My Brothers All:

Spring has sprung and that means it is time for the annual Celebrate the Craft (CTC) webathon by the Supreme Council, 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 light refreshments and ask you to please put this date on your calendar and join us for an hour or two of family fellowship with your brothers and their families.  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.  Your attendance and support is greatly appreciated!

Mentoring is an important part of a brother’s development and understanding of the Scottish Rite, and supports him in becoming an active part of our organization.  Mentoring in this valley is done by the top line signer of a petition who is most likely best known to the new Master of the Royal Secret.  Being there to answer their questions and ensure they are comfortable and feel a part of our Valley and the Rite is important as they continue their journey in the Scottish Rite.  Feeling comfortable allows a New Master of The Royal Secret to enjoy the rights, light and benefits that are available to them as 32° Masons.  As a top line signer – past, present or future (meaning ALL brothers) – of a brother’s petition into the Scottish Rite, you are requested to please put the 8th of July from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on your calendar for breakfast and a mentoring refresher program.  Please contact our General Secretary Ill:. Keith Albright and let him know you will be attending, so we can ensure we have breakfast and copies of information sheets available for each Mentor.

By now you have received my letter explaining our situation and the steps we will be taking to improve our financial situation and strengthening our position as we move forward, growing Scottish Rite in the Valley of Orlando.  Future editions of the Valley of Orlando “eNews” will contain updates as appropriate.  I have every confidence that we will be stronger as we move through and complete the steps outlined in my letter.  Please remember “Change is my Friend,” and together we can do the right thing, always looking to strengthen our footprint in Freemasonry here in the greater Central Florida area.  As I indicated in our meeting this past Friday the 28th of April, if you have a thought or would like to discuss and better understand please call me and I will be glad to explain in more detail.

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!”