july-september newsletter
DESCRIPTION
July-September Newsletter of the Valley of Newport NewsTRANSCRIPT
July - September 2011
Volume 1, Issue 8 Valley of Newport News, Orient of Virginia, AASR
The Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite welcomes the 2011 Spring Reunion Class. The
Spring Reunion was held on Friday April 15, Saturday April 16 and was followed by a Ring
Ceremony conducted by the Knights of St. Andrew on Sunday April 16. Twelve new
members attended the presentation of the 4th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 29th, 30th and 32nd Degrees.
The Spring 2011 Reunion was dedicated in memory of Ill. Edgar C. Lett, IGH.
Members of the 2011 Spring Reunion Class
David A. Burley
Brian R. Croteau
Kenneth R. Dodson
Timothy W. Gaskins
Eric M. Grenier
Robbie J. LeBlanc
Paul Eugene Lubic, Jr.
Marshall J. T. Manipol
Richard A. Russell
Brian C. Smoot
Arthur K. Stevens
Steven P. Vaughn
Valley Personal Representative Message Ill. C. A. Parker, IGH
Inside this Issue
Page 2 - Valley Rep Message
Page 3 -Upcoming Activities
Page 4 -“From the Secretary’s
Desk”
Page 5 -Venerable Master’s
Message
-Knights of St. Andrew
Page 6 - Scottish Rite Degrees
Page 7 - Master Craftsman Class
Sincerely & Fraternally,
Skip Parker
Page 2
As the summer months approach, we start to plan for those all-important vacations with our kids
and grandkids. If your schedule is anything like mine, you’re having a hard time fitting in all of your
plans.
We just completed our Annual Scottish Rite Picnic and, once again, it was a huge success. A big
thank you goes out to Ill. Jimmie Willis and his staff for all of their hard work. I also thank the
Knights of St. Andrew providing their support of this event. I promise you next year we will have
more food available.
As a reminder, our kitchen will go dark for July and August to give our kitchen staff a break but
the delicious dinners will resume in September. Another big thank you goes out to Ill. Don Moyer,
IGH, Ill. Chuck Sutphin, IGH, Bro. Ralph Hood, KCCH, and all of the kitchen staff who make our
evenings most enjoyable.
I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. in August for the Biennial Session of the Supreme
Council. A part of the regular business of the session is the election and conferral of the 33°,
Inspector General Honorary (IGH), as well as the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour (32º
KCCH). The brethren elected to receive these degrees will be honored at our September Stated.
Ill. Jack Smith, IGH, is very busy preparing for the Annual Scottish Rite Conference in Virginia.
Our Valley will be hosting the conference this year at the Omni Hotel in Newport News on
September 23rd and 24th. If you have never attended one of our Orient of Virginia Conferences, now
would be a great opportunity to come out and enjoy the hospitality. A change has been planned for
Conference this year on Saturday afternoon which differs from our past practices. Ill. James D. Cole,
33o, is requesting the conferral of the KCCH Degree in our auditorium. The degree will be conferred
by the Valley of Richmond after which we will return to the hotel for our Annual Banquet and
election of Officers. We will also honor all new 32º KCCHs and 33º IGHs at the banquet. This looks
to be a spectacular evening for all in attendance.
Please remind all your friends who have not yet joined the Scottish Rite that our Fall Reunion will
be held on the 28th and 29th of October. Look around your Lodges for prospective new members to
join and let’s make our Fall Reunion one our largest ever.
Enjoy your summer.
Orient of Virginia
Scottish Rite Conference
September 23rd and 24th, 2011
Omni Hotel, Newport News, VA
Conference President:
Illustrious Jack Smith, IGH
Valley of Newport News
Ill. James D. Cole, 33º Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Virginia
Ill. Clifford A. Parker, IGH Personal Representative of the SGIG in Virginia
Ill. Adrian L. “Pete” Eure, IGH Secretary for the Valley of Newport News
Ill. Danny O. Belott, IGH Assist. Secretary for Valley of Newport News
Ill. Gerald E. Burks, IGH Treasurer for the Valley of Newport News
Bro. Harold C. Joyner, KCCH Almoner for the Valley of Newport News
Ill. James E. Lassiter, IGH Chairman of the Trustees
Newport News Lodge of Perfection
Bro. James Allen Freeman, KCCH Venerable Master
Newport News Chapter of Rose Croix
Bro. William Lee Luthie, KCCH Wise Master
Newport News Council of Kadosh
Bro. Randolph Locknane Rogers, KCCH Commander
Newport News Consistory
Bro. James Allen Freeman, KCCH Master of Kadosh
Knights of St. Andrew
Bro. William Franklin Overby, 32º Venerable Master
Chartered October 12, 1912
Upcoming Activities
July 26 - Knights of St. Andrew Stated Meeting 7:00pm
July 27 - Valley of Newport News Stated
Meeting 7:30pm
August 21-23 - Scottish Rite Biennial Session,
Washington, D.C.
August 24 - Valley of Newport News
Stated Meeting 7:30pm
September 10 - Valley of Newport News
Spaghetti Dinner 5-7pm
September 23-24 Orient of Virginia Scottish Rite Conference,
Newport News, VA
September 27 - Knights of St. Andrew Stated Meeting 7:00pm
September 28 - Valley of Newport News Stated
Meeting 7:30pm (dinner at 6:30pm)
Our stated meetings are held on the fourth
Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. A
deliciously prepared Dutch Treat dinner is
served at 6:30pm prior to all meetings w/e of
July & August. The Ladies of the Scottish
Rite meet at all meetings w/e of the July &
August Stated meetings.
Editor: Bro. J. Richard Rawls, 32o Asst. Ed.: Ill. David A. Burkus, IGH
Offices: 65 Saunders Rd.
Newport News, VA 23601 Phone: 757 599 6617
Fax: 757 599 0021
Email: [email protected]
Please support your Blue Lodge, your
Scottish Rite and all other Masonic Bodies
you are a member of.
They all need your support.
Page 3
Lodge or Valley Shirts ********************
Now that it is hot, I am
sure you would prefer to
wear a polo shirt vs. a
coat and tie. If you are
interested in ordering a
Lodge or Valley polo
shirt, please contact Ill.
Jerry Whitlock, IGH, at
757-851-6775 to place
your order. Jerry can
obtain shirts for any
Lodge in the area as well
as shirts for the Valley of
Newport News. Want a
new shirt, order one now
from Jerry !
From the Secretary’s Desk Ill. Adrian L. Eure, IGH
Orient of Virginia Membership J. Richard Rawls, Director of Membership
Ill. Adrian "Pete" Eure, IGH,
Secretary
Page 4
Freemason Network: www.FreemasonNetwork.net
Update your Scottish Rite Information: http://update.scottishrite.org
Pay your dues online: https://secure.scottishrite.org/OnlineDuesPayment/DuesPayment1.asp
Valley of Newport News: http://newportnewsscottishrite.org
Orient of Virginia: http://www.orientofvirginia.org
The year is passing quickly and we are looking at the last half. We had an excellent Spring Reunion.
We made twelve Masters of the Royal Secret and we welcomed them and their families into the Newport
News Scottish Rite family at our Ring Ceremony and reception. I would like to thank the Newport News
Scottish Rite Ladies Club, for the outstanding reception. The ladies always make the Newport News
Scottish Rite look good!
Brothers, at this time we have over 150 members who have not paid their 2011 dues. As you know, the
Valley needs the dues to run the building and pay our bills. Please, if you have any questions concerning
your dues, please call the Scottish Rite Office. We are open – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
– from 9:00 am to Noon. The Scottish Rite Office phone number is 757-599-6617. We do not want to
suspend any of our members for non-payment of dues. Please call!!!
You may pay online to the Supreme Council, using your credit card. Go to the Supreme Council web
site: https://secure.scottishrite.org/OnlineDuesPayment/DuesPayment1.asp to make your dues payment
online.
We are looking forward to a great Scottish Rite Conference of Virginia, hosted by the Valley of
Newport News Scottish Rite. It will be held at the Omni Hotel in Newport News on September 23-24,
2011. Something new at this Conference – the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite will host the KCCH
Investiture at our Scottish Rite Masonic Center on September 24th, 2011. The Valley of Richmond will be
presenting the Investiture Ceremony in our auditorium on the afternoon of the 24th. Times will be
announced later.
I would like to thank the members who come in during office hours and help by answering the phone,
working in the hospital equipment building, working on the maintenance of the building, and the many
other things that need to be done around our building. Thanks a bunch!!!!
Brethren, as Director of Membership for the Orient of Virginia, I recently had the opportunity to
attend a Membership Conference at the House of the Temple in Washington. I would like to share with
you a couple of items from this conference that may be of interest to you.
Currently, the Valley of Newport News has 705 members and our average age is 68. As of June 15,
2011, 24.61% of the members of the Valley of Newport News had not paid their 2011 dues. We all need
to be a Brother-to-a-Brother and reach out to those members we have not seen in a while to determine if
they are experiencing a health or financial issue. Is the only time we communicate with our Brethren
when we want their dues payment? We should be calling on our members throughout the year to see if
they need our help. Show a Brother that you care about him by simply staying in touch with him. Do
your part to be a Brother-to-a-Brother.
You are encouraged to make use of the web sites shown below. We are moving forward with
technology and we hope that everyone will do what they can to make use of it. Stay informed, update
your Scottish Rite information and pay you dues online. Should you have any questions concerning
membership in the Orient of Virginia, please contact me.
Fraternally, Richard
Venerable Master’s Message Bro. James Allen Freeman, KCCH
Knights of St. Andrew William Overby, Venerable Master
Brethren of the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite wearing black hats, we still need you to join with us.
Unfortunately, we have recently lost a few members and to support our Valley we need all your help. We had a very
successful Spring Reunion where we put on the exciting 29th degree. I express my thanks to all Sir Knights who took part in
the presentation- job well done.
The Annual Feast of Bannockburn on June 28th was well attended. Thanks for coming and I hope you enjoyed the “Tur-
Duc-In”, a medieval dish. The special presentation about the Feast of Bannockburn by Sir Knight Chris Knoller was well
done and appreciated. We will also be helping with the Scottish Rite BBQ on July 16th. Make your plans now to attend.
Those of you black hats that would like to join our distinguished Knights of St. Andrew, just ask any Sir Knight for an
application for membership and bring it to our next meeting with $25.00. We also welcome Red and White Hat Scottish
Rite members to join with us in our service to the Valley. You can’t hold office or vote but we would still love your support
as we all serve the Valley of Newport News.
Our next meetings will be held on Tuesday, July 26th and
Tuesday, September 27th at 7:00 PM.
Fraternally Sir Knight William Overby, Venerable Master
Page 5
The year is moving swiftly just like the sand in an hour glass and we still have many things to accomplish before the year
ends. We had a great turnout at the 9th Annual Ill. William M. Johnson, IGH, Memorial Golf Tournament at the
Williamsburg National Golf Club. I would like to thank everyone that helped make this event a success this year. Your
dedication to this cause is very much appreciated. Please visit our web site (newportnewsscottishrite.org) and review the
pictures of our 2011 Golf Tournament. I am looking forward to your support in next year’s tournament scheduled for May
2012.
The 2011 Spring Reunion was very successful and the degree teams did an outstanding job. I would like to thank
everyone behind the scenes who made this a wonderful success. Without your support, we could not have had such a
successful Reunion.
Several of our new members are taking the Master Craftsman’s Course, along with many others from the Valley. I would
like to thank Brother Patrick Murphrey, for his time and dedication to organize a classroom environment to discuss the
course in detail.
Our Fall Reunion is getting closer and we need new members. Please spread the word in your Lodges to help us have a
successful Fall Reunion, just as we did in the Spring.
Our Annual Family Picnic was outstanding and I want to thank the officers of the Lodge of Perfection for their hard
work. Special thanks are extended to the Knights of St. Andrews for their continued support of activities throughout the
Valley. The assistance that you provide each year cannot be replaced.
Our Annual Christmas Dinner will be held on December 21, 2011 at 6:00pm. We will have a wonderful dinner followed
by a Christmas Country Special Concert provided by the Freeman Family from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Please mark your
calendars now for this event. More details will be provided later.
May the God of Heaven and Earth keep us and guide us,
James A. Freeman
Venerable Master
Scottish Rite Degrees - Council of Kadosh 19° - 30° Degrees
Page 6
19th degree - Grand Pontiff. This degree proclaims the spiritual unity of all who believe in God and
cherish the hope of immortality, no matter what religious leader they follow or what creed they profess. It
is concerned primarily with the perennial conflict between light and darkness, good and evil, God and
Satan.
20th degree - Master ad Vitam. This degree is a drama of the American spirit confronting the challenge
of disloyalty and treason. Masonic principles and leadership are subjected to a crucial test. The degree
demonstrates the Masonic condemnation of all that conspire against the security of the nation and the
happiness of our people.
21st degree - Patriarch Noachite. This degree teaches that Freemasonry is not a shield for evil doing and
that justice is one of the chief supports of our fraternity.
22nd degree - Prince of Libanus. In this degree, the dignity of labor is demonstrated. It is no curse, but a
privilege, for man to be allowed to earn his sustenance by work. Idleness, not labor, is disgraceful.
23rd degree - Chief of the Tabernacle. This degree teaches that impure thought and selfish, unworthy
ambitions are corrupting and destructive, and that a man who forgets his duty to family, country, and God
will be morally and spiritually destroyed.
24th degree - Prince of the Tabernacle. This degree teaches that a mutual belief in one true, living God
should bind men together in the service of humanity and in a worldwide brotherhood.
25th degree - Knight of the Brazen Serpent. This degree teaches that there are desert stretches in every
individual life in the history of every nation, with a resultant breakdown of discipline and loss of faith.
This degree is a clarion call to faith-in ourselves, in each other, and in God.
26th degree - Prince of Mercy. This degree teaches the quality of mercy; that it is a spirit of compassion
and a tenderness of heart which dispose us to overlook injuries and to treat an offender better than he
deserves.
27th degree - Commander of the Temple. This degree teaches that Scottish Rite Freemasonry believes in
the concept of a free church in a free state, each supreme in its own sphere, neither seeking to dominate
the other, but cooperating for the common good.
28th degree - Knight of the Sun. This degree using the symbolism of the tools and implements of
architecture teaches that by building high moral character among its adherents, Freemasonry may
advance mans determined quest for the achievement of unity and good will throughout the world.
29th degree - Knight of St. Andrew. This degree emphasizes the Masonic teachings of equality and
toleration We are reminded that no one man, no one Church, no one religion, has a monopoly of truth;
that while we must be true and faithful to our own convictions, we must respect the opinions of others.
30th degree - Grand Elect Knight Kadosh. This degree sets forth the tests and ceremonies that symbolize
the experiences we must undergo in the building of excellence in character.
Brethren I am pleased to announce that we have recently started a group Master Craftsman Class at
the Valley of Newport News. The class has proven to be extremely popular with approximately 20
participants. The class is composed of a cross-section of our Valley consisting of black, red, and white
hats. The class also includes 6 of our newest Scottish Rite Masons fresh off the Spring Reunion
experience.
The class meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm until October. The class schedule is
as follows:
Class #1: May 11, Complete Quiz 1 “Some Masonic and Scottish Rite Basics”
Class #2: June 8, Complete Quiz 2 “The Lodge of Perfection”
Class #3: July 13, Complete Quiz 3 “Chapter of Rose Croix”
Class #4: August 10, Complete Quiz 4 “Council of Kadosh”
Class #5 & #6: September 14, Complete Quiz 5 “Consistory”;
Complete Quiz 6 “Scottish Rite Honors”
The cost of the class is $40 which includes your copy of the Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide,
3rd Edition (a $75 book!) and class materials. At the conclusion of the course, graduates will be
presented with a certificate and Master Craftsman lapel pin.
If you are interested in participating, it’s not too late! Please contact me at
[email protected] or 757-871-5376 and we will get you caught up.
Master Craftsman Group Class Starts at Valley of Newport News Patrick C. Murphrey, 32˚
Page 7
The New Call-Em-All Service
Recently many of you may have received a voice message from the Valley reminding you about
our May and June Stated Communications.
This call is a part of a new initiative at the Valley to continue to improve our communication to
our members.
The Call-Em-All Service allows us to call our 600+ members simultaneously to remind them of
major events and stated communications. The cost is only 6 cents per completed call. A completed
call means connecting with a live person or voicemail. This service is an inexpensive way to reach
out quickly to our members and is a substantial cost saving compared to sending notices in the mail.
Please if you do not wish to have this service, “opt-out” or
call Patrick Murphrey 757-871-5376.
We hope that you enjoy this new way of staying connected and communicating with the members
of the Valley of Newport News Scottish Rite!
Nonprofit Organization
U. S. Postage Paid
Newport News, Virginia
Permit No. 54 Valley of Newport News
Orient of Virginia
65 Saunders Road
Newport News, Virginia 23601
Return Service Requested
Our Departed
Brethren
Their spirit to God,
their memory in
our hearts.
Roy Alexander Stutts, Sr., 32o
March 30, 2011
Garrett W. Sellers, Sr., 32o
March 31, 2011
Elmo Mayo Wilcox, Jr., 32o
May 30, 2011
Albert Maxwell Wagner, III, 32o
June 16, 2011
Leamond (Bud) Thomas Forrest, Jr., 32o
June 21, 2011