My Brothers All:

Allow me to start off my article with a great big “THANK YOU!” to all who participated in our Annual Flag Day Retirement Ceremony. The final number of flags retired was over 9,000, our largest flag count ever.  A special thank you to Brother Jay Cebollero for assembling and coordinating the program including all music and speakers and award winners. Also, the Knights of Saint Andrew who put in many hours over the course of the year preparing the flags we receive to be properly retired.

In the last issue of the eNews, I asked you to read the Grand Commanders message in the May/June ’17 S.R. Journal. I then asked you to take a few moments to reflect and think of how we can do things different with our reunion and take it to the brothers as was suggested. We will be looking for different approaches to freshen up our reunions and at the same time make attendance at the reunion a bit more convenient to ensure that those Master Masons who live in the outskirts of our area to join us and become a Master of the Royal Secret and receive all the rights, light and benefits that Scottish Rite membership provides? I look forward to hearing from you (kingca1@excite.com) with your thoughts and ideas on taking our reunion to the candidates.

There is a flyer in this edition on the up and coming annual Putt-Putt Golf Challenge on the 30th of June, starting at 6:00 p.m., with an all you can eat spaghetti dinner and a silent auction.  Your attendance is earnestly solicited and is greatly appreciated. Remember, this is an open event for family and friends, and offer an opportunity to introduce the Scottish Rite to friends who are not yet Master Masons, or to Master Masons who you would like to have join us here in the Valley of Orlando.

Mentoring is an important part of a brother’s development in 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 15th of July from 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on your calendar for breakfast and a mentoring refresher program. Please note that the date has been changed to the 15th vs the 8th. Please contact our General Secretary Ill:. Keith Albright and let him know you will be attending, so we can ensure we have breakfast and enough handouts available for each Mentor attendee.

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!”