My Brothers All: A warm thank you goes out to the brothers of the Valley of Orlando and their ladies who assisted in honoring those brothers within the Valley who were called to the Celestial Lodge on high during the 2021 year. Your dedication to this important event is appreciated by so many and their families.

Five Brothers from the Valley of Orlando, along with 99 others, traveled to Tampa to participate in the Valley of Tampa spring reunion to become our newest 32° Masters of the Royal Secret. This is the last reunion held in the current Tampa Consistory building and we look forward to the completion of their new building within a timeline to be determined; estimated 18 months to 2 years at this time. Our Spring Reunion is fast approaching, and is scheduled for April 9th and 10th. Now is the time to focus on getting petitions from Master Masons who expressed an interest in joining the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. (A.A.S.R.). The Valley of Orlando will confer those degrees associated with the Spring Reunion.

In each eNews article, you are encouraged to read the bi-monthly Scottish Rite Journal, and enjoy the excellent articles and information contained therein. Also, to continue growing and learning about Freemasonry, the Short Talk Bulletin (STB) offers short stories about many varied topics. Please note that this publication is celebrating its one hundredth anniversary with Volume 100, No. 1. Each Masonic Lodge receives a copy of the STB each month. Please take 10 minutes to read and reflect.

As a reminder, our both Master Craftsman study groups started up again in January 2022. If you are interested in participating in this monthly study group, please contact Ill Keith at the Valley office via 407-657-4550 or via eMail at GenSecOrl@gmail.com to ensure you are added to the mailing list to receive all invitations to participate via ZOOM. Keep in mind that participating in a study group enhances the Master Craftsman experience for everyone and starts the building of fraternal friendships between those brothers who participate.

At the start of the 2022 year, the eNews started sharing short articles on notable Brothers within the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This section has been expanded and is titled “Notable Brothers of Free and Accepted Masonry.” Each month this section provides an article on a notable Brother Mason(s). The eNews published on the 1st and 15th of January featured articles on Albert Pike. The two editions for February feature Brother Robert Burns. The March editions of eNews features an article on Masonic Presidents. In this issue of the eNews, Albert Gallatin Mackey is featured. I hope you enjoy!  

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 available for those who 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. May the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”

May you and yours be blessed with health, happiness and prosperity in 2022, and may we all stay COVID free.

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!”