Gregg A. Hall Right Eminent Grand Commander Knights Templar

Transcription

1 Gregg A. Hall Right Eminent Grand Commander Knights Templar California Encompasser is a quarterly Newsletter, created & published by Grand York Rite of California, providing information to Companions and Sir Knights of Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Grand Council Cryptic Masons, and Grand Commandery Knights Templar.

2 ANTHONY T. YUSON, GRAND HIGH PRIEST... 3 WILLIAM S. DANN, ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MASTER... 4 GREGG HALL, GRAND COMMANDER... 5 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT GRAND COMMANDER S MESSAGE FOR AUGUST CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT GRAND COMMANDER S MESSAGE FOR SEPTEMBER CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT GRAND COMMANDER S MESSAGE FOR OCTOBER SIR KNIGHT GREGG HALL TRAVEL PICTURES... 8 FORMALIZED GROUP PLANNING: PART ONE MARK MASTER AT GRAND LODGE SECRETARY ESSENTIALS ACTIVITIES AROUND THE STATE & BEYOND & BEYOND CONVENT GENERAL KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS OF HONOUR NEW MEXICO COMMANDERY PRINCE HALL GRAND CHAPTER HOLY ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF CALIFORNIA PRINCE HALL GRAND COUNCIL CRYPTIC MASONS OF CALIFORNIA PRINCE HALL GRAND COMMANDERY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR SACRAMENTO COMPTCHE SAN LUIS OBISPO SAN DIEGO VAN NUYS GREAT RECEPTION SCHOLARSHIPS GRAND CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS LEADERSHIP & COMMUNICATION EDITOR S THOUGHTS A NEW WAY TO LOOK AT EDUCATION THE SWORD JOKE CONTACT INFORMATION MOST EXCELLENT GRAND HIGH PRIEST: MOST ILLUSTRIOUS GRAND MASTER: RIGHT EMINENT GRAND COMMANDER GRAND SECRETARY/RECORDER: GRAND SECRETARY/RECORDER ASSISTANT: EDITOR: OFFICERS: GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS CALIFORNIA OFFICERS: GRAND COUNCIL CRYPTIC MASONS CALIFORNIA OFFICERS: GRAND COMMANDERY KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CALIFORNIA MARK MASTER PETITION October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 2 of 42

3 Companions, Anthony T. Yuson, Grand High Priest My hope is that when you are reading this message, you are in good health and spirits. As far as my spirit and health, I can t express enough how blessed I feel for this opportunity to serve all of you as your Grand High Priest. Although maintaining balance can be at times, a challenge, with all the parts we have in life, but the experiences I ve had this year, the lessons I have learned and the companions I have met have made this part of my journey one that is extremely memorable. Change of the season also brings changes to our chapter. Our chapters should now be preparing for the new year, with our Dias officers preparing their proficiencies and sitting in advanced station. Our junior officer advancing through the line. Something new this year, Captain of the Host is now required to display his proficiency in the opening and closing of the Royal Arch degree. I really support this change because I believe the ritual contained in the opening and closing of the Royal Arch chapter contains so much information, it deserves our effort to be perform well and from memory. Please work with your officer s coach & your district inspector to prepare your chapter for the new year. Later in October, our Ritual staff will be very busy with a conference in Visalia. Our Grand Lecturer has planned out a great weekend for our ritual team to learn and share their experiences. It was important to me and our Grand Lecturer that we work with ritual team and give them more tools, so they are better prepared to work with their chapters. Our ritual staff is such an important part of organization and conferences like this will help make our chapters, our districts, and our departments stronger. I am excited to hear about local district schools of instructions. The one example that I want to highlight is where each of the chapters in this district are collaborating with the district inspector with quarterly sessions, each chapter taking turns hosting the class. This district contained (4) chapters and all four agreed to a common goal, to deliver all four-chapter degrees with teams from their own district. I look forward to hearing on their progress. Another event in October is at this year s Annual Communications in San Francisco, on Friday night October 19, the Grand Chapter will deliver the Mark Master Degree. What a fitting venue for such a wonderful degree, a degree considered by students of our craft as probably the most ancient in the sequence in the York Rite. This is a great opportunity to introduce our Blue Lodge brothers to the light contained in our degrees. Remember companions, that our jobs only start there. These brothers will be referred to a local chapter, and it will be the local chapter s responsibility to follow-up so our newly advance Mark Master Mason so he can continue his journey in the York Rite. Another upcoming event is the Grand High Priest Golf Tournament-North which will be at Hiddenbrooke Golf Course in American Canyon on September 30. This will raise funds for our Royal Arch Charities. Early indications lead me to believe that this will be successful event, and if it goes well in the north, I plan to have a similar event in Southern California in early I really liked this project, it combined two things I really enjoyed, Golf and fellowship with other companions. Then at the same time, raising moneys for our great charities In closing, for our chapters to be successful and grow, not only the officers of the chapter but also the members must take an active part. If all of us could attend at least 3 chapter meetings (25%) this year, our chapter will become stronger and grow. Remember that; without you, they can do little or nothing; with you, they can accomplish great things. Be safe and I hope I can see you in my travels. Fraternally, Anthony Tony Yuson, KGYCH Grand High Priest, Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California You are the Steps to our Future October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 3 of 42

4 William S. Dann, Illustrious Grand Master With the greatest respect and humility, William S. (Bill) Dann Most Illustrious Grand Master Cryptic Masons California October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 4 of 42

5 Sir Knights, Gregg Hall, Grand Commander We are now 1/3rd of the way through the Grand Commandery year. Chris and I have truly enjoyed our travels so far, with several trips up and down the state and a trip to Grand Encampment in Indianapolis, IN. Where ever we have gone we have found great fellowship. In Indianapolis, I was able to meet many masons, I have known for years through social media, but was finally able to meet in person. In addition, we held our State Dinner at the Murat Shrine and were treated to great hospitality, not to mention an outstanding dinner. We were able to attend the 900th Anniversary of the Knights Templar Festive Board held in San Bernardino. In attendance at that fine event were our new Grand Master, Jeffery Nelson; our new Grand Generalissimo of the Grand Encampment, our own David Kussman; the Grand Master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Samuel King; the Grand Commander of Pacific Prince Hall Grand Commandery, Reginald Mitchell, The Deputy Grand Commander of Pacific Price Hall Grand Commandery, Clarence Allen; and a host of others. It was a truly wonderful event, capped with making Sir Knight Mitchell an Honorary Life Member of our Grand Commandery, something that we had been trying to do for the last 3 years, but were finally able to because our Grand Encampments finally recognized each other. Two weeks later we had a contingency of 10 Sir Knights that were able to attend Pacific Prince Hall s Grand Sessions. The greeting that we received was nothing short of spectacular. They treated us like long lost brothers. At that sessions, they voted to donate $250 to the KT Eye Foundation. While this may not seem like a large amount of money, their entire Budget for the year was slightly more than $5,000, so that was a significant gift on their part. These Sir Knights and Brothers are amazing in their commitment to Masonry. I strongly encourage you to attend some of their functions. I know that their Grand Sessions will become one of my must attend functions every year. They are also going to join us at the Festival in San Diego on the 6th of October, where their candidates will go through the orders with ours, as far as we know that will be the first time that has ever happened in History. Finally, we are fast approaching election and installation season for our local Commanderies. I hope that all of the officers are working on their proficiencies. The questions are available on the Grand York Rite Website for those that need them. Remember that the Constitution has ritual proficiency requirements that must also be fulfilled, so hopefully everyone is working on learning their parts. If you need assistance please reach out to your Inspector, Adjutant or Department Commander, they are there to help. Gregg Hall, KYGCH Right Eminent Grand Commander Knights Templar California October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 5 of 42

6 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 I am writing this message at the Statewide Scottish Rite Reunion, being held in Oakland. 17 Valleys from across the state brought Degree teams and candidates to participate. Over 300 brothers coming together to put all the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite that we confer in California. Before the start the leaders of various York Rite Bodies and Grand Lodge were recognized for their support of Masonry in California. This was a great event and it was a pleasure to see so many working together for a common cause. The other thing that was great to watch was the interaction of the brothers when not engaged in the degrees. Brothers sitting around talking about Masonry in particular and their lives in general. These are the type of events that I most enjoy as a Mason. We come together to bring new members into our various groups, but then we get to spend some quality time with both those new members as well as our existing members, some of whom you don t regularly see because they belong to a different local body than you. I would like to see more of this happening in the York Rite. Don t think of your degree dates or festivals a chore that you have to do, but rather as an opportunity to get to do what you enjoy. Don t show up at the last minute to do the work, get there early and stay late, build the brotherhood. Try it, I bet you will enjoy your experience a lot more. We have some exciting events coming up with Grand Encampment, the PHA Grand Sessions and the Celebration of the 900th Anniversary of the Knights Templar happening. I have even been informed that the soon to be newly installed Grand Master is planning on attending the 900th Celebration. Chris and I are looking forward to meeting many more of you in our travels. Finally, please be on the lookout for the Quarterly Education Piece prepared by our Grand Orator. It was sent to all the Commanders and Recorders. If you haven t heard or seen it yet, be sure to ask. This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 Recently we completed a three-year investigation into the finances of one of our Commandries. There was no intentional malfeasance discovered after numerous reviews of the books. However, it was discovered that there was a lack of sound recording of the business of the Commandery. I see all the time where members lament the reading of the minutes and the boring business meeting. For good, bad, or indifferent, there is a business side to the Fraternity that can t be ignored. For example, we have Commandries and even the Grand Commandery that have lost their tax-exempt status due to not fulfilling the fiduciary responsibilities that some officers hold. This is expensive and time consuming to fix. I understand that not every member is a business person, but in some cases, learning the business side is one part of making good men better. This is another example of the 3-legged stool, we have Ritual, Education and Business, without all three legs the stool can t stand. I encourage each of our Commanderies to spend some time doing a thorough examination of their books, accounting procedures, and business practices. If you need assistance, please reach out to your Department Commanders they are ready and willing to assist you in this endeavor. On a different note, we are now coming to the end of summer and are getting ready to move into election and installation season. Part of that is the requirement to be proficient for installation. Please get together with your inspector as soon as possible to prove proficiency as required by our code. And since you are getting ready for that go ahead and schedule your inspection. Our Grand Inspector General would like to start ritual competitions but in order to do so, we need to have our inspections done before the May 1st deadline. We are also working on an updated scoring sheet to make judging more uniform across the state. I am looking forward to meeting even more of the Sir Knights of California as Chris and I continue visiting the local Commanderies. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 6 of 42

7 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 As I am writing this column I have just returned from two events. Grand Encampment and the 900th Anniversary Celebration for the Knights Templar held in San Bernardino. Both of these events were historic in our relationship with Prince Hall Templary. First at the Grand Encampment we formally recognized the Prince Hall Grand Encampment by Acclimation. While we in California have been enjoying the benefits of inter visitation with our Prince Hall Brethren, we couldn t do anything formal until Grand Encampment was on board. I am sure that you will see legislation in May to formalize what we have all known was the proper course of action. At the 900th Anniversary Celebration we were privileged to have a number of dignitaries. The Grand Master of Prince Hall for California, the Grand Commander of Pacific Prince Hall, and our newly installed Grand Master of the Grand Encampment. It was a wonder to behold all of the Sir Knights and Ladies coming together in Unity to celebrate both the History of the Order we have adopted as our model and the Christian nature of our order. I am sure that those that were there will all agree that it is an evening that will long be remembered. I was also privileged to make Reginald Mitchell, the Grand Commander an honorary life member of the Grand Commandery of California, something that we had been wanting to do for several years but were unable to until now. Joining with me in the presentation were PGCs Steve Alderete and Thomas Thomas, who were leading the way on our relationship with Prince Hall during their years, and our Grand Master Jeffery Nelson. Now that the doors are open, lets walk through them and truly make Templary in California the family it is meant to be. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 7 of 42

8 Presentation of the Grand Commandery Sword of Honor to The DeMolay Chapter of the Year for Southern CA October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 8 of 42

9 Sir knights in the Picture: from Left to Right Sir Knight Reginald Mitchell, REGC Pacific Prince Hall Grand Commandery; Sir Knight Thomas Thomas, REPGC Knights Templar of California; Sir Knight Gregg Hall, REGC Knights Templar of California; Sir Knight Jeffery Nelson, MEGC Grand Encampment of US; Sir Knight Steve Alderete, REPGC Knights Templar of California. Presentation of Honorary Life Membership in the Grand Commander of CA, August 26, 2018 in San Bernardino at the 900th Anniversary Celebration. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 9 of 42

10 Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 Drill Team at Grand Encampment October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 10 of 42

11 Pacific Prince Hall Grand Commandery Sessions; After they closed. I am in the center shaking hands with Sir Knight Reginald Mitchell, REGC October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 11 of 42

12 Companions, Formalized Group Planning: Part One It has always been my pleasure to write articles that wax poetic and witty. However, I m afraid I will have to postpone them for now and instead lavish you with articles that are work related. Actually, that is the space in which I am most comfortable when there is something very important to be accomplished. For that reason it gives me great pleasure to inform you that the purpose of this article will be to impress upon you the importance of engaging in formalized group planning-part One. From time to time, I hear mutterings and innuendo from Companions who complain that we are faltering as an organization on various measures of success. As a big fan of fact-based intel, I reviewed the latest set of reports submitted by your Department Grand Officers regarding the performance of our Constituent Councils along five principal fields of endeavor or strategic areas: Expansion of Membership, Retention of Membership, Excellent Opening and Closing Ritual, Regular and Proficient Degree work, and Financial Stability. Here is the essential conclusion of my review: Only a few Councils are delivering full throttle on these measures. Most don t conduct their own Degree work and must send their applicants to Festivals, which I think is alright, for now. Many don t bring in a sufficient number of new members or retain members to offset attrition. Some don t deliver adequate Opening and Closing Ritual, and several hang in there by a financial thread. I dare say, these are existential threats to our viability as an organization. You knew it all along you say. Well, you can wipe that Mona Lisa smile off your face because it s time to get down to business. I declare that I am not a Chicken Little and I am certain that the sky is not falling. Having been a presiding officer over six masonic organizations, and a member of many others, I have come to appreciate both, their common and unique characteristics, and the challenges endemic to each group. Interestingly, there is one attribute that each and every one of these groups lacked-the desire to engage in a formalized method of group planning. My personal and simple definition of planning is: The process of developing Strategies, Designs, and Specific Actions for achieving a desired outcome. So why don t many masonic groups prepare in this manner? There are probably many reasons why this is, but high on my prediction list is the peculiarity of one-year rotations, during which mandatory Stated Convocations, an Installation Ceremony, and the planning for other traditional events that must occur. All past presiding officers and their core will tell you that these activities consume plenty of time and energy. With this restraining force in mind, and in anticipation of being honored next year as your Most Illustrious Grand Master (If elected), I am motivated to formulate a plot (Or a method of madness) with various partners in crime (Grand Council Officers and their cohorts) to help our Constituent Councils reconcile limited resources of time, energy, and financial wherewithal, by ensuring that we do some of the planning leg work ourselves. With that in mind, by the grace of our MIGM Bill Dann, your Grand Officers will ensconce themselves at the Covina Masonic Homes, during the second weekend of November, to attend a planning retreat and to commit themselves not to emerge therefrom, until a viable plan is developed to aid and assist our Constituent Councils in their own development of a Blueprint For Success. More on this next month. Right Illustrious Companion Eduardo Estrada Deputy Grand Master Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 12 of 42

13 MARK MASTER AT GRAND LODGE Once again, the Grand Master is allowing us to use the Auditorium on Friday night, October 19th, to confer the Mark Master Degree. Remember, as you recruit candidates, that they do not have to pay anything for this Degree. They will have to pay fees, only if and hopefully when they decide to take the remaining three capitular degrees. They will need, at that time, to complete a petition for all Degrees, and be balloted upon for them. A petition is included at the back of this newsletter and will be available at the York Rite booth at Grand Lodge. Candidates should submit it in advance if at all possible by sending to the GYR Office, 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814; or ing to the Grand Secretary at sec-rec@yorkriteofcalifornia.org. ALSO, they should bring a copy with them to Grand Lodge, in case it does not arrive in time. The first year we did this, we had over 80 candidates. The second time, over 50 candidates. If you will visit your Blue Lodges in the next few weeks, and speak at each Stated meeting about this opportunity, we should be able to achieve a class of at least 100! 100! 100! 100! 100! 100! 100! 100! Phil Hardiman, KYGCH Companions All! As many of you know by now, the Grand High Priest Chapter is repeating its conferral of the Mark Master Degree on stage at Grand Lodge Communications on Friday evening, 19 October, starting about 7:30 pm. Those of you reading this are most likely already Royal Arch Masons; but those Blue Lodge Officers and PMs of your Lodge attending Grand Lodge may not be!? During this week of Stated Meetings, please help us get the word out to them about this once every three or four year opportunity to continue their York Rite journey while attending Grand Lodge and getting a two for one opportunity as a bonus for no additional cost! If you are attending Grand Lodge yourselves and wish to support the All Star cast performing this degree on stage on Friday evening; please contact myself, REC Lee Routt, REC Dick Bullard or MEC Tony via or show up and let us know at the York Rite booth at Grand Lodge and we can use your help to successfully pull this together for the third time in recent history! We all look forward to a great degree at Grand Lodge! All the Best!! Your Most Humble Grand Lecturer Grand Chapter: Steve Goad, KYGCH October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 13 of 42

14 SECRETARY ESSENTIALS Forms and Documents, you will need are located at the Grand York Rite website, which is: Grand York Rite of California. Scroll down and click on "York Rite Forms and Documents" Then click on Grand Chapter logo. A window opens where you enter the userid and password (all in lower case) Userid: "cagyr" Password: "brio" Scroll down to Officers Manual, which has info for the Secretary, and print that out. Priorities are as follows: 1. Membership control -- Especially important is the very last item, Royal Arch Monthly Report. If you fill this out each month, whenever you encounter changes to the membership, you will find it much easier at the end of the year to produce the year-end report, which is used to compute the amount of per capita the Chapter needs to pay. That payment is due by Jan 15th each year. Important changes to your membership include new members, demits, remits and deaths. Maintain addresses for members and you can easily then forward the monthly newsletter, The WORKMAN, to them. 2. Per Capita -- The Per Capita payment, due each Jan 15th, does not require action by the Chapter to be paid. You will need good, up-to-date membership data in order to compute the end-of-year number of active members that is crucial to computing your per capita payment. Without good data you will most likely overpay your per capita requirement. It is sensible to wait until the first of the new year to begin your process. It is also sensible, if you have access to the Grand Lodge database, to check each member to see if they are still alive 3. Insurance -- The Insurance payment, due each July 15th, does not require action by the Chapter to be paid. You will be billed for the payment by the Grand Secretary. 4. Lodge Book of Marks Maintain this up-to-date, or perhaps arrange for a PHP to take on the responsibility of maintaining. 5. Minutes Take good minutes, but don t over-do it by trying to capture everything that is said. Focus on having a clear representation of motions made and the vote count by which they passed or failed. In addition to keeping petitions in a separate file, it is good practice to replicate the basic petitioner information in the minutes. It is also a good practice to keep the names of attendees at each meeting in the minutes. If conferring a degree, keep a copy of the cast members and the candidate(s). Page 9 of Grand Chapter Before the May meeting, remind the Dais officers they are responsible to attend, and arrange a stipend if your Chapter can afford it. Remind members who expect to attend to be sure to take their dues cards. If Dais Officers cannot attend, they may issue a proxy, or the Chapter may elect a representative. The appropriate forms can be obtained on the Grand York Rite website: Scroll to "Elected Representative and Proxy Credentials." 7. Order of High Priesthood Be sure the current HP and PHPs know they are eligible to receive this Order. In fact, it is a Constitutional requirement! Share the petition below with them and send to the Grand Secretary: October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 14 of 42

15 ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD PETITION Chapter No. High Priests and Past High Priests, who have not received the Order of High Priesthood, may complete the following petition for membership and submit it with the required fee of $50.00 to the Chapter Recorder prior to February The Order will be conferred during Grand Sessions Make check payable to: ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD To the Grand Convention of Anointed High Priest of California: Companion First Middle Last Address City State ZIP Birth Date Office Tel # incl. area code Home Tel # incl. area code I am a member of Chapter No. I (am the Elected)(am)(was) High Priest of Chapter No. Located at having served during. Companion Signature: For Grand Secretary s use only: Life Membership - fee $ The below listed items were issued: Bible Honorary Membership - no fee. Membership Card By-laws / / Date petition received. History Lapel Pin / / Date initiated. Certificate The completed petition with fee must be in the Grand Secretary s Office, 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA no later than April 1. If not, the certificate may not be prepared for presentation during the next conferral of the Order. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 15 of 42

16 Activities around the State & Beyond & Beyond On Saturday, September 15, 2018, during the 84 th Annual Conclave of the Convent General, Knights of the York Cross of Honour, held in Des Moines, Iowa; Knight Gary D. Miller, KYGCH was elected and installed as Right Eminent Grand Sentinel. R.E. Knight Gary is only the third knight from California to hold this high and honored office. Gary will progress through the six-year line and ultimately serve Convent General as Grand Master General. Also serving Convent General as Representatives to the Grand Master General, Most Eminent Knight Dennis A. Sheridan are Eminent Knight David J. Kussman, KYGCH for District 18 and Eminent Knight Robert A. Morrison, KYCH for District 27. Further information may be found on the Convent General, Knights of the York Cross of Honour website at Courteously, David J. Kussman, KYGCH Personal Representative Convent General KYCH The next three pictures were supplied by David as part of his article Convent General October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 16 of 42

17 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 17 of 42

18 Picture on internet, did not identify the people but I thought the picture was excellent October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 18 of 42

19 Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California Prince Hall Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Prince Hall Grand Council Cryptic Masons Prince Hall Grand Commandery Knights Templar October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 19 of 42

20 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 20 of 42

21 Mark Master Degree sponsored by Sacramento Chapter No. 3 and hosted by the Sacramento Valley of the Scottish Rite. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 21 of 42

22 In 2019 we will celebrate the 47th annual conferral of the Capitular Degrees. You well know that 47 is a significant number in Masonry. As explained in the Hieroglyphical Emblems of the Third Degree lecture, The 47th Problem of Euclid was an invention of our ancient friend and brother, the great Pythagoras, who, in his travels through Asia, Africa and Europe, was initiated into several orders of Priesthood, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The Comptche Outdoor Degree Association has, therefore, decided to name next year s class in honor of Pythagoras, and establish a goal of 47 candidates! To achieve this laudable objective, it is crucial that all Companions begin now to identify prospective candidates, and continue to do so throughout the year, and be always ready to talk about the Royal Arch Degree. Plan on making a Lodge or a Family vacation out of the event and stay a few days! The Fish Fry Friday night and the BBQ Saturday night are always events of great conviviality, to be enjoyed by friends, brothers and family alike! Larry Tunzi, a Companion and owner of the Ranch, allows us to park RVs, or setup tents, on the property in order to enjoy the Festival without excess travel and boarding cost, if you choose to do so. In addition to the cook shack, there is a separate shack for dressing and showering, as well as men s and women s facilities. See picture below: In the following picture, you can see some of the space that is available for parking RVs. Off to the right and left are areas under the trees for camping, enjoyed by many Companions each year. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 22 of 42

23 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 23 of 42

24 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 24 of 42

25 Hearty congratulations and warm welcome to the three newly advanced Mark Master Masons of San Luis Royal Arch Chapter No. 62. We thank all our visiting Companions who attended and participated in the conferral. Special appreciation to our Grand Chapter officers, particularly the Most Excellent Grand High Priest, Tony Yuson, for travelling to SLO for this conferral. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 25 of 42

26 I found some pictures on the internet. Please, I am not on FACEBOOK everyday and pictures do scroll away before I can see or copy them. If you want the picture published in Encompasser, or Sword and Trowel please send the pictures to me and if you want the pictures published in the Workman, send the pictures to Phil Hardiman. Both of us would appreciate Names & Events! 9/22/2018: RSM Councils of San Diego Council No. 23 and Helix Council No. 58 Conferral to our new 11 Royal and Select Master/Companions. Outstanding Degrees presentation... the best!! Hearty Welcome Companions!! The next 8 pictures are from the conferral October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 26 of 42

27 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 27 of 42

28 Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 K.T. Drill Team representing California at Grand Encampment Triennial. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 28 of 42

29 Good afternoon Companions, What a great reception it was on Sunday, August 5th at Orange Park on the SF peninsula. Beautiful weather with great food and excellent companion. It was a well attended event with all three bodies being well represented along with thier families and friends. Our Most Illustrious Grand Master, Bill Dann has a great surprise in store when he, not only explained his pin this year but also pulled out his guitar and sang for those in attendance. Everyone had smiles as bright as the day after he finished his performance and thanked all for the continued support of the Grand Cryptic Council charities and how they received him and our lovely first Lady Anne. Sincerely, Right Illustrious Companion Efren Prado Grand Marshall of the North A Tuesday night, on July 17th turned out to be a very special night for our brothers in the East Bay York Rite. A special companion from Oakland York Rite, Ill. Comp. Loren Piper who was honored our Ish Sodi award from our Illustrious Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of California, Most Illustrious Grand Master, Bill Dann. It was a great and touching night to see him being honored for years of service and to see his wife and son present for this once in a lifetime event. What made this night even more special was our Illustrious Past Grand Master of Cryptic Masons, Most Ill. Comp. Bob Whitfield, conducted our honored recipient around the lodge and recited a poem to which our other Illustrious Past Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of California, Most Illustrious Bill Price, met and greeted our brother and reaffirmed that no matter October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 29 of 42

30 where our companion may travel, he will always be received with a hand shake and a smile. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 30 of 42

31 Scholarships Companions, your children, grandchildren, & for some, great-grandchildren may receive financial help for attending school. After opening up Scholarship Center website, have them go to bottom of page & find the Scholarship Manual in (PDF format 450KB) to download. There they will find instructions for filling out the forms. This is the link which will take you to the public Grand Lodge web page on scholarships. All the information you need should be right there. This is a complete manual that you can download that talk about all of the scholarships available from the California Masonic Foundation as well as the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, High Twelve, DeMolay, Job s Daughters, & Rainbow for Girls. For information about Royal Arch Scholarships for 2019, go to the following website: Scholarship Fund or The Masonic Family has a large number of scholarships available to our youth, but how many of those in need of assistance really KNOW they are available? California Royal Arch $1,000 Scholarship requirements: A member of the Masonic Family (ie: Rainbow, Jobs Daughter or Demolay) A US Citizen A California Resident A 3.0 Grade Point Average Enrolled or Accepted at an Educational Institution Deadline to apply for the 2019 Scholarship Program will be March 1, Scholarship requirements will remain the same. Early submissions can be forwarded to the Office of the Grand Chapter Secretary at Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons Attn: Grand Secretary 1123 J Street Sacramento, CA Telephone: (562) x sec-rec@yorkriteofcalifornia.org. Once chosen, the award of $1,000 is renewable for a total of 4 years, as long as the requirements are maintained. Do you know a Rainbow Girl, Job s Daughter or DeMolay that could benefit by knowing this information? What are you waiting for make that call! Note above that no DeMolay received an award this year. If you know a qualified DeMolay, please bring this information to his attention. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 31 of 42

32 Leadership & Communication A publication is meant to be a communication entity, selling your product, whether it is selling what you love to accomplish or selling a physical device you must communicate. Current distribution plan for the Encompasser is to place a digital copy of the Encompasser into the hands of the Secretary/Recorder and let him publish to the members of his York Rite Body. The forgotten person with this distribution plan are those members without a computer, those members still using Snail Mail to communicate, a phone book to look up a phone number, and still looking for a phone booth in which to place a call and I remember when Mr. Clark Kent, a newspaper reporter used the phone booth to quickly change into Superman. How can we reach out to the forgotten member, to let him know about the happenings in your local body of York Rite? How can we reach out to him and not only when a special occasion arises? Remember-reaching out to our forgotten member is costly; postage, ink, paper, copies, time, and permit cost. Editor s Thoughts As mentioned in previous editions of the Encompasser, communications are vital to assist those seeking further light in Masonry. 1) Howl about the Encompasser, a quarterly publication by Grand York Rite far and wide, and encourage each of your York Rite bodies to have and read a copy; 2) Growl about the Workman, a monthly publication by the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons to the leaders of all your bodies and to your membership; 3) Mutter about the Sword and Trowel, a monthly publication by the Grand Council Cryptic Masons to the leaders of all your bodies and to your membership; 4) Bellow about our websites, access your websites and inform your Companions about their existence: Grand York Rite of California Golden State Chapter Documents Grand York Rite on Facebook And as you continue into this York Rite year, make every effort you can to continually remind your membership of the Colorado River Fall Festival every October. Confer the Mark Master often, building interest in our brethren to pursue further light in Masonry. Have another link, I think personally we ought to visit and become acquainted. I am not a know-it-all because I was just informed what this really mean, MEPHGCHRAM, WOW, Visit the link I have put pictures of Prince Hall in past newsletters and have read a little history about Prince Hall. My big lack of understanding is why we cannot develop closer bonding. At Stockton Masonic Temple, they have a Prince Hall Lodge that meets, sometimes, when we meet (Stockton York Rite). I say Hi, shake their hands and Wow do they look sharp. We should set up a committee: Chapter Chair: Chair North and Chair South and 3 or 4 members; Council Chair: Chair North and Chair South and 3 or 4 members; Commandery Chair: Chair North, Chair South and 3 or 4 members; to visit and to bring us closer together & to learn. The chairs should report to the membership at each Grand Sessions about their visits & progress. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 32 of 42

33 Companions I had the opportunity to discuss this idea with several masons. The conversations were noteworthy in that no matter what their masonic history was they all agreed that perhaps we need to more closely consider utilizing some basic and simple materials to help stimulate the new mason in to commencing his lifelong association with the craft. Universally, they agreed that the following suggestions might allow the new mason and the seasoned member to better understand our craft. These suggested books are; The Complete Idiot s Guide to Freemasonry, by S. Brent Morris, Ph.D., and Freemasons for Dummies, by Christopher Hodapp. Our discussions centered on the simple but informative information contained within the various pages of the books. Particularly, towards the inclusion of the various other degrees such as The York and Scottish Rites, Order of the Eastern Star and the three youth orders just to mention a few. Why would we consider using such materials? The answer is simple: It provides the our most curious masons that of the Entered Apprentice with the beginning knowledge of the vast expanse of our Masonic Universe and what could be awaiting them once they complete their craft degrees. Does this work for the Fellowcraft and Master Mason as well? You bet, for the same reasons but I would now add that they have a better understanding of what the craft is about, so these materials could make them more curious. Both books offer a history of the craft, the meaning of various things that occur or can occur throughout the EA s masonic life and more importantly how their wife or significant other can participate or fit in! If you had read about the Royal Arch or Cryptic Council and became intrigued with York Rite. How about the youth orders for your son or daughter? Did we mention the Shrine, or the Order of the Eastern Star? Recall back to the time (a maybe a long time ago) when you first entered the craft and how much you really did not know. Yes, the internet provides materials today, however, can they be fully relied upon to present what we are truly all about? I suggest, these materials be made available by anyone of our York Rites bodies (hint) and are presented to the newly initiated Entered Apprentice Mason after his degree with the positive injunction to read these materials for future discussions with their candidates coaches. These books are available at the usual places, Amazon, Barnes & Nobel and kindle and do not cost more than $11.00 often less. Make sure to order the second edition has it contains the most current information about our craft. To these books I would add, The Craft and It s Symbols, by Allen Roberts (written in 1975). What a marvelous way to present our craft and truly create a lifelong member of our craft. Can we afford not to consider this option? Right Illustrious Companion Bill Miklos Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Cryptic Masons of CA. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 33 of 42

34 The Sword The sword is the best known weapon of the ancient world. Throughout the ages, it has morphed into a mighty weapon, one that has been identified with knights, samurai, the Roman Legionnaire and the Vikings. The sword today is mainly ceremonial; except that of the epee, or foil, utilized by fencing students and masters worldwide. Ask yourself these questions: Is the sword mystical? Does it have esoteric properties? Does it symbolize more than a symbol of killing? The sword symbolizes power, protection, authority, strength, and courage; metaphysically, it represents discrimination and the penetrating power of the intellect. The sword is phallic, with the sheath being yonic. It is a symbol of knighthood and chivalry. As an alchemical symbol, the sword is a symbol of purification. Here we experience the metaphorical sword cleanly piercing the spiritual soul of man. In Buddhism, the sword symbolism deals with discrimination of thought. In this light, swords cut away ignorance. In the Holy Bible, Paul defines the sword of the Spirit as the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). This isn t the only place where God s Word (the Bible) is described as a sword. The author of Hebrews also makes reference to it: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:12-13). Today, Knights Templar, we wear a special sword described by our tactic s manual as: The Sword consists of the hilt and the blade. The hilt is divided into the gripe and the guard. The gripe is the handle, grasped by the hand. The guard is the cross piece between the gripe and the blade. The blade is divided into the edge, back, sides and point. The edge and back are determined by the hilt. The right and left sides of the blade and gripe are the right and left sides in the position of carry swords. The scabbard is the receptacle of the sword; the opening of same, its mouth (D.R.84). 1 1 Manual of Asylum Ceremonies and Tactics, Grand Commandery Knights Templar State of California, February 2013 edition. Page 17 2 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 34 of 42

35 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 35 of 42

36 The sword, as noted, is still in wide use today as many of the world s militaries still carry the weapon in its various current incarnations. The deeper meaning of the weapon, as noted above, offers us the opportunity to explore our own spirituality and to learn more about who and what we are about. This is consistent with our greater Masonic beliefs as demonstrated by the Craft Lodge symbols and allegories. Thank you and God Bless, Bill Miklos, Grand Orator. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 36 of 42

37 Joke Before we go to the next page, which is contacts, let s read a little joke I copied from the internet, we need a little humor in our lives And let s end this with a beautiful joke I read on the internet: A man is driving down the road and his car breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, "My car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?" The monks graciously accept him, feed him dinner, even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound. A sound unlike anything he's ever heard before. The Sirens that nearly seduced Odysseus into crashing his ship comes to his mind. He doesn't sleep that night. He tosses and turns trying to figure out what could possibly be making such a seductive sound. The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk." Distraught, the man is forced to leave. Years later, after never being able to forget that sound, the man goes back to the monastery and pleads for the answer again. The monks reply, "We can't tell you. You're not a monk." The man says, "If the only way I can find out what is making that beautiful sound is to become a monk, then please, make me a monk." The monks reply, "You must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of grains of sand. When you find these answers, you will have become a monk." The man sets about his task. After years of searching he returns as a gray-haired old man and knocks on the door of the monastery. A monk answers. He is taken before a gathering of all the monks. "In my quest to find what makes that beautiful sound, I traveled the earth and have found what you asked for: By design, the world is in a state of perpetual change. Only God knows what you ask. All a man can know is himself, and only then if he is honest and reflective and willing to strip away self-deception." The monks reply, "Congratulations. You have become a monk. We shall now show you the way to the mystery of the sacred sound." The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, "The sound is beyond that door." The monks give him the key, and he opens the door. Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone. The man is given the key to the stone door and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. And so it went that he needed keys to doors of emerald, pearl and diamond. Finally, they come to a door made of solid gold. The sound has become very clear and definite. The monks say, "This is the last key to the last door." The man is apprehensive to no end. His life's wish is behind that door! With trembling hands, he unlocks the door, turns the knob, and slowly pushes the door open. Falling to his knees, he is utterly amazed to discover the source of that haunting and seductive sound But, of course, I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk. October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 37 of 42

38 CONTACT INFORMATION Anthony T. Yuson, KYGCH Phone: (650) Calendar: William S. Dann, KTCH, KYGCH Phone: (707) Calendar: Gregg A. Hall, KYGCH Phone: Calendar: (Cellular) Philip Hardiman, KTCH, KCT, KYGCH, PGHP Grand Secretary/Recorder 1123 J Street Sacramento, CA sec-rec@yorkriteofcalifornia.org Thomas A Krummell, KCT. KYCH Assistant Grand Secretary/Recorder 1123 J Street Sacramento, CA assistant-sec-rec@yorkriteofcalifornia.org Richard E. Thornton, KCT, KYCH Phone: (209) richard@yorkriteofcalifornia.org Grand York Rite of California Golden State Research Chapter Facebook October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 38 of 42

39 164 rd Most Excellent Companion Anthony T. Yuson, KYGCH Grand High Priest Royal Arch Masons California Ancient Chapter No. 31 Leland G. Routt, Grand King Stockton Chapter No. 2 Robert V. Wright, Jr., PGHP, Grand Treasurer Oxnard Chapter No. 86 Jerry Kaplan, Grand Chaplain North Doric Chapter No. 66 Thomas A. Krummell, Assistant Grand Secretary Delta Chapter No. 27 R. Scott Husmann, Grand Principal Sojourner Delta Chapter No. 27 Jerrold Miller, Grand Master of the Third Veil Oakland Chapter No. 36 Cleveland Valrey, Grand Master of the First Veil Oakland Chapter No. 36 David Edward Sokol, Grand Marshal North Shasta Chapter No. 9 Richard W. Bullard, Grand Scribe San Diego Chapter No. 61 Phil Hardiman, KYGCH, PGHP, Grand Secretary Sacramento Chapter No. 3 Steven R. Goad, PGHP, Grand Lecturer Norris C. Viles Chapter No. 153 Arthur Walton, Grand Musician Siminoff Chapter No. 163 Mariano Quinto, Grand Chaplain South San Diego Chapter No. 61 Raymond A. Broomfield, Grand Captain of the Host Ventura Chapter No. 50 Thomas Chavez, Grand Royal Arch Captain California Chapter No. 1 Theodore Wisse, Grand Master of the Second Veil Ancient Chapter No. 31 Antonio Cimarra, Grand Orator California Chapter No. 1 Teodorico TJ Oliva, Grand Marshal South Signet Chapter No. 57 Michael Patterson, Grand Sentinel Doric Chapter No. 66 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 39 of 42

40 Right Illustrious Companion Eduardo Estrada, KYCH Deputy Grand Master Omega Council No. 11 & Natasha 158th Most Illustrious Companion Grand Master Cryptic Masons William S. Dann, KTCH, KYGCH Pacific Council No. 37 & Anne Right Illustrious Companion Robert A. Morrison, KYCH Grand Principal Conductor of the Work Butte Council No. 50 & Pauline Most Illustrious Companion Robert A. L. Whitfield, KYGCH, MIPGM GRAND TREASURER Oakland Council No. 12 & Genie Most Illustrious Companion Philip Hardiman, KYGCH Grand Recorder Sacramento Council No. 1 & Nancy Most Illustrious Companion William E. Price, KYGCH, MIPGM GRAND DIRECTOR OF RITUAL California Council No. 2 & Janet Right Illustrious Companion Richard E. Thornton, KYCH GRAND CHAPLAIN (North) Stockton Council No. 5 & Cara Right Illustrious Companion Peter G. Champion, KYCH Grand Captain of the Guard San Luis Obispo Council No. 38 & Janice Right Illustrious Companion Michael T. Sherman, KYCH GRAND STEWARD Helix Council No. 58 Right Illustrious Companion John Edward Bickerstaff GRAND CHAPLAIN (SOUTH) H. Edward Barr's Oasis Council No. 64 & Jennifer Right Illustrious Companion Guy M. Chalmers, KYCH GRAND CONDUCTOR OF THE COUNCIL Redwood Empire Council No. 46 & Jeanne Right Illustrious Companion Jeffrey A. White, KYCH GRAND SENTINEL Pacific Council No. 37 & Lisa Right Illustrious Companion William Miklos III, KYCH GRAND ORATOR Amador Council No. 31 & Angelica Right Illustrious Companion Thomas A. Krummell, KCT, KYCH ASSISTANT GRAND RECORDER Gateway Council No. 13 & Marcia Right Illustrious Companion Efren D. Prado, KYCH GRAND MARSHAL (North) King Solomon's Council No. 29 Right Illustrious Companion K. Mark Harris GRAND SOLOIST/MUSICIAN Oakland Council No. 12 Right Illustrious Companion Ronald W. Alcorn III, KYCH GRAND MARSHAL (South) Alhambra Council No. 25 Right Illustrious Companion Andrew B. Pippin, KYCH GRAND BIBLE BEARER Ventura Council No. 15 & Julia Right Illustrious Companion Gary Richard Quintrell, KYCH GRAND STANDARD BEARER Pacific Council No. 37 & Heidi October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 40 of 42

41 Sir Knight Gregg A. Hall, KYGCH 159th Right Eminent Commander Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of California San Jose Commandery No. 10 Sir Knight William A. McBroome, Jr, KYCH Deputy Grand Commander Eureka Commandery No. 35 Sir Knight David W. Studley, KYCH Grand Captain General Pacific Commandery No. 3 Sir Knight Roger S. Ross, KYCH Grand Junior Warden Orange County Commandery No. 36 Sir Knight Stephen E. Alderete, KYGCH, PGC Grand Treasurer St. Bernard Commandery No. 23 Sir Knight Jordan T. Yelinek, KYCH Grand Standard Bearer Morris Siminoff Commandery No. 80 Sir Knight Dominick Gallagi, KYCH Grand Warder Golden Gate Commandery No. 16 Sir Knight William Miklos, III, KYCH Grand Orator El Dorado Commandery No. 4 Sir Knight Cirilo P. Marquez, KYCH Grand Generalissimo Los Angeles Commandery No. 9 Sir Knight Craig L. Flagtwet, KYCH Grand Senior Warden St. Bernard Commandery No. 23 Sir Knight Raymond E. Davies Grand Prelate Golden West Commandery 43 Sir Knight Phil Hardiman, OSV, KYGCH, PGHP Grand Recorder Sacramento Commandery No. 2 Sir Knight William D. Bermudez, KYCH Grand Sword Bearer Oakland Commandery No. 11 Sir Knight Nicholas C. Raisis, KYCH Grand Sentinel California Commandery No. 1 Sir Knight Thomas A. Krummell, KCT, KYCH Assistant Grand Recorder Auburn Commandery No. 52 Sir Knight James G. Baum, KCT, KYGCH Director of Ritual High Desert Commandery No. 79 October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 41 of 42

42 Mark Master Petition October 18 Volume 33 No. 3 Page 42 of 42