valley voice - Valley of Detroit

Scottish Rite Masons and their Families
VALLEY VOICE
October 2014
Fall Reunion Issue
Details Inside
Valley of Detroit
On the Cover: Stock Photo
VALLEYVOICE
October, 2014
Valley Voice is the official publication of Detroit Scottish Rite. The Bodies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the
Valley of Detroit, State of Michigan, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the
Supreme
Council,
33o,
Ancient
Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
of the United States of America whose
Grand East is in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Ill. John Wm. McNaughton, 33o
Sovereign Grand Commander
The Valley of Detroit Presents ~ The Founders Series
Stony Creek Lodge No. 5
Tuesday, November 11, 2014 ~ 7:30 p.m.
We invite you to attend our November Valley Meeting.
A short business meeting will open at 7:30 p.m.
Following the meeting we will open our Cathedral to
members, guests and ladies for a presentation
highlighting Stony Creek Lodge No. 5.
Refreshments and fellowship following the presentation.
Ill. David R. Bedwell, 33o
Deputy for Michigan
For the purposes of a refreshment count, please make reservations
with the Valley Office Toll Free at 877.320.6432 or via email to
valleyofdetroit@32ndDegreeMasons.org.
Ill. William J. Dover, 33 , MSA
Active Member for Michigan
o
Ill. Walter F. Wheeler, 33o
Active Member for Michigan
Ill. Robert H. Sale, 33o, MSA
Active Member Emeritus
Correction
Ill. Erwin W. O’Dell, 33o, MSA
Active Member Emeritus
Ill. Gerald F. Thorp, 33o, MSA
Active Member Emeritus
32ndDegreeMasons.org
All correspondence concerning
Publication should be directed to
Executive Secretary of the Valley
Detroit, Timothey S. Marshbanks,
this
the
of
33o
Mailing Address
907 Monroe St.
Dearborn, MI 48124-2309
313.724.1907
Fax 313.724.1996
Toll Free 877.320.6432
Email
valleyofdetroit@32nddegreemasons.org
Editor
Ill. David R. Bedwell, 33o
dbedwell@ameritech.net
Permission to reprint original articles in
the Valley Voice is granted to all recognized Masonic publications with credit to the author and this publication.
Copyright © 2014 Board of Trustees of the
Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit
In the September Valley Voice the picture to
the left identified Ill. Ronald J. Bethune, 33o,
MSA, Commander-in-Chief of the
Detroit Consistory, presenting Brother
Charles Wright (L), Club President, with the
Club’s new charter.
The SEM Club President is
Brother Charles Williams.
We apologize for the error.
Vacant Chair Ceremony
Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 7:30 p.m.
“All gave some, some gave all”. Please join us on Tuesday, October 14, as we honor those
Brethren who made the supreme sacrifice in service to their country with a Vacant Chair
Ceremony. The concept of a vacant chair is very old, and refers to the custom of placing a
vacant chair at a family or organizational gathering as a mark of remembrance for a lost
member of the family or group.
The Masonic ceremony seeks to recognize the many members of our Fraternity who have
served to defend our way of life, and did not return. The vacant chair reminds us of our lost
Brethren, and symbolizes that their spirits are welcome to return to enjoy the fellowship that
they knew in life.
Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served.
This solemn ceremony is free of cost and open to all, you need not be a veteran to attend.
For reservations call 877-320-6432 or email valleyofdetroit@32ndDegreeMasons.org.
VALLEY HOLIDAY PARTY
Save the Date
Tuesday, December 9 ~ 7:30 p.m.
The Brethren and Ladies of the Valley of Detroit
are cordially invited to attend our Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the
Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
Valentine’s Party
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Silver Shores
on the water in Wyandotte
60’s Theme
Refreshments will be served at no cost;
however, seating is limited.
Please contact the Valley Office
to make your reservations at
877-320-6432 or via email at
valleyofdetroit@32ndDegreeMasons.org.
(Adults only please)
Watch the Valley Voice
for more details
Passport Recognition Program
The program requires each member to have his passport stamped when
he has witnessed a degree in anyone of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
Valleys. A member who has witnessed all 29 degrees of the
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction should have his Valley Secretary certify the
completion of the passport. The secretary then submits the certified passport to Supreme Council for recognition and certificate.
The changes that have been made do not affect how the program works,
simply the recognition items. The certificate has been updated to be more
in-line with other Supreme Council certificates and Supreme Council is
now issuing a “Gold” passport to the member as recognition that he has
completed the cycle at least once. Therefore, if you see a gold passport,
congratulate the Brother and continue to stamp his new passport book.
For those members who have already completed a passport and would like to have a new certificate and new
gold passport issued, simply present your Passport to your Valley Secretary and he will forward your passport to Supreme Council for action. Once verified, a new passport and certificate will be issued.
Sympathy Cards
A program which started in the Spring of 2009 is the Sympathy Card Program. Each family of a deceased
member of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction will receive a sympathy
card from the Sovereign Grand Commander.
Sympathy cards are mailed the first week of each month for those brethren that have been identified as deceased within their membership record
two months prior and who passed away at some period within the previous four months of that entry date. The importance of accuracy in the
entering deceased member data can not be stressed enough. Accuracy
of the members last known address is also important as the card will be
addressed to “The family of ……” at the last known address. The secretary
urges you to contact his office at the earliest convenience upon knowing of a Brother's passing.
It is equally important to notify the Brethren of any Brother that has taken to illness and has no way to contact the Valley on their own. We as a Fraternity strive to support all our Brothers in their times of need and it
is important to us to reach out to them in times of need.
“THE HOSPITALER”
You may ask, “What is a Hospitaler”? A Brother Hospitaler of St. John of God was a member of the Roman
Catholic religious institute founded in 1540 at Granada, Spain. They were devoted especially to the care of
the sick and needy. In the Valley of Detroit, although not affiliated with the religious order, the Hospitaler’s
responsibilities are no different. He stands ready, willing and able to provide assistance to any Valley of
Detroit Brother who is sick or is otherwise in need of assistance.
The Valley is currently looking for a member or members who would be willing to serve as Hospitaler. If
interested, please contact the Valley office toll free at 877.320-6432.
SYMBOLISM OF THE DOUBLE HEADED EAGLE
Reprinted with permission from the Valley of Hartford, Connecticut
The adopted emblem of the 32° Scottish Rite Mason,
originally known as the Double-Headed Eagle of Lagash,
may be one of the oldest crests in the world. A similar
insignia symbolized power more than 2,000 years before
the building of King Solomon’s Temple when it originated
in the mighty Sumerian city of Lagash, located in modernday Iraq. Cylinders taken from the ruins of this ancient city
display the double headed eagle in a primitive form, and
scholars suggest it was known to the kings of the time as
the “Storm-Bird”.
The Twin Heads
An ancient Sumerian
tablet depicting the
Eagle of Lagash
From the Sumerians, this symbol passed to the men
of Akkad of the ancient empire of Mesopotamia. It was
then brought to the Emperors of the East and West by
the Crusades. Charlemagne first made use of the doubleheaded eagle when he became head of the German empire,
the two heads denoted union of Rome and Germany around
the year 800.
Some believe the double-headed eagle may have been
a Masonic symbol as early as the
12th century, but it probably
was first known to
Freemasonry around
1758, upon the
establishment of the
Council of Emperors
of the East and West
in Paris. This was part
of the Rite of Perfection,
consisting of twenty-five
degrees, from which
A coin from Charlemagne’s era
evolved a large part of
featuring
the double-headed eagle
the present system of
Scottish Rite.
Today’s successors to the Council of Emperors of the East
and West are the various Supreme Councils of the ThirtyThird Degree throughout the world. They have inherited the
insignia of the personal coat of arms of Frederick the Great,
First Sovereign Grand Commander, who conferred upon the
Rite permission to use it in 1786. Seven additional degrees
were adopted at that time, making thirty-two “ancient and
accepted” degrees. A governing degree, the Thirty-Third,
completed the present day system.
To some, the twin eagle heads further allude to the two
primary Scottish Rite organizations which existed across
the country until the mid-1800s, which were eventually
reconciled into today’s Scottish Rite. Perhaps they also
embody the wisdom of duality; that humanity has been
prone to make the same mistakes throughout its history,
and so should look to lessons of the past (the head looking
left) when envisioning the future (the head looking right).
The Banner
Sometimes represented with stars in the draped banner,
these represent the fifteen states comprising the Northern
Masonic jurisdiction: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana,
Illinois and Wisconsin.
Spes Mea In Deo Est on the banner is the Latin motto
of the Scottish Rite and proclaims the ultimate philosophy
instilled in a 32° Scottish Rite Mason upon becoming a
Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret – “My Hope Is In God”.
The Sword
Waves in the blade are sometimes seen, illustrating that
the sword may never be scabbarded, guiding always the
principles of Scottish Rite. A further allusion may be to
waves of flame, inasmuch as the Almighty’s dominion over
all living things is described in Genesis 3:24: “So He drove
out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of
Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every
way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Reminiscent of this admonition
are the themes found in the
Thirty-Second Degree: that one’s
soul and life are of divine origin,
time upon this earth is fleeting,
and tomorrow is guaranteed to no
one.
The crowned 33° Masonic Eagle
Fall Reunion
SCOTTISH RITE:
“We will strive to be a f
2014 Fall Reunion
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Scottish Rite Masonic Center
Free Parking available 1 block North at Ford Field Park.
Complimentary Shuttle Service from the Park to the Front Door
Honoring
Ill. Elwood K. Scott, 33o, MSA
Schedule of Activities
Candidate Registration: 8:00 A.M.
 
9:00 A.M. - 4° Master Traveler - Here is the introduction to Scottish Rite Masonry. This degree
provides us with a preview of the moral truths we shall witness on our journey through the
Scottish Rite.
 
9:40 A.M. - 7° Provost & Judge - Justice should be impartial and tempered with mercy. This
degree teaches us that we should not judge hastily.
 
10:30 A.M. - 11o Sublime Master Elected - This degree dramatizes the importance of good
citizenship, that honesty and respect for others should be rewarded.
11:45 A.M. - LUNCH - Complimentary - Reservations Required - No Exceptions.
 
1:00 P.M. - 27° Knight of Jerusalem - The lesson of this degree illustrates the importance of a
free church in a free state, each cooperating toward the common good.
2:15 P.M. - 32° Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret - In this degree we learn that service to
humanity should be our response when God calls us to labor. As the culmination of Scottish Rite
Masonry, this degree celebrates the triumph of individual integrity and our obligation to serve
humanity.
 
PLEASE BRING YOUR DUES CARD
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
If you do not have a reservation, you will be charged $10.00 at the door.
 
Reception following the 32°
For petition information or to make reservations for lunch and the reception, please contact the
Valley office toll free at 877.320.6432 or online www.32ndDegreeMasons.org.
fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members”
Faces of Scottish Rite ~ Class Honoree
Illustrious Brother Elwood Keith “Scotty” Scott, 33o, MSA, was born December 7, 1922,
in Detroit. Scotty graduated from Houghton Lake High School in 1941. Upon graduation
he joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1942, and served until 1945, spending time in England,
France and Germany.
Scotty completed his apprentice electrical worker certification in 1946, and would spend
more than 35 years working for the Detroit News, retiring in 1987. In 1947, Ill. Brother
Scott married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Jones. Patricia passed away in 1977.
Scotty and Patricia had one daughter Barbara in 1950. Barbara has been a great help and
joy to Scotty.
Scotty began his Masonic journey in 1952 at Redford Lodge No. 152. He joined Scottish
Rite in 1953, and in 1955 joined the Scottish Rite stage crew along with Ill. Robert Dear
33°, MSA. Scotty worked the stage, sound, lighting and props until 2006. A total of fifty-one years striving to make
our Scottish Rite reunions better. The production name for our production staff was “Eat em up Productions”.
In 1974, Scotty was honored with the Meritorious Service Award from the Valley of Detroit. Illustrious Brother
Elwood Scott was coroneted a 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General and honorary member of Supreme Council
in 1994, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Scotty wanted to pass along this tip to all of us; don’t be just a Scottish Rite card carrier, join in, be a part of this
wonderful Valley.
For his dedicated service to the Valley of Detroit, it is proud to name the 360th Reunion Class in his honor.
OUR SCOTTISH RITE CORE VALUES
REVERENCE FOR GOD
DEVOTION TO COUNTRY
INTEGRITY
JUSTICE
TOLERATION
SERVICE
The Board of Trustees of the
Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit
o
32 Masons and Their Families
907 Monroe Street
Dearborn, MI 48124-2309
Dated Material - Please Do Not Delay
Support Your Club
Blue Water Club
Bernie Kirchoff
810-364-9702
Voyager Restaurant
525 Riverside Dr
St Clair, MI 48079-5334
3rd Monday, 6:30 P.M.
Macomb Club
Al McKay, MSA
586.773.3093
Roseville Masonic Center
27151 Gratiot Ave.
Roseville
Last Saturday, 9:00 A.M.
Oakland Club
Dennis McWilliams
248.435.4107
Jimi’s Restaurant
714 S. Washington
Royal Oak
2nd Monday, 6:15 P.M.
Club of the Lakes
Calendar
Les Ferguson
313-414-1792
Pinckney Masonic Center
210 Mann St. in Pinckney
3rd Sunday, 11:00 A.M.
October 2014
7
Fall Reunion Rehearsals Begin
14
Valley Meeting ~ Vacant Chair Presentation
Downriver/Monroe Club
Michael J. Stetz, 33o
313.271.8018
Leon’s Family Dining
23830 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn
2nd Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Jackson Club
Ken Strobel
517.787.2680
The Groto Club
120 E. Washington Ave.
Jackson, MI 49201
517.782.4934
2nd Sunday, 8:30 A.M.
S.E.M. Club
November 2014
8
Fall Reunion
11
Valley Meeting ~ Highlight Stoney Creek
Lodge
20
Board of Trustees
December 2014
9
Adult Holiday Party
Royd Buchele
517.270.1340
Country House Restaurant
8495 N. Adrian Hwy.
Tecumseh
1st Thursday, 8:00 P.M.
January 2015
13
Valley Meeting - Masonic Pathways
15
Board of Trustees
February 2015
10
Valley Meeting
14
Valentine’s Party