24th Degree conferral – A job well done!!!
Brethren, On Tuesday February 17th, the Portland Valley conferred the 24th Degree. We had an outstanding audience with over 70 brothers in attendance! The degree was performed by some veteran Scottish Rite ritualists, and the cast included 2 brothers who joined the Portland Valley at our last reunion in November. Working together as a team with the cast, stage, sound, and lighting resulted in a successful degree and I want to thank everyone for their efforts. This was my first time directing a degree and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I want to sincerely thank the following brothers for their work and dedication which made this degree come together:
Cast:
The Ceremony of Remembrance & Renewal
March 24th, 2015 at 7 pm
The Portland Valley Scottish Rite Ainsworth Chapter of Rose Croix will be holding our Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal on March 24th at 7 pm. This occasion is important not only in allowing us to pay our respect and honor to those who are no longer present, but also in renewing our commitment to ourselves and our Brethren. In doing so, we continue the noble work in which we are engaged.
“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 Holy Communion, although it commemorates the spirit of both days.
Chapters of Rose Croix traditionally observed 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 the 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 promise to abide by the New Law, the Law of Love, with our present Brethren and all mankind.
In this celebration, we also commemorate the lives all those who labored to improve mankind and were rewarded with betrayal, punishment, and death. Whether poet, religious leader, scientist or social reformer, all who seek to elevate humankind may be considered as Brethren. Masonry is duty, and its practice, often fraught with personal sacrifice, requires the performance of duty for the good of humanity.”
— Forms and Traditions of the Scottish Rite by C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°
This is one of the few ceremonies conducted by the Scottish Rite that is open to the public. Scottish Rite Masons, Master Masons and their wives or ladies and friends are invited to attend. RSVP is still requested for dinner. In keeping with the dignity inherent to this event alcohol will not be served prior to the dinner at 6:15 pm.
Happy New Year brethren!
The Portland Valley Membership Committee is gearing up for our Spring Reunion which will be Friday and Saturday, April 10th and 11th, 2015. After such a large reunion class last fall, and the renewed interest in the Scottish Rite Degrees, we are excited about another successful reunion in the Spring.
Your Membership Committee will be busy scheduling Blue Lodge visitations to promote the benefits of membership in the Scottish Rite, and we would love your help! Blue Lodge visitations will start the last week of February and go all through the month of March. If you are interested in joining us with some Blue Lodge Visitations, or want us to come to your Blue Lodge, get in touch with me or contact Nate in the office.
If you know of a brother who is interested in joining the Scottish Rite, give him a petition! All Scottish Rite brethren should carry a petition on them at all times in case they meet a curious brother. Also suggest that he look at our website where he can download a petition online.
There is so much more to Freemasonry and we have such a special brotherhood at the Scottish Rite, it would be a shame for any Master Mason not to experience it.
**The next Membership Committee meeting will be on Tuesday February 24th at 7:30PM, after the Scottish Rite University.
Please contact me anytime if you would like to get involved, and check the website calendar regularly for updates on events, degrees and meetings.
The 24th Degree will be conferred on Tuesday February 17th, and we hope to see you all there! Don’t forget to call or email the office with your dinner reservations no later than Noon the day before.
I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday, the “Rite” night!
Fraternal regards,
Bryan Witt, 32°
Membership Committee Chairman
Portland Valley Scottish Rite
membership@portlandsr.com
Click here to download petition: Scottish Rite Petition
Remember to make reservations for diners 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 (Walt Johnson) 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 (Nate Neff) 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
- Membership@portlandsr.com (Bryan Witt) Membership Chairman
