My Brothers All:

Let me start by offering my thanks to the eight Brothers who conferred the Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal at our March meeting, along with the support staff who provided music, lights and sound.  Together you established the tone that allowed us to reflect and remember those brothers who passed to the Celestial Lodge above during the 2016 year. As it shared in the closing comment by the Wise Master – “each of the white roses placed on the cross symbolically represent those members of our fraternity who have completed their earthly labors during the past year.  Please keep them in your memory and let us celebrate their lives by making the best of their examples.”  I ask you each to remember this phrase and celebrate the lives of our brothers who have passed during 2016 by making the best of their examples.

Also around the corner is the Spring Reunion on the 8th and 9th of April.  The degree masters and various committee heads have met, and we are in the preparation mode to ensure we have a superb Reunion following the fall reunion which was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew.  Make sure these dates are on your calendars, and I encourage those brothers who are not participating in the reunion to take a small amount of time and participate by being a member of the audience.  Watch a degree or two, join us for breakfast or lunch, but most important enjoy some fellowship with your brothers. We would be pleased to have you join us.

Last, but by no means least is the annual Celebrate the Craft (CTC) webathon, which this year will take place on Saturday the 20th of May from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.  As in past years, your charitable donation made during the webathon may be split between the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign and the Scottish Rite charities in your Orient as directed by your SGIG or Deputy.  In our case that would be to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida USA, Inc. which supports our 14 language learning disorder clinics.  For more information on his national webathon visit https://scottishrite.org/development/giving/celebrate/. As we have done in past years we will host a fellowship gathering at the Valley Masonic Center on the 20th of May from 5:30 p.m. until around 8:00 p.m. We will provide refreshments and ask you to please put this date on your calendar and join us for an hour or two of fellowship with your brothers and your family. We will also be broadcasting the webathon live. As with all our meetings and events that are not tyled; please feel free to invite those brothers and their spouses or significant others to join us, affording them an opportunity to begin to understand some of the lessons we teach, meet some new brothers and participate in the fellowship we share.

Until next time, remember the many things for which you are thankful!  Be safe in your travels; “whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring brother;” and respect the dignity of all, as it makes you and our fraternity stronger one action at a time.  We are realizing the benefits of Scottish Rite Freemasonry as we actively participate today.  We want to ensure that what we are enjoying today will be strong for those who will follow.  Simply stated – “We lead the way today, so those who follow us can lead the way tomorrow!”  Thanks for your continued support and participation; and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”

Fraternally,

Ill Chester A. “Chet” King, 33°
Personal Representative

“People forget what you say, and forget what you do, but forever remember how you made them feel!”