Hello, My Brothers All!

2018 has begun, installations at the Lodge level are well underway, and we are planning for a successful year for our Valley. We are evaluating our success with VMAP initiatives for 2017 and preparing a detailed summary to the Supreme Council documenting our progress and highlighting those additions we have made. We are also finalizing plans for 2018 that will add one or two more items that we can implement toward continuing to improve the Scottish Rite experience for our existing members, and particularly for Master Masons who are not yet members of the Rite and desire to become a Master of the Royal Secret.

I strongly encourage each member of the Valley of Orlando to attend the January 26th tyled meeting, where I will present the annual “State of The Valley” overview and offer thoughts on moving forward. It will be informative and data-driven. After this presentation, we will open the Consistory to ladies and guests for our first graduation ceremony for those brothers who have completed the three-year “College of the Consistory Degree Study Program.” This program was established and conducted by Ill:. Harry V. Eisenberg, a graduate of the College of the Consistory Program in Guthrie, Oklahoma, who created a local program in the Valley of Orlando. Our class graduates have committed much time and studied to complete this class, and you are encouraged to join us for dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by the State of the Valley and graduation ceremony. Those brothers who are graduating would be pleased to have in attendance an excellent representation of members to congratulate them on this accomplishment. As always feel free to bring a Master Mason and his lady that you believe would benefit from joining the Rite, and let him see what we do and get a sense of the education that is available upon becoming a member.

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. Thanks for your continued support and participation; and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”

May you and yours be blessed with health, happiness, and prosperity in 2018!

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!”