January Rite Night Guest Speaker
Tuesday January 3th, at 7 pm the Rite Night Guest Speaker will be Brother Birol Yesilada, 32°. Brother Birol is a professor at Portland State University and his talk will be on Methods of Conflict Resolution. This is definitely one not to miss!
Schedule
6:00 Social & Body Head Meeting
6:30 Dinner
7:00 Presentation
Visiting Scottish Rite members welcome. Dinner is just $10. Please RSVP for dinner by 11am Monday the 2nd at officemanager@portlandsr.com
The Portland Valley will be having a Workman’s Dinner Tuesday November 22nd to celebrate and thank the hard working crew and cast’s that came together over the Reunion to help make the magic happen.
Dress code for this event is casual.
Schedule
5:00 pm Reunion Recap/Spring planning meeting
6:30 pm Dinner
Please contact officemanager@portlandsr.com for reservation for dinner.
Many of you likely now have the Valley’s annual membership renewal form on your desks and are getting ready to pay your dues. However, look carefully! There is a place on the form to donate to the Oregon Scottish Rite Educational Foundation. Many Brothers contribute each year to this tax-deductible fund for the Masonic purpose educating the youth of our Oregon communities. The work of this charity is directly impactful to our community and aligns with our Masonic tenant of becoming better men by virtue of our good works.
Annually, the Educational Foundation (EF) seeks worthy students across the Oregon to award with scholarship grants. It is desired and hoped that our humble investment in the students ultimately selected will assist them not just to earn a college degree, but possibly more importantly to develop the intellectual tools and habits that will foster a long and satisfying career and life.
In 2016, the Portland Valley EF committee selected four special students from over 25 applicants. Thirty-five high schools in our Scottish Rite Valley, which ranges from Portland to Astoria, were solicited. This year our first selection was Skye Meredith Gates Walker who lives in West Linn. Ms. Walker posed with her mother Gina for the picture below. Skye was awarded the Schmidt award for her academic excellence and exceptional extramural activities, especially for her demonstrated passion for theatre. Her long-term aspiration, possibly first fostered by a letter exchange in second grade with Pres. George Bush, is to make a difference and protect our ecosystem by developing a career in environmental and animal protection law and activism.
Mr. Dang Minh Duong is an exceptional young man. His academic record and extensive volunteer and work history are clear evidence of a purpose-driven life. He aspires to be primary family care physician serving a rural community, a choice not made in a vacuum. Mr. Duong has been a member of the Medical ICU under the Critical Care Academic Associate program at OHSU and was awarded the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship permitting him to intern at the Center for Social Medicine in Loni, India. He will be the first member of his family to have a college degree, and excels in his pre-med program. In the photo below Mr. Duong receives our grant check from committee member Shaman Anderson, 32° KSA. Mr. Duong lives in Clackamas, Oregon.
It appears that West Linn produces many promising future leaders. Last year Mr. Bradley Olson won a SR grant, and this year his sister Leah Olson was awarded one as well. What is more, Ms. Olson and Skye Walker are school peers and friends. Leah Nicole Olson wants a career in public service, particularly to improve the excellence in education for all socio-economic groups, especially the disadvantaged. Leah is academically excellent and helped lead her team to win the state championship in the high school Mock Trial competition. She plans a law career where she can translate her passions into action and produce positive outcomes for our community. Leah poses with her mother Callie Olson below.
Our final selection was Mr. Brayden Tyler Pene, also remarkably from West Linn! It is ironic that we write this note during the 2016 World Series of Baseball because someday Mr. Pene may play in one. He is a gifted athlete, and received baseball scholarship offers from several colleges including two prominent ones located in this state. He is also an exceptional student, maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Brayden ultimately aspires to a career in medicine, stimulated in part by the surgical and healing process he experienced personally due to a sports injury. And, like the third leg of sturdy stool, his long cultivated spiritual reverence enhances his character and serves to balance his other personal strengths. These three facets of Brayden’s character make him an excellent candidate for Scottish Rite encouragement. Brayden and his mother and father, Misty and Steve Pene, are presented in the photo below.
We Scottish Rite Masons of Oregon should be proud to encourage these individuals and the mature citizens that will likely develop as they transition into their future careers.
Submitted for the Portland Valley Board, Wayne K. Ford, 32º KSA
Other PV Board Members: Paul Temple, 32º KSA and Shaman Anderson, 32º KSA
Tuesday November 1st, at 7 pm the Rite Night Guest Speaker will be Brother Mark Phillips, 32°, KSA, Life Member of the Portland Valley & JW elect of Newport Lodge No. 85, presenting a talk titled, “Whence and whither our Masonic Landmarks?”
As we proceed into the 21st century, our fraternity faces not only membership challenges but also definitional ones: what distinguishes Freemasonry from other fine organizations and what should make us attractive to those good men who wish to join (or remain in) some communal group? By looking to the Old Charges, we can identify historical bases for Freemasonry’s ongoing existence through the centuries. Those bases, which we call landmarks, have been discussed by Pike, Mackey, Oliver and others. We do not wish to take those brothers’ conclusions at face value, but we ponder their arguments in order to understand the landmarks in ways which help to meet our needs today.
This is definitely one not to miss!
Schedule
5:30 Social
6:15 Dinner
7:00 Presentation
Attendance is limited to members of the Scottish Rite. Please RSVP directly for dinner by email to officemanager@portlandsr.com, indication of attendance on Facebook will not be counted toward dinner reservations for this event.
Discussion for the 8th degree:
“Good evening, brethren. Welcome to the discussion of the 8th degree. In this degree you witnessed King Solomon and his court trying to come to grips with the loss of the master builder Hiram Abiff.
Starting with a quote from Morals and Dogma, by Albert Pike – “In this Degree you have been taught the important lesson, that none are entitled to advance in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, who have not by study and application made themselves familiar with Masonic learning and jurisprudence. The Degrees of this Rite are not for those who are content with the mere work and ceremonies, and do not seek to explore the mines of wisdom that lie buried beneath the surface. You still advance toward the Light, toward that star, blazing in the distance, which is an emblem of the Divine Truth, given by God to the first men, and preserved amid all the vicissitudes of ages in the traditions and teachings of Masonry. How far you will advance, depends upon yourself alone. Here, as everywhere in the world, Darkness struggles with Light, and clouds and shadows intervene between you and the Truth.”
Now with the preceding paragraph in mind, traditionally, Charity and Benevolence have been the key lessons of this degree. As we all know, educating the orphan, comforting the sick and aged, and healing the distressed are duties to all Freemasons. In its present form, the ritual of this degree tells how labor temporarily ceased on the Temple of Solomon after the death of the Grand Master Hiram Abiff. In order to move forward, King Solomon appointed five superintendents – one for each of the departments of architecture. The current prologue of the degree also emphasizes that M&D lesson that only ability, perseverance, and dedication can lead to advancement in the Craft.
The lessons of Charity and Benevolence are taught to the prospective superintendents as part of their instruction. These are specifically related to the responsibility of those who commission employment to those who are employed. These are quite blunt in their criticism of those who might exploit their workers.
One has to ask the question as to what Albert Pike’s intentions were regarding this degree. That’s not an un-useful question about any of the degrees, as in some he conceals in allegory and others he is plain and straightforward. In the 8th, he is quite plain, in the 9/10th to come, not so much. (More about that next week!) In general, Pike seems to have been a very astute as well as a deep-thinking individual, and to get a true perspective on Pike’s mindset and outlook we probably ought to have a separate class of instruction at some point.
Albert Pike was composing these degrees in the late 1860’s and early 1870’s, a time of considerable change in society. The American Civil War had just concluded, and the country was beginning the industrial age that would run for the next hundred or so years. The Confederate South was a shambles, immigration was increasing, and the military demobilization and the freeing of the slaves meant that labor was cheap and easy to come by, i.e., easy to exploit. At the same time Karl Marx was writing Das Kapital, with what I would say coming to an entirely different conclusion. Marx believed that the privileged class was incapable of charity and benevolence, leading him to the conclusion that the workers must seize the means of production, by force if necessary, in order to benefit from it. In Marx’s view, profit was derived from what he considered as unpaid wages, or value created by work that was not given to the workers. As the workers began to realize this, they would insist on more of a share, which became Marx’s tendency of the rate of profit to fall. This inherent unfairness of the capitalist system would cause it ultimately to fail. Pike states here and in other degrees (particularly the 22nd, Master of Libanus) that mutual respect between worker and employer as well as charity and benevolence coupled with justice and fairness will allow the system to continue, with much happier results for all.
Notwithstanding these lessons, as with many of the Scottish Rite degrees, there are other lessons to be learned as well.
“For me, one of these is the importance of preparation for the future. Furthermore, as the majority of the degrees of the Southern Jurisdiction Scottish Rite are set in ancient times, it is easy to get the impression that the degrees and their themes have little if any relevance to today’s issues and problems.”
From Ill. Bro. Chris Hodapp, 33°, (NMJ) website:
The Southern Jurisdiction has largely kept to the degree rituals (with modification over the years) penned by Albert Pike in the 1800s. These are predominantly based upon biblical-era or medieval stories, drawing their inspiration from antiquity.
In contrast, the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction has long had a maxim, that its degrees should be constantly changing to remain timely and relevant to be effective lessons for its members.
The NMJ has done some updating of the degrees. For instance, the 20th degree, Master Ad Vitam, tells a story about George Washington; the 23rd, Knight of Valor, recounts the Four Chaplains from WWII; the 24th, Brother of the Forest, has a Native American theme; the 25th degree, Master of Achievement, is about Benjamin Franklin; and the 26th degree, Prince of Mercy, concerns Abraham Lincoln.
Notwithstanding, “updating” or not, nothing could be further from the truth. In this particular degree, the situation in which the King and his senior officers find themselves is as current today as it was almost three millennia ago. The loss of the master builder has greater implications than merely the loss of a talented individual that will be difficult to replace. King Solomon has relied on Hiram the W.S. for much more than his expertise in building. He has been the go-between between the king and the building craft, or in more modern terms, the interface between the management team and the staff. The communication of the operation’s corporate goals and philosophy to the staff has to this point greatly depended on HA’s personnel skills. In a modern sense, HA has been the human resource manager as well as the chief engineer on this project, the building of Solomon’s Temple to the GAOTU.
“In a present day corporation or company, the unexpected loss of a senior officer can be a disaster that can have a tremendously negative impact on a company’s operation. The loss of multiple officers can be a catastrophe. This is a reason why many companies do not permit senior members of their management to travel together, for fear that an accident might effectively behead the company’s management. For instance, during the President’s state-of-the-union address one of the cabinet members is purposely absent, to make sure that at least one person in the line of succession would be able to continue the government at the federal level if some catastrophe occurred to the other Cabinet members during the speech. The organization’s work must continue, its philosophy absolutely must continue, in order that its plans must be fulfilled. If the organization does not have the ability to adapt to its new situation, the changes in how it performs will be significant, and perhaps even lethal to its operations.
“To make further comparison with the ancient and the modern, one wonders what would have happened to the Craft had the ruffians surprised either KS or HKT as well as the master builder that day in the Temple. The ramifications would have been tremendous, possibly world-altering. The Temple might not been completed and the traditions associated with it had not survived the event. These days perhaps the company might have gone out of business, or experienced great changes in its corporate philosophy, such that the consequences would be very serious indeed. I can give you about an example of a company that, about thirty years ago, lost almost all of its board of directors and senior officers in a plane crash. It never really recovered its original corporate philosophy. It is possible that you already know about this firm, or you may ask me at some point after the degree this evening. Nonetheless, even without the details this example is very sobering. There are other examples of this, but the lesson is the same: Those who fail to plan for the future plan to have a future of failure.
“In the degree, you discovered that HA had put in place what would be called these days a DRP, a disaster recovery plan, a business continuity plan. In this way he had planned for a future for which he knew there was a distinct possibility that he would not be present. His advance planning and training of his subordinates ensured that the Temple would be completed as planned, and that the critical elements of his philosophy that had so far guided the Craft would continue well after he was gone. He believed that his approach to management was essential to his success of the enterprise, and so became one of the key elements of his continuity plan. There was a very brief mention of the secret vault that was being prepared, of which you will hear more in the following degrees. This planning for the future is a lesson that we should all take to heart. We do not know neither how long we will be on this stage, nor when someone might be trying to come to grips with our absence.
“The best gifts that we can give future generations of the craft are proper preparations for the future. If we expect that the fraternity is to continue on, and to continue on in the way in which it was given to us by our predecessors, we must make those preparations now. Our legacy to those in the future will be what we make of the Fraternity now.
“In answer to the common question of the ‘60s and ‘70’s, ‘Is this relevant?’ I answer, ‘Absolutely.’ My brethren, let the discussion begin.
Illustrious Bro. Steve Gatton, 33°, 2016 director of the 8th degree.
Tuesday the 18th of October, at 7:00 pm, the Portland Valley Scottish Rite will confer the 9th & 10th Degrees of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, “Elu of the Nine & Elu of the Fifteen”.
All Scottish Rite Members of the 8th° or higher are welcome to attend. Visiting Brethren will need current dues card showing membership in the Scottish Rite. Attendance is exclusively for members of the Scottish Rite, as with all of our events, this is not open to the public.
The Duties of the 9th & 10th Degrees are “To enlighten our souls and minds. To instruct and enlighten the people. To be vigilant to the interests and honor of our country. Be tolerant and liberal. War against fanaticism and persecution with education and enlightenment.” The Lessons of the degrees teach “Ignorance is the principal enemy of human freedom. A free press in indispensable to true liberty. Remorse and guilt are God’s punishment and more severe than that of man. Ambition creates tyranny and despotism. Fanaticism creates intolerance and persecution.”
Schedule
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Degree
After the degree there will be a cast party and social in the Members Lounge.
Confirmations on Facebook of attendance will not be counted for dinner. Please RSVP by email to officemanager@portlandsr.com for dinner reservations by no later than 11:00 am on Monday the 17th. Any requests that come in after the cut off will go on the standby list.
Brethren,
The roll of the workmen has been called, and one Master Mason, Brother Walter D. Alley, 32°, has not answered to his name. He has laid down the working tools of life and with them has left that mortal part for which he no longer has use. His labors here below have taught him to divest his heart and conscience of the vices and superfluity of life, thereby fitting his mind as a living stone for that spiritual building, that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Strengthened in his labors here by faith in God, and confident of expectation of immortality, he has been granted admission to the Celestial Lodge above.
Brother Alley was a member of the Portland Valley Scottish Rite, Al Kadar Shrine as a Past Potentate and originally member of Sellwood Lodge No. 131 later consolidated with Willamette No. 2.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at the Al Kader Shrine Center, 25100 S.W. Parkway Ave., Wilsonville. His complete obituary can be read at: http://www.omegaservices.com/…/Walter-D…/Portland-OR/1645270
On Tuesday January 19th the Multnomah Council of Kadosh and the Portland Valley Knights of St. Andrew present the 29th Degree of the S.J. of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.
Staring members of the Oregon Consistory No. 1 and the Portland Valley Chapter of the Knights of Saint Andrew, this Degree teaches the duties to; reverence and obey the Deity, serve the truth, protect virtue and innocence and defend the people against tyranny. The lesson of the degree is that ideas and intuitions wax and wane in the great cycle of time which is but change.
The Portland Valley Chapter of KSA will also be Knighting all the Portland Valley Squires during this ceremony.
Evening Schedule
6:00 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Degree Conferral
Following the degree will be a social and cast party in the Members Lounge.
For dinner the main entree will be Shepherd’s Pie catered by Bridge’s Café & Catering of Portland at the cost of $10 per person. Please RSVP with dinner reservations by email at officemanager@portlandsr.com or phone at 503-226-7827
Congratulations to our Illustrious Brother Gary W. Kuney 33º Active Supreme Council Member, who recently was honored with a life size bronze bust to immortalize his hard work and service to the Scottish Rite.
The work was done by local artist Martin Eichinger who gave a vibrant description of the process and Bryan Witt 33º KCCH emceed.
Ill. Brother Kuney was also joined by his lovely and very proud wife Nancy.
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Tuesday January 12th will be the December Stated Meeting for the Portland Valley Scottish Rite.
The Oregon Lodge of Perfection will be opening in full form so all Scottish Rite members 4th° and higher are welcome to attend.
It will also be Taco Tuesday with a Taco bar provided by Bridges Cafe & Catering of Portland. Dinner will be $10 per person.
Schedule
5:30 pm Clarke Trust
6:00 pm Body Head Meeting
6:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Stated
8:00 pm KSA Stated
Following the Stated there will be a Social in the Membership Lounge.
Please contact officemanager@portlandsr.com or call the Valley office at 503-226-7827 for reservation for dinner.