April 2007

The Newsletter of the Orient of Virginia Scottish Rite

Volume 1, Issue 2 April 2007

Table of Contents

Page 2- SGIG Com-ments & Thoughts Page 3 - Conference President Comments

Valley Pages

Page 4 - Alexandria Page 5 - Danville Page 6 - Lynchburg Page 7 - N. News Page 8 - Norfolk Page 9 - Portsmouth 0 - Richmond Page 11 - Roanoke

Other Items

Page 12 - Spotlight of the Month: James Madison University Childhood Clinic Page 13 - Feedback Page 14 - State Calendar Page 15 thru 18 - Feature Article (Continued) Page 19 & 20 - Golf Flyers

Copyright © 2007, The Orient of Virginia under

the auspices of The Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient and Accepted

Scottish Rite, SJ, USA. No part of this publication may

be reproduced without permission of its Editor at

[email protected]

The 30th Annual Texas Lodge of Research Anson Jones Lecture

Illustrious Ronald A. Seale, 33º, Grand Commander, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, S.J.,

2006 Anson Jones Lecturer “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18) There is a poem from American poet John Godrey Saxe originating from a Buddhist parable of a group of blind men who describe an elephant to each other after each touches different parts of its body. In verse, the first of the six blind men feels the sides of the elephant and describes it as like a wall. The second feels the tusk, long and sharp, and avers the animal is like a spear. The third grasps the trunk and becomes convinced that it’s more like a snake. Then the fourth touches the leg and discovers it’s more similar to a tree. The fifth then feels the ear, which he compares with a fan. And finally, the last seizes the tail and concludes that the elephant is like a rope. Predictably, each believes that he alone is right and his companions are wrong. In my Masonic travels over the years I’ve met relatives of these men who, all being active Masons, were always eager to share their views as to what Masonry really is, and what it isn’t. Sometimes it seems they’ve got the elephant by the trunk, and other times, by the tail. But Masonry, like our fabled elephant, is much more than one thing or the other; and it may even be greater than the sum of its parts. But, if Masonry isn’t either the trunk or the tail, what is it? This is a simple question, but we often struggle to provide an answer, and rather say what Freemasonry isn’t. How many times have we heard well–meaning Brethren say that we’re not a religion, not a charity or a philanthropic order, not a secret society, not a social club, not a mutual aid order, and not a half–dozen other things. After responses like this, the person asking what we are may even know less than he did

(continued on Page 15)

The Virginian Light©

Published monthly for the Brethren of Virginia

Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33° Sovereign Grand

Commander of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient and

Accepted Scottish Rite, SJ, USA

Ill. James D. Cole, 33°

Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Virginia and

Grand Treasurer General of the Supreme Council, 33°,

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, SJ, USA

Ill. James B. Wilkinson, GC Personal Representative to

the SGIG in Virginia

Bro. David A. Burkus, KCCH Newsletter Editor

Editorial Staff

Ill. Walter S. Downs, GC Ill. William A. Wells, IGH Ill. Orville L. Lindsey, IGH

Bro. Danny O. Belott, KCCH Ill. Paul W. Pennybacker, IGH Ill. W. H. ‘Andy’ Anderson, IGH Bro. Bradford F. Burnett, KCCH

Bro. Paul D. Sleeper, 32°

One of the goals of this newsletter is to “shed some light” into the Orient of Virginia about what is going on throughout our Orient and also what is going on in other Orients. With that goal in mind, I selected, as our feature article this month, a very thought-provoking speech made last year by our Sovereign Grand Commander in Texas. I encourage everyone to read it and to reflect on the ideas he discusses. I also want to ask every member to consider joining us in Washington, D.C. at the historic joint session of the Southern and Northern Jurisdictions of Scottish Rite. This could easily be the most significant Masonic gathering in our lifetime. Every Valley has been provided with information about our accommodations at the Marriott Courtyard. A block of rooms are being held in our name at a very reasonable price. We will have a hospitality room open on Sunday, August 26 at the Courtyard for anyone wanting something to eat or drink. This room will be available for our enjoyment throughout the Session, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the team from the Valley of Newport News. The Sunday Vesper service is open to all members and their ladies. I urge any member of Scottish Rite to join us on Sunday and then stay for the historic joint session which convenes Monday morning, August 27. The joint session is open to ALL members AND their ladies. On Monday afternoon, all 33˚ members and 33˚ Elects are invited to attend the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction’s 33 ˚ Conferral Ceremony. The next day, August 28, the Southern Jurisdiction will host our Conferral of the 33˚ which is also open to all 33˚ members. It is especially important for all VIRGINIA members to be present, since the Southern Jurisdiction’s Conferral Ceremony will be conducted by the Valley of Alexandria VIRGINIA. I urge every member of Scottish Rite to try to join us in Washington. I look forward to seeing you there. Fraternally,

James D. Cole, 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Virginia

The Virg in ia L ight—Apr i l 2007

The annual Scottish Rite Spring Workshop was held on March 31, 2007 in Richmond and attended by 138 Brethren. If you were not among those present, you missed a very exciting day of activities and information.

Leadership, and in particular leadership in a volunteer organization, was the primary theme of the workshop. Our Grand Master, Most Worshipful G. Bernard Dungan, Jr., KCCH, started the program with a talk about the new mentorship program he would like to see implemented in all Masonic Lodges. Most Worshipful Dungan believes this program will retain members, while helping to educate all members. The Grand Master’s talk dovetailed into the Workshop’s theme and was followed by Most Worshipful and Illustrious Alan W. Adkins, 33°, Grand Secretary, who spoke on the various types of leaders, their styles, and provided an insight on being a successful leader. Mrs. Diane Fadley, widow of Alexandria Valley’s Illustrious Harry A. Fadley, 33°

and past president of the Virginia Scottish Rite Foundation, provided a perspective on emotional intelligence and connective leadership. Mrs. Fadley led us through personal and social competence awareness, what motivates volunteers, and the three levels of motivation; and then she familiarized us with generational differences (Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials) that shape leadership styles and how best to motivate them to become leaders. Mrs. Fadley’s presentation was interactive and our members thoroughly enjoyed participating and the information she shared. (Mrs. Fadley’s handout is available at http://www.acacia16.org/Va_Scottish_Rite_Presentation.pdf.) Illustrious Harry P. Shaffer, Jr., 33°, Tour Guide Director, George Washington Masonic Memorial, gave a brief update on the Memorial and the many changes and improvements that have been made and are forthcoming. He encouraged everyone to visit the Memorial especially when you’re in the area in September for the Conference. Plans are being made for the Scottish Rite Conference on September 14 & 15, 2007 at the Hyatt Fair Lakes, Fairfax, Virginia and information was provided on the planned golf outing on September 13, 2007. See your Valley’s Vice President for information; it will be an exciting and fun event. I hope you are planning to attend the Conference.

David H. Smith, 33°

President, Virginia Scottish Rite Conference


http://www.acacia16.org/Va_Scottish_Rite_Presentation.pdf

Valley of Alexandria

Stated Meetings on the 2nd Friday @ 7:30PM

Chartered

October 1911

Ill. Walter S. Downs, GC Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. Walter S. Downs, GC

Secretary

Ill. Roy M. Heaster, IGH Treasurer

Ill. Roy T. Mitchell, IGH

Almoner

Masters of the Four Bodies

Bro. Terry L. Gigure, KCCH Venerable Master

Bro. F. J. Pepper, KCCH

Wise Master

Bro. Jason W. Lotz, 32° Commander

Ill. Raymond D. Steele, IGH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 1430 West Braddock Road

Alexandria, VA 22309 Office: 703.998.9904 Fax: 703.778.2804

E-mail: [email protected]

Office Hours

Monday through Friday 10AM till 4PM

Greetings from Alexandria “March Madness” turned out to be “April Gladness” for the Alexandria Valley. May and June “Happiness” is closely following. The first part of March did carry a note of sorrow as we observed the “Celebration of Remembrance and Light” in tribute to eighty of our Knights Rose Croix who passed away during the preceding year. As March was ending, two happenings gave us special joy and greater hope for the month ahead. Although the annual Spring Workshop was held at the Richmond Scottish Rite Temple on March 31, the planning and direction for the program was effectively laid out by Alexandria’s Conference President, Illustrious David H. Smith, Sr., 330. He reports on this elsewhere in the Newsletter. With continued emphasis on promoting the Scottish Rite to non-members, the number of candidates continually grew in March to the potential Class size of 28 for April 21 and 28. To our delightful surprise, a member alerted the Secretary that in the next day he would present ELEVEN petitions for the Spring Reunion! With additional petitions still in process, we are very likely to have 40+ members in the upcoming reunion. You surely know the additional incentive this provides the degree casts to perform well and take pride in their efforts. When June arrives, we will be representing the Scottish Rite by promoting better public understanding of the Fraternity and its philanthropic outreach. Three outstanding Teachers of the Year will be recognized and honored in an open dinner program along with the presentation of several scholarships. For our major philanthropy – the Childhood Language Disorders Program – our visit to witness the Clinic in action at JMU will provide us all with a sense of personal satisfaction and happiness about being Scottish Rite Masons. And more lies ahead!


Valley of Danville

Stated Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday @ 7:30PM

Chartered May 1923

Ill. Ronny L. Lewis, IGH

Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. Jesse M. Hutcherson, Jr, IGH Secretary

Ill. J. Robert Denny, Jr, IGH

Treasurer

Ill. J. Robert Denny, Jr, IGH Almoner


Bro. Robert G. Fisher 32° Venerable Master

Bro. Rufus Adkins, KCCH

Wise Master

III Harold Wilson, IGH Commander

III Ronny L. Lewis, IGH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 134 Tunstall Road Danville, VA 23601

Office: 434.793.9805 Fax: 434.793.9805


Office Hours None posted

Greetings from Danville

On March 22, members of the Valley of Danville enjoyed a supper of country ham, eggs, home fries, biscuits, gravy, coffee, and tea previous to opening the Chapter of Rose Croix for the annual Celebration of Remembrance and Renewal. The evening was well attended, bringing out Brethren who are not always able to attend our Stateds.

Lynn Adams, from Radford University, will be presenting a program on “Autism” in May. This event will be advertised and open to the public.

Our Venerable Master, Brother Robert G. Fisher, 32° introduced a year-long fundraising project for the Foundation. Sandstone beverage coasters, imprinted with the Rite Care logo, are being sold for $5.00 each, or four for $15.00. In addition to that, we recently hosted a spaghetti supper fundraiser. Additional fundraising dining events are planned quarterly.

Degree teams are getting ready for our Spring Reunion to be held April 27-28.

Plans are ongoing for our "Blue Lodge Fellowship Night." Each year we facilitate the in-gathering of all of the Lodges in the Valley for an evening of fellowship, food, and Masonic Ritual. Now in its 17th year, the Blue Lodge Fellowship night proceeds under dispensation from the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. A degree team, made up of some of the best ritualists in the Valley, put on the first and second sections of the Master Masons degree with a nice dinner in between.

Danville Masonic Temple


Valley of Lynchburg

Stated Meetings on the 2nd Friday @ 7:30PM

Chartered

October 1920

Ill. Lonnie L. Godfrey, IGH Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. Orville L. Lindsey, IGH

Secretary

Bro. Jimmy P. Carter Treasurer

Ill. Robert E. Wilmouth, IGH

Almoner


Bro. A. Alvin Hatter, KCCH Venerable Master

Bro. Donlie Henderson, KCCH

Wise Master

Bro. Robert R. Eckenrode, KCCH Commander

Bro. Marvin O. Ledbetter, KCCH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 214 Lemon Drive Lynchburg, VA

Office: 434.385.4103

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 521

Lynchburg, VA 24505


Lynchburg Masonic Temple


PROJECT TALKK = SUCCESS PROGRAM

This is a program between The Lynchburg Valley Scottish Rite, The Child Care Resource Center: A Pro-gram of the Alliance for Families and Children, and the Lynchburg Public Schools. The program provides Project Talkk = Success Kits for early intervention of childhood language skill problems. Members of the Valley recently assembled 130 kits for distribution to Childcare Centers in Lynchburg and the surrounding Counties.

KNIGHTS OF ST. ANDREW (KSA) The KSA have been very active in securing applica-tions for our Spring Reunion. They have a goal of 12 and are already two thirds of the way there. The Knights are also promoting their 2nd Annual Miller Home for Girls Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 12 @ London Downs Forest, VA

Other Events for 2007

Spring Reunion - Saturday, April 28

Fireman of the Year Award – May 11 Stated

Amherst Co. Sheriff Dept – Program on Identify Theft June 8 Stated

Rt. Wor. Jeffrey E. Hodges, Grand Senior Warden

Program on The Grand Lodge of Virginia July 13 Stated

Scottish Rite Woman’s Club

Installation of Officers for 2007-2008

April 6, 2007

Valley of Newport News

Stated Meetings on the 4th Wednesday @ 7:30PM

Chartered

October 1912

Ill. Clifford A. Parker, IGH Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. Adrian “Pete” Eure, IGH

Secretary

Ill. Gerald E. Burks, IGH Treasurer

Ill. John E. Blair, IGH

Almoner


Bro. Randolph L. Rodgers, Sr., 32° Venerable Master

Bro. Herb J. Smith, Jr., KCCH

Wise Master

Bro. James D. Fulton, KCCH Commander

Bro. John M. Yoksza, Jr., KCCH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 65 Saunders Road

Newport News, VA 23601 Office: 757.599.6617 Fax: 757.599.0021


Office Hours

Monday thru Wednesday and Friday between 9AM and Noon

Greetings from Newport News Many of you may already be aware that Illustrious Clifford Alan “Skip” Parker IGH, 2002 Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, has been appointed to be our new Valley Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Virginia. We are very excited to support Skip in his new office. Be sure to congratulate him when you see him out and around the Commonwealth. Our Venerable Master along with our Committee on Work Chairman, Illustrious Jack Lee Smith, IGH, are busy getting ready for our Spring Reunion which will be held Friday, April 20th starting at 6:30 PM where we will do the 4th and 14th degrees. On Saturday April 21st starting at 8 AM. we will be doing the 18th, 30th, and 32nd Degrees. Our Ring Ceremony will conclude our Spring Reunion on April 22nd at 3 PM. We encourage all Brethren to make time to come out to support the new Brethren and Degree Team members.. On May 12th, we will have a Bar-B-Q Dinner from 5 until 7 PM. On May 19th, we will have our Scholarship Dinner and Concert. The dinner will start at 6 PM with the concert beginning at 7:30 PM. This will be for the benefit of our Scholarship Fund and the cost will be $20 per person. On June 2nd, we will have our annual Scottish Rite Family Picnic from 4 until 6 PM. This is always a great way to start off the summer. We will serve all the usual picnic items, such as hot dogs, hamburgers with all the fixing, and many more items. On July 10th, we will hold our annual Golf Tournament for the Tidewater Scottish Rite Foundation. (See details on page 14). On July 14th, we will have a Country Breakfast from 8 AM until 10 AM. If you have never been to one of these with our own Illustrious Donald C. Moyer, IGH, in the kitchen you are definitely missing out. As you can see we will be busy for the next few months. If you are in the area, stop by and enjoy our Valley of Newport News’ Southern hospitality.


Valley of Norfolk

Stated Meetings on the 3rd Thursday @ 7:30PM

Chartered

December 1874

Ill. William L. Holliday, IGH Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. T. Dudley Myers, IGH

Secretary

Ill. Donnie E. Baines, IGH Treasurer

Ill. Robert L. Campbell, IGH

Almoner


Bro. Teodore B. Dela Cruz, KCCH Venerable Master

Bro. Robert E. Thomas, 32

Wise Master

Bro. Ruben G. Permel KCCH Commander

Ill. Wayne F. Novak , IGH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 7001 Granby Street

Norfolk, VA Office: 757.489.1076 Fax: 757.489.1742


Office Hours

Monday thru Friday 9AM till Noon

Greetings from Norfolk Our Stated Meetings are on the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM with a dinner sponsored by our Scot-tish Rite Ladies at 6:30 PM at a cost of $8.00 Reserva-tions Required. We will have a speaker at 7:00 PM. The Norfolk Scottish Rite Valley elected officers for 2007 and had no one elected to serve in more than one body. The Spring Class will be on Friday April 27, 2007 and Saturday April 28, 2007 and the Fall Class will be on Friday October 26, 2007 and Saturday October 27, 2006. We will honor three Teachers of the Year from Chesa-peake, Norfolk and Virginia Beach on September 29, 2007.


Valley of Portsmouth

Stated Meetings on the 1st Monday @ 7:30PM

Chartered

1955

Ill. J. R. “Jack” Goodwin, IGH Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. W.H. ‘Andy’ Anderson, IGH

Secretary

Bro. Franklin D. Edmondson, KCCH Treasurer

Bro. Franklin D. Peters, KCCH

Almoner


Ill. Franklin A. Bonnewell, IGH Venerable Master

Bro. Jeffrey Flowers, 32°

Wise Master

Ill. Klaus-Otto Schumann, IGH Commander

Bro. Charles J. Whitmore, KCCH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 3401 Cedar Lane

P.O. Box 7276 Portsmouth, VA 23707 Office: 757.484.2930

Fax: 757.


Office Hours

Greetings from Portsmouth

We began our year with a leadership change. Due to illness, our Personal Representative Illustrious Wil-liam M. Benson, Sr., IGH, had to step down. Illustrious John R. “Jack” Goodwin, IGH, has been appointed as his successor. We have had some other new appoint-ments to our leadership team. Brother Benjamin F. Hill, KCCH, has been appointed as the Assistant Per-sonal Representative, Brother Leonard A. Fredette, 32°, as the Assistant Secretary, and Brother Franklin D. Edmondson, KCCH, as the Treasurer. They will join Illustrious Wayne H. “Andy” Anderson, IGH, Secretary, and Brother William P. Burke, KCCH, Valley Confer-ence Vice President, to complete the leadership team for the Valley. Our Knights of Saint Andrew are still enjoying suc-cesses and being very productive in their endeavors. Our Spring Reunion has been moved to June 9. Dates for the Fall Reunion have not been selected. We had a successful Teacher of the Year program on March 6. We are planning a Junior R.O.T.C. Recog-nitions Program during May and June at local high schools. Later this year we will have a Law Enforce-ment Officer of the Year program and a Firefighter and Paramedic of the Year program. We are planning on having a piano concerto fund raiser in October. The actual date has not been se-lected. The Portsmouth Scottish Rite Foundation is now well established with an Investment Policy in place to insure its growth and stability. Our website is: http://www.portsmouthaasr.com


http://www.portsmouthaasr.com

Valley of Richmond

Stated Meetings on the 4th Monday @ 7:30PM

Chartered

October 1878

Ill. L. Aubrey Stratton, IGH Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. Robert W. Carpenter, Jr., IGH

Secretary

Ill. Mack T. Ruffin, III, IGH Treasurer

Ill. Clarence E. Whitley, IGH

Almoner


Ill. Gary A. McAlexander, IGH Venerable Master

Bro. David R. McCay, Jr.

Wise Master

Bro. G. William Thomas, Jr., KCCH Commander

Bro. Kevin McLaughlin

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 4204 Hermitage Road

Richmond, VA Office: 804. Fax: 804.


Office Hours

9:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M. on M-Th 9:00 A.M. – Noon on Fri

Planning for Reunion Continues Our Valley is conducting only one Reunion this year on successive Saturdays, October 20 and October 27. On the second of the Saturdays, we will be taking buses to the House of The Temple in Washington, DC, for exemplification of the 32nd Degree in the Temple Room. It has been decided that one of the buses will stop in Fredericksburg and pickup candidates and other Brethren who live nearer to there than Richmond. As a part of the special planning, the Richmond Bodies 32nd Degree cast, including the Scottish Rite Guard, are practicing for the performance in the different setting from the stage of the Richmond Temple. Special Visitor for January 2008 Dinner Meeting The Venerable Master announced recently that Illustrious William B. Brunk, SGIG in North Carolina, will be the guest speaker at the January 2008 meeting of the Bodies. He will be making a presentation on the Scottish Rite Research Society, the group whose Board of Directors he heads. Visiting Brethren are always welcome, but we would especially like to have other Virginia AASR members join us and Illustrious James D. Cole, SGIG in Virginia, in welcoming Most Worshipful Brother Brunk, a Past Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina. Special Library Committee At Work The Venerable Master has formed a special study group headed by Brother David Amstutz, KCCH, that includes some of our most talented members whose experiences include work in the State of Virginia’s library. Our library, once a proud jewel of our Valley, has not received appropriate attention in recent years. Special Internet Committee At Work An Internet Committee has been formed in our Valley to further advance and augment the almost single-handed previous efforts of our Past Venerable Master, Brad Burnett, KCCH. Brother Brad is involved with this Committee that is investigating not only a potential website for the Valley, but how we can best use the Internet to reduce our costs of the Temple operation.


Valley of Roanoke

Stated Meetings on the 2nd Tuesday @ 6:00 PM

Chartered

October 1911

Ill. Louis K. Campbell, IGH Personal Representative of SGIG

Ill. James Campbell Bay, IGH

Secretary

Bro. Charles H. Stowe, KCCH Treasurer

Ill. Warren M. Cratch, IGH

Almoner


Bro. Charles W. Hale, KCCH Venerable Master

Bro. William M. Keyser, KCCH

Wise Master

Bro. Moody C. DeVaux, KCCH Commander

Ill. Leonard A. Rowe, IGH

Master of Kadosh

Building Address: 622 Campbell Avenue, S.W. Roanoke, VA 24016-3597

Office: 540.343.6666 Fax: 866.266.4990


Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Greetings from Roanoke We had a slight delay installing our 2007 officers, as we did not meet in February because of winter weather. Our Venerable Master, Charles Wesley Hale would like to make everyone aware of our scheduled activities for 2007. He would love to have visitors from the other Valley's for our stated meetings, our ceremonials, but especially for our Maundy Thursday Program and dinner, and our trip to Radford University. The date for our trip to Radford has not yet been confirmed, but keep your eyes out for the next newsletter. Our schedule for 2007 is as follows: April 10, 2007 Stated Meeting to Include Maundy Thursday Program and Dinner May 04, 2007 Spring Ceremonial May 08, 2007 Stated Meeting – I. Luck Gravett Scholarship Recipient Program Dinner with entertainment to follow dinner June, July, & No Stated Meetings August Family Fellowships planned for the Summer months Sept 11, 2007 Salute to Our Widows Dinner Radford College Students to recap their work with the Scottish Rite Language Disorder Clinic



James Madison University announces the 23rd Annual

David Kruger Scottish Rite Summer 2007 Speech-Language Program

On March 1st of this year, more than 100 referral sources in the Shenandoah Valley received information announcing the David Kruger Scottish Rite Summer Speech-Language Program for children to be held on the James Madison University campus from June 11 through July 19, 2007. This intensive six-week event, supported by the Virginia Scottish Rite Freemasons, promotes improved communication skills for speech-language impaired children, ranging in age from two to ten years. Soon, parents of ap-proximately 25 children will be celebrating notification of their child’s acceptance into this summer’s popular program! Children enrolled in this program may have diagnoses of autism, developmental apraxia of speech, hearing impairment, Down Syndrome, speech/language delay, etc. Thanks to the financial assistance and kindness of the Scottish Rite Foundation of Vir-ginia for more than twenty years, clinical supervisors and graduate clinicians in the De-partment of Communication Sciences and Disorders at James Madison University have had the opportunity to share their expertise and education in communication disorders to positively affect the lives of more than 500 children and their families!

Following completion of the 2006 Sum-mer Program, one parent expressed the following words of appreciation … “I wanted to write to thank you for allowing [my son] to be a part of the summer pro-gram at JMU this year. It has been an amazing experience for him, as well as for us. This morning, when [my son] woke, he said, “More school” and “JMU” … he has never done that before! I am sad for him that this program is over. It is so well or-ganized and fun for the kids. Bravo to a job well done! It is exciting to see how far [my son] continues to come.

Thanks again for allowing us to be a part of the JMU Speech/Language programs.”

Tidewater Scottish Rite Foundation Annual Golf Tournament

The 5th Annual Tidewater Scottish Rite Foundation Golf Tournament will be held this year on July 10th and will start at 9AM. Hopefully this earlier start will make the golfing more enjoyable than it has been in the past few years. This year the tournament will be held on the Black Heath Course at Ford’s Colony Country Club in Williamsburg. The cost for this year’s tournament is $80. This will include a pro set-up, driving range balls, golf cart, and a Bar-B-Q dinner at the end of the tournament in an air-conditioned room. There will be at least one car offered for a hole-in-one on one of the par 3’s and possibly others too! The Valley of Newport News is sponsoring this event and encourages all to enter a team and also to sponsor a hole. There are various levels of sponsorship starting at $100. Contact Ill. George Black, IGH at 757.851.8131, Bro. Jim Freeman at 757.850.4366, or the Valley of Newport News Office during working hours at 757.599.6617. Check this out: http://www.fordscolony.com/Williamsburg/Golf/Blackheath.cfm


Feedback

Most of the feedback we received was very positive about this new medium for conveying Scottish Rite information in the State. Hopefully I have corrected some of the wrong days and times that were in the first issue. Please continue to send comments to me or our SGIG.

Scottish Rite Education

This question is from the College of the Consistory course sponsored by the Valley of Guthrie, Orient of Oklahoma. If interested check out their website to join. Doesn’t cost anything to join. The term “ineffable” comes from the belief that it was improper to speak aloud the name of the Deity. The Scottish Rite derives this concept from the teachings of the ancient…. A. Egyptians B. Greeks C. Hebrews The answer can be found in the next issue of this newsletter or it can also be found in “A Bridge to Light” which everybody receives when they become a member.

http://www.fordscolony.com/Williamsburg/Golf/

The V irg in ia L ight—Apr i l 2007

April 20 Newport News Spring Reunion April 21 Alexandria & Newport News Spring Reunions

April 22 Newport News Ring Ceremony

April 27 Danville & Norfolk Spring Reunions

April 28 Alexandria, Danville, Lynchburg, & Norfolk Spring Reunions

May 4 Roanoke Spring Reunion

May 11 Fireman of the Year Award @ Lynchburg

May 12 2nd Annual Miller Home for Girls Golf Tournament (see flyer on Page 20)

Bar-B-Q Dinner Fundraiser @ Newport News

May 19 Scholarship Dinner & Concert Fundraiser @ Newport News

June 2 Annual Scottish Rite Picnic @ Newport News

June 11 David Kruger Scottish Rite Summer Speech-Language Program starts at James Madison University

July 10 Tidewater Scottish Rite Foundation Golf Tournament (see flyer)

July 14 Country Breakfast Fundraiser @ Newport News

August 26-28 Joint Biennial Session in Washington, D.C.

Sept 13 Conference Golf Tournament @ Fairfax, VA (see flyer)

Sept 14 & 15 Virginia Scottish Rite Conference in Fairfax, VA

Sept 29 Teacher of the Year Ceremony @ Norfolk

Oct 6 KCCH Investiture in Richmond

Oct 20 Richmond Fall Reunion

Oct 26 Newport News & Norfolk Fall Reunions

Oct 27 Newport News & Norfolk Fall Reunions

Richmond Fall Reunion (32nd Degree only) at the House of the Tem-ple, Washington, D.C.

June 9 Portsmouth Spring Reunion

before. If Freemasonry is neither this, that, nor some other thing, what is it?

Freemasonry has sometimes been called the “handmaid of religion.” This descrip-tion, wrongly understood, has made us the subject of ridicule and contempt by the overly–zealous. But Freemasonry indeed supports its members in their right to worship privately, according to the dictates of their consciences, and it affords this right to eve-ryone. We forbid divisive religious discussions and disputes. As Masons, we will not as-sert, in open Lodge, the correctness of one faith above another. We sit in harmony with our Brethren, never needing to inquire into the faith of the man next to us. We trust that he believes in Almighty God, the Great Architect of the Universe, and that he desires to improve the lives of his fellowman—and this is enough. Apart from this, we have no other right or need to know his private beliefs. I’ve often thought it strange and even self–contradictory, that some religious fanatics will tell us what we ought to do, and that we ought to pry into our fellow members’ religious views. Will these same critics de-mand to know the private religious views of their fellow members of a bowling league or a stamp–collectors club? Many sports events, and even sessions of Congress are opened with a prayer, but, obviously, the prayer does not make these events a religious service—except perhaps the Super Bowl.

It is true that the Masonic family of rites, orders, systems and appendant bodies runs a variety of charitable and philanthropic institutions. We’ve built crippled children hospitals, burn centers, aphasia and language disorder clinics, provided corrective sur-gery and eyeglasses for the vision–impaired, and have contributed to, or hosted a score of other “good–will” efforts. But this is not Freemasonry, and one need not be a Free-mason to advance such worthy causes.

We sometimes say that we are a society with secrets, but not a secret society. A se-cret society either conceals its existence and purposes, or the names of its members. We do neither. We list our phone numbers in the directory, our meeting times in the pa-per, and our members are only too proud to boast when they hold an office, be it Junior Steward or Worshipful Master. The so–called secret traditional modes of recognition have been exposed and reprinted countless times, but high–sounding titles and clap-trap of signs, tokens, and words are not the substance of the Order.

Perhaps the most frequently–encountered definition describes Masonry as “a pecu-liar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.” I do not know that this fully describes Masonry, but it does answer something. We teach our members to follow a moral code of ethics, to overcome the base desires and passions which agitate humanity, and we do this by metaphor, parable and symbol. At a basic level, we are building the temple of humanity for the world at large, and a sacred temple for our-selves, in which the Divine Spirit should preside. This simple mode of instruction is well–adapted to the needs of everyman, and it helps us propagate our universal mes-sage.


The great philosophers and religious leaders of all ages have recognized that once people learn to control base desires they become concerned for humanity as a whole. Thus, Freemasonry has also become the defender of human rights and liberty. We’re rightly proud to count among our Brethren some of the world’s greatest social and politi-cal reformers and benefactors. The ideals of the Enlightenment, which helped liberate mankind from ignorance and the superstitions of the Dark Ages and promote social and governmental liberty with responsibility, were advocated by luminaries like Brothers Rousseau and Voltaire. In an age of the “divine rule of Kings,” Freemasons met “upon the level” as equals, and promoted the great ideals of “brotherly–love, relief and truth” and “liberty, equality and fraternity.” It is almost trite and unnecessary to cite names from the pantheon of those American Revolutionary War heroes and patriots who founded this “great experiment.” These men, influenced by the ideals of our Fraternity, asserted the advantages of education, and the rights of self–government and equality, found within the Lodge. These things flow from Freemasonry, but they are not Freema-sonry itself.

We read in the book of Proverbs that, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I believe that this is as true in Freemasonry as anywhere else. If we do not have a vision of what Freemasonry is, and what it does, we are like the blind men feeling the ele-phant: completely unable to use its tremendous strength. Many earnest and well-meaning Freemasons would mould the Craft in accord with their vision, their notion of the Fraternity’s purpose and value and how it might best serve the needs of the breth-ren and humanity. And, candidly, how Masonry will best serve their individual needs.

How do we, as Masonic leaders, contend with the dilemma of conflicting visions? Freemasonry is, to be sure, many things to many people and, accordingly, different things to different people. Moreover, Masons differ not only about what Masonry is but what it should be –its role, its possibilities, and its opportunities in the twenty-first cen-tury. To some, Freemasonry in one or more of its manifestations is a premier philan-thropic organization and we regale ourselves and others recounting our largesse in phil-anthropic endeavor. These men see unanswered need and long for the day as Pike writes when want shall not cry in an unknown tongue. A clear vision of a worthwhile ob-jective. To others, Masonry is a repository of moral and philosophical teaching, a treasure trove of spirituality and ethics to be assimilated into one’s life and imparted to others. To this end, we immerse ourselves in Masonic ritual, research, publications, lectures and discussion groups. We formalize our instruction, designating ourselves as “universities”, “academies”, “schools of instruction” replete with regents, deans, fellows and members. These craftsmen see initiatory ceremonies that barely cover the essen-tials, if that, and long for a more informed and educated membership. They seek to give us knowledge of inestimable value. A clear vision of a worthwhile objective.


To still others, we are a fraternity, a place of camaraderie, fellowship, and brotherly association of like-minded individuals. As Joseph Fort Newton styled his work, we are, above all, “the men’s house.” Here we find a retreat into manhood, the masculine en-clave of brother Masons who gather for fellowship and good cheer. The nascent Ameri-can table lodge is finding broad acceptance. These brothers recognize value in good men gathering for good times, good fellowship and learning and long for a return to our roots as the table lodge is often promoted. A clear vision of a worthwhile objective.

Lastly, and yet again, Freemasonry is the place to nurture family, a place for quality family time and outings. These ideas might find expression in many social events –balls, dances, meals, social gatherings as hosted by one of the many appendant organi-zations under the Masonic umbrella. Younger men with families might be prone to par-ticipate if not forced to choose between the Craft and leaving the family behind. Or so the argument goes. These members see the conflict of choice between Family and Fra-ternity and would make Masonry “family friendly”, a place to which one’s spouse or chil-dren would have a sense of involvement and not just as a visitor on special days. A clear vision of a worthwhile objective.

But what do we do when our visions conflict? When my vision clashes with yours and yours with mine? How do we resolve the conundrum of competing visions, each with merit in its own right? In what manner do we address those differences of opinion as to the direction in which Masonry should, indeed must, move in order to prosper or even survive in the years to come?

The answer to this inquiry is paramount because Masonry will prosper only as we learn to labor together acknowledging that our brother’s contribution might be just as meritorious as ours and a positive factor for the common good of the Craft. In this spirit, we celebrate our diversity sensitive to the fact that Masonry will attract men of different interests and abilities, with potential to be tapped as a member or potential leader. An inflexible stance that each member be “just like me” does a disservice to the Craft, nar-rowing its scope and resulting attraction for good men everywhere.

The man who thus limits Masonry to those who share only his interests and vision has not yet learned his lessons well and reveals a brother in need of further instruction, however wise and accomplished he may be thought to be in Masonry. How, then, do we answer the question, “What is Freemasonry?” I am sure there are many valid responses, but one of the best philosophical definitions, or explanations that I know, came from the wise hand of Albert Pike, who wrote that “Freemasonry is ad-vancement towards the Light, on all lines of progress, moral, intellectual and spiri-tual….” Pause for a moment and listen to that once more: “Freemasonry is advance-ment towards the Light, on all lines of progress, moral, intellectual and spiritual….” For Pike, Freemasonry is the apostle, preacher and advocate of Truth alone, and as such it requires the performance of duty.


Truth, once known, becomes a moral responsibility to the true Mason who redirects his life to act in accordance to its precepts. A life lived in accord with Truth might cause each Mason to pursue one of many visions or objectives. Far from discouraging such effort, should we not applaud? Here is a man living Truth as revealed to him, Masonry as perceived by him, Duty as assumed by him. Am I arrogant enough to insist that he sees it as I? Am I tolerant enough to accord him the same latitude that I expect? Let each man thus answer for himself.

I believe that Freemasonry’s use of ceremony, ritual and allegory are merely the ve-hicles by which it encourages its members to progress morally, intellectually and spiritu-ally, as Pike wrote. This is the vision I have of Masonry; it is a system of self–improvement organized as a fraternity of symbolic builders, which employs allegories tending to self–improvement. As early as the Blue Lodge we are instructed that we are building a spiritual temple, and that the work of Masonry helps us to subdue our pas-sions. We employ the language of temple–building because we seek to make ourselves wise, happier and better. Such is Masonry as I understand it. Masonry disbelieves no truth; and we learn that the principal tenets of Masonry are the whole of the moral law, which consists of the dictates of the Moral Sense and the conclusions of Reason. Thus, Masonry requires that once we discover truth, we must teach it to others. This genuine concern for ourselves and for others, the recognition that we must do our duty to our-selves and mankind, is the spirit of Masonry.

Thus animated by this spirit, let us continue to help, aid and assist suffering human-ity, and try to make a lodge of the world, and Brothers of all men.

So mote it be.

Editor’s Note: Illustrious Seale’s lecture before the Texas Lodge of Research, delivered June 17, 2006 at the Austin Scottish Rite Theatre, originally printed in the Scottish Rite Messenger, is reprinted in the Virginia Light by permission of the Valley of Austin, Texas.


Scottish Rite

Knights of St. Andrew

2nd Annual Miller Home for Girls Golf Tournament Saturday May 12, 2007

London Downs Golf Course Forest, VA

__________________________Corporate Sponsors______________________________ Gold Sponsors – donations over $100

Sponsor Name on Gold Sponsor Board at tournament entrance Sponsor Name on Hole Sign Recognition during Tournament Awards Ceremony

Silver Sponsors - $100 donation

Sponsor Name on Hole Sign

Bronze Sponsors – Door Prizes Recognition during Tournament Awards Ceremony

Business Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ Representative: ____________________________ Telephone: ________________________________ Tax Deductible Donation: ______________________________________________________________ ___________________Tournament Information________________________________ Tournament Format Schedule

4 Man Captain Choice 12:30 P – Registration Entry Fee $65 per person ($260 per team) 12:30 P – 1:30 P – Range Includes: 01:30 P – Shot gun start

- Cart Rental & Green Fees 06:00 P – Dinner & Award Ceremony - Goody bag per player - Drink Cart - Catered dinner - Prizes for each flight, longest drive & closest to the pin * Masonic Team with lowest score will have name engraved on Golf Tournament Cup for Lodge display.__________________________________________________________________

Team Registration Please complete and return with check payable to Knights of St. Andrew, c/o Marshall Lodge 39, 1730 Wards Ferry Road, Lynchburg, VA 24502 by May 3, 2007. Questions call 434-385-1486 and leave message. Captain Name: ___________________________________________ Team Handicap ______________ Address: ________________________________________________ Telephone ___________________

SCOTTISH RITE CONFERENCE OF VIRGINIA Alexandria Valley

September 14-15, 2007

GOLF TOURNAMENT CAPTAIN’S CHOICE Shotgun Start WHEN: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2007 WHERE: Penderbrook Golf Club, 3704 Golf Trail Lane, Fairfax, Virginia 22033 TIME: 1:00 PM FEE: $55.00 per person Team # 1 ________________________________________________________ Team # 2 ________________________________________________________ Team # 3 ________________________________________________________ Team # 4 ________________________________________________________ Checks payable to: Alexandria Scottish Rite

P.O. Box #175 Alexandria, VA 22313-0175

Must receive checks by: August 24, 2007 Proceeds used for Annual Conference and Prizes

Bring you clubs and enjoy a round of golf with your friends.

Alexandria Valley’s hospitality room will be open after play.

April 2007

Documents

Transcript of April 2007