My Brothers and Friends of the Scottish Rite – Valley of Orlando:

I just read the December 2018 Short Talk Bulletin from the Masonic Service Association of North America. This article that appeared in the bulletin was written by M:.W:. John Marinucci who has just completed his year as Grand Master of Delaware. The article talked about Masonic Civility, something we have long enjoyed and regularly practiced in our relationships, one brother to another. We have come to understand that while we might disagree, we are not disagreeable; or as I often say – we can agree to disagree. We are respectful and tolerant of what a brother has to offer, even if we don’t agree.

Unfortunately, many of those who are not within our fraternity, have become polarized not only in their thinking but in their actions. They have become divided in their views and seem to be marked by the unfortunate notion that if you support one thing, you have to oppose the other, with no room to compromise and no room for tolerance and acceptance. This can no longer continue if we expect to move our country forward and continue the practice of Democracy for our children, grandchildren and beyond.

As Masons, we must take the lead and ensure that we practice out of the lodge those moral duties we have been taught and practice within. We need to ensure that we exercise Masonic Civility when dealing with those who are not members of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons. We can’t change the current climate of our country, but we can sure make a difference in the circle of associations in which we participate, including our friends and family. Please take time to read the December 2018 Short Talk Bulletin and make every effort to practice outside the lodge those moral duties we exercise therein.

My Brothers, the spring reunion is only 6 weeks away and now is the time to start fine-tuning your degrees and making those improvements you talked about after the fall reunion. We want to ensure the experience we provide our new members is one that will be remembered as they continue their Masonic journey. This is also the time to finalize with those Brothers who you have been introducing to the Scottish Rite and make every effort to get petitions from these brothers to Ill:. Keith at the Valley office as soon as possible. We want to be prepared and ready to introduce them to the lessons and virtues contained within the degrees of The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (AASR).

As you are aware, the AASR is an organization that confers or communicates twenty-nine additional degrees and is structured to provide further Masonic Education to assist a Master Mason to grow and expand his knowledge and understanding of our great fraternity. I am confident that there are many of you out there who have a particular subject, topic, thought or experience that could be shared that would be of interest to brothers that receive our eNews. If you would like to prepare an article (and I strongly encourage you to do so) that would be published in a future edition, please get with me via email or text and give me a quick overview of what your topic will be and when you can have it ready. We will then schedule your article in a future edition.

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 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!”

May you and yours be blessed with health, happiness, and prosperity in 2019!

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!”