My Brothers All: I hope this mid-August eNew finds you well and weathering the Florida heat as best you can. In this mid-August addition there are many topics to cover.

Our monthly meeting will be Friday the 26th of August with dinner served at 6:30pm followed by a tyled meeting at 7:30 in the Lodge room. This meeting will be managed by the Chapter of Rose Croix and look for a wrap up around 8:30pm. Please join us!

In effort to better communicate with our members, a text message application with the capability to remind you of meetings and special events is being rolled out. There is an article contained in this eNews that explains the process and what to expect. Please take a few minutes to carefully read the article. Information regarding meetings and other Valley of Orlando updates will be sent to your cell number. Therefore, it is important that you ensure your cell number is in the data base maintained by ILL Brother Keith, General Secretary. If you have not previously done so, please take a moment to update ILL Keith aware (via eMail or office phone) of your number.

ILL Keith located a “Pocket Petition,” which asks for basic information needed to create a file for a brother petitioning the Valley for membership. It is easily folded for close keeping at hand in a pocket allowing you to provide a petition for a Brother at that point of request. The pocket petition is attached and will continue to be attached in future editions of the eNews.

Remember that with all the online shopping taking place, AMAZON-Smile offers an opportunity to directly fund your favorite charity – The Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, USA, Inc. If you have not already done so, please visit the Amazon.com site online, and go to AMAZON Smile. You will be directed to the appropriate location to sign-up. At that point select The Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida, USA, Inc. Amazon will ensure the appropriate funds are sent to the Foundation. Thanks for your continued support!   

In this edition of the eNews and continuing through the October edition, there is a description of the Scottish Rite “Preparing for The Future” workshop. It is scheduled for presentation on the 29th of October, 2022. Registration is at 9:30 AM and the workshop will be completed by 3:00 PM. You are encouraged to bring your spouse and other Masonic friends. Please read the description included in this eNews.

Remember, the “Master Craftsman” program is available to all who are interested. It will assist you in gaining a better understanding of The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, as well as the basics of Freemasonry. As previously shared, a very active Master Craftsman study group program within the Valley is available to you. You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. If interested, please contact ILL Keith at 407.657.4550 or via eMail at GenSecOrl@gmail.com and he will assist you in getting started and ensure you are added to the mailing list to receive all ZOOM invitations. 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.

In each eNews article, please take the time to read the bi-monthly Scottish Rite Journal to enjoy the excellent articles and information to continue growing and learning about Freemasonry. At the start of the 2022, through the eNews, we started sharing short articles each month on notable Brothers within the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This section expanded and is titled “Notable Brothers of Free and Accepted Masonry.” To date we have enjoyed featured articles on Albert Pike, Brother Robert Burns, Masonic Presidents, Albert Gallatin Mackey and Benjamin Franklin, and Buzz Aldrin. This month features Brother Harry Houdini. Check it out, I am sure you will enjoy! These short articles afford another opportunity to learn about the many who have gone before us. Please read and 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, 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!”