Brothers, Tuesday, May 20th the Portland Valley will confer the 19th Degree.
Dinner will start at approximately 6 pm. The 19th Degree will start at approximately 7 pm.
PLEASE CALL AHEAD FOR DINNER RESERVATIONS
- 05/20- 19th Degree Conferral
- 05/27- Review/Discussion 19th Degree
Oregon Scottish Rite Leadership Conference
July 12, 2014, in Portland
The meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. There will be two breakout sessions with Masonic Education and Degree Work being the topics of discussion. The meeting will be over promptly at 2:30 p.m. The fee for attending is 15.00 up to June 15, and 20.00 thereafter. Lunch will be served. This meeting is intended to be an Orient follow up on the Supreme Conference held recently in Portland. Especially if you attended the Supreme Conference, we need you, with your input to attend this meeting so as to bring those ideas to fruition at home. This meeting will be a great opportunity to exchange ideas and improve our valleys activities. I look forward to seeing you here.
Ill. Gary Kuney 33° S.G.I.G.
Registration for 2014 Oregon Orient Scottish Rite Leadership Conference, July 12, 2014.
Name_______________Valley_____________
I will attend { } I will not be able to attend { }
The meeting will be held at the Scottish Rite Center, 709 SW Fifteenth Ave. Portland.
Please clip this registration form and send it to the above address as soon as possible or, email me at,
walt@waltshop.com.
Ill. Walt Johnson 33°
The Masonic Work Ahead of Us
“Fac et aliquid operis, ut semper te diabolus inveniat occupatum”
(Do something, so that the devil may always find you busy)
–St. Jerome
With our recent installation of officers I am reminded of the work that we Scottish Rite masons have before us. It is not only our duty to maintain the legacy of our beloved Rite but also to evolve, grow and ensure its continued success. There is no other way to accomplish this grand task without rolling up our sleeves and getting to work.
He who works faithfully to attain a purpose by the work itself prays to God. Apathy, indifference, and selfishness it is these that make masonry inefficient. (From the 32 Degree)
When I ponder the words apathy, indifference and selfishness from the 32nd degree, I am reminded of the word, “idleness”. There is no greater gift than life, and likewise, I can think of no greater vice than that of idleness, for idleness like a parasite, slowly steals from the host its vitality, happiness and productivity.
For an example of the impiety of idleness we need look no further than the old Aesop’s fable of The Tortoise and the Hare. This story very simply and eloquently reveals to us the virtue of industry and the perils of idleness. The story is about a rabbit that scorns a slow-moving turtle and challenges him to a race. The hare rapidly leaves the turtle behind and is so confident of his victory that he decides to take a nap halfway through the race. However, when he awakes, the hare finds that the tortoise, laboring diligently has arrived before him to win the race.
A hard day of productive work is very satisfying to the soul. When we toil at a worthy project we create something of value to ourselves and to others. That creation often carries on even when we are no longer present to enjoy them ourselves. For example, the engineer who spends years to learn his craft and then more years in the creation of a bridge cannot only look upon his own labor with contentment but likewise the joy of its creation can also be felt by the commuter, who now reduces his commute time by an hour, and can spend that saved hour with friends, family and community.
Another example of the benefits of productive work would be Mother Theresa. From eighteen years of age she was on missions of charity and she spent her whole adult life in easing the pain of children. She is a remarkable human being who has inspired others to carry on her mission. Her efforts will continue to affect the lives of people she touched personally or were touched by her story and selflessness. Her efforts have created a legacy that will last and inspire for millennia to come.
Many today seem to envy what they perceive to be the idleness of the rich, but I don’t believe it is the idleness that they are coveting, but rather the wealthy’s ability to pursue the labor of their choosing. The greatness of man is not in his ability to loaf or to while away his time, but rather in his ability to leave a legacy of virtue that carries on long after he is gone.
We Scottish Rite masons are reminded in the fifth degree that our time is short and that death can come to us at any moment. We are therefore inspired to use our time wisely not in idleness but rather in the building of something better, both within us and around us—for ourselves, but more importantly for the betterment of mankind and our beloved Scottish Rite.
Larry Roberts, 32°
Remember to make reservations for dinners by calling the office (By 10 am on the Friday before the event) (503)226-7827 or e-mailing Officemanager@PortlandSR.com
Dear Brothers, please take note of the new email addresses for the Portland Valley Business Workgroup.
- PR@portlandsr.com (Brian McDowell) Portland Valley Personal Representative
- clarktrust@portlandsr.com (Eric Gazow) Clark Trust
- orientcfo@portlandsr.com (Eric Gazow) Orient of Oregon CFO
- treasurer@portlandsr.com (Larry Roberts) Treasurer Portland Valley
- blog@portlandsr.com (Larry Roberts) Blog Administrator
- buildingmanager@portlandsr.com (Michael Shebora) Portland Building Manager
- officemanager@portlandsr.com (Patrick Knowles) Portland Office Manager
- secretary@portlandsr.com (Rick Komraus) Portland General Secretary
- exc.director@portlandsr.com (Walt Johnson) Executive Director for the Orient of Oregon
- orientpr@portlandsr.com (Warren Gray) Orient of Oregon Personal Representative