My Brothers all:  

“Until We Meet Again”….. Ill:. Ronald A. Seale, 33° Grand Commander, October 2003 – August 2019 is retiring after serving our Fraternity, more especially the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for sixteen years.  The Valley of Orlando extends best wishes to Ill:. Seale, thank him for his leadership, and wish him the best in what comes next!  Please take a moment and enjoy the Grand Commanders Message in the July/August Journal.  To provide you something to ponder I also encourage you to read the article titled “Time, Timetables, and the 24-Inch Gauge,” found in this same edition of the Journal.

Now for some local information, I on behalf of the Valley of Orlando, extend a hearty “Thank You” to Ill:. Ricky Ricks who has served as the Chairman, Committee on Work (COW) for the last couple of years, after assuming the reigns from Ill:. George Van Pelt, Sr.  Ill:. Ricky has assembled a strong team, and implemented several processes to better measure and manage our Spring and Fall Reunions.  Ill:. Ricky has turned over the responsibility of Chairman of the Committee on Work to Bro:. Jay Cebollero, 32° KCCH.  In the next issue of the eNews, Brother Jay will be providing an article that includes the members of the COW and plans he has to again take us forward by enhancing the reunion experience for both the candidates, the degrees teams and support groups who continue to make our reunions a success year after year.  Please extend congratulations to Brother Jay, and with your support we will continue raising the bar toward continuously improving reunions.

As you are aware, the Rites, as they are referred to, include the Scottish Rite and the York Rite, each individual and each a slightly different organization within our fraternity.  They provide Master Masons a path to more light, and an opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of Freemasonry, and at the same time increase their network of brothers within our Fraternity.  In an effort to increase your network of friends and brothers, and to enhance the relationship we currently enjoy the Scottish Rite – Valley of Orlando and the Orlando York Rite Bodies will be hosting a Golf Tournament on the 28th of September.  Within this edition of the eNews is a flyer with details.  I would request that Scottish Rite Brothers who will participate by enjoying a round of golf and the fraternal fellowship that will be realized, please let me know via eMail (kingca1@excite.com) or phone (407-405-3268) that you will be playing and whether you will have a foursome, or will register as a single to be paired with other singles to create a foursome.  Also, you will see on the flyer contained herein, hole sponsorships are available for Lodges, other Masonic organizations, local businesses, or individuals.  I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will participate as a representative of the Scottish Rite.

I have mentioned this previously, but as a reminder, this is a Biennial Year we will be coronating and investing brothers from around the Orient with honors. This will again take place at the Valley of Tampa with details to follow after our summer Council of 400 meeting. However, for now, I encourage all who desire to attend to put the weekend of November 9th and 10th on your calendar. The Ceremony of Coronation for new 33° Inspectors Generals will take place the morning of November 9th, and the Ceremony of Investiture of new Knights Commanders of the Court of Honour will take place the afternoon of the 9th. The evening of the 9th will be the Celebratory Banquet. I mentioned in my previous article that I would have some good news concerning Honors weekend; the KCCH Investiture Ceremony will be open to family and friends! That means many who in the past were not able to gain admission will be able to witness the KCCH Investiture. No doubt there will be several brothers who as Masters of the Royal Secret might want to attend. As soon as details are final, I will ensure they are published in our eNews so you can lock in your plans for that weekend.

The stated meeting on the 26th of July will start with dinner at 6:30 p.m. followed by a tyled meeting where the Knights of Saint Andrew for the Valley Orlando will open and conduct the meeting.  Please note that they will not exemplify the twenty-ninth degree, but will include a brief overview and history of the Knights of Saint Andrew, more especially the KSA unit within the Valley of Orlando will be shared.

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!”

Fraternally,

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

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