IlrS - Denver Scottish Rite Consistory · requests to profile Scottish Rite Degrees in the Rite...
Transcript of IlrS - Denver Scottish Rite Consistory · requests to profile Scottish Rite Degrees in the Rite...
fiI9DENVERVOI,UME XXI.ISSUE IIAPRIL - JUNE 20I4
CONSISTORY1370 GRANT STREETDENVER. CO 80203(303) 861-4261u u lr.den ve rco n sisto ry.o rg htE\IlrS
18th Degree - KNIGHT ROSE' CROIXBy John Warren, 33"
(Editor's Note: For some time now, the RiteWork's Editor, Bill Hickey, 32" KCCH has hadrequests to profile Scottish Rite Degrees in theRite Works, as well as the printed Newsletter.The 18th Degree, then will be the first of theseries.)
Even though there are several Degrees in theChapter of Knight Rose Croix in the SouthernJurisdiction, we will be concentrating on the 18th
Degree. This is one of the most powerful and
moving degrees of the Scottish Rite. lt is also oneof the most fragile. The Degree is a series ofcontrasting moods and it's power comes fromthose moods.
You may have acted in this degree before; youmay have worked on one of the Committes before;you may be the Director General or AssistantDirector General; or perhaps you are a sideliner, all
of whom has experienced the exemplification ofthe l8th Degree several times before and may thinkyou know it inside and out. Well, read onl You
may not know it as well as you think.From mastermason.com, we are told that in this
degree, the lessons taught are that man must havea new Temple in his heart where Diety is worshipedin spirit and in truth and that he must have a newlaw of love which all men everywhere mayunderstand and practice. This degree affirms thebroad principles of universality and tolerance.
We know from Morals and Dogma that theDegree of Rose Croix teaches three things: theunity, immutability and goodness of God, the
imortality of the soul; and the ultimate defeat and
extension of evil, wrong and sorrow by a
Redeemer.Further, we are told that the obligations of our
Ancient Brethren of the Rose Croix were to fulfill all
the duties of f riendship, cheerfulness, charity,peace, liberality, temperance and chastity: and
scrupulously avoid impurity, haughtiness, hatred,anger and every other type of vice.
Prior to the exemplification of the l8th Degree atevery Reunion, the candidates are told that: "ThisDegree has long held a specia! place of honor. As
one of the most philosophical and practica!
Degrees in Freemasonry, it encourages earnestthought and introspection."
The First Apartment is filled with despair and
sorrow. The pace is slow because it takes energyfor despair, and the mood lS despair, notdepression. The True Word is lost.
The Second Apartment represents "the abode ofthe damned". This is accomplished by lighting and
sound effects, as well as by the Master ofCeremonies giving instruction to the candidate in
the proper manner.ln the Third Apartment, as in the first, mood is
very important. The Apartment is bright and
everyone is happy. The True Word has been found.Music is important throughout the
exemplification of the Degree. lt is at a slowertempo in the First Apartment to emphasize thedespair and sorrow. ln the Second Apartment,music is louder to help the Master of Ceremonies
(18th Degree continued from page 1)
emphasize the seriousness of his instructions to the
Candidate. ln the Third Apartment, after the True
Word has been discovered, the music is more
spirtually uplifting.There is one overriding purpose which must
motivate everything that happens inside the
auditorium. The candidates must receive the best,
the most powerful, the most compelling Degree
which the total resources of the Consistory can
provide.The individual egos, the comfort of actors, the
turf-wars of directors must be sacrificed to thatgoal. To exemplify a degree is the most serious and
fraternal responsibility any of us can undertake,
because the Candidate's knowledge, his feeling forand dedication to the Rite and his progress as a
Mason is at stake with every Degree presented.
As actors, when we accept a role in this and any
other Degree, we incur that Fraternal
responsibility. To say that we "KNOW" a part so
well that we do not need rehearsals is doing a dis-
service to the rest of the cast, as well as to the
Candidates. Actors should sit back and revel in the
contribution they are making to help educate our
new Brethren.It is interesting to note that in the Northern
Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, there are only two
degrees in what they call the CHAPTER oF RoSE
CROIX, the 17th and LSth Degrees. The presiding
Officer is called the Most Wise Master. The L8th
Degree itself is called the Knight of the Rose' Croix
of H.R.D.M.. The lessons taught are much the
same as in the Southern Jurisdiction.
Albert Einstein said: "strange is our situationhere on earth. Each of us comes for a short visit,
not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a
divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life,
however, there is one thing we do know: we are
here for the sake of others...for the countless
unknown souls with whose fate we are connected
by a bond of sympathy." Many times a day, I
realize how much my outer and inner life is built
upon the labors of people, both living and dead,
and how earnestly I must exert myself in order togive in return as much as I have received.
So Mote lt Be!
BETWEEN THE COLUMNSBy Mike Moore,32" KCCH
Education for a Life Time
Our Scottish Rite degrees have much withinthem. So much so that it may take a lifetime tolearn even a small part of it. This should not be
considered a negative view, but one that challenges
us. The layers of symbolism and knowledge in our
work are very interesting and full of meaning to
everyone that studies them.It also would be naive to say that all that can be
found in our 29 degrees can be passed on to those
interested in our three day Reunions or found in any
or all of the Master Craftman's courses combined'Each time you view one of the degree dramas or
read an author's interpretation of what they containyou will see something different. That is how itshould be; truth is always new and fresh, just
waiting for you when you are ready to receive and
prepared for what it has to teach.
I have been part of or in twelve Reunions since Ibecame a Scottish Rite Mason and I know new
items are inserted every time I look at a degree. Itcan't be my forgetfullness for new aspects are veryclear every time I see one and I wonder why I did
not notice them before.These new revelations do not come if one is
preoccupied, very tired or not focused. Late at
night before bedtime is not the best time to read a
chapter from Morals and Dogma. lt will put you
asleep fast and all the valuable lessons found on the
pages will just be a blur. Neither is sitting in the
auditorium, viewing one of the dramas that many
men have spent countless hours preparing for when
you are worrying about work, family or other things
you should be doing.Truly it will take many hours of thought and
afterwards with much mulling over to grasp our
truths. It took generations of thought to write,
conceive and improve what we have. It will not be
understood with easy page turning or a simple
intemet search.All of this is not to discourage you. Take it as a
challenge. If you are willing, gteat things can be
found and understood. Things which will make you
better, improve the world around you and affect allwith whom you come in contact.
From the Secretary' s DeskBy Bill Klatil,33o
has beenCommittee.
Illustrious Brother Walt Martin, 33o
was recognized earlier this year with a
plaque recognizing his many years ofservice on the Executive Comrnittee.Illustrious Brother James Smith, 33o
appointed to replace Walt on the
Our Spring Reunion begins next month on May7th at Children's Hospital. Plans are being finalized,,with the exception of Petitions. We have anincentive to get them turned in. The first line signerwill be entered into a drawing for either a full year'sdues or a calendar year offree dinners at our StatedMeetings. In addition, first line signers will haveReunion meals free of charge.
Illustrious Brother D.J. Cox, 33o, who recentlyretired as Rite Works Editor, has been presentedwith a plaque as a small token of appreciation forhis years of service to the Consistory as Editor. DJhas helped to move this periodical from a printedversion to its present electronic format, whileenhancing the quality of the publication. We hopeto keep him involved, to a lesser degree, with thisfine publication.
The House of the Ternple Historic PreservationFoundation Certificate was recently presented toGrover Sardeson, 33o, Bob Gregory, 33o and DonEmarine, 33o. This foundation was created tomaintain, supporl and enhance the House of theTemple as an architectural landmark and as thenational headquarters of the Southern Jurisdiction ofScottish Rite Freernasonry. Other members whowere awarded certificates to this program are JohnMai,32" KCCH, Brian Galvao-Penick,32", GrantMidcap, 32o, Mike Rowen, 32" KCCH, James
Shoemaker, 32" and Ed Zom,33" .
Another installment of the popular" Let ThcreBe Light" program was held last month on theSaturday following our stated meeting. This eventbegins with fellowship over coffee and bagelsaround 8:30 with the program at 9:00 AM. This isopen to all, mcmbcrs and non-members, who wouldlike to share the passion of four speakers in 15
minute prescntations. Be prepared to learnsomething new.
REMEMBER! PETITIONS FOR THESCOTTISH RITE DEGREES ARE ALWAYSWELCOMED AND ACCEPTED!!
BLUE LODGE POSTING-The Scottish Rite inDenver is here to help. At the last Grand Lodgesession, it was pointed out that many new Masonsare not progressing in their work. Our plan is to setup posting sessions at the Consistory throughout theyear. Special points of interest initially include onApril 5th: posting on the EA Degree, insight intothe catechisms of the degree, instructions ondifferent posting methods, central meeting place, allLodges invited to attend and Masons standing on alldegrees encouraged to attend.
MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS
"Make no little plans. They have nomagic to stir men's blood and probablythemselves will not be realized. Make bigplans; aim high in hope and work,remembering that a noble, logical diagramonce recorded will never die, but long after weare gone will be a living thing, asserting itselfwith ever-growing insistency.
"Remember that our sons andgrandsons are going to do things that wouldstagger us. Let your watchword be, order, andyour beacon, beauty. Think big."----Daniel Burnham
"When you come to the end of all the lightyou know, ond it's time to step into the darkness oJ'
the ttnknown, J'aith is knowing that one of two thingsshall happen: either you will be given sontethingsolid to stand on, or yoLt will be taught to.fly."----Edward Teller ( I 908-2003)
"This I believe: That the free exploringmind of the individual human is the mostvaluable thing in the world. And this I wouldfight for: The freedom of the mind to take anydirection it wishes, undirected. And this I mustfight against: Any idea, religion or governmentwhich limits or destroys the individual."
.Iohn Steinheck
PLANNING CALENDER
Sat, Apr 5 Blue Lodge PostingMon, Apr 21 STATED MEETING
Parking Garage Available5:30 PM Red Room Business Mtg6:00 PM Dinner -Pork ChoPs
7:00 PM Past Presiding OfficersRecognition Night
7:30 PM Split Meeting - 5 minuteOration by CLOP Orator
Apr 24-26 Colorado Springs ReunionSat, Apr 26 7:00 AM - Noon - 9Health Fair.
Parking Garage Available.May l-3 Grand Junction ReunionWed, May 7 6:30 PM 44th Reunion begins at
Children's Hospital7:30 AM Spring ReunionParking Garage Available8:30 AM Spring ReunionParking Garage Available8:30 AM Reunion ConcludesParking Garage Available11:30 AM - Ladies LunchStated Meeting - Garage Avail.5:30 PM Red Room Business Mtg.6:00 PM Dinner- Beef Pot Roast
7:00 PM Entertainment7:30 PM Split Mtg - Exemplify 21'
Mon, May 26 Consistory closed-Memorial DayMon, Jun 16 Stated Meeting - Garage Available
HAWAIIAN SHIRT NIGHT5:30 PM Red Room Business Mtg6:00 PM Dinner - f,eriyaki Chicken7:00 PM Entertainment7:30 PM Split Meeting - Oration bY
Orator of CO Council of Kadosh
All menus are at www.detyelqe!!-lstQly. olg
"I value the friend who for me finds time on his
calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does
not consult his calendar."-----Robert Brault
o'To go against the dominant thinking of yourfriends, of most of the people you see every day, isperhaps the most difficult acts of heroism you can
have."-----Theodore H. White
Thu, May 8
Fri, May 9
Sat, May 10
Sat, May 17
Mon, May 19
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12124/2013otl04/201407lL4/2Ot3t2/1,s/201308/21./201306/1312012otl2s/20L407 /041201209/01,/20L3o1,/LB/20L402lto/201.412/03/2013or/271201.402/06/201.4t2l07 /2013t2/L6/2013t2/30/201312120/2013otl12/2013oB/2s/20L3oL/20/201.412/os/2013
B_relher
Max Leroy Bailey, 32"
Cecil Harold Boyd, 32"
Donald Berne Bresee, 32"
John Evert Brown, 32"
Gerald Lester Cartwright, 32"
Harold Eugene Gill, 32'Dennis Bruce Gorkin, 32'Billie Milo Greene, 32" KCCH
Joe Carol Haley, 32"
Herman Corwin Homer, 32"
Warren H. Hutchings, 32"
Earl Newell Korber, 32"
James Norris Langford, 32"
Paul Edward Little, 32"
William Harold Livingston, 32"
Howard Ralph Meakins, 32'Don Estle McCleery, 32"
Cecil Robert Mills, 32"
Leonard Leroy Richie, 32"
Leo Kay Scott, 32"
John Edward Shinton, 32'Jon Patrick Sweet, 32" KCCH
Donald W Truesdale,32"Wayne Lewis Taylor, 32'Robert Judge Van Horn, 32"
David Edward Wattenberg, 32"
James Pierce Wright, 32'
And, the SURVEY SAYS...
As you know, we released a short survey a coupleof months ago to try and determine how well theConsistory communicates with our membership andto ask a number of questions specifically about theRiteWorks e-newsletter.
With around 1400 email accounts on file, wereceived 118 responses. That is about an 8.5%o
response and is considered a fair return in statisticalterms. Obviously, we would have liked a betterresponse, because we really wanted to know howthe membership felt about our efforts to improvecommunications.
Over 93% said they read a porlion of theRiteWorks every month, with 760/o saying they readmost of it.
About 85% said they felt the number of pages
was about right.About 81% of you think we're Satisfactory or
Very Effective in our communications withmembership.
Almost 15% think we could be doing a better jobof communicating, which is a significantcommentary.
We cannot please everyone, but we can try towork on being better about communicating withthat 15o/o. There are some things we can do andsome things that are out of our control.
We are pursuing expansion of our various socialmedia outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, etc.)and you will see changes this year.
As you might expect, with only 1 l8 responses tothe survey, we have a wide variety ofrecommendations to work on. The top three, in noparticular order of significance, include: ImprovedParking, More Education and to Slow down ThePace of Degrees at a Reunion.
Fixing the parking problem is a complicated andconvoluted issue and has been with us for a longtime. We will continue to work on the issue, but weall should be realistic over the odds makingsignificant headway any time soon.
You will be seeing more educationalopportunities in our activities, sometimes at ourStated meetings and sometimes at the otheractivities we sponsor. There are some things thatwe must do, as required by charter and byregulation.
Slowing down the "pace" of the Degrees issomething that is VERY COMPLEX and affects a
lot of our membership. All we can say is that ourDirector General and the Degree Council willcontinue to examine ways to improve the deliveryof our Degrees during a Reunion. We hope youwill parlicipate and help us improve by letting usknow what works and what doesn't.
Meanwhile, we will continue to use periodicshort surveys to get your opinions andrecommendations. PLEASE, when you get a noticeabout a survey in the future, ANSWER IT so wecan get a true picture of the wishes of ourmembership.
We have also prepared a second survey in whichwe would like to understand our members'perspectives. This survey talks about Reunions,participation and activities and should take nolonger than five minutes to complete the eightquestion survey.
The link to access the new survey in yourbrowser is:
hupql vrw.survpyuqry@.
UPDATES!!! By Mike Moore,32'KccH
I redid the picture wall in the 3'd floor activityroom so stop by and see it. The wall contains9200 face of Brothers who took the degreesfrom about 1940 to present. The set on thewall is not complete and are only duplicatesfrom the archives, used to avoid sun fade andloss of historical value in the originals.
The Office has turned up a set of about 25new Rocky Mountain Consistory class pictures.Some are undated, so if any of you can helpme identify a few of the faces in them, I candate the class picture.lf any of our Brothers have any old R.M. classpictures they don't know what to do with, wewould love to add them to our growingcollection.
oolf there is anything more dangerous to the lifeof the mind than having no independentcommitment to ideas, it is having an excess ofcommitment to some special and constrictingidea."-----Richard Hofstadter
9Health Fair NewsOWN YOUR HEALTH
The date for this annual event at DenverConsistory is Saturday, April 26,2014.
Volunteers are asked to amive between 6:00 AMand 6:30 AM to register and have breakfast beforethe fair opens at 7:00 AM. We will be having a
lunch for volunteers' afterword, so we will need a
headcount if you plan to stay.This is gHealth Fair's 35tl' year providing free
and low-cost health screenings to the public andDenver Consistory's 20th year participating as a hostlocation for the fair.
During those twenty years, we have providedscreenings for over 3200 participants, serving a highof 320 in 1997 and a low of 1 12, our first year as
host.For a number of years, Saint John's Cathedral,
just a few blocks away, hosted a fair on the same
weekend as ours. A few years ago, they decided tostop participating. This leaves the Consistory andthe Visiting Nurses Association further down onGrant as the only neighborhood sites.
This year, the Visiting Nurses Association willbe helping us with medical personnel and will holdtheir own small fair aflter the main fair period topick up any stragglers.
It is fair to say that Denver Consistory has madea significant impact on the community by hostingthese fairs over the years.
Thanks to each and every one of our membersand their friends and families who have supportedthe 9Health Fairs over the years. We simply couldnot continue to support the community and fairswithout your tireless and continuing dedication.
Site Coordinator: Bill Hickey,32o KCCHwq3h@hqtlqadcqq
Medical Coordinator: Fred Runyon,32o [email protected]
Non-Med Coordinator Jack White 32" KCCHJdryIr&24 4@soLcqu
John Adams once said: "There are twoeducations in life. One should teach us how to makea Iiving and the other, how to live."
SPRING REUNION RETURNS
The opening lyric of an old song made popular by
Gene Autry, Slim Whitman and many others, goes like
this: "When it's spring time in the Rocky's, l'll be coming
back to you." So it is when our Consistory produces the
Spring Reunion.Ron Birely, 33o, Director General for Denver
Consistory has announced that the Consistory's 44th
Reunion, named The Daniel G. Taylor, 33' MemorialClass will be presented May B - 10, 2014. Opening
Ceremonies will be Wednesday night, May 7, at
Children's Hospital where the Candidates will be given an
explanation and tour of the Rite Care facility at Children's.Thursday through Saturday will be spent either
exemplifying or communicating the Degrees. Friday
night's program will be the non-obligatory part of lhe 22na
Degree. Bring your wife, girlfriend, significant other,
family, friends and neighbors for this always entertainingpresentation.
Saturday will be a very busy day with the usualpapenruork and photographs. The Reunion will concludewith the exemplification of the 30th, 31't and 32nd
Degrees. The 2'1,t Degree will be communicated to the
Class on Thursday, while being exemplified at the May
Stated Meeting.
Our new Brothers' will spend three days learning
about the Scottish Rite, but they may not learn about the
hundreds of Brothers and ladies, donating thousands ofhours to make this production work. Their pay? The
satisfaction of seeing the candidates learn.
A Scottish Rite definition of the word Reunion states
that "A Reunion is a reuniting of the membership after aperiod of separation. lt is a homecoming of the Brethren
in a continuing fellowship of the Fraternity. We are the
Degrees. All that represents the Rite rest on theperformance of the Degrees. They are the mystic cabletow which connects men to us."
We now have in place an incentive program for firstline signers of new petitions and with the Candidate's
completion of the Degrees, These first line signers will be
entered into a drawing for either a one year payment ofdues or dinners at Stated Meetings for a year. ln
addition, each first line signer will be eligible for freemeals during the Reunion.
SCOTTISH RITE MASONIC CENTER
By Jay Bobick, 33", President
Our historic Masonic Center facility providesevery member with an awesome place to meetfor our wide variety of events and functions as
well as provide an excellent place for us tosupport the public in their desire to havefunctions in a convenient and congenial setting.Our building has served and will continue to fulfillthe needs of so many throughout the years if onlywe recognize our obligation to maintain it in a
manner in which we all may take pride.Yes, you have guessed it; your support is again
needed! As the building is 9o years old, from timeto time, repairs and replacements are required.Recently, our Chiller failed (a normal occurrence)and needs to be replaced. As this is a mainstay in
the operation of our Center, the only option is anew Chiller. The decision has been made for MaiService Corporation (MSC) to remove the old andinstall the new, requiring extensive workincluding cranes to remove and replace all fromthe roof, place the new chiller in a morefunctional location, all the associated piping,electrical and condensate materials andinstallation required.
With any project there is a cost. For thisproject, the pricing is $56,9oo.oo which is verycompetitive. Our staff worked diligently to insurewe received the best available for the bestpricing. We often fail to realize the dedicatedwork done by our staff in their continuing effortsto maintain the Masonic Center in topnotchcondition. This is another example of why weshould all give the staff a heartfelt thank you.
Now for the purpose of this article which is
twofold. First, it keeps you in the loop byproviding needed information for you to knowwhat is happening and second, to let you knowthat your support is always required. We are a
volunteer organization and, as such, cannotfunction without the support of the membership.Most of us think that we are unable to providethe funds as we are everyday working people orretired on a fixed income. Yet, if we all gave whatwe are able without an adverse effect on us or
our families (sound familiar?), we can raise thefunds needed to accomplish this and futureprojects. The amount given is not the issue. lt is
the giving by all that makes the difference.Please give what you are able to support our
historic Scottish Rite Masonic Center. By doingso, you will be one of those who appreciate thevalue to each of us in having our facility availablefor all to enjoy. Let's make sure another 90 yearsof service remains on the horizon. Please sendyour donation to our SR Office now!
THE PRELATE'S PULPITBy James H. Harris,32o KCCH
We often call the room we gather in for ourMonday night meetings "the auditorium".However, I feel it is a special place and merits a
different name. I would like for us to call it"Temple Hall" or another name which reflects thesignificance of our meeting room.
Also in that room we have our reunions as wellas special events and activities. I have officiated atfunerals in our meeting room. At one time thesuggested name was "The Cathedral Room". Doyou have name suggestions? If you do, please letme know. Have a great week and remember "to letyour light shine".
ATTEND YOUR BLUE LODGE
Your attendance at your Blue Lodge is veryimportant to show or renew your interest in thefoundation of Masonry. By attending the meetings,activities and degrees, you will refresh yourknowledge and support your officers. You haveskills that are needed for ritual work, planning,cooking, cleaning and encouraging new Masons.
You certainly know that petitions for the ScottishRite can be found at your Blue Lodge. Attend yourBlue Lodge and visit other area Blue Lodges to getmore out of your membership.
DENVER CONSISTORY NEWS STAFF DENVER CONSISTORY OFFICEWilliam C. Klatil, 33" Bulletin Advisory (303) 861-4261 FAX (303)861-4269John A. Moreno, 33", Staff Photographer 1-877-861-2123 Toll-Free Long DistanceD. J. Cox, 33', Editor Emeritus Denver Consistory News is published four timesBill Hickey, 32' KCCH, Editor a year (Jan, Apr, Jul, Sep). Deadline for articleJohn Warren, 33" Editor submissions is two weeks prior to the first ofAshley Buss, 33'Webmaster the month of publication.
Email : [email protected]
CENTENNIAL LODGE OF PERFECTION Non-Profit OrganizationDENVER CONSISTORY U.S. PostageWilliam C. Klatil,33o, Secretary PAID1370 Grant StreetDenver, CO 80203 Pinemailers.com
ALLEGIANCEThe bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish
Rite of Freemasonry, sitting in the Valley ofDenver, Orient of Colorado, acknowledge and
yield allegiance to theSupreme Council
(Mother Council of the World)of the Inspectors General, Knights
Commander of the House of the Temple ofSolomon of the Thirty-third Degree of the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of FreemasonryFor the Southern Jr"rrisdiction ofThe United States of Arnerica
Ronald A. Seale,33oSovereign Grand Commander
Supreme Council, 33o, Washington, D.C.
Stephen M. Munsinger, 33o
Sovereign Grand Inspector GeneralFor the Orient of Colorado
David W. Powell,33"Personal Representative of the
SGIG in ColoradoFor the Valley of Denver
Venerable MosterCentenniol Lodge of PerfectionPeler DeLourier, 32" KCCH
Wisa MosterRocky Mountoin Chapter of
Rosa CroixThomos M. Thompson, 33"
Commander
Colorodo Council of Kodosh
Michoel Moore, 32" KCCH
Moster of Kodosh
Denver ConsistoryJohn Trainor, 33"
Almoner
M. Edword Johnson, 33"
TreosurerWoyne G- Arner, 33"
S ecr et ary -Reco rd e r - Reg istrorWilliom C. Klotil, 33"