Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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DECEMBER 2016
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TO HONOR YOU AS A 32 OR 33 SCOTTISH RITE MASON
NEW SERIALLY-NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION COLLECTIBLE TIMEPIECES
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watch, personalized with my Birthstones and Monogram. Engrave my full Visa MasterCard American Express Discover Card
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Managing Editor
ARTICLES
S. Brent Morris, 33, GC
(Right) A detail
Publications Committee from one of four
Gary W. Kuney, 33, Chairman beautifully intact
FEATURES
Grand Commanders Message Notes from the Northern Light . . . .20
Facebook Twitter Freemason
(Scottish Rite (@TheScottishRite) Network Reunion vs. Degree Conferral
Freemasonry) Ronald A. Seale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Lodge Catering w/ Bro. Larry
Holiday Delights
Chips from the Quarry Larry von Weigel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
1948s Masonic
COVER CREDITS:
Presidential Election Book Reviews
Page 1: Elizabeth A. W. Holiday Treats
McCarthy, The Scottish Rite Gregory S. Kearse & Ted Bastien . . . . .15
Journal James T. Tresner II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Page 2: Affinity Marketing
Assoc., Devon, Penn. Current Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Page 3: Scottish Rite
Online Store
Page 4: Scottish Rite Office Is your Valley or Orient doing something exciting? Let us know!
of Development
The deadline for the Jan.-Feb. Scottish Rite Journal is Nov. 15, 2016!
SUBSCRIPTIONS & ADDRESS CHANGES: Tel. 2027773115; mbennett@scottishrite.org. Pricing: Domestic$15 for 1 year; $40 for 3 years; Foreign$37
for 1year; $105 for 3 years; Single copies$3 each (domestic checks only). SUBMISSIONS & GENERAL INQUIRIES: Scottish Rite Journal, 1733 16th Street,
NW, Washington, DC 200093103; Fax 2024640487; journal@scottishrite.org. Submitted articles should be 700 to 1,400 words, and whenever possible,
relevant high-resolution images with proper usage permissions and credits should be included. Articles are subject to editing and, if published, become the
property of the Supreme Council,33. No compensation is given for any articles, photographs, or other materials submitted or published.
ReUNION
vs. DEGREE CONFERRAL
I dont often share the degree conferrals? Do Masters of the Royal Secret, 32 Scot-
my page, but this you remember who they tish Rite Masons, never return and yet
message from Ill. Bill were, their names, where proudly claim to be Thirty-Second De-
Mollere is timely and they lived, and what they gree Masons for many years. Some pay
addresses the crucial did for a living? When their annual dues for two or three years
difference between a you left that Scottish Rite and then decide not to re-upthey
fraternity and a club. Read building at the end of the become suspended for non-payment of
it and see what applies to Thirty-second Degree duesNPD. Some attend on the occa-
you and your Valley. with the Bridge to Light sion of a special eventin the Spring,
RAS Ronald A. Seale, 33 book, perhaps a black Maundy Thursday; at Easter, the Service
cap and maybe a cap case, of Remembrance; in the Fall, the Feast
W
hen you became a Scottish Rite
Mason, you attended a reunion at
your home Valley and had between five
some brochures, some type of 14 ring,
hopefully a Master Craftsman set, a
Valley pocket Jeweldid you return
of Tishri; or maybe a family night. Some
do return and become active; they work
in the kitchen, on the stage, in degrees,
and twenty-nine degrees conferred on for the next monthly meeting? Were helping in the administrative areas;
you. Have you ever thought about the you told when it was being held? Did some become involved as Knights of St.
difference between the twoa reunion you fill out Lesson No. 1 of the Master Andrew and form a group in each Valley
and a degree conferral? It is that time of Craftsman Course and mail it in, and working and providing pure service to
the Scottish Rite year again to gather for did you return to the next reunion their Valley. And then some come and
reunion around our Orient of Louisiana where degree conferrals would occur just enjoy reunion. Those brothers do
and confer degrees. It is agreed that de- to watch, observe, consider, and try to not rush in to perform their part in a
gree conferrals occur at reunions, but do absorb those lessons from your earlier degree and then depart; they are the
reunions occur at degree conferrals? fire-hose experience? ones who sit and visit, talk, meet and
A reunion is an act of reuniting with Those who work at reunions and de- make new friends, watch several degrees,
persons after separation (Websters). A gree conferrals put in a full several days share a meal or two, enjoy drinking too
degree conferral is the act of bestow- of work preparing, cooking, cleaning, much coffee, and at the end of that one
ing, honoring or awarding persons with rehearsing, and making everything work or two-days understand reunion. They
a new rank, title, position, step, grade as close to perfect for every candidate reunited after being separated.
of membership attained through study, as possible and usually twice a year. Ah, some will say that those are the
work, or level of distinction (Websters). At the end of the reunion and degree retired brothers with nothing else to do
As a Scottish Rite Mason, most of our conferral, they are all tired, worn-out, but to go and spend a day or two out at
newer members today attended a week- hoping to just go home and rest, relax, the Consistory. Perhaps some are. As a
end or one-day reunion and were given and not think about reunions or degree young Mason, my fondest memories of
the fire-hose of degree conferrals conferrals for another five or six months. those four-day reunions were out at the
open wide, here they come, all at once. The major problem with that is that Scottish Rite watching some the twenty-
Well, we all werebut did you get these well-intentioned, hard-working, eight degrees conferred, but also wander-
any of those lessons in the Fourteenth dedicated Scottish Rite Masons have ing into the kitchen and watching all of
Degree? How about the meaning of the left behind on the curb, outside the those dedicated brothers preparing meals,
Eighteenth Degree? Did you walk away Valleys building, a new group of excited sitting in the lobby drinking too much
knowing the Royal Secret? Did you and eager Thirty-Second Degree Scot- coffee and ice-cold Delaware Punch in
sit, visit, or talk with your brothers dur- tish Rite Masons. They probably want glass bottles and eating entirely too many
ing your one- or two-day reunion with more Masonry, and some of these new Jacks Butter Cookiesall the while
Stuart C. Pool, 32
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Photography: Courtesy Bro. Marty Lewis, 32. Lewis Key illustration: C. W. Leadbeater, The Hidden Life in Freemasonry (Madras, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1926), 113.
verbatim account of a part of the original could improve, and how conveniently located near
Prestonian lecture. It reads: programs mightbe imple- their homes. I chatted
What do we call the son of a Freemason? / A mented in our individual with several brothers
Lewis. / What does it denote? / Strength. / Valleys to make member- with whomI planned to
How is a Lewis depicted in Masons Lodge? / ship in the Rite a more attend Blue Lodge. Our
As cramp (clamp) of metal, by which, when positive and benecial overall goal was to get the
fixed into a stone, great experience. brothers more involved
and ponderous weights During the conference, with and connected to the
are raised to a certain Grand Commander Ronald Scottish Rite.
height, and fixed upon A. Seale, 33, graciously I found a brother who
their proper basis, is now living in Maysville,
took the time to intro-
without which Operative KY, who didnt belong to
duce me to Ill.Bro.Dean
Masons could not so
Alban, 33, Director of Membership Ser- the Orient of Kentucky. The brother had
conveniently do.
vices.Brother Alban immediately dropped moved there from Palm Springs, CA. After
Short Talk Bulletin, Masonic Service
Association of North America (Feb. 1935) what he was doing and asked if I would speaking with him on the phone, I asked
like to see what is possible to accomplish him what Blue Lodge he attended regu-
by reaching out to some of our members larly. He informed that he didnt know of
would help the local Valleys with their of the Rite! I had the feeling that he wasnt any local lodges in the area. I told him about
VMAP (Valley Membership Achieve- going to accept no for an answer.He the Maysville Lodge No. 52, one of the most
ment Project) best practices. This showed me how to useour Valleys Senti- beautiful lodges in the state of Kentucky. I
nel System (theScottish Rite database)to invited him to go to lodge with me.
conference mainly consisted of the
nd brothers who hadnt been to ourVal- Before I knew it, it was closing time at the
fellows breaking into two groups and
leymeetings or events. We were also able House of the Temple. Ill. Brother Alban, 33
discussing what they had learned from remindedme that the otherFellowswere
to search for brothersnotseen since they
the workshops and what they thought joined the Valley.I also learnedhow to getting ready to attendthe Washington Na-
could help their Valley grow its mem- search for Scottish Rite Masons whowere tionals vs the Atlanta Braves baseball game.
bership while better serving the South- members of my own blue lodge.I was It was a great night of fellowship among
ern Jurisdiction. There were also open surprised to discover that some of my blue Brothers. I plan on keeping in touch with
discussions with Ill. Seale and Cole. lodge brothers were also members of the the new Brothers I met on this trip.
This provided the Fellows with an op- ScottishRite! I had an amazing time on this trip
portunity to get a better understanding Bro. Dean personally trained me how to and was very honored and excited that I
of how to improve their organizations. use the new Sentinel Version 2 database. It was invited. I look forward to sharing the
These Scottish Rite members came is amazing how much information is avail- information and knowledge among my
able at the touch of a ngertip. He then Brothers of the Valley of Covington who
from throughout the Southern Juris-
introduced me to the Sojourner program. were not able to attend. This was truly
diction and were able to share what
This Program allows Valleys to search the an experience that I will always fondly
was successful in their Valleys. Brothers remember, and I am eternally grateful to
database for Scottish Rite Masons who
could then take this information home belong to other Orients but who live near all those friends and brothers who made
and work with their secretaries to im- our Valley. I then used it to do a search this trip possible.
prove their own Valleys.
J
ust as Solomon oversaw the build-
ing of the Temple in Jerusalem, it
seems appropriate to review our Re-
building the Temple Campaign (RTC)
for the House of the
Temple. In 2016, we Campaign to Date
have continued to
make progress in our
efforts to raise funds,
promote awareness 71%
of the unique char-
29%
acter and heritage gifts with the remaining stipulated that all work on the House
of the House of the 71% in planned gifts such as of the Temple would be completed
Temple and its con- bequests, trusts, and gift an- as the funds are raised. To date, the
tents, and continue Cash: $13,400,000 nuities. We only count these cash we have received has been used
working to ensure Planned: $32,928,527 planned gifts upon receipt to pay for all of the architectural and
the preservation of of documentation from the engineering studies and plans; repairs
this national Masonic treasure on 16th donor that the gift will be made. This to the elevators; replacing two of the
Street in Washington, DC. documentation would include things three roofs; building permits and more.
Our goal is to raise $97 million for such as a copy of the trust, or
the expansion of our museum, library the portion of the will designat-
and archive spaces in addition to the ing the House of the Temple as a
overall preservation and renovation of beneficiary.
the House of the Temple. To date, I am The Supreme Council, in
pleased to announce that we have raised approving the campaign also
more than $46 million towards that goal!
Due to the generosity of Brethren from One of the most recent
throughout the Southern Jurisdiction renovation projects at the
we are making progress in this vital mis- House of the Temple was the
sion. Of the amount raised so far, ap- installation of a new boiler (r.)
proximately 29% has been through cash on the basement level.
Orient Chairmen
& Major Donor Officers
We have been assisted great-
ly by our Orient Chairmen. to invite this Brother to your Val-
These Brethren, who have ley to provide a program on the
been selected by their SGIG or House of the Temple.
Deputy to assist with the cam- We now have three major do-
paign, have provided an invalu- nor officers who assist in raising
able service. Their mission is to funds for both the House of the
educate the brethren in their Temple Historic Preservation
respective Orients about the campaign, of this landmark edifice to all Masons. Foundation, Inc. and the Scottish Rite
assist in identifying potential donors, If you do not know who your Orient Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA,
serve as ambassadors for the House of Chairman is, please contact your SGIG Inc. In addition, they are tasked with as-
the Temple, and explain the importance or Deputy to find out. I encourage you sisting to raise funds for Orient and Val-
Development Office
Fundraising Programs
In 2017, we plan to promote and expand
programs that provide funding opportu-
nities for both the Rebuilding the Temple nual fundraising event for the House of
Campaign and Orient 501(c)(3)s. These the Temple and RiteCare. This program
programs include our annual webathon, also provides an excellent opportunity
Celebrating the Craft (CTC), and for membership recruitment. Many
our Scottish Rite Friends Dinner Valleys host CTC parties around a meal
(SRFD) program. or snack and watch the webathon as a
CTC has become a national event. group. Inviting non-Masons as well as
Not only does it provide an opportunity Masons who are not yet in the Scottish
to raise funds for the RTC campaign, Rite provides an awesome venue to edu-
but 50% of funds raised, if designated cate them about Freemasonry in general,
by the donor, are returned to the Orient and the Rite in particular. Several Val-
to assist with RiteCare. The Supreme leys have gained new members through charity with 1/3 going to the House of
Council covers the full expense of the programs such as this. the Temple. The Supreme Council sup-
program out of their 50% of the share. Our SRFDs are a fundraising din- ports the local Valley by providing 20
In essence, 50 cents of every designated ners and auctions. The Valley that hosts 25 items at no charge to the local Valley
dollar actually is returned to the Orient. an event retains 2/3 of the net proceeds for the auction. In addition, we provide
Our goal is to make CTC the largest an- for their local 501(c)(3) Scottish Rite a tool kit for conducting the event and
will send a staff member to the first
SRFD hosted by the Valley to assist in
getting it off to a good start!
Every donation for the RTC cam-
paign is important, from the $5 gift that
we receive in the mail to the individual
that is fortunate to be able to make a
$1,000,000 donation. We thank each
of you for your support, at whatever
The PDF booklet, Scottish level you are able to assist us! There are
Rite Friends Dinners: A How-to many options available for how you can
Guide, contains useful tips make a gift, including estate planning
for setting up your rst SRFD
(see related article, p. 24). For more
including a sample timeline
information on giving opportunities,
(left). You can download a free
copy at https://scottishrite.org/
please contact the Development Office
development/giving/sr-friends/ at mszramoski@scottishrite.org or by
phone at 2027773143.
M
any people know the Supreme are books that will help you appreciate ings but the temple of the Scottish Rite
Council building, the House of Popenot only the House of the Temple, remains, in my opinion, his masterpiece.
the Temple, was completed in but also his other masterpieces. My favor- Pope was an extremely busy and pro-
October 1915. Many also know that the ite picks on Pope in the Library are The ductive architect. Some of his noble
Supreme Councils Library was the first Architecture of John Russell Pope, a three- buildings include: Union Station, Rich-
library open to the public in Washington, volume set, and The Architectural Review, mond, VA., Theodore Roosevelt Memo-
DC, and still remains open to the public January 1916, volume 4, number 1. rial, Washington, DC, Plattsburgh City
Within the three volumes Hall, NY, Lincoln Memorial, KY, Con-
of The Architecture of John Rus- stitution Hall of the Daughters of the
sell Pope are 101 plates of the American Revolution (DAR), Washing-
works of Pope. As stated by ton, DC; University Baptist Church, Bal-
Royal Cortissoz in volume two, timore, MD, Yale University, Dartmouth
College, and The John
John Russell Pope was hired in 1910 Hopkins University.
to design the House of the Temple Pope was also the archi-
tect of many private es-
which today is one of the grandest tates and residences!
Masonic buildings in the world. The Architectural Re-
view, January 1916, is my
second favorite choice. The Architectural
Review was printed soon after the House
of the Temple (the Temple of the Scot-
tish Rite) was completed in October
1915. It contains all sorts of information
and details regarding the building from
the construction of the roof, to the con-
tractors, to the flooring, marble company,
stone company, architectural woodwork,
and decorative painting. Additionally,
there are floor plans and pictures of the
different rooms within the building.
The plate above from The Architecture
These two favorites of mine in the Li-
of John Russell Pope showcases the
brary take the reader back to the time of
magnicent Temple at night. (Right) John
Russell Pope, architect.
Pope [has a faculty] which gives him his the construction of this magnificent edi-
Photography: (Pope) Bain News Service, Publisher. John
place apart in the architectural history of fice and chronicle how John Russell Pope
Russell Pope. [no Date Recorded on Caption Card] Image. the United States. He has the resourc- stood out from all the other architects
Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.
gov/item/ggb2006013780/. (Accessed October 05, 2016.)
es of an architect born to work in the who submitted design drawings. What
grand style. In referring to the House is truly amazing is that the building has
today! Perhaps many also know that the of the Temple, he states of Pope, In this not changed much since its conception.
architect of this grand building was John building a creative artist speaks out loud When looking through the Architectural
Russell Pope. But who really knows what and bold, in clear, vibrant tones. We have Review the Temple looks exactly the same
treasures reside inside this magnificent in America no monumental structure in as it did 101 years ago, and that was the in-
library? Or, who appreciates the works of which line and mass are fused more or- tention of these forward-looking men!
I
Joshua Aaron Poole, 32, Museum Curator
*Library and Museum of The Grand Lodge of Maryland, Punch Bowl, c. 1795. http://www.
mdmasonicmuseum.org/collection/punch-bowl-c-1795-2/
the Grand Lodge of Marylands website, anywhere near this punch!). The tradi- particular bowls were decorative pieces
this punch was traditionally made from tion of this intoxicating drink and how and not used as actual punch bowls. This
five canonical ingredients: lemon or lime the punch bowls would have been used is evident in the fact that the masonic
juice, sugar, water, spice (usually nut- can be seen in countless drinking songs designs on the bowls were hand painted.
meg), and liquor.* While some of the of the 18th century. Some that come to (I highly doubt someone would ruin
punch you may have this holiday season mind are: Fathom the Bowl, When I such a beautiful piece of work just to
might be a little bit on the boozy side, it Drain the Rosy Bowl, and Landlord Fill get drunk.) Although the bowls are dif-
could not hold a candle to the ABV of the Flowing Bowl. ferent in sizewith diameters ranging
the punch of yesteryear (although you While most of us Masons like our from 10.5 inches to 15.75 inchesthey
probably should not have held a candle drinks, it is more than likely that these all pretty much share the same Ma-
By Kelly Manno and Abigail Turner, House of the Temple Museum interns
Leon Zeldis, 33
Illustration: Possibly Robert Walter, Weir., Official DoD portrait. Wikimedia Commons
degree on one candidate. This is the degree that not in the thing business. We have Brothers
was rescheduled due to the initial flooding. The who are without homes, cars, clothes, food,
degree will commence at 6:30 pm, we will not be work places, churches, and do not know what
serving refreshments prior to this meeting. today or tomorrow will bringmany have
lost almost everything.
Thursday, Sept. 1This will be an OPEN As the water begins to go down slowly, we
meeting for our Fall Guest night. Please take need to remember who we are as Masons.
a moment to invite a good man who might be Caring for each other, offering assistance,
interested in Masonry and in joining our labors. and stretching forth that hand of charity is
(Above) Bros. Shane We will have a meal at 6:30 pm and the program what we do. We need to realize what we can
Marchand, 32, and Chase will commence at 7:30 pm. offer as help, aid, and assistance.
Yates II of Milford Lodge on Jeff Maynor, KCCH, WM William J. Mollere, 33, PGM
the lookout for those in need St. James Lodge No. 47, Baton Rouge, LA. SGIG in LA. From the Louisiana
of rescue from ooded areas. From St. James Update, August 24, 2016 Scottish Rite Orient Express
Grand Commander Ronald A. Seale, 33, is extremely grateful for the generous support for the Masons in Louisiana from around the country, including:
the Masonic Service Association of North America, Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri, and the Supreme Council, 33, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. He
wants to particularly acknowledge the NMJ for reaching across jurisdictional boundary and extending the hand of fraternal assistance.
`` Want to help? Send donations to the Louisiana Scottish Rite Foundation, Inc., PO Box 65, Shreveport, LA 71161 and mark your check Flood Relief.
CURRENT INTEREST
that comprise Valleys in the Orient of was planned by VM Jeff King, 32,
Texas. The ALOP provides additional and conducted by member Bob Blin- Free Masonic Graphics
leadership/membership opportunities derman, 32, and Larry Bachelear, 32. and 3D Printing Templates
to SR members in remote locations, de- Over forty people (including members,
velops a stable platform for Scottish Rite
activity and philanthropy, and facilitates
recruiting and retention within the Ori-
prospective members, and family) par-
ticipated in the fully catered meal with
an extended historic program. The pro-
B lendon Lodge No. 339,
Westerville, OH, has announced
the release of free resources to Ma-
ent of Texas. The HPALOP is located ap- fessionalism and care placed in to the sonic bodies for their immediate
proximately 120 miles north of Lubbock event demonstrates that the HPALOP use. The resources include specially
and maintains membership from the is a leader in the Valley of Lubbock and made high-resolution graphics for
northern-most counties in the Valleys Orient of Texas. use with websites, social media, etc.
area of responsibility. Submitted by These can be downloaded at http://
The second Feast of Tishri was a Jared R. Whittington, 32, www.blendon339.com/masonic-
success. The traditional observance General Secretary, Lubbock, TX graphics/.
Additionally, 3-D printable Ma-
sonic designs are available for down-
Letter to the Editor:
College Fraternity and Masonic Similarities
Fraternally,
George O. Braatz, PGM load, including working tools, a mod-
Executive Secretary, Masonic Service Association of North America el of King Solomons Temple (shown
above), and more. 3D Printing is a
high-tech process where computer
FREEMASONRY Q & A aided designs (CAD) can be made
Photography: From Wikimedia Commons, publicity photo of Mel Blanc.
Truffle-Basil
Prosciutto Purses
Become an
Intendant of the
Jessica E. Blossfeld
What
Building
Development Communications & Events Coordinator
is it?
Named after the Scottish Rites 8th Degree, which promotes
benevolence and charity, the Intendant of the Building Soci-
ety honors brethren and others who include the House of the
Temple or Scottish Rite charities in their will, trusts, or any estate
plans. Through agenerous gift like this, you join a group of dis-
tinguished individuals who serve as role models and help ensure
the House of the Temple is restored to perfection and that your
Scottish Rite Foundation will exist for generations to come. What inuenced you to include the
Where can you give? Scottish Rite in your giving plans?
I made a couple of
charitable gifts a while back
and met several wonderful
House of the Temple Scottish Rite people along the way.
Your LOCAL Scottish
Historic Preservation Foundation, Southern
Rite foundation
Everything they did, they
Foundation, Inc. Jurisdiction, USA, Inc.* were most kind. I go to
*This includes the RiteCare Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program (SRCLP), Biennial Session knowing
Kenney, J. Scott, Ph.D., Brought to How do you take yourself out of this
Light: Contemporary Freemasonry, fragmented social world? There is a sort
of isolation, whether its a spiritual -- I
Meaning and Society, Wilfrid Laurier
dont mean that you cut yourselves off
University Press, 2016, paperbound, from other people, but that it gives you
308 pages, ISBN-13: 9781771121 this sort of spaceit all sounds very
941, Available on the Internet, new insularthat you have sort of a walled
and used, from about $18.00. area where you can regenerate. And I
Brother Kenney is an Associate Professor dont think thats a bad thing. For a lot
of Sociology at Memorial University at St. of Masons, its actually a driving force.
Johns, Newfoundland. This is an intrigu- I grew up without a father and I was
ing book, written by a scholar but entirely looking to the Masons as maybe some
sort of supportive family-type thing
accessible to the layman. Let me give you
that was missing before. Yes, I think I
the some of the chapter designations
was. Once youre a Mason, you can go
sometimes, as in this case, they provide a pretty well anywhere in the world, find
As Brothers move on due to death, good overview of the contents: another Mason, and theyre sort of ob-
geography, or other reasons, certain 1. Contemporary Freemasonry: A ligated, if youre in need, to help you.
desires, ideas, and needs will leave the Neglected Field Just to have that family unit all over the
pool of active members making some 2. Paths to Masonry world as well is a big benefit I think.
activities less important if not unnec- 3. Predisposing Factors Its definitely an attraction for me.
essary. This results in an organization 4. The Social Interplay between
that is constantly evolving. For this Secrecy and Curiosity Freemasonry taps into
Lodge to succeed across time there 5. Organized/Organizing the spiritual hunger today
needs to be a constant flow of informa-
Encounters that research shows exists
tion from the members of the Lodge to
6. Attractive/Attracting despite decline in main-
the management, and from the man-
Aspects of the Craft line denominations. Its
agement to the Brothers of the Lodge.
7. Unattractive Factors/ the opposite of our dis-
Should Brothers feel that they are not
Hurdles to Get Over
being heard and have no sense of input posable society. Men are
8. Overcoming the
into the activities of the Lodge, they searching for something,
Hurdles
will become disconnected, apathetic,
9. Taking the Degrees
without knowing what
and eventually disappear. that is. The Masonic tradi-
10. Social Atmosphere
However, if a formal mechanism is tion continues to intrigue
and Member
created where every Brother has a voice
Involvement men because theres a lack
if they are willing to use it and feels con-
11. Organizational Factors and in our society, especially
fident that their opinions matter, then
they will be connected, energetic, and
Member Involvement presently, of a stable institution. The
12. Further Factors in Member
church no longer has that kind of power.
invested in the life of the Lodgebeing
willing to take whatever actions are rea- Involvement and an Overall
There isnt really anyone addressing some
sonable to contribute to its success. Explanatory Framework of the larger spiritual questions that ev-
13. Claimed Life Changes Since
eryone considersespecially younger
Becoming a Freemason
It does not take much time to read people. When you get to a certain age,
14. Contemporary Freemasonry: The
this little book, but there is food for you start to ask some of the bigger ques-
Direction Forward
many hours of thought and conversation tions and want to explore larger ideas,
here! When I joined the Craft, there was The chapter titled, Claimed Life and Masonry has the potential to present
no thought of the Lodge meeting your Changes since Becoming a Freemason is a clear path. And I think that it is not any
needsyour task was to accommodate especially enlightening. Many Masonic type of stricture.
the Lodge. For many of us, that was fine, writers have said that Freemasonry is a This is a very thought-provoking book,
but far too many Brethren, not find- transformative experience, that it pro- which gives a harder edge and focus to
ing what they sought in Lodge, simply duces real changes and development the things many of us have thought and
stopped attending. Think about the sug- within men. Brother Kenney uses the felt for decades!
11
The 6th-annual fundraising webathon, Celebrating the Craft (CTC), will premiere Saturday, May 20,
2017 from 6 pmMidnight (Eastern). Scottish Rite Has Talent is a competition where brothers with
exceptional talents are encouraged to submit a video entry of their skills for the opportunity to
perform live during the CTC. Past submissions include: singers, dancers, pianists, comedians,
magicians, actors, and more. We are always looking for unique talents, so submit yours today!
For more information, including the complete guidelines and rules, visit https://scottishrite.
org/development/giving/celebrate/talent. The SRHT submission deadline is March 1, 2017!
Film your talent. Make sure entry Go to SRHT page Fill in the form Follow instructions Receive an email Questions? Email
(5 min. or less) is in compliance at scottishrite.org on Hightail SRHT to upload & conrming receipt. jblossfeld@
with rules.* & click Submit. submission page. submit video. (24 days) scottishrite.org.