Category: Medford Scottish Rite

Medford Valley Barking Party

Some of the Medford Valley Brothers got together last Friday to improve the “Curb Appeal” of the Medford Scottish Rite Center.    Our project was to remove some old and dying shrubbery on the parkway in front of our Centers parking lot and bark the area to present a neat and clean appearance.  The weather in Southern Oregon can be brutal around this time of year and, it lived up to its reputation.  However, the scorching temperature and the hot sun, did not deter us from the task at hand.

Brothers Ed Davis and Don Wetzel joined me in the initial clearing out and cleanup of the old and dead shrubbery as well as leveling out of the area preparatory to the barking.  We were later joined by Illustrious Brother Jim Westerfield and Brother Chuck Fustish for the barking phase of the project.

While waiting for the bark to be delivered, we enjoyed a delicious Abby’s Pizza and much needed cold drinks to cool off after an exhausting morning of rototilling, pulling, chopping, raking and bagging.

After lunch everyone got busy distributing and raking the bark to finish the area.

A much appreciated “Thank You” to all the Brothers involved in this project and for their enduring the harsh elements to make the Medford Scottish Rite Center an attractive venue for present and potential tenants and renters.

By the end of the day everyone was totally exhausted but, the result in the end was well worth it!   Well done my Brothers, you were awesome!

Fraternally,

Bruce A. Kundert, K.C.C.H.
Personal Representative
Medford Valley Scottish Rite

On Monday June 3^rd the Medford Valley 4^th Degree Cast and supporting crew successfully completed their qualification review for this degree.

Congratulations to our Director of the Work, Honorable Roland Kari and the Degree Director, Illustrious Robert Stark for their leadership and direction to bring this hard-working casts’ goal to fruition.   Special thanks and appreciation to the cast members who have spent many nights working to perfect their parts.  To all involved; a hardy well done!

The Medford Valley had the honor of being the first Valley in the Orient of Oregon to pass the 4^th degree required testing and we are working on additional degree qualifications in the near future.  Excellent work my Brethren; it does make a difference to the new candidates who are seeking more light in Masonry through the degrees offered by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.  The 4^th degree is the first of the degree experiences they will receive and a properly done and inspirationally presented degree experience will inspire them to continue their journey of personal development throughout their remaining journey to excellence of character.

We were pleased to receive and appreciated the support of our SGIG Illustrious Gary Kuney, Orient PR Illustrious Bill Anton and PR of Portland Valley Honorable Larry Roberts for their efforts to review our Valleys work.  On behalf of the Medford Brethren; thank you all!

Fraternally yours,
Bruce A. Kundert, 32° K.C.C.H.
Personal Representative
Medford Valley Scottish Rite

Remembrance and Renewal Ceremony
Medford Valley Scottish Rite
April 15, 2019

The Rose Croix Chapter of Medford Valley will traditionally observe the Celebration of Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday in our Remembrance and Renewal at the Medford Scottish Rite Center on April 15, 2019. The words of this ceremony speak to the hearts and minds of all men but, are especially significant to Brothers of the Scottish Rite and all Masons. The ceremony includes the Mystic Banquet that was first included as a ritual of the Eighteenth Degree which Charles de Ladebat prepared and published in 1856 in New Orleans. The Code of Statutes in 1866 lists Maundy Thursday as a feast day, and as of 1878, the Statutes indicated its observance as obligatory.
In deference to the Maundy Thursday rites of churches however, in 1994 it was deemed appropriate that a Scottish Rite nonobligatory “Celebration of Remembrance and Renewal” should replace the traditional Maundy Thursday observance and be held near the vernal equinox as much as possible.

The ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal, including the Mystic Banquet, is not a religious observance. It is neither the Feast of the Passover nor a Sacrament of the Holy Communion, although it commemorates the spirit of both days.

Chapters of Rose Croix traditionally observe the celebration of the Mystic Banquet as a memorial service honoring the Knights of their Chapter who have passed on during the preceding year.

This observance strengthens the ties of brotherly love, past and present. We meet together to break bread of fraternity, to reconcile ourselves with those we may have offended and, to drink the wine of refreshment and renewal. Thus, we celebrate the lives of our departed Brethren and all mankind. We are reminded that our lives are to be dedicated to the Masonic principles of duty and service to elevate mankind; for what is a man, if a man, does not make the world better?
This effort may be fraught with personal sacrifice, and requires the dedication to principles and values we as Scottish Rite Masons espouse.

As the earth brings forth new life in the spring, this celebration reminds us that the sincere man will find a reality that is seen with more than eyes. In the midst of life’s fleeting shadow, these rituals shed a bright light that reveals an abiding hope and sustaining confidence in man’s innate ability to be reborn.

Please join us at our Remembrance and Renewal Ceremony as announced below.

Remembrance and Renewal Dinner

Apr. 15th, 2019

Ceremony will begin at 6:00pm
Dinner will follow at approx. 6:30pm – Cost $15.00 per person
and can be paid at the door.
RSVP by Apr. 8th, 2019
541-772-2205

Menu:
Lasagna
Green Salad
Garlic Bread
Dessert
Coffee and Water

Medford Scottish Rite Center
3581 Lear Way, Medford, Oregon

The 10^th Annual Medford Valley Spring Reunion for 2019 is in the books and we welcome our new candidates who, have made the decision to obtain further Masonic light through the degrees of the Scottish Rite.  The Scottish Rite is known as the University of Masonry and much Masonic light can be learned through these graphically portrayed ritualist degrees.  These Scottish Rite Reunions have long been considered a medium of instruction and the degrees presented at these Reunions instructs the candidate in various political, moral and religious philosophies embraced in the Rite.  They also expand upon and explain; the duties taught by the degrees presented.  These teaching are not a random collection of moral precepts but, are rather an organized and coherent system of doctrine relating to the perfectibility of human conduct.  It is our desire to make these degrees available to new candidates who are interested in obtaining further light in Masonry.  We hope that our efforts have been beneficial in that cause.

Thanks to all of the Valleys of Southern Oregon and the Brethren who participated in this our 10^th Annual Reunion here in the Medford Valley.  Your efforts are very much appreciated and we hope that the Medford Valley provided a warm and inviting environment for all to do our work in spreading the philosophy, moral principles and ideals we espouse in our Scottish Rite to our new candidates.

These Reunions present a special opportunity for all Brethren of our great Rite to come together for fun and fellowship as we initiate our newest Candidates into the Masonic light obtained through these degrees as we journey with them as they make their journey towards the 32°, Master of the Royal Secret.

Again thank you to all who participated and we hope to see you again next year as we begin our second decade of Spring Reunion presentations here in the Medford Valley.

Fraternally
Bruce A. Kundert 32° KCCH
Personal Representative Medford Valley Scottish Rite

 

Installation of our Officers at the September Stated Meeting held on 9-10-2018.

The Medford Valley installed a number of new officers at our September Stated Meeting.

Our Valley has taken the opportunity during the summer dark months to restructure and re-organized our Valley’s management structure.  The new officers are looking forward to becoming involved and active as we finish out the remaining 2018 year.

Welcome our new Officers:

• General Secretary – Ed Davis, 32*
• Treasurer – Don Wetzel, 32*
• Wise Master Rose Croix – Chuck Fustish – 32* KSA
• Almoner – Mike Harder, 32* KSA
• Chaplain – John Lohrfink, 32* KSA
• Senior Warden LOP – Tom Noskoff, 32* KSA
• Senior Warden Rose Croix – Jim Pringle, 32*
• 1^st LT. Commander Council of Kadosh – Howard Leachman, 32*
• Prior – Consistory – Harry Baker, 32* KCCH