For those who served and those who served with me

Minnesota Royal Arch Festival #3

On October 6, 2018 the Grand Royal Arch Masons of Minnesota conducted its third One Day to the Royal Arch Festival this year. It was held at the Minnesota Scottish Rite Minneapolis Valley.

The One Day Festivals are my personal favorites for it's a chance for me to get all caught up with Past Grands I haven't seen in awhile.I'm always impressed with the papers someone is writing, presentations someone is giving, restorations of Lodge, Chapter furniture and knick knacks.

I'm fascinated with the current Grands and Officers and with all the activities and projects they are concocting. 

I'm very interested with the Brothers. I love to hear what roles they are taking in their lodge and Chapters. I like to hear what parts they are working on memorizing from the rituals. 

Most of all, I enjoy hearing the heart warming stories of whos having a baby or a new Grandkid, a new job, or a new car. Everyone asked kiddingly when I was getting my new hearing aid...ha  

We become better men through Freemasonry by applying the lessons learned in our Rituals. We become better together thru our social interaction with each other. Finding more light, becoming better men together is what Freemasonry is all about. 

My Grand Master couldn't make it, and we missed him.

Conference of Grand Masters

On October 1, 2018 I had stopped in at the Grand Lodge Offices for a cup of coffee with the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Minnesota Ed Halpaus, and Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons of Minnesota Joe Gonzalez.
We have known each other for a couple of decades, so we have many shared passions to talk about. The majority of the conversation was about Masonic Education, books, foreign jurisdictions running the gambit from the Congo to France, and of course membership.

We don't have a chance to get together often, but the time spent is precious. The coffee was pretty good too.

Masonic Education-Scottish Rite Style

On Thursday September 20, 2018 I received (photo above) a diploma and medal for completing Program III, Scottish Rite Philosophy. I described the program this way. " When I started Morals and Dogma, Albert Pike and I entered into a ten month relationship. As the days together whizzed by I fell in love. Somewhere during the 6th month, I had a major disagreement with him and I walked out. Three months latter, I was able to return with a new perspective, and complete the program."

All kidding aside, I can truly say that studying Morals and Dogma provided a rich and valuable insight into the Scottish Rite, that I had never would have been able to receive by the dramas alone.

Now, this is not a course for the faint of heart.Don't think you're going to finish it in a couple of evenings or a week end. This course is a marathon, but anyone who has the desire to learn and some discipline can do it. For, with much toil, there are great rewards.

I used to be a runner until an injury stopped ended that for me. When I was running, I often found myself looking out the window at work, anxiously waiting to get off work, to go for a five to seven mile run. After a few weeks with Albert Pike, I found myself with almost the same feeling. intensely, anxiously waiting to crack open the cover and look at the questions, to see what I would discover, or the problems to ponder.

I had already completed the Scottish Rite Program I, The Symbolic Lodge, and Program II, Scottish Rite Historical and Ritual. Those courses were informative and enjoyable.

I have now completed the trifecta, as I call it, but with the Minnesota winter coming I'm not sure how I will spend those long Winter nights. I'm debating between learning Latin or returning to snowshoeing.

Pie,Coffee and Royal Arch Education

On September 19, 2018 I went to Owatonna Royal Arch Chapter #15 for an evening of Pie,Coffee, and I presented a talk with discussion on the Mark Master Degree. It was about 25 minutes in length. I asked some of the new Companions if the talk helped them come to a better understanding, one of the more senior in years Companion replied that his head hurt from all the thinking.
Its always good when I have a chance to get caught up with my Companions in Owatonna.

Northeast-Winslow Lewis Lodge #125

On September 17, 2018 Northeast-Winslow Lewis Lodge #125 hosted the Minnesota Grand Royal Arch for a evening of Education. Topics were Ancient Craft Freemasonry from the formation in England to its coming to America, and Are you a Master Mason.
It was a great evening of education, and brotherly love.

Damascus Commandery Honors Minnesota Grand Commander Douglas Pamp

On September 14, 2018 Damascus Commandery #1 of St. Paul, Minnesota hosted an Honoring of the Minnesota Grand Commander Douglas Pamp of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota. It has been a long time such an event has been held, and Damascus did  a outstanding job. It was an evening of conversation, a brief program and a wonderful dinner. Our hats are off to Terry Christianson and Kay Moss and the Sir Knights of Damascus for hosting and organizing the evening.