It is the mission of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, to improve its members and enhance the communities in which they live by teaching and emulating the principles of Brotherly Love, Tolerance, Charity, and Truth, while actively embracing high social, moral, and spiritual values, including fellowship, compassion, and dedication to God, family, and country.
The Scottish Rite Creed
Human Progress is our cause Liberty of Thought our supreme wish Freedom of Conscience our mission, and the Guarantee of Equal Rights To All People Everywhere our ultimate goal.
The roll of the workman has been called and one Master Mason, Illustrious Brother Norman Peterson, 33°, 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 vice 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. His Brethren mourn the passing of a great man and Mason.
Brother Norman D. Peterson, 33°, was born in Spokane, Washington, February 9th, 1928, and passed to the Celestial Lodge in May of 2025 in Vancouver Washington.
At the age of 14, Brother Norm joined La Grange, a fraternal organization founded after the Civil War by four Freemasons and three Odd Fellows, utilizing the ancient Greek Eleusinian Mysteries as its basis, according to him. Both his mother and father were members of the Grange.
He received his Entered Apprentice degree on February 8, 1954; his Fellow Craft on April 26, 1954; and his Master Mason degree on May 28, 1954, within his father’s home in Washington state under Malden Lodge No. 188, F. & A.M. of Washington. He was also a member of the Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281, F. & A.M. of Washington.
While in college, Norm worked part-time as a library clerk, gaining access to many books and developing one of his passions—indexing. He earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in psychology, a Bachelor’s in education with minors in math and biology, and taught classes at the University of Portland.
His Masonic scholarly work began in 1957 when he authored two articles for the Scottish Rite magazine then called “NEW AGE.” Over the years, he published numerous articles in various Masonic publications such as Heredom, Philalethes, and Quatuor Coronati. His research papers for the Portland Valley Scottish Rite and the Research Lodge of Oregon are numerous and are now being collected and archived in the library for future study.
Brother Norm was a 33° member of the Vancouver Valley Scottish Rite. In 1966, he affiliated with the Research Lodge of Oregon No. 198, where he held a Life Membership. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Research Society and a Fellow of the Philalethes Masonic Research Society. A recipient of the 60-year Masonic Service Award in 2018, he also received the 70-year service award in 2024 and was made an Honorary Past Master of the Research Lodge of Oregon No. 198.
He was a generous contributor to Masonic literature, donating hundreds of books to the Portland Valley Library, which was re-dedicated in his honor in May 2016 as the Simon-Fahrion-Peterson Scottish Rite Memorial Library.
At the remarkable age of 97, Brother Norm was still actively drafting Masonic articles and indexes, working on various projects both independently and with fellow Masonic scholars.
His contributions to Masonic education are profound, and he will be deeply missed. Memorial arrangements are underway and will be shared when available.
Greetings to all members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and Master Masons in the jurisdiction!
We appreciate your attendance and support today and hope you enjoy the fellowship of this Reunion.
Please note, a petitioner must be a Master Mason in good standing. All petitions must be submitted to the Secretary by 8:00 A.M. today. Degrees not conferred will be communicated.
Reminder: Do not park on Main Street. Location: Baker Valley Lodge, 2191 Main St, Baker, OR.
THURSDAY 8-8:30 A.M., Candidate Registration 8-9:00 A.M., Registration 8:45 A.M., Class Orientation 9:00 A.M., Opening LODGE of PERFECTION (4°-14°) 9:30 A.M., 4° Secret Master 10:15 A.M., 5° Perfect Master 11:15 A.M., 6° Confidential Secretary High 12 LUNCH 1:00 P.M., 14° Perfect Elu 2:30 P.M., 15° Knight of the East 3:30 P.M., 18° Knight Rose Croix 6:00 P.M. Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal, Lodge Hall
FRIDAY 9:00 A.M., 21° Noahchite or Prussian Knight 10:15 A.M., 28° Knight Commander of the Temple 11:30 A.M., Lunch 1:00 P.M, 30° Knight of Kadosh, or Knight of the White and Black Eagle 3:00 P.M., 31° Degree Inspector Inquisitor, or Initiate of the Egyptian Mysteries 5:30 P.M., Social Time w/no host bar 6:30 P.M., Dinner at the Elks Club. Official dress for dinner will be tuxedo or suit and tie. Your ladies and friends are welcome to join us for dinner and enjoy the Maundy Thursday commemorative.
SATURDAY 8:30 A.M., Candidate Pictures Reception of Deputy between sections of Degree 9:00 A.M., 32° Master of the Royal Secret
Join us for an unforgettable Scottish Rite Reunion in Baker. Experience a day filled with camaraderie, learning, and rich traditions as Scottish Rite Masons gather to celebrate and reunite. Enjoy engaging ceremonies, fascinating degrees, and the chance to connect with fellow Masons from across the state. Don’t miss out on the fun and the opportunity to deepen your journey in Freemasonry!
Menu provided by Ingallina’s Box Lunch [cost $20, candidates are free]: Assorted Box sandwich lunches. Served with chips, water or soda, and a delicious homemade cookie. Vegetarian options are available.
Any payment by non-members will be considered a non-refundable unrestricted donation.
There are a number of hotels in our area for those staying overnight.
Right next door to us is the Hotel de Lux, please note we do not currently have a discounted rate for their accommodations without prepaying for a block of rooms.
For this prestigious event the attire for Members and Candidates is Business Formal, for Cast Members and Stage Crew it is Business Casual. Business formal includes a dark pants suit, dark suit and tie, a black suit with a light button-down shirt. Examples of business casual clothing include slacks, khakis, trousers, collared shirts, button-down shirts, sport coats, blazers and sweaters. Yes, a kilt suit can be formal attire, especially for Scottish Rite events and celebrations.
GREETINGS: to all members of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite everywhere; and to all Master Masons in the jurisdiction of the Baker Scottish Rite Bodies.
We appreciate your attendance and assistance, and we hope that you enjoy the fellowship of this Reunion.
A petitioner must be a Master Mason in good standing. All petitions must be in the hands of the Secretary not later than 8:00 A.M., Thursday of the Reunion. All degrees not conferred will be communicated.
Don’t Park on Main Street Baker Valley Lodge Location 2191 Main St, Baker OR
THURSDAY 8-8:30 A.M., Candidate Registration 8-9:00 A.M., Registration 8:45 A.M., Class Orientation 9:00 A.M., Opening LODGE of PERFECTION (4°-14°) 9:30 A.M., 4° Secret Master 10:15 A.M., 5° Perfect Master 11:15 A.M., 6° Confidential Secretary High 12 LUNCH 1:00 P.M., 14° Perfect Elu 2:30 P.M., 15° Knight of the East 3:30 P.M., 18° Knight Rose Croix 6:00 P.M. Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal, Lodge Hall
FRIDAY 9:00 A.M., 21° Noahchite or Prussian Knight 10:15 A.M., 28° Knight Commander of the Temple 11:30 A.M., Lunch 1:00 P.M, 30° Knight of Kadosh, or Knight of the White and Black Eagle 3:00 P.M., 31° Degree Inspector Inquisitor, or Initiate of the Egyptian Mysteries 5:30 P.M., Social Time w/no host bar 6:30 P.M., Dinner at the Elks Club. Official dress for dinner will be tuxedo or suit and tie. Your ladies and friends are welcome to join us for dinner and enjoy the Maundy Thursday commemorative.
SATURDAY 8:30 A.M., Candidate Pictures Reception of Deputy between sections of Degree 9:00 A.M., 32° Master of the Royal Secret
The Orient of Oregon’s Education Foundation Scholarship application period drawing to a close. All applications and supporting documents must be received by March 30, 2025. Any mailed in applications must be postmarked by the deadline.
Once at this site there is a link to the online fillable application. There was a letter and an email sent to all Valley PRs, Secretaries and Scholarship Reps. with printed copies of the applications to distribute.
Applicants for Scottish Rite Scholarship assistance must be residents of the State of Oregon entering as undergraduates at an accredited college, university or trade school. Grants are made on the basis of student need. Consideration is also given for exceptional qualities of leadership.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Portland Valley welcomes Illustrious Grand Commander James D. Cole, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, 33°, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, SJ, USA, at a Virtual Town hall hosted by the Multnomah Council of Kadosh.
To cap off this momentous occasion Illustrious Brother Cole will hold a virtual discussion to answer members questions and find out more about the Scottish Rite, Supreme Council, and the plans for the future of our fraternity.
Portland Valley Spring Reunion and New Member Initiation Ceremonies. April 18th & 19th, 2025
Click the image bellow or scan the QR-code to Petition for the Portland Valley
All Petitions are due, paid in full, by no later than 4pm on Tuesday March 18th at the Stated Meeting.
Any local Valleys wishing to have courtesy conferral for candidates will need to contact the Portland Valley ASAP. You will need to provide us with the full name of the petitioner, their email address, any degrees they have had prior, and any meal preferences they have for a meat or vegetarian meals. Please note, due to higher costs the Portland Valley will not be able to furnish courtesy candidates with copies of Bridge to Light or Morals and Dogma.
Meals available only to members.
Friday Fraternal dinner at 6pm, Menu provided by Elephants Catering [cost $30-35, candidates are free]:
DUTIES: To direct and aid those who labor to build the Symbolic Temple. Judge equitably and fairly. Provide aid of whatever kind to fellow Princes of Jerusalem. Keep faith in the justice and beneficence of God. Press forward with hope for the persecuted and oppressed.
LESSONS: Build Temples of the Living God in our Hearts by following Masonic Truth—justice, equity, morality, wisdom, labor, fidelity, brotherhood—to achieve immortality.
FOR REFLECTION: Will you leave a noble heritage to those who follow you in this world?
IMPORTANT SYMBOLS: The color saffron, the Seal of Solomon, the color white, blue, red, and violet, five steps to the throne, the scales or balance.
Schedule: Final Dress, Mon. Feb. 24, 6:15 pm Conferral, Tuesday, Feb. 25, Dinner at 6 pm, Degree at 7 pm
2025 Ceremony of Remembrance & Renewal Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 At the Scottish Rite Temple of Portland
This Ceremony, traditionally held near the vernal equinox, is observed annually by the Scottish Rite members around the world. At this event we remember and honor our Brethren who have passed to the Celestial Lodge in the past year. We commemorate with dignity the divine origin of humankind and the rebirth of nature from winter to spring. This is considered an obligatory ceremony for all Portland Valley Scottish Rite members.
The Lux et Tenebris, Light and Darkness—our ancient ritual of Tenebrae, “Extinguishing of Lights,” represents the polar opposites of life. Light-dark. Good-evil. Hope-fear. Total darkness illustrates chaos and evil increasing to such points to cause no hope, no salvation, no rekindling of life. The light illustrates order out of chaos and the idea that if we kindle the fires within ourselves faith, hope, and charity will never die. Darkness must yield to light. Tyranny will fall to freedom and equality. Order and truth will ever conquer chaos and evil.
This event is open to the Family of our members who passed in the last year, all Masons of any Degree, and their invited friends and family. It is not open to the general public.
Schedule March 4th, 2025: Doors open at 5:30 pm Dinner at 6:15 pm Program begins at 7:00 pm
15th Degree—Knight of the East, of the Sword, or of the Eagle
Schedule: Conferral, Tuesday, Jan. 28, Dinner at 6pm, Degree at 7pm
Duty: Rebuild the Masonic temple of liberty, equality, and fraternity in the souls of humanity and nations. Lessons: Fidelity to trust, honor, and duty. Perseverance and constancy under difficulties and discouragements. For Reflection: Is equality the basis of all freedom?
