Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason

The Oklahoma
Scottish Rite Mason
• The official publication of the Guthrie Oklahoma Valley, A.A.S.R., S.J. • March 2016 •
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 1
The Oklahoma
Scottish Rite Mason
Official Publication of the Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
Valley Of Guthrie
ROBERT G. DAVIS, 33° G.C.
Editor
Scottish Rite Masonic Center
P.O. Box 70
Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044
(405) 282-1281
[email protected]
S.G.I.G. IN OKLAHOMA
Joe R. Manning, Jr., 33°
Featured Articles
3
my bag of blessings
is full
5
The Way of the Craftsmen
Reunion
ADVISORY CONFERENCE
Charles L. Stuckey 33°...................................................... Chairman
Robert G. Davis, 33° GC....................................................Secretary
John L. Logan 33°................................................................. Member
B.F. Rowland, Jr., 33°............................................................ Member
Jack Painter, 33°..................................................................... Member
Bryan Shackelford, 32°..........................................Venerable Master
Gerald Stegall, KCCH..................................................Wise Master
David Shore, KCCH.................................. Commander of Kadosh
Ronald Minshall, 33°............................................Master of Kadosh
13
A Man’s wardrobe
should make a statement
by Robert G. Davis, 33° G.C.
GUTHRIE SCOTTISH RITE
CHARITABLE & EDUCATIONAL Foundation
Michael Wiggins, 33°..........................................................President
Brian Pierson, 33°.......................................................Vice President
Preston Doerflinger, KCCH..................................................Trustee
14
GUTHRIE SCOTTISH RITE
Building Company
The Flags and Standards
of the Masonic Camp
by Robert G. Davis, 33° G.C.
H. Ed French, 33°................................................................President
James T. Tresner, II, 33° GC.................................Director of Work
Chuck Dunning, KCCH..............................Director of Education
David Tennison, KCCH......................................................Almoner
On the Cover
• The Auditorium of the Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Center •
The Main Auditorium is the heart of the Temple, equipped for the full staging
of the 29 degrees. There are 1,760 fixed seats in the auditorium, located on three
levels. The great arch of the balcony, when built, was the largest unsupported
cement arch in the world. The ceiling contains decorative lined acoustic domes,
typical of European opera houses, which provide superb sound quality to the
room.
Cover photo and photo at right by Matt Anthony, 32°
2 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
My Bag of Blessings Is Full
One of my heros in Oklahoma Masonry is Ill. Frank
Derr, 33°. He was born in 1874 and joined the Guthrie
Valley as a member of the Dedication Class in 1900 when
our first temple was completed. He was elected secretary
of his class. He became the Secretary of the Valley in 1908
and held that position for 36 years, retiring in 1944. No
other Secretary has achieved that level of tenure. He served
our fraternity as Grand Master of Masons in Oklahoma
in 1920. He died on December 30, 1950. The beautiful
bronze statue of Silence atop the antique Verdi marble
base in the temple Atrium was dedicated to his memory
by a class named in his honor in 1952. He was a man of
great vision and determination. I can only imagine the
extraordinary challenges he must have faced during the 9
year period from 1920 to 1929 when our present temple
was under construction. The stock market crashed one
month before the temple was completed; leading to the
greatest economic depression in US history. I have a deep
respect for Frank Derr’s leadership in seeing to it that the
$3 million building debt was fully paid by 1945.
Whenever I worry about the challenges we have today
in restoring and maintaining Oklahoma’s most beautiful
building, I think of Frank Derr. His spirit is always with
me. His legacy has kept me centered on the duties at
hand of being a Valley Secretary of one of the best known
Scottish Rite organizations in the nation.
To my brethren, I can only attest to what an astonishing
statement of commitment and resolve our forefathers left
for us. What a remarkable legacy and heritage we have.
It has been an extraordinary privilege to carry the torch
of this reputation and serve as Secretary of the Guthrie
Valley for the past 30 years. I was hired on October 17,
1986. It is an extraordinary blessing in a man’s life to have
the privilege of being paid for what he truly loves to do.
But I must now take what time the Grand Architect
will allow me to focus on my wonderful wife Sharon.
She has been my love and companion for 46 years. I am
announcing to the craft my retirement as Valley Secretary
effective May 1, 2016.
There are so many things I could convey to you, my
Brothers, regarding what we have together accomplished
and how we have been able to add to the vision and legacy
of the Guthrie Scottish Rite in our own time. First and
foremost, I must acknowledge your commitment to
membership in our Valley; for always doing your share
in helping our Valley meet its yearly obligations; and, for
your participation in maintaining our Valley’s purpose as
the college course in Masonic teaching.
It would take a book to lift up
all the things which have made me
proud in my tenure as Secretary;
but there are a few which I believe
were crucial, and which stand out
as making the biggest difference
in effecting everything else we have
been able to accomplish in our Valley
over the past three decades.
The first is that I was able to talk Dr. Jim Tresner, a
long-time friend and Masonic mentor, in relocating with
me from Enid to Guthrie shortly after I became Secretary. I
knew his communication skills, his knowledge of Masonry,
his love of the Scottish Rite, and his experience in theatre
would be of extraordinary benefit to Freemasonry in
Oklahoma and the Scottish Rite. I was not wrong. Jim has
a national reputation as a Masonic scholar, and has done
so much to build Guthrie’s reputation through the years.
Our annual spring reunions, which often draw more than
100 out-of-staters to witness, is testimony enough of Jim’s
contribution to Guthrie’s legacy.
Second, Guthrie has at all times been blessed with
excellent Board members and Foundation trustees. The
leadership team has always comprised solid business men
who can embrace a good idea. They understand their role
as directing policy and progress on behalf of the Valley’s
members. They have always taken care of the Valley’s and
Foundation’s business before them. And they have made
a thoughtful decision not to be political personalities.
Their ethics have been wholly centered on leadership.
This has proven a blessing that has eluded many Masonic
organizations. I am grateful to have had such a caring and
responsible team of leaders.
Every member of the Guthrie Valley knows that
the bottom line of any success we have is driven by our
sustainable financial capability. Our beautiful temple is
listed in the top three of Masonic buildings in America for
its architectural integrity and interior design. It is both our
greatest asset and our highest liability.
Selecting what I consider my greatest achievement as
a Secretary has always been easy for me. And it happened
shortly after I was hired. The total financial assets of the
Valley at that time were only $3.5 million. I realized we
could not long sustain our programs and building without
additional funds. I applied to the IRS for a Letter Ruling
that would make the maintenance, repair and restoration
of the Guthrie Temple a purpose of the Guthrie Scottish
cont. on page 4
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 3
Rite Foundation. It gave our temple
tax exempt status, which made
contributions toward its restoration
deductible to the donor. The
application process took 18 months.
The House of the Temple aided
the Valley in hiring an attorney in
Washington DC to address the legal
justifications for my request. He had
been an IRS employee and had written a
part of the nation’s tax law. I was asked to attend hearings
before the IRS ruling board. It was an extraordinary
undertaking. When our Foundation received the Letter
Ruling in our favor in June, 1988, we were the first Masonic
building in America to receive one under section 501c3
of the Code! It set the precedent for all historic Masonic
buildings in the United States to subsequently do the
same. It had a nationwide impact on the fraternity. But,
most importantly, it gave the Valley of Guthrie the means
to raise money for the annual upkeep of Oklahoma’s most
beautiful building.
The Ruling set the framework for another major
accomplishment. It greatly relieved the Lodge of Perfection
from bearing the cost of major repairs. When I came on
board in the fall of 1986, the Guthrie Lodge of Perfection
had only $1.5 million in reserve. It has always taken every
dime of the earnings from that reserve fund to sustain
the operation of the Valley. It is important for everyone
to know that, with the long term decline in Masonic
membership we have experienced since 1959, our member
dues pay only 24% of the costs of maintaining the Guthrie
Scottish Rite Temple and its properties. The difference is
made up in investment income from the operating reserve,
income from our perpetual membership endowment,
temple rentals, and operational help from the Foundation.
Fortunately, the perpetual member endowment was put in
place to help alleviate the burden of the Lodge operating
reserve and it has grown through the years to $1.7 million.
Still, we barely make ends meet each year in the Lodge.
When I came on board, the Foundation Endowment
was only $2 million. The earnings from that endowment
were directed entirely toward our Childhood Language
Disorders philanthropy and college scholarships. By
making the temple a part of our Foundation, so much
more has been accomplished. In fact, we have expended
$4.7 million in restoring and maintaining our temple since
1988! While doing so, we have also grown our Temple
Improvement Fund Endowment to $3.2 million! And
we have been able to increase our Lodge of Perfection
4 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
Operating Reserve Fund to $2.6 million. Our Charitable
and Educational Endowment Fund and Operating Reserve
have grown to $6 million. This is a wonderful achievement.
Still, there is over a million dollars in priority expenditures
we could make each year if we had the resources to do so.
Restoring and endowing our temple has always been my
greatest challenge. Perhaps it will be remembered as my
greatest achievement.
I would be remiss if I did not add my deep appreciation
and respect for our temple staff. Certainly, a cardinal rule in
good management is that you employ professional people.
The employees of the Guthrie Valley have been with us a
long time. They each know what they are doing, and they
do it extremely well. I will never forget them. Much of our
success is owing to their individual talents and skills.
Finally, I have very much enjoyed my relationships
through the years with the three Sovereign Grand
Inspector Generals I have served. They have given me the
freedom to be a good administrator, and they have never
usurped the authority and leadership of the Valley Boards
and Committees. Oklahoma is fortunate in that our
SGIG’s have always been actively engaged in the workings
and progress of their Valleys; they have not only been
good stewards of the Scottish Rite on their watch; they
have sustained a great partnership with Valley leaders and
members which have facilitated our successes.
My brethren, it has been a great run. I can never
overstate my respect for your active involvement in the
Guthrie Valley; whether you simply pay dues each year,
or attend every reunion. It all matters! I cannot thank you
enough for giving us a national reputation for excellence
in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. We have done this
together. We have kept Frank Derr’s
vision alive.
I know my successor will be in
the best of hands. For now, my
bag of blessings is full. And I love
each of you mightily.
With Respect to all of you,
Robert G. Davis, 33°, G...C...
General Secretary
Any Brother interested in applying for the Valley Secretary’s
position can send an introductory letter and attached resume’ to
Joe R. Manning, Jr., 33°, SGIG, PO Box 8, Cushing, OK 74023
“The Way of the Craftsmen” Reunion Set for April 1-3, 2016!
What an appropriate name for a Scottish Rite
Reunion! As Masons, we derive our history from the
association of artisans and craftsmen who built the
temples and public houses of the middle ages. In our
occupations, we are each the craftsmen of our trade or
skill or profession. And every father and husband knows
that the care and attention we give our family requires the
same detail as that of a carpenter. The values and ethos
of craftsmanship are among the important things we
should live by. No matter what we do; our job is a craft.
It is through the attention we give our craftsmanship that
we achieve excellence or find fulfillment and joy in our life
experience. Thus, craftsmanship is not a destination; it’s a
life-long discipline.
We should think of Masonry in the same way. To most
fraternal men, Masonry is a way of life. It is the toolbox we
use to work out the quality of our life. After all, it is the
quality of work we do on ourselves that makes a difference.
It is a passion for betterment. It is the experience of a thing
well done. It is the core values of our morals and ethics as
men. It is our guidepost to virtue.
The way of Freemasonry is, in a large sense, the way of
the craftsmen.
On April 1-3, 2016, Guthrie Scottish Rite will hold
its spring reunion. As it has each spring for decades, the
Valley will again fully stage all 29 degrees of the Rite.
We will again teach the great lessons in situational and
principles ethics. We will explore the nature of religion.
We will investigate the forces of good and evil in the
world. We will contemplate the meaning of truth. And we
will resolve to return to our homes and families as better
men. That is the way of the craftsmen.
A candidate reception and introduction to the Rite
will take place on Thursday evening prior to the reunion,
beginning with pizza at 6:30 pm. Registration begins
on Friday morning at 7 am, followed by the opening
ceremonies in the Main Auditorium at 8 am, which
is open to our ladies. The Advisory Conference and
Foundation trustees will meet on Friday morning while
the degrees are taking place. The work of the Rite will
continue throughout the weekend, with the 32° scheduled
to go on at 2:40 pm on Sunday.
There will be candidate breakout sessions,
opportunities for questions and answers, and education
given beyond what is presented in the degrees. For
members, there will be education sessions scheduled
throughout the weekend. These are always very interesting.
Check out the attached schedule for times and locations.
It is an opportunity for members to have their Scottish
Rite experience enhanced as they come back to enjoy
the reunion with their brethren. Members are invited
to attend as many activities as they like, watch as many
degrees as they wish, and embrace the wonderful fraternal
conversations.
As always, we will have many out-of-state guests with
us for the reunion weekend. Be sure and show them your
best Oklahoma hospitality. It is what they talk about when
they return to their own Orients. We are always glad they
are with us. And we know they are glad they came.
After all, this is the way of the craftsmen! Stuckey Appointed Valley Chairman
Inspector Manning recently announced that he has named Charles Stuckey, 33°, as the chairman
of the Guthrie Advisory Conference for 2016. Stuckey has been a long and faithful leader of the
Valley, serving and directing the Kay County degree teams through the years and helping the Valley in
membership recruitment and retention in his area. He is a Past Grand Master of Masons in Oklahoma,
having served the craft in 2002. Brother Stuckey is also active in the York Rite Bodies, having presided
over the Grand Chapter, Grand Council and Grand Commandery of Oklahoma; along with several
other national capacities for the York Rite.
As chairman of the Guthrie Advisory Conference, he will also serve as the Personal Representative
to Inspector Manning in the Valley. He replaces John Logan, 33°, who served as the Valley chairman
the last three years. Inspector Manning has followed a policy since he was elected a member of the
Supreme Council to rotate the Guthrie Chairman position every three years. This is a testament to the
quality of men who serve our Valley and our Foundation. Chairman Stuckey will do a good job for the
Valley, and we are pleased he has agreed to take on this responsibility in our behalf.
Charles Stuckey, 33°
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 5
“The Way of the Craftsmen” Reunion
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Candidate Registration 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Candidate Reception 6:30 p.m.
Intro to the Scottish Rite Experience 7:00 p.m.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Breakfast ......................................................................................... 6:00 a.m.
Registration of Candidates------------------------------------------ 7:00-7:30 a.m.
Class Introduction to Scottish Rite--------------------------------- 7:30-8:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremonies------------------------------------------------------- 8:00 a.m.
Introduction to the Degrees------------------------------------------------ 8:45 a.m.
4° Secret Master (Guthrie-Johnston)------------------------------------- 8:55 a.m.
5° Perfect Master (Kay-McGee)------------------------------------------ 9:55 a.m.
Candidate Education (Your Legacy)-------------------------------- 10:20 a.m.
6° Confidential Secretary (Okla City-Crowder)-----------------------11:00 a.m.
7° Provost and Judge (Altus-King)--------------------------------------11:30 a.m.
8° Intendant of the Building (Cushing-Dunaway)---------------------12:10 p.m.
Member Lunch............................................................................. 12:00 p.m.
Candidate Luncheon---------------------------------------------------- 12:30 p.m.
9°, 10° Elu of Nine, Fifteen----------------------------------------------- 1:15 p.m.
*11°Elu of the Twelve (OKC-McCrory)-------------------------------- 1:55 p.m.
Member Education--------------------------------------------------------2:30 p.m.
12° Master Architect (Edmond-Wall)------------------------------------ 2:35 p.m.
13° Royal Arch of Solomon (Norman-Marshall)----------------------- 3:35 p.m.
*14° Perfect Elu (Del City-Hanna)--------------------------------------- 4:30 p.m.
Obligation 4°-14°------------------------------------------------------- 5:20 p.m.
Introduction to the Chapter Rose Croix---------------------------------- 5:45 p.m.
15° Knight of the East (Lawton-Zura)----------------------------------- 5:50 p.m.
Knights of St. Andrew Processional
Saturday, April 2, 2016 Cont.
23° Chief of the Tabernacle (Yukon-Smith)-------------------------------3:45 p.m.
Member Education--------------------------------------------------------- 4:00 p.m.
24° Prince of the Tabernacle (West Central-Sheppard)------------------4:30 p.m.
25° Sufi Master (West Ok-Freas)-------------------------------------------5:30 p.m.
26° Prince of Mercy (Okla City-Dick)-------------------------------------6:15 p.m.
Class Election of Officers----------------------------------------------------6:45 p.m.
Masonic Conversation and Q&A
optional attendance for candidates
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Breakfast ........................................................................................... 6:30 a.m.
27° Prince Adept (SW Okla-Grigsby).................................................. 7:30 a.m.
28° Knight Commander of the Temple (Enid-Heaton)........................ 8:20 a.m.
29° Scottish Knight of St. Andrew (OKC-Gulbranson)...................... 9:30 a.m.
30° Knight of Kadosh (OKC-Schoolfield)......................................... 10:30 a.m.
Member Education..........................................................................11:00 a.m.
Obligation 19°-30°........................................................................ 11:30 a.m.
Candidate Luncheon........................................................................11:35 a.m.
Member Lunch . ............................................................................. 12:00 p.m.
Class Memorial..................................................................................12:30 p.m.
Class Picture.......................................................................................12:45 p.m.
Introduction to the Consistory.............................................................1:00 p.m.
31° Initiate of the Egyptian Mysteries (Norman/OKC-Cook).............1:05 p.m.
Candidate Education (Key to the Mysteries)................................. 2:05 p.m.
32° Master of the Royal Secret (OKC-Dixon).....................................2:40 p.m.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
*Passport degrees 11°, 14°, 16°, 22°
Breakfast ......................................................................................... 6:30 a.m.
*16° Prince of Jerusalem (Okla City-Foster)--------------------------- 7:45 a.m.
17° Knight of the East and West (Duncan-Powers)-------------------- 8:40 a.m.
18° Knight Rose Croix (Okla City-Weed)------------------------------- 9:45 a.m.
Obligation 15°-18°-----------------------------------------------------10:55 a.m.
Member Education------------------------------------------------------ 11:00 a.m.
Introduction to the Council of Kadosh---------------------------------11:15 a.m.
19° Grand Pontiff (Okla City-Minshall)--------------------------------11:20 a.m.
Member Lunch . ........................................................................... 12:00 p.m.
Luncheon for 50 Year Invitees---------------------------------------- 12:00 p.m.
Candidate Luncheon---------------------------------------------------- 12:00 p.m.
Candidate Education (Misuse of the Working Tools)------------ 12:45 p.m.
20° Master of the Symbolic Lodge (Woodward-Kinsley)------------- 1:25 p.m.
Patent Presentation Fall 2015 Class-----------------------------------2:00 p.m.
21° Noachite or Prussian Knight (Lawton-McKenzie)---------------- 2:20 p.m.
*22° Prince of Libanus (Kay County-Christopher)-------------------- 3:15 p.m.
6 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
MEDITATION SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 31, 2016
8:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, April 1, 2016
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. and
AOR Business Meeting
Sunday, April 3, 2016
7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
The Way of the Craftsmen
“Come, Craftsmen assembled, our pleasure to share,
Who work by the Plumb and remember the Square;
While traveling in love on the level of time,
Sweet hope shall light onto a far better clime;
Sweet hope shall light onto a far better clime.
-- Lodge Song, 1878
The archetype of the craftsman is as old as Masonry itself. Our institution was founded on the idea that man is a
builder. His ability to create something useful and valuable is his mark of manhood. He fashions the world to his liking
and goes about his business of shaping it and influencing its betterment. He is an operative symbol of construction and
industry. He develops himself so he can improve the status of his family and his community. He is the icon of mature
masculinity.
It is no mystery why Freemasonry attached itself to the history of the craft guilds of the middle ages. The guilds
were associations of men who possessed special skills, taught them by master craftsmen over a period of years; which
they, in turn, could pass along to their sons so that the good name of the family could be preserved for generations. The
reputation of a family was earned through the mastery and esteem of those who held the family name.
For nearly a thousand years, men of the craft shaped labor, production and trade; they controlled instructional
capital, and they provided a lifetime progression of skill to those who followed them--from apprenticeship to craftsman,
to journeyman—and eventually to master and occasionally even to grandmaster status. The guild was at the center of
European economic structure until well into the 16th century.
The guilds were a fraternity as much as they were a communication and training center for men of the craft. They
gave our speculative organization the vision and the plan it needed to create a pathway to social honor for men of every
generation, regardless of whether they were actually tradesmen. The idea is that each of us should be about the business
of doing what we love to do and doing it as well as we can.
This is the model of success in men. The fraternity has always existed to guide the ethics of men in society. It has
always had a vested interest in men, and the betterment of our gender. The Blue Lodge and the Scottish Rite provide
us with the old guild system of moral and ethical teachings which employs the traditions of myth, ritual and religion
to assist men in their own path to personal and spiritual development. It is a progressive system of teaching because it
recognizes that all human beings must come to know who they are, why they are here, and what has meaning in their
lives.
And most of us are also curious if there is anything to look forward to after this life ends. Reconciling these
important questions in the overall scheme of things is the life work of humanity. But to know oneself requires experience
in living; it requires observing others, examining traditions, experiencing passion, confronting challenge, making
mistakes, overcoming grief. It also requires contemplation and meditation, education and knowledge. All these things
define our human experience. And since we rarely experience life in isolation, it is also important that we live as well as
we can in association with our fellow men.
The many moral and ethical guideposts to right living given us by the lessons of our degrees, and taught us by the
men of integrity we meet in our fraternity and in our life become for each of us, the way of the craftsmen.
My Brethren, this is our way. Let us embrace it with all our heart, mind and spirit; knowing that the most fulfilling
reward of living by the craftsman ethic is the feeling of pride in knowing that we have lived well. It’s the satisfaction of
seeing our inner integrity displayed in the wholeness and quality of our life’s external labor. It is the indeed the Way of
the Craftsmen.
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 7
2016 OFFICERS
OF THE GUTHRIE SCOTTISH RITE
Bryan Shackelford, 32°
Venerable Master
Gerald Stegall, KCCH
Wise Master
David Shore, KCCH
Commander of Kadosh
Ronald Minshall, 33°
Master of Kadosh
2016 Lodge of Perfection Officers
2016 Council of Kadosh Officers
Senior Warden.........................John Christopher, KCCH
Junior Warden............................................. Caleb Finch
Orator.............................................Brian Westmoreland
Treasurer (All Bodies).....................Gene McKelvey, 33°
Almoner (All Bodies).................. David Tennison, KCCH
Secretary (All Bodies)...........Robert G. Davis, 33° G. C.
Prelate.................................................... Jason Marshall
Master of Ceremonies...................... Damon Devereaux
Expert.................................................... Robert Leonard
Asst. Expert................................................. James Rule
Captain of Hosts........................................... Jim Seeger
Tyler................................................................. Ed Wood
First Lt. Commander....................................Tim Israel, KCCH
Second Lt. Commander..........................David Altland, KCCH
Chancellor..................................................James V. Smith, III
Orator.................................................................... Troy Collier
Master of Ceremonies......................................Garrett Stegall
Turcoplier................................................ John Church, KCCH
Draper.................................................................... Rex Brown
First Deacon.......................................................Guy Brigman
Second Deacon.............................................. Donald Wolford
Bearer of the White Standard.............................Jeffery Smith
Bearer of the Beauseant.................................. Steven McMall
Bearer of the Black Standard..................................Kevin Mills
Lt. of the Guard................................................John A. Downs
Tyler................................................................. Kyle Reynolds
2016 Chapter Rose Croix Officers
Senior Warden...................................... Matthew McGee
Junior Warden.................................. Dana Clark, KCCH
Orator............................... R. Wayne McConnell, KCCH
Master of Ceremonies................... Ronald Wray, KCCH
Expert.........................................Kenneth Alcorn, KCCH
Asst. Expert.......................................... Dan Christopher
Standard Bearer...............................Mike Harris, KCCH
Guardian Temple.......................................... James Hail
Tyler......................................................... David Yocham
8 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
2016 Consistory
Prior............................................................ Paul Waits, KCCH
Preceptor.........................................................Steve Guerrero
Chancellor........................................................ Travis Roberts
Minister of State...............................Joe Goenaga, Jr., KCCH
Prelate.................................................. Jim Nobles, II , KCCH
Marshal of Ceremonies....................................... Robert Cook
Expert.............................................. Clyde Schoolfield, KCCH
Asst. Expert........................................................ Dan Hanttula
Captain of the Guard......................................Jefferson Fluker
Tyler........................................................... John M. Espen, III
Painter Appointed Chairman of VMAP for Guthrie
Southern Jurisdiction VMAP Program Reports Good First Year Results
• 2016 WORKBOOK •
the Royal Secret to active engagement in Valley activities,
The Valley Member Achievement Program
REVISED 1/12/2016
our reunion registrations were up, and our year end
(VMAP) was adopted by the Supreme Council last year
suspensions were the lowest they have ever been.
as a result of over 400 suggestions and ideas that were
The Supreme Council,
33° are particularly proud of how the Masters
collected from Scottish Rite Masons nationwide
the Scottish Rite We
Ancient &at
Accepted
of Freemasonry
of the
four Guthrie Bodies engaged their officers to
Southern Jurisdiction,
U.S.A.
Scottish Rite leadership conferences held during 2014.
take on specific roles for the Valley during the year. It
It is a program that addresses 11 aspects of Scottish Rite
was particularly delightful to see the officers at events
activity and is designed to help every Valley provide its
held away from the temple. As a result of the VMAP
members with a superior Scottish Rite experience. It is
imperatives, we believe those who have been elected and
a voluntary program and to participate, a Valley must
appointed as leaders and member representatives of the
enroll and complete a set of goals each year. With the
Valley have a new expectation of their involvement and
first year now behind us, we can report that over 90% of
overall value to the Valley’s success. This should pay
all Scottish Rite Valleys participated in VMAP in 2015.
great dividends in the future, as our leadership team has
By all reports, the program has been a rousing success
expanded significantly.
across the Southern Jurisdiction! Many Valleys are doing
The Advisory Conference has again enrolled in the
things for the first time which have not before been
2016 VMAP program, and we are happy to announce
tried. More members are engaged and involved than ever
that Brother Jack Painter, 33°, has been appointed by
before. It is an exciting program, and the Guthrie Valley
the Conference as the Valley VMAP Chairman for the
is an enthusiastic player.
ensuing year. Brother Painter is one of our most active
We enrolled in the program last year, and committed
membership recruitment and retention leaders, and
to setting goals in ten different program areas involving
brings a lot of energy toward Scottish Rite activity and
membership retention and engagement, Scottish Rite
success. He is a very active in all aspects of Oklahoma
education for members and candidates, new member
Masonry. The VMAP
participation, overall reunion experience, degree conferral
committee will meet during
proficiency, officer responsibility and engagement, public
February and plan the
image building, philanthropy and temple organizational
program that it must submit
enhancement. In 2015, we specifically focused on three
to the House of the Temple
program areas, including member recruitment, new
by February 29.
member engagement,, and officer responsibilities and
We are confident we will
engagement.
continue to see quantifiable
While we didn’t accomplish everything we hoped,
improvements in all areas of
we made special efforts to improve our programming
our Valley as we build on the
in these three areas in particular. We initiated preVMAP program each year.
Reunion friends nights, we invited our new Masters of
Jack Painter, 33°
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 9
I
Valley & Foundation News
Supporting the RiteCare Clinic, with the Castle du
Gran Pere. . .
Brother Jim Martin and his wife Evelyn
have long been supporters of the Guthrie
RiteCare Clinic, and they have chosen to
offer their support in an uniquely fun way.
You see, they are very talented builders,
of the doll house and toy craft variety.
They have previously donated a finely
crafted doll house that was raffled during
reunion, with the proceeds benefiting
the clinic. When they contacted Nancy
Wright, director of the RiteCare Clinic
last fall with an offer to build a castle for
the same purpose, Nancy was excited to
accept.
The castle is now built and will be
offered at the April Reunion by the
Knights of St. Andrew.
This is a marvelous example of
craftsmanship and will be coveted by
Organ Restoration Continues. . .
Ma
sonic C
harity
up
po r t
(405) 282-6484
n
eme
v
o
r
p
Temple Im
t
Rite Care
s
P
nthropy
hila
children and adults alike. The walls are
hinged to fold and latch for easy carrying.
The drawbridge stays in an upright
position because of magnets. Soldiers,
and perhaps dragons and Knights
Templars will be provided, as well as a
carrying case. The dimensions are 12”
wide, 13” to the top of the parapets
and 17” to the top of the towers. It is 4”
thick when unfolded. When folded and
locked, it is 12” x 17” x 8”.
Tickets will be $2
or $5 for 3 chances.
If you are unable
to attend reunion
and are interested in
purchasing tickets for
this drawing, please
give us a call at 405282-1281.
When tourists hear the Kimball Organ in our Main Auditorium for the first time, it literally brings some of them to tears. It
is such an overwhelming and glorious sound. When it was installed in 1926, it was the largest organ in the southwest. With 65
ranks and 5,373 pipes, it is capable of making a statement!
The foundation has taken on a major organ restoration for only the second time in its history. Last year we were able to
rewind and revoice the 32’ bombarde and improve the wiring in the console. Tuning
keyboards were installed and wired to the existing relays. This will make the annual
tuning much easier to perform.
In addition to the tunings and minor repairs, this year’s project is comprised
of working on the loudest and most difficult to tune pipes in the organ—the four
Tuba reeds in the Solo, which include the 16’ Profunda, 8”Mirabilis, 8’ Sonora, and
4’ Clarion. These reeds will be taken back to the shop for washing, damage repair,
cleaning of the reeds and shallots, replacing the damaged wedges; then reassembling
and regulating. It is a major undertaking.
One of the major items still before us is the re-leathering of the wood stoppered
pipes in the organ. This has never been done, and it is not hard to imagine how
dry and brittle these leathers must be. We are hoping to get by another year before
tackling this project.
If you have not heard the temple organ in a few years, you should take whatever
opportunity you have to include this on your bucket list of things worth doing. In
addition to hearing our wonderful instrument played during our degrees, we plan on
hosting an organ concert each year during the fall or Christmas season. We have the
benefit of having some of the best organists in Oklahoma as members. We should
enjoy their talent and the gift of our organ as often as we can!
Organist Andrew Schaefer at the 2015 Christmas Concert
10 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
Range of Temple Improvements Budgeted in 2016
Temple Improvements Planned for 2016
Because of a generous estate gift received to the Lodge
of Perfection last year which was not expected, we were
able to complete the replacement of all the windows on
the east façade of the old legislative hall. This was a huge
accomplishment because the new windows are not only
designed to replicate the original 1908 windows, the new
windows and frames are also made of the highest quality
and will serve the Valley for generations to come. The new
windows are double pane, with insulated bronze frames
and wood sashes. The cost was $130,000. The foundation
trustees are hopeful we will be able to continue our
window replacement program, but were not able to
add another phase in 2016 because of a necessary roof
replacement that is currently underway. For those with a
generous spirit in 2016, the replacement of the windows
on the building’s north and south facades will cost $75,000
for each elevation. This would be a wonderful gift to the
restoration of Oklahoma’s most historic building!
For 2016, the replacement of the last section of
the temple atrium roof, which is the largest of the 12
roofs over the temple, will be accomplished at a cost of
$67,000. We will be replacing roofs each year until we
have completed the task. Fortunately, over the past four
years, we have replaced roofs over the largest rooms in the
building, including the Crystal Room, Legislative Hall,
and Atrium. It is estimated we still have $250,000 in roof
projects in front of us.
Other improvements planned for 2016
include replacing the drapes in the Writing
Room, repointing the front steps, renovating
the Ladies Lounge, replacing the water lines above the
large restroom adjacent to the snack bar, renovating the
small dining room in the southeast corner of the ballroom,
installing a tempering valve to set the hot water heater at a
high enough temperature to operate the dishwasher, while
mixing cold water with the hot water to the rest of the hotel
showers and sinks, and purchasing a second commercial
refrigerator to serve the basement kitchen. The temple improvement fund also pays all the utility
costs of the building each year, which run about $62,000;
and it helps pay the salaries of our building maintenance
personnel who are totally engaged in the temple’s upkeep
and repairs.
All of this is made possible because of the continued
support of the temple restoration program through
member gifts, and individual and lodge donations to the
temple improvement fund. It can’t go without mentioning
how important all our members are in enabling us to keep
the most beautiful building in Oklahoma. It is important
for everyone to realize that member dues pay only 23& of
the costs of maintaining the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple
and its properties. What a legacy we have together!
Innkeepers Complete Mattress Purchase Project!
For those of us who attend our Guthrie Reunions regularly know that the Innkeepers have been passing the hat the last
few years for the purpose of replacing the mattresses in the hotel. It was a painless way of raising funds. Each reunion, an item
was raffled off with the fund collected directed at mattress purchases. The Lodge of Perfection assisted by budgeting around
$1,000 each year to aid the project along.
After 5 years, we are happy to report that all 200 beds in our Inn now have a mattress that one can sleep on without
worrying if he will fall through to the floor before morning. Our old mattresses may have tested the resolve of real men, but
they weren’t anything to write home about.
We want to give a special thanks to Brother Dan Shea, KCCH, a member of the Valley of Tulsa, for having the mattresses made for our Inn. He not only provided the mattresses, but often donated items such as flat screen TVs for the raffles!
Dan owns and operates Bill Shea’s Appliances in Tulsa. It was a wonderful act of brotherhood on his part, and the Innkeepers are grateful for his generosity.
The next project is to replace all of the pillows on the beds. Pillows don’t cost much, so if you are a tenant of our Inn
during our reunions, why don’t you throw them an extra $20 the next time you stay with us? We will have new pillows in no
time at all!
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 11
Celebrating 10th Anniversary
During the October 2015 Reunion, 10 Year pins were
presented to Eric Vickers, Richard White, Gerald E. Miller,
Jr., Mike Harris, Wesley Rose, Walter Marion, Corky
Grigsby and Steve Guerrero.. SGIG Manning and Advisory
Conference Chairman John Logan, 33° presented the pins
and certificates during a ceremony held in the Crystal Room.
Many family members were present to celebrate with the
brethren.
Celebrating 25th Anniversary
During a Crystal Room reception, Brothers Manning and
Logan presented 25 Year pins to the following brethren,
Terry Bullard, John Dahlem, Pat Sheppard, 33°, Fred
Dittmar, 33°, Brian Gulbranson, Stephen Cox, 33°, Robert
Carr, Paul Niehoff and Gary Thompson, KCCH.
50 Year Honor
Richard C. Brown of Alva received his 50 year membership
pin at a special luncheon during Reunion. We are sorry the
picture is not available. Congratulations Brother Brown.
April 2015 Class Patent Presentations
Several members of the April 2015 class returned to the Fall
Reunion to receive their 32° Patent and class picture from
Brothers Logan, Manning and Davis. Returning members
were Wilfred Perez, Johnathan Lorrey, Francis Hasson,
Glenn Fredrickson, Tilford Thronesberry, Tommy Kelly,
Louis Harrison and Warren Wheeler.
12 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
A Man’s Wardrobe Should
Make a Statement
Every good man knows that how he presents himself to
strangers and new acquaintances is important. In the business
world, first impressions are very powerful because they are often
the only bits of information that we have which enables us to make
a snap decision as to whether we like or trust someone. And when
it comes to first impressions, how we look is initially more powerful
than what we say.
This is the reason every man has a few basics in his wardrobe—
belts, shoes, suits, dress shirts, ties, casual shirts, slacks, jeans, polo
shirts, sweaters—you get the idea. We need to be prepared for any
kind of get together, from meeting clients, running into friends, to
taking our lady out on the town.
Now imagine the enormity of making the best first impression
in 29 separate settings over the course of a single weekend. Such
a scenario would challenge the best of wardrobes. But that is
precisely what the wardrobes in most Scottish Rite temples have to
be. The impressions we make may all be historical in a visual sense,
but they are first impressions just the same.
Sadly, the wardrobes attached to most fraternal theatres have
been around for a century or longer. In fact, in most Valleys across
the Southern Jurisdiction, much of the degree regalia, paraphernalia,
and props used in the conferrals have been around since the Valley’s
inception. This is certainly the case in Guthrie. We have crowns for
princes and kings, birettas for priests, mitres for bishops, helmets
for guards and knights, turbans for temple workman; and a whole
host of sword belts, sashes, baldrics and aprons; not to mention
a wardrobe full of tunics, togas, robes, mantles and shawls made
of the finest linens, silk, wool, and animal skins. We have enough
sandals to outfit a desert expedition. From the finery of palace kings
to the rags of the tortured and unfortunate, if you can think of it,
the Guthrie wardrobe department probably has it. It’s all vintage
costuming, sold to the fraternal theater back when the theatre of
the fraternity was a big deal.
Finding replacements for all of this regalia and paraphernalia
is no easy task. Gone are the fraternal supply houses that costumed
the Rite at the end of the 19th century. There are a lot fewer
purchasing choices today than we once enjoyed. And most of what
needs replacing is a special order item.
A recent example in the Valley of Guthrie regarded the flags
or pennons of the 32°. If you recall, these are 14 in number and
accompany the encampments erected along the external lines of the
Masonic Camp. Each flag is a different color, and each is designated
by one or more letters, along with emblems representing an icon
significant to the members housed in each tent. These are displayed
on poles attached to flag stands placed on the floor playing area of
the Guthrie Temple at each reunion. Officers of the degree give
wonderful explanations of the central teachings of each of the
degrees as they hold the flags of each tent.
At the last reunion, the Guthrie temple properties department
brought to our attention that the flags we have been displaying
during this degree for the last hundred years were nothing more
than tattered and frayed rags of their former self. Who could have
guessed? These beautiful and colorful silk banners, measuring
only 8 ½” by 11”, looked fine when one was sitting 30 feet away
from them. But, up close, the flags of the 32° did not make a good
impression.
We immediately set about the business of ordering another
set of flags. But alas! They were no longer made; and hadn’t been
made for a half century or more. It was just one of the many items
of stage paraphernalia that can’t be stocked; especially when only
purchased every 100 years or so!
Fortunately, New London Regalia, headquartered in New
London, Ohio, came to our rescue. New London has only been
around for a quarter century, but the original founders had a lot
of experience in the industry and were active members of the
fraternity. They knew what was needed in the theatre departments
of the Scottish Rite. This company always makes products of the
highest quality.
They had no patterns for the flags of the 32nd Degree. They
had no files showing what would be required to make a set for a
Valley; and had, in fact, never seen these items up close. We had
nothing to lose. We removed the flags off their poles and shipped
the lot of them to New London and asked if they could reproduce a
new set that looked exactly like the originals. They were up for the
challenge.
We received the finished product in the mail in early February.
They are stunning. They are accurate in every detail. And the
craftsmanship is what we have come to expect from the craftsmen
at New London. As you will see from a few of the photos supplied
with this article, this was a job well done.
We can’t
wait to show
them off at our
April, 2016
Scottish Rite
reunion! They
will indeed
make a good
first impression.
After all, that is
what good men
are supposed to
do.
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 13
The Flags and Standards of the Ma sonic Camp In the last issue of the Oklahoma
Scottish Rite Mason we
highlighted the Masonic Camp of
the 32°, and explained why it was
the most notable symbol in the
whole of the Scottish Rite. It is
truly the trestleboard of the Rite in
that it summarizes the whole duty
and character of the man who is a
Mason. It represents all the ideals
upon which we can choose to build
our life. The Rite provides us the
guideposts for right living. We have
pledged ourselves to be on the path.
It is up to us to make what we will of
our life.
In this issue, we will highlight
the flags and standards of the
Camp. These are placed along the
external lines of the Camp and
mark the tents, or encampments, of
the Masons within each grouping of
degrees. It is important to understand
that these collectively represent the
structure, moral duty, philosophical
tenets and mottoes of the Rite. The first
encampments are nine in number and
are situated at each of the points of the
geometric nonagon of the Camp. There
the Masons of the 1st through the 18th
Degrees are symbolically encamped.
9th Tent
Apprentices, Fellowcrafts, and Master Masons
The flag is blue, symbolizing perfection and truth. The letters are I and S.
8th Tent
Secret Masters and Perfect Masters. The flag is green, symbolizing the inspiration to create, and the unchanging immortality of all this is divine and true. The letter is N.
7th Tent
Confidential Secretaries and Provosts and Judges. The flag is red and green, symbolizing the enthusiasm and regenerative impulse to create a more compassionate world. The
letter is O.
6th Tent
Indendents of the Building. The flag is red and black, symbolizing the nobility of
authority and power when applied to the sublimation of ignorance and the
enlightenment of mankind. The letter is N.
5th Tent
Elus of the Nine, Elus of the Fifteen, and Elus of the Twelve. The flag is black,
symbolizing the imprisonment of the spirit and intellect by ignorance, superstition, and
deceit; the ignorance of potentialities of an unawakened mind. The letter is X.
4th Tent
Master Architects and Masons of the Royal Arch of Solomon. The flag is black and red,
symbolizing the awakening of slumbering consciousness which leads to divine light. The
letter is I.
3rd Tent
Pefect Elus. The flag is red, symbolizing the fire of purification which leads to truth.
The letter is L.
2nd Tent
Knights of the East and Princes of Jesusalem. The flag is light green, symbolizing the
hope of the human soul and the transcending nature of Masonry. The letter is A.
1st Tent
Knights of the East and West and Knights Rose Croix. The flag is white, sprinkled with
crimson; symbolizing light and dawn and represent faith, hope, and charity.
The letter is S.
14 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
by Robert G. Davis, 33°, G.C.
There are no encampments on the heptagon, but on each of the external angles of the pentagon there is a great standard, also designated by a letter, indicating the Camp of a corps of Masons occupying the side of the pentagon.
5th Standard
Grand Pontiffs and Masters of the Symbolic Lodge. The standard is purple,
symbolizing the regal nature of man and his potential for attaining eminence during
his life. The letter is U.
4th Adepts of Lebanon. The color is gold, symbolizing the source of which our Masonic
Standard
path may lead to truth. The letter is G.
3rd
Standard
Chiefs of the Tabernacle, Princes of the Tabernacle, and Knights of the Brazen
Serpent. The color is green, symbolizing that there is a universality to all religious truths which can be revealed by balancing faith and reason. The letter is N.
2nd
Standard
Princes of Mercy, Commanders of the Temple, and Knights of the Sun. The color is
white, symbolizing human perfection, and what is required to attain unity with the
Divine. The letter is E.
1st
Standard
Knights Commander of the Temple, Knights of St. Andrew, and Knight Kadosh. The
color is blue, symbolizing that the great fight of mankind is the fight over the dualist
nature of the world. The letter is T.
Together, the letters of the flags and standards of
the encampments of Masons make the words:
S-A-L-I-X
N-O-N-I
T-E-N-G-A
These sacred words have several hidden meanings
which can only be explained in the tiled recesses of
the Consistory, but it can at least be known to the
profane that it is an anagram for
“LUX INENS AGIT NOS,”
meaning
“The Inner Light Leads Us On.”
The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason / March 2016 15
GUTHRIE SCOTTISH RITE
P.O. BOX 70
GUTHRIE, OK 73044
Non-Profit
Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1
GUTHRIE, OK
“EDUCATION ON THE RITE NITE”
2016
3/14/16
“The Knight in the Age of Iron” (29°)
4/13/16
“Who are the Real Wrong Doers?” (7°) Altus Chapter of Rose Croix Meeting
“The Hidden Meaning of Squaring the Circle” (5°)
Ponca City
6/2/16
Regional Lodge of Perfection Meeting
Council of Kadosh Meeting
“What are the Real Duties of a Lodge Master?” (20°)
Woodward
7/7/16
Regional Lodge of Perfection Meeting
“A Profound Insight into the Ancient of Days” (12°)
Edmond
8/4/16
Regional Lodge of Perfection Meeting
Guthrie Consistory Meeting
“What Does It Mean to be in Your Right Mind? (17°)
Oklahoma City
9/1/16
Regional Lodge of Perfection Meeting
“The Fatalistic Nature of Dogma” (23°)
El Reno
10/19/16 Chapter of Rose Croix Meeting Hennessey
“Are the Virtues of Knighthood Still Relevant?” (28°)
11/17/16 Council of Kadosh Meeting Lawton
“The Masonic Camp and the Art of Memory” (32°)
5/19/16
16 March 2016 / The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason
Midwest City