Hello, My Brothers all:

I again welcome those Master Masons who became 32° Masters of The Royal Secret at our Spring reunion. Hopefully, you will find time to attend our monthly meetings and get involved as your time permits.

A special note that you have heard previously, but must be restated…. On April 1st, 2021 we shared the 500th edition of the eNews and special thanks goes to all those who have contributed over this period, but particularly Ill. Ron Blaisdell, 33° our editor, who diligently ensures the eNews, including the several special editions he prepares, comes to you on the 1st and 15th of every month. This is how we communicate and keep you updated on what is taking place in the Valley or Orlando. Ill. Ron has become involved with many other responsibilities which prevents him from continuing in this role. We are actively and aggressively looking to transition the eNews to a new editor. If you would be interested in assuming this role and the associated responsibilities, please let Ill. Keith our General Secretary know by calling him at the Valley office 407-657-4550 or via email GenSecOrl@gmail.com. Your participation as the editor of this widely circulated newsletter would be greatly appreciated.

In the previous eNews, the letter from our Sovereign Grand Commander James D. Cole 33°, which is included in this edition of the eNews. He offers up his thanks for our participating in the Valley Membership Achievement Program (VMAP) for the 2021 year. The program has been enhanced a bit from the original program that started in 2017 and now focuses on three categories of membership – Retention and Engagement; Restoration and Reinstatement; and Recruitment. In addition, it also focuses on Community Involvement and The Reunion Experience. We will be making some adjustments and will make every effort to experience another successful year. These three primary categories of membership allow us to obtain and retain members, work with our senior members in maintaining their membership in the Rite, and welcome back those members who might have wandered away from the flock and would like to re-engage. The Reunion Experience is something we have been focused on for many years and are always looking for additional participants in the degrees. The category of Community Involvement speaks for itself, and allows us to take our message out to those who are not members, and recognize the contribution of non-members in their community.

Mark your calendars for the May 28th meeting. It will be a tyled meeting with the officers of the Council of Kadosh conducting the meeting. We will be presenting service awards, and I will offer a short presentation on the strategic vision, in moving forward, that was presented to myself, Ill. Keith and our Treasurer at a recent A.A.S.R. Zoom workshop. Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m., followed by our meeting at 7:30 p.m.

To cap off the first six months of the year, our June 25th meeting will be open and feature “The Ring Ceremony” to officially welcome those Brothers who joined us by way of our Spring Reunion. We will also conduct the “Knighting Ceremony” of those new 32° Master of the Royal Secret who desire to join and be knighted a member of the Knights of Saint Andrew. Additionally, we will also enjoy the official visit of our Deputy, Ill. Rick Hoover, 33°, and a program presented by Kirsten and Kim from our Central Florida Clinic. Our Valley Trustee will have an article in a future edition of the eNews concerning events for the June 25th visit. If you were holding your donation to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, U.S.A. Inc. I am confident that our Deputy would be pleased to receive it from you during his visit

We continue taking advantage of technology and the regular utilization of the Zoom video conference for Executive Committee meetings and will also utilize Zoom for the Master Craftsman study group that is starting up. Please do not wait, if you are interested in participating in this monthly study group, please contact Ill. Keith at the Valley office via GenSecOrl@gmail.com or 407-657-4550. He will ensure you are added to the mailing list and will receive all invites. Participating in a study group will not only enhance the Master Craftsman experience for each individual, but will also start the building of a fraternal friendship between those brothers who participate.

Before I close, I again encourage you to read the Scottish Rite Journal when received. The Grand Commanders article always contains a message and call to action. Several improvements have been made such as “Bible Study for Freemasons,” a story of a historic figure from the past, “Chips from the Quarry,” and other articles and stories I hope you will find informative and educational. The May / June edition should be out soon.

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 reliable 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!”