days thereafter. They shall serve for a period of one Continues on page 8 7
Bylaw Amendments year and until their successors have been elected and installed. The Almoner shall serve in all Bodies following his election (or appointment) in the Lodge of Perfection.
Did you know… what the Lodge of Perfection Symbolizes? (Continued from January edition)
8° - Intendant of the Building - Charity and Benevolence are the key lessons of this degree. Educating the orphan, comforting the sick and aged, and healing the distressed are duties to all Freemasons. The ritual of this degree tells of how, due to the death of Hiram Abiff, labor temporarily ceased on the Temple of Solomon. King Solomon in order to move forward appointed five superintendants - one for each of the departments of architecture.
D2) Article VII Section 7 Shall Be Revised As: Section 7. Almoner. The Almoner shall make disbursements from the Almoner's fund for charitable purposes. He shall work independently of the Bodies, reporting only to the Personal Representative in this Valley and giving an annual accounting to the Auditing Committee or auditor, showing receipts, disbursements, amounts on hand and any investments. Disbursements from the Almoner's fund shall be made by check, signed by the Almoner. The Almoner shall submit a written monthly report of all transactions and balances in his care, for review 9° - Elect of the Nine - The principle at the monthly officer’s meeting. lesson of this degree is to be cautious lest E) BYLAWS OF TACOMA CONSISTORY E1) Article VI Section 1 Shall Be Revised As: Section 1. Elective Officers. The elective officers of this Consistory shall be the Master of Kadosh, Prior, Preceptor, Chancellor and Minister of State, who shall be elected at the stated meeting in December each year and installed in person within 35 days thereafter. They shall serve for a period of one year and until their successors have been elected and installed. The Almoner shall serve in all Bodies following his election (or appointment) in the Lodge of Perfection. E2) Article VII Section 7 Shall Be Revised As: Section 7. Almoner. The Almoner shall make disbursements from the Almoner's fund for charitable purposes. He shall work independently of the Bodies, reporting only to the Personal Representative in this Valley and giving an annual accounting to the Auditing Committee or auditor, showing receipts, disbursements, amounts on hand and any investments. Disbursements from the Almoner's fund shall be made by check, signed by the Almoner. The Almoner shall submit a written monthly report of all transactions and balances in his care, for review at the monthly officer’s meeting.
our zeal for a cause let us take matters into our own hands. The ritual is built around the story of how Solomon selected nine masons by lot to investigate a situation so that the offenders may properly be brought to justice. 10° - Elect of the Fifteen - The lesson in this degree is that fanaticism will never win out over justice and freedom - that the unerring eye of justice will discover the guilty and mete out fit punishment. The ritual is a continuation of the degrees that recount the arrest and punishment of the assassins who murdered Hiram Abiff. 11°- Elect of the Twelve - To the Mason who receives this degree comes the lesson that the true and faithful Brother Mason will sooner or later reap his reward and that we must at all times be honest, earnest and sincere. The ritual tells of the reward given to twelve of the fifteen who sought the prosecution of Hiram's murderers. (Continues in March Edition)
Tacoma Scottish Rite Bodies Scottish Rite Masonic Center 817 S. Vassault St., Tacoma, WA 98465-2046
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Scottish Rite - Furthering Your Masonic Light and Journey