VOLUME 3

May 05, 2008

EDITION 17


YOUR SCOTTISH RITE NEWS

Welcome to The Rite Start!
  Thank you, all, for the phone calls over the weekend. As many of you know, our family lost their home in 2004, when a tornado flattened the home of my parents and damaged ours. It sure gives a person a sense of how great our brotherly ties are. As a note, the city of Gladstone is asking for volunteers. Many of the residents that experienced damage were older and need assistance to clean up the damage. You can contact city hall at 816-436-2200 and volunteer. This may be a good idea for some of our lodges that are able to find some members with free time. 

   It is almost time to start authoring the next Herald. Please get your entries in to me as soon as possible. I would like to have the completed version by May 25th. 

If you have any news that needs to be included in the Rite Start, please email me at ritestart@scottishrite-kcmo.org or jhargrave@kc.rr.com . 

Remember that the Rite Start is part of your Scottish Rite Website as well and can be viewed on-line at http://www.scottishrite-kcmo.org/ritestart.htm .

Fraternally,

Jared Hargrave
Editor


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.

ANOTHER BROTHER CALLED  ———————————————————

Brethren: Another sad day for Freemasonry. ILL. Bro. Robert Miller passed away this evening around 7pm at KU Medical Center. He had been fighting a tough battle with infection and cancer for the past 30 days.

Funeral arrangements will be with Schowendgerdt Funeral Chapel in Butler, Missouri. No date has been set at this writing. His family asked me to thank everyone for their prayers these last few weeks and days. I will post dates and time when I get them. 
Thank you. 
R.W.B. Alvin O. Griffin D.D.G.L. 32nd District

FREE CONCERT ANNOUNCED  ————————————————————

Coming to the Scottish Rite Auditorium

 

“Command Performance”

 

COMMAND PERF 2006 PRELIMS004

 

May 28, 2008

8:15 pm

 

Admission is Free to Scottish Rite Members and Their Guests!!

 

KNIGHTS OF ST. ANDREWS NEWS ———————————————
On Tuesday, April 29th, a meeting between Brothers from our Valley met to start the re-organization of The Knights of St. Andrew. There were seasoned and new members present and there was much enthusiasm amongst the Brothers present. This Group will be a welcome addition to our Valley and is much needed to help promote our Valley within the community and an opportunity for the 32nd degree Brothers to be more active within the organization and further their search for more Light. The group will be meeting again on Tuesday May 13th @ 7:30 PM at the Scottish Rite Temple. All Brothers who are 32nd degree are encouraged to attend and help us to build this group into a viable part of our Valley and help move us into the future. Together, brothers we can attain great things and make our world a better place for all.

Fraternally,
Kevin Hampton

MASTER CRAFTSMAN EDUCATION PROGRAM CORRECTED ——————

The Scottish Rite Master Craftsman Education Program is now available! 
You will be pleased with the undertaking of Sovereign Grand Commander, Ronald A. Seale, to provide the Scottish Rite membership with a significant step forward in the continuing quest for more light in Masonry. A curriculum has been designed to achieve two purposes:       
1- To gain a deeper and more through understanding of our Rite
2- Discover something personally meaningful, and perhaps unexpected during reflection on these august mysteries. 

Several members have already enrolled and have received a syllabus for lesson # 1. 
Please Contact the Valley office or Education Committee for more information.   

BATES COUNTY INVITATION  ———————————————————————

 

The Bates County Scottish Rite Club Annual Spring Picnic will be held on Saturday, June 7, at 4:00 P.M .

All brothers and their ladies are encouraged to join in the festivities! The picnic is a bring your own everything event, so be sure to dust off the picnic baskets in the basement. 

Come meet everyone at Carl Stanfill's Resort, located about 7 miles west of Passaic on County Road F.

Take US 71 Highway to the Passaic exit, 6 miles north of Butler.

WHITE ELEPHANT SALE —————————————————————————

There will be a White Elephant Sale to benefit the Scottish Rite auditorium on June 14, 2008. The sale will take place in the parking lot of Buckner Masonic Lodge in Buckner , MO. Lunch will be provided to the volunteers that assist with the sale. Sale hours will be between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm.

 

            If you have any items that you would like to have included in the sale, please drop them off at the Scottish Rite. If you can not deliver the items to the Scottish Rite, please contact Bill Dean, Jr. for pick-up arrangements.  Any items that are not sold that day will be donated to Goodwill in Kansas City .
A VACATION SUGGESTION ———————————————————————

   It’s coming up on the time of year when families plan summer vacation trips. Travel to the District of Columbia is a consideration for those who want to incorporate American history into their fun and relaxation. For Masons, our Nation's Capital includes a great deal of history on the fraternity and many of its earliest American members.

 

   For the first time ever, enjoy one of Washington, D.C.’s most unique tours: E-Square LLC, a Masonic consulting firm owned and operated by leading Freemasons in Washington, D.C., invites you to take the tour and discover the secrets of the nation's capital. E-Square unveils the Masonic symbolism hidden in the architecture, layout, and design of prominent monuments and landmarks such as the White House, U.S. Capitol building, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial. E-Square is offering a chance to understand what many Freemasons have known for years. Learn about the hidden signs, secrets and history of Washington , D.C. and the role Freemasons have had in the founding of the United States.

 

   E-Square was founded by Akram Elias, a world-renowned speaker on the topic of 'Freemasonry and the Great Experiment.' He is the winner of three Telly Awards and has been featured in a number of televised documentaries. Partners, Garrison Courtney and Sviatoslav Voloshin, both Freemasons, are also recognized for their contributions to the Masonic order and offer years of Masonic experience.

 

http://www.masonictours.com/registration.html  

DUCKS PICNIC ANNOUNCED ———————————————

WANTED: COMMUNICATORS——————————————————————

The Valley of Kansas City is looking for individuals who are interested in improving and expanding communications with our 3,500 members.  If you can write, provide photographs from your club or you’re more of an “idea man” We need you! Please contact me for more details if you are interested in being involved with the website, the Herald or the Rite Start.  We need you!
Ron Hewitt
Valley Communications
mastermason@kc.rr.com

VALLEY EVENTS—————————————————————

 

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REMEMBER: WE ARE NOW CATERED FOR DINNER. YOU MUST HAVE A RERSERVATION TO INSURE YOUR MEAL. CALL THE VALLEY OFFICE AT
816-561-2277 BY 4:00 PM ON THE TUESDAY BEFORE OUR MEETING.
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Area Scottish Rite Clubs Have WebPages Available

The Kansas City Scottish Rite website has made available space for each of the area clubs ( Bates County , Benton County , Clay-Platte, Raytown and Sedalia ) to have their own websites at no cost to the valley or individual club.

Now each club will have a space on the internet to call home where they can post news, club minutes, pictures and even links of local interest for its membership.  “The idea was brought up by one of the Clay-Platte members” said Ron Hewitt, Kansas City Scottish Rite Webmaster . “It’s an easy enough project to do; all the clubs have to do is email us the information they want posted and we’ll put it up”. 

The Club “websites” can be reached at the following addresses:  

Bates County :       

http://batescounty.scottishrite-kcmo.org/  

Benton County :

http://bentoncounty.scottishrite-kcmo.org/

Clay-Platte:

http://clayplatte.scottishrite-kcmo.org/  

Raytown :                

http://raytown.scottishrite-kcmo.org/  

Sedalia :

http://sedalia.scottishrite-kcmo.org/  

 

“A folder was set up within our Scottish Rite website for each club and by simply replacing the “www” with the club name you access the clubs folder instead of the Valley site” brother Hewitt said. “The Valley website has more space than it needs and this was just a good use of that excess space for our members”.

You can send Ron your information at webmaster@scottishrite-kcmo.org . Let’s build these sites over the summer and have something we can brag about this fall!

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READ YOUR SCOTTISH RITE HERALD ON-LINE AT
http://www.scottishrite-kcmo.org/ehearld.htm

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If you are aware of an event with the Scottish Rite that does not show up on this calendar, please email RiteStart@scottishrite-kcmo.org and it will be added on the following week.

If the entries are underlined, you can click on them and be directed to the discussion forum for further information.

May 7

May 9

May 10

May 11

May 12

May 13

May 14

May 15

May 16

May 18

May 19

May 22

May 23

May 24

May 25

May 28

May 31

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The Temple Guard is an organized group that meets regularly and provides the backbone of the Temple at special events. The club meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM (except July & Aug.) at the Scottish Rite Temple on the Mezzanine level. Dress is casual and refreshments are served.

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President: Kevin Hampton 
Meets 3rd Monday, 6:00p.m. Dinner; Meeting 7:00pm
Location: Tommy's 6221 North Chestnut Ave. (Just off Antioch, 1/2 block north of Shady Lane).

President: Bradley C. Allen
(660) 438-7693
Business Meeting, 2nd Saturday, 7:30 AM
Shawnee Lodge No. 653, Warsaw. Dinner Meeting 4th Friday, 7:00 PM, at Tinney's Southern Buffet (North on 65, 5 miles)


President: Rick Hurshman 32°
Meets 2nd Friday, 6:30 p.m. at The Flaming Lantern, 52 Highway, West Butler, Missouri

President: Terry L. Barrow
(660) 885-5836
Meets 2nd Monday, 7:00 p.m., at Clinton Masonic Lodge

President: Ron Hewitt, 32° KCCH
(816) 746-5497 (816) 820-0068 [cell]
Meets 2nd Monday, 6:30 PM at Ararat Shrine Temple

President: Van M. White, 32° KCCH
Business Meetings 1st Thursday, 7:00 PM in the Red Room of The Sedalia Masonic Center, 601 W Broadway, Sedalia, Missouri

Breakfast meetings are held the fourth Saturday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the Best Western located at 32nd street and  S Limit Ave. (Hi-way 65)"

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The Royal Order Of Ducks is a temple club that shines best during the valley reunions for the presentation of degrees. There are a number of activities that go into the presentation of the degrees and each of these activities is handled by separate committee under the direction of the chairman. The Director of the Work coordinates all the several committees’ activities. The behind the scenes people of stages, properties, sound, spots, and makeup are members of this important club.
Flight Commander for 2008 is Ron Hewitt, 32º KCCH

BACKGROUND
The objective of any Mason in the fraternity should be to seek greater light through the study of philosophy associated with all levels of Freemasonry. The Society for Philosophical Studies was established to serve as an umbrella organization that can offer a collection of venues through which members grow and share their experiences and knowledge with each other.

OVERVIEW
The Society is composed of three groups: The College of the Consistory, The Weekly  Discussion Group and The Businessmen and Retirees Lunch Group. Each Group serves a specific target for members of the fraternity yet many men find all three groups of value in their journey toward enlightenment.

 

• THE COLLEGE OF THE CONSISTORY – KANSAS CITY CAMPUS
The College, organized in Guthrie Oklahoma, follows a curriculum established by its founders that guide the student through in-depth study of the 29 degrees that make up the Scottish Rite. There are two options in pursuing the College curriculum. One who wishes to participate directly with the “Mother College” may do so by-passing the Society and deal directly with the college in Guthrie, Oklahoma; or you can become a member of the local campus in the Valley of Kansas City, Missouri. ( your call )The course is divided into four segments that allow a logical progression that parallels the four bodies of the Rite. Members produce various projects such as papers and essays that reflect their understanding of each degree. The College meets regularly for Feast and Forum where papers may be presented to the group. Membership in the college is restricted to Scottish Rite Masons who are Masters of the Royal Secret.

 

• THE SUNDAY MORNING DISCUSSION GROUP

The Weekly Discussion Group of the Philosophical Society meets each Sunday morning, downstairs, in the small, private, dinning room at the Scottish Rite Temple. The group is one of the fastest growing segments at the Kansas City valley. It is composed of existing Scottish Rite Masons as well as new Masons who have made application to join Scottish Rite. The meetings combine breakfast and fellowship with lively discussion on topics of interest to all Freemasons. The interaction of senior members with younger masons allows a level of creativity that can only come from blending youthful enthusiasm with the wisdom that comes from experience. The tables are set up by the group starting around 9:15AM. Breakfast Buffet is served about 9:45:AM.

 

• THE BUSINESSMEN AND RETIREES LUNCH GROUP
Still in its infancy, the lunch group is one more way that men of like mind can share and grow through Freemasonry. Plans call for a weekly gathering at the noon hour where food, refreshment and discussion as well as potential entertainment can be shared.

MEMBERSHIP FEES
A one time registration fee of $35.00 is collected to join the Society The cost for attending a College Feast and Forum is $35.00 which covers meal, wine and outside speaker honorariums. A $5.00 fee is collected at the Sunday breakfast meetings to cover food costs. Charges for the weekly lunch group have not been established at this time. Money collected by the Society will be used to help expand the experience our candidates receive during reunions through costume improvements and stage/property enhancements.


We combine breakfast and fellowship with a roundtable discussion on the esoteric meaning of the degrees of the Scottish Rite. The group will discuss one degree per month starting with the 4th degree in July 2007 and will use both Morals and Dogma, and A Bridge to Light as reference materials. These discussions should be very beneficial to College of the Consistory members.

The interaction of senior members (we need your knowledge) with younger Masons allows a level of creativity that can only come from blending youthful enthusiasm with the wisdom that comes from experience. First time visitors are requested to bring your temple dues card; unless you can be vouched for by a member present.

We set up our own tables around 9:15 AM, and Breakfast Buffet is served at 9:45:AM. $5:00 Donation for food--------Conversation Free

 

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CHANCE TO ADVANCE CLASS ANNOUNCED———————————————
Bucker Lodge - Chance to Advance
Date: Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: 611 Sibley, Buckner, Missouri 
Buckner Masonic Lodge #501 is offering a Chance to Advance class for new candidates. Here is an opportunity for your candidate who already has his 1st degree at your home lodge and for you to support those new Masonic candidates entering Masonry.

ARARAT SHRINE HOSPITAL TRANSPORTATION FUNDRAISER——————

When: June 16, 2008
Where: Winterstone Golf Course
Independence, MO
Highway 291 & Kentucky Rd.

This Tournament is dedicated in memory of Richard O. Weber (P.P.)
Hole in One Vehicle Provided by NORTHTOWN LINCOLN MERCURY

Win $10,000 dollars Cash for hole in one on hole # 6 . Other Prizes with Hole in One on any par 3, Including a set of  Edge Irons by Ben Hogan, another hole in one will be A Dell Computer System and last but not least a Bose Wave Radio /CD system.

Many prizes including Cash Raffle first prize $500.00 $250.00 second and $100.00 Third. and Fourth is an Custom Embroidered Jacket by Dreamweaver Embroidery. We have a Silent Action full of surprises.

Cost is $125.00 per player a four man scramble. Many on course challenges with cash prizes (Longest Drive, Longest Putt, Closest to the hole, Straightest drive, for men & women)Championship Team will have their names engraved in the new Championship Trophy and this trophy will be displayed year round in the Restaurant for all to admire.

     Link: Winterstone Golf Course Website

ARARAT MEMBERSHIP PARTY   ———————————————————————

Free Party Party Party!
Date: Saturday May 17th - Bennett Auditorium and Patio
Time:
6 PM Pulled Pork and Chicken Buffet
7 PM Live Entertainment by "Nobody's Business"
Free Beer! Cash Bar!
Rod McGrath (Membership Chairman) invites you to bring a non-Shriner!
Let's build membership.
For Reservations: call: Rita 223-2661 or Mary 231-6291 by May 1st
Sponsored by Bill Lutman and David Bennefeld

ARARAT MINI MODEL T'S CRAFT SHOW   ——————————————————
 

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Demolay News

 

 

A Message from Dad Cockerham and the events are below....

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Sweethearts, Moms, Brethren and Friends:

 

    Missouri DeMolay is #1 in the world of DeMolay in membership growth again for 2007, for the fourth year in a row.  As a special gift for your accomplishments in 2007, we are pleased to announce that we will have International Recording Artists Howie Damron and Karisa Damron at our 2008 Missouri DeMolay State Conclave.  They will join us for the entire Conclave, and in addition to entertaining us at the Sunday evening Masonic Recognition and Hall of Fame Banquet, they will be serving as two of our State Sweetheart Judges.

 

    Also, for the Monday morning DeMolay Awards Banquet, you may attend business casual - NO COAT AND TIE REQUIRED - so long as you wear a DeMolay shirt.  Also, please do not wear jeans or shorts.  Tennis shoes will be allowed.  That way you can be packed and ready to travel home without having to change after the Banquet.

 

    We want you to have a super time at State Conclave this year.  We will have several great surprises as well that you will not want to miss out on.  Please make sure that your reservations are in on time - May 1, 2008.  Everyone in our Masonic Family is invited to attend.  Registration forms and complete information about State Conclave may be found at www.modemolay.org.  Remember there are several ways to attend the State Conclave for free.  See the web site for details.

 

    We will see you at Conclave 2008!

 

Sincerely and fraternally,

 

Dad Cockerham

Executive Officer

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Have you scheduled a service project for the local RiteCare Clinic yet?

 

~Missouri DeMolay will be raising funds for the RiteCare Clinics over the next year. In addition to state fundraisers, each chapter is requested to add one fundraiser to their calendars each term to help raise money for the RiteCare Program. Chapters should also consider contacting their local clinic to provide volunteer time. Chapters should report any donation or volunteer time to State Master Councilor, Justin Woods. Make donations payable to Missouri DeMolay with a note directing it to the RiteCare Clinics. A check will be presented to the RiteCare Clinics at the 2008 Missouri State Conclave and at the 2008-2009 State Officers Installation on November 8th.  

 

 

 

 

May 1 - Conclave Packets are due to Dad Akers.

 

May 4

~ Swope Park Squire Manor Installation.  2pm - light reception to follow. Swope Park Lodge, 8521 Oldham Rd., Kansas City, MO. Flyer attached. 

~ Mother Chapter Flag Football & Video Games - Meet at Ivanhoe at 3:30 pm to travel to a field close to play football. Return to the lodge for dinner and play some video games.  (other chapters welcome - $5 each for dinner).   

 

May 8

~ Frank S. Land Chapter Installation of Officers. 7pm at Ararat Shrine.