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Scottish Rite Masons and their Families
October 2014
VALLEY VOICE
Fall Reunion IssueDetails Inside
Valley of DetroitVALLEYVOICE
October, 2014
Valley Voice is the official publica-tion of Detroit Scottish Rite. The Bod-ies of the Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Detroit, State of Michigan, ac-knowledge 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
Ill. David R. Bedwell, 33o
Deputy for Michigan
Ill. William J. Dover, 33o, MSAActive Member for Michigan
Ill. Walter F. Wheeler, 33o
Active Member for Michigan
Ill. Robert H. Sale, 33o, MSAActive Member Emeritus
Ill. Erwin W. O’Dell, 33o, MSAActive Member Emeritus
Ill. Gerald F. Thorp, 33o, MSAActive Member Emeritus
32ndDegreeMasons.org
All correspondence concerning this Publication should be directed to the Executive Secretary of the Valley of Detroit, Timothey S. Marshbanks, 33o
Mailing Address907 Monroe St.
Dearborn, MI 48124-2309313.724.1907
Fax 313.724.1996Toll Free 877.320.6432
Email [email protected]
EditorIll. David R. Bedwell, 33o
Permission to reprint original articles in the Valley Voice is granted to all recog-nized Masonic publications with cred-it to the author and this publication.
Copyright © 2014 Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit
On the Cover: Stock Photo
CorrectionIn 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.
The Valley of Detroit Presents ~ The Founders SeriesStony 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.
For the purposes of a refreshment count, please make reservations with the Valley Office Toll Free at 877.320.6432 or via email to
Vacant Chair CeremonyTuesday, 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 [email protected].
VALLEY HOLIDAY PARTYTuesday, 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.
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
(Adults only please)
Valentine’s Party Saturday, February 14, 2015
Silver Shores on the water in Wyandotte
60’s Theme
Watch the Valley Voicefor more details
Save the Date
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 theNorthern Masonic Jurisdiction should have his Valley Secretary certify the completion of the passport. The secretary then submits the certified pass-port 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 pass-port to Supreme Council for action. Once verified, a new passport and certificate will be issued.
Sympathy CardsA program which started in the Spring of 2009 is the Sympathy Card Program. Each family of a deceasedmember of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction will receive a sympathycard from the Sovereign Grand Commander.
Sympathy cards are mailed the first week of each month for those breth-ren that have been identified as deceased within their membership record two months prior and who passed away at some period within the pre-vious 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 con-tact 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 RomanCatholic 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’sresponsibilities are no different. He stands ready, willing and able to provide assistance to any Valley ofDetroit 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.
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 modern-day 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”.
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 double-headed 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 evolved a large part of 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 Thirty-Third 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.
The Twin heADsTo 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 BAnnerSometimes 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 sworDWaves 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.
sYMBoLisM oF The DoUBLe heADeD eAGLeReprinted with permission from the Valley of Hartford, Connecticut
An ancient Sumerian tablet depicting the
Eagle of Lagash
A coin from Charlemagne’s era featuring the double-headed eagle
The crowned 33° Masonic Eagle
Fall
Reu
nion
SCOTTISH RITE: 2014 Fall ReunionSaturday, 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 ActivitiesCandidate 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 CARDRESERVATIONS 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.
“We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members”
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.
Faces of Scottish Rite ~ Class Honoree
“We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members”
OUR SCOTTISH RITE CORE VALUESREVERENCE FOR GOD
DEVOTION TO COUNTRY
INTEGRITY
JUSTICE
TOLERATION
SERVICE
Calendar
October 20147 Fall Reunion Rehearsals Begin14 Valley Meeting ~ Vacant Chair Presentation
November 20148 Fall Reunion11 Valley Meeting ~ Highlight Stoney Creek Lodge20 Board of Trustees
December 20149 Adult Holiday Party
January 201513 Valley Meeting - Masonic Pathways15 Board of Trustees
February 201510 Valley Meeting14 Valentine’s Party
Blue Water Club Bernie Kirchoff810-364-9702Voyager Restaurant525 Riverside DrSt Clair, MI 48079-53343rd Monday, 6:30 P.M. Macomb ClubAl McKay, MSA 586.773.3093Roseville Masonic Center27151 Gratiot Ave.RosevilleLast Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Oakland Club Dennis McWilliams248.435.4107Jimi’s Restaurant714 S. Washington Royal Oak2nd Monday, 6:15 P.M.
Club of the LakesLes Ferguson313-414-1792Pinckney Masonic Center210 Mann St. in Pinckney3rd Sunday, 11:00 A.M.
Downriver/Monroe ClubMichael J. Stetz, 33o 313.271.8018Leon’s Family Dining23830 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn2nd Saturday, 9:00 A.M. Jackson ClubKen Strobel 517.787.2680The Groto Club120 E. Washington Ave.Jackson, MI 49201517.782.49342nd Sunday, 8:30 A.M.
Support Your Club
S.E.M. ClubRoyd Buchele 517.270.1340Country House Restaurant8495 N. Adrian Hwy.Tecumseh 1st Thursday, 8:00 P.M.
The Board of Trustees of the Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Detroit
32o Masons and Their Families907 Monroe StreetDearborn, MI 48124-2309
Dated Material - Please Do Not Delay
