Hello, My Brothers all:

I would like to start off by again sharing with you the guidelines for a new Membership Initiative titled “Sign 3, Get One Free!” Our Valley has agreed to participate in this initiative. The concept is that any member of the Valley who signs as top line signer on three (3) or more petitions in the agreed upon calendar year, that brother’s (i.e., the signer’s) dues, including the Supreme Council’s per capita, will be waived in the following year. Only the per capita will be waived by the Supreme Council. Please think it through and take advantage of the benefit to you of participating in the “Sign 3, Get One Free” initiative.

Mark your calendars for the June 25th meeting. 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” for those new 32° Masters of the Royal Secret who desire to join and be knighted a member of the Knights of Saint Andrew. Additionally, this meeting marks the official visit of our Deputy Ill. Rick Hoover, 33°, and a program presented by Kirsten and/or Kim from our Central Florida Clinic. Our Valley Trustee, along with myself and our General Secretary look forward to having you join us for this meeting. If you desire presenting your donation directly to our Deputy, you will be afforded an opportunity to do so during the Foundation part of the program. Our Deputy will be pleased to receive it from you during his visit. Please make your check out to Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, U.S.A. Inc. Dinner will be available at 6:30pm, followed by the evening’s festivities which will take place at 7:30pm in the Lodge Room.

We continue taking advantage of technology and the regular utilization of the Zoom Video Conferencing for Executive Committee meetings, and for our newly started Master Craftsman study group. If you are interested in participating in this monthly study group, please do not wait to contact Ill. Keith at the Valley office via 407-657-4550 or via email at GenSecOrl@gmail.com. He will ensure you are added to the mailing list and receive all invitations. Participating in a study group enhances the Master Craftsman experience for everyone, and starts the building of a fraternal friendship between those brothers who participate.

The June ’21 Short Talk Bulletin titled “Scottish Rite Leaders Promote Masonic Tenets for Our Time.” Comments from David A. Glattly, Sovereign Grand Commander, Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction titled “We Need More Masons:” and from James D. Cole, Grand Commander, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction titled “Together on a Trampoline.” I encourage you to get a copy and give it a read. Working with our Craft (or Blue) Lodges benefits us all.

You are encouraged to read the Scottish Rite Journal when received. The Grand Commander’s article always contains a message and call to action. Several enhancements have been made such as a section on “Bible Study for Freemasons;” a story of a historic figure from the past; “Chips from the Quarry;” and other articles and stories you may find informative and educational. Do not forget, the SR Journal can also be received electronically. Just visit your app store online and type in Scottish Rite Journal.

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!”