Fall Reunion and Double Eagle Gala

Pictures from the Des Moines Scottish Rite's Fall 2012 Reunion and Double Eagle Gala:

Scottish Rite Reunion is underway!

The first weekend of the 2012 Lyle C. Smith, 33° Fall Memorial Reunion is underway! The new class was welcomed Friday night with a pork chop dinner followed by the opening ceremonies complete with bagpipes. Four degrees were performed Friday evening and over the course of this two weekend Reunion,  the class will see twenty seven of the twenty nine Scottish Rite degrees.

I was able to see many old friends and make some new ones. I assisted the president of my class from two years ago, Danny Beyer, with the opening ceremony as a member of the Des Moines chapter of the  Knights of Saint Andrew. One of the reasons we have reunions is to reconnect with those Brothers we may not see often as a part of our other Masonic activities. I enjoyed visiting with Danny and hope to catch up with other members of my class tomorrow.

The reunion continues with the eighth through eighteenth degrees on Saturday. Following the degree work, please join the class for a social in the fourth floor Billiards room.

Saturday Schedule

8:00 - 8th Degree

9:00 - 9th/10th Degree

9:50 - 11th Degree

10:40 - 12th Degree

11:25 - 13th Degree

11:50 LUNCH

12:45 - 14th Degree

1:45 - 15th Degree

2:45 - 16th Degree

3:40 - 17th Degree

5:00 - 18th Degree

6:10 Social Hour

A busy Masonic weekend in Des Moines

How does one get to meet both the Governor of the State of Iowa and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of York in the same weekend? Freemasons in Central Iowa know the answer to that question!

 This weekend the Iowa York Rite College #37 held its annual assembly in Des Moines at which officers were elected, seven new members welcomed, and the Lord Mayor of York made an appearance as part of the cast in the Order of the Knight of York. I was one of the seven new members of the College and I found the degree to be historically exciting and the lectures to be among the most memorable I’ve heard. The cast of the degree included Grand Governor George Harrison, Deputy Grand Governor David Dryer, members of the Lewis and Clark College #199, and York Rite members from around the state of Iowa. After dinner, Iowa Research Lodge #2 met with more than a dozen Iowa Masons joining as new members. More on this event later.

 In addition to Saturday’s festivities, on Friday Iowa Freemasons welcomed Governor of the State of Iowa Terry Branstad as a member of the Des Moines Scottish Rite. Governor Branstad, State Representative Jeff Kaufman, and State Representative Tom Sands joined the Des Moines Consistory in a ceremony attended by United States Senator Charles Grassley, Gary Sissel S.G.I.G., and a large number of Scottish Rite members. The Des Moines Consistory blog as well as  Bailey’s Buddy has more about this event.
(Photo from City of York Public Libraries, http://library.york.gov.uk/uhtbin/cgisirsi/8bQrKeH5JC/YORKIMAGES/194843551/2/8)

Blue Lodge Breakfast

On Saturday, January 28, 2012, the Des Moines Scottish Rite hosted the annual Blue Lodge Breakfast. The Council of Kadosh served a complimentary breakfast of eggs, hash browns, sausage, and cinnamon rolls to over one hundred Freemasons who attended.

After breakfast, Master of Kadosh John W. Clearman introduced a short video program honoring the American Flag. The fifteen-minute video features historical information, patriotic themes, and a hilarious comedy routine by Robin Williams. The video is available free from the Freemason Network, a social networking site sponsored by the Supreme Council, 33°, A.&A.S.R. of Freemasonry, S.J. Click here for a link to the video on the Freemason Network’s YouTube page. This would make for an excellent educational presentation at a stated meeting!

After the program, a cribbage tournament was held. Operative Lodge was well-represented at the tournament, but unfortunately I don’t know the results yet. Check back for an update!

Des Moines Consistory Announcement

New Knights of Saint Andrew

The Des Moines Scottish Rite’s Knights of Saint Andrew welcomed six new Knights Tuesday, Dec. 27. The knighting ceremony featured a lecture regarding the history of the organization and background information about the emblems of the KSA including the saltire, or Saint Andrew’s Cross. After the ceremony, each of the six new Knights received a lapel pin, patent, and KSA medal on a green ribbon; after holding the medal in my hand I understood why it is sometimes referred to as a “boat anchor!”

The KSA provides hospitality at the Sheppard's Tavern, helps to put on the 28th degree at reunions, serves as greeters at Scottish Rite events, and provides service to the Valley as needed. I joined so that I could get more involved with the Scottish Rite. I’ve enjoyed participating on several of the degree teams and the KSA will allow for additional service to the Valley.

Scottish Rite Seventeenth Degree

The Master Craftsman II course is designed by the A.& A.S.R. Southern Jurisdiction for those Masons who wish to discover more about the degrees of the Scottish Rite. The course consists of a short multiple-choice test and an essay of 500 – 1000 words for each degree. I am just about halfway through the course. For the Seventeenth degree, one of the essay topics is to write about how the lessons of the degree can help one deal with the pain and/or suffering experienced in life. The degree itself features the writing’s of St. John in the Book of Revelations. In fact, A Bridge to Light, a book which explains the basics of the degrees, claims that both parts of the drama acted out as part of the degree and the words of the ritual itself are directly taken from this book of the Bible. As such, there is rich imagery found in the degree as well as the writings about it

Here is the essay I wrote for this assignment. Please understand that this is my own opinion and my own interpretation of the lessons of the degree; I do not speak for anyone in Freemasonry except myself. My opinion is based on my own personal experience and understanding, or perhaps more likely, misunderstanding, of the degree.

As always, your comments are welcome!

Seventeenth Degree Essay
The Seventeenth degree is “…the first of the philosophical degrees and the beginning of a course of instruction which will fully unveil to you the heart and inner mysteries of Masonry” according to Albert Pike in Morals and Dogma. For a newer member of the Rite, just starting to seriously study the degrees, I find this most definitely to be true. Pike writes nearly thirty pages in Morals and Dogma on the Seventeenth degree discussing religious beliefs and philosophies. While I am somewhat familiar with the basics Christianity, John’s Gospel, the Book of Revelations, and even the Essenes to some extent, I found this degree very challenging. Applying the degree to my personal experiences is one way I can better grasp its rich lessons. To that extent, I will analyze the Seventeenth Degree to examine how its teachings can help us through pain and/or suffering. Three elements stand out for me: first pain and suffering are only temporary conditions, second these temporary conditions will lead to the development of permanent strengths, and finally there will be eternal rewards for those that suffer for the sake of God.

My first point is that the pain and suffering we experience are only temporary. Pike tells us this directly as a means to explain the similarities in the several religions and philosophies he discusses. We can find solace in this concept: only God can guarantee us that good ultimately will prevail over evil. In our finite existence on earth, we will experience pain and suffering in life and this can cause doubt and perhaps even lead one to question his faith on a deeper level. How can a just and merciful God allow these conditions? This degree helps us to understand that temporary afflictions are exactly that, temporary, and in no way reflect the love expressed by God.

Second, the Seventeenth degree teaches us that not only are pain and suffering temporary, but that they actually strengthen us. The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide tells us on page 389 that wisdom and knowledge cannot be gained except through pain and suffering. I find the imagery of the Book of Revelations to be a good way to understand this. Hutchens explains in A Bridge to Light: “these evils which cause the suffering of man strengthen the human soul and offer an incentive for the noblest virtues." Hutchens is talking about the evils of bigotry, intolerance, fanaticism, and ambition, which are a Masonic interpretation of St. John’s metaphorical writings. Through our perseverance and reliance on God, we will emerge from such trials stronger. We have God’s promise of this.

Finally, eternal rewards are assured those who overcome pain and suffering for the sake of God. The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide quotes the Book of Revelations, chapters two and three, stating that those who overcome will be rewarded by God. I don’t mean to argue that pain and suffering should be considered the price one pays for God’s favor, but rather that we need to remember that our life on earth is only the temporary phase of existence for us; we are meant to dwell with God eternally and the trials we suffer here are not what God intends for us. His plans are forever; ours on earth are fleeting.

Fall reunion 2011 pictures- first weekend

I took a few pictures at the first weekend of the Fall reunion- here they are:

Master Craftsman II Quiz #5 is here!

I just received the fifth quiz for the Scottish Rite's Master Craftsman II program in the mail yesterday. Quiz five covers the fifteenth through the eighteenth degrees. By coincidence, those degrees will be performed this afternoon by the Des Moines Scottish Rite as part of the Fall Reunion honoring Ellis E. Monk.

The Fifteenth degree was one of my favorite degrees when I was a candidate, and this time around I have a part with just a few lines in the degree. To me, it isn't a small part, however. My good friend and past Master of Operative Lodge #308 had this part. Steve, I'll be thinking of you this afternoon.

New Chief of the Tabernacle

I’m a little late with this post, but I wanted to add my thoughts about the Des Moines Scottish Rite’s one day summer reunion last week. The reunion was held in honor of Ivan L. Johnson 32° KCCH and Richard J. Noyce, 32° KCCH and conferred eight degrees: 4th, 6th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 23rd, 30th, and 32nd. Asa Moeckly, a brother from my Lodge, was one of the candidates and I was pleased that he served as the exemplar for the degree I help perform: Chief of the Tabernacle (23rd degree). This is only the second time the Des Moines Valley has performed the degree, ever, and from what I understand, we are the only Valley in the State that has attempted it.

As a new Scottish Rite Mason, it’s exciting for me to be a part of a degree team and I’m looking forward to our Fall Reunion; we’ll perform the 23rd and also the 24th degree- Prince of the Tabernacle.

...loitering by the wayside...

I finished part one of the Master Craftsman II (MC2) course after months of delay. I answered the multiple-choice questions the same day the test arrived in the mail, but I have been delaying the essay. The MC2 course requires both multiple-choice questions and an essay for each degree and the essays are 500-1000 words, each.

My motivation for completing part one, finally, was something I heard in the Des Moines Scottish Rite's One Day Summer Reunion held August 27. The Reunion was held in honor of Ivan L. Johnson 32° KCCH and Richard J. Noyce, 32° KCCH and conferred eight degrees: 4th, 6th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 23rd, 30th, and 32nd. As I was listening to the degrees on Saturday morning, one phrase stuck in my mind: loitering by the wayside. Well, I am loitering no more. Part one of MC2 will be in the mail early Monday morning and I am already anticipating the questions for part two.

New Chief of the Tabernacle

The Des Moines Scottish Rite 2011 Spring Reunion continues today with the Marvin A. Pomerantz, 33˚, class completing degrees twenty-three through the thirty-second. This was the first time the Des Moines Scottish Rite had ever performed the twenty-third degree, Chief of the Tabernacle, and I was proud to be a part of the degree team. Ten brothers had parts to play on the floor including James R. McOwen, Ernest L. George, Jeffrey L. Vandewater, Daniel L. Beyer, Darrell G. Fremont, Nathaniel A. Hedin Schmidt, Russell E. Saffell, Ryan G. Williams, Nicholas J. McGahan, and myself. Our candidate for this degree was Matt Noble from Specialis Procer Lodge #678. Mark Cook took care of sound for us and W. Charles Smithson led our team as Degree Master. This was my first role on a degree team and I truly enjoyed it, especially since seven of the members of the degree team are from my fall 2010 class.

Brother Charlie was a tremendous help to us and deserves special thanks- it may not have been his first rodeo but it surely was mine, and most of the other members of the team, as well.

If you missed the degree, you’ll have a chance to see it at the reunion this fall. I posted a few pictures of the set-up and degree team members below.

Des Moines Scottish Rite 2011 Spring Reunion

The Des Moines Valley’s Spring Reunion opened Friday, April 1 with the fourth degree- Secret Master. Twelve candidates began work at 4:00 PM and finished for the evening before 9:00 PM, well ahead of schedule, thanks in part to the efficient degree teams and the effective direction of the class marshals.

This year’s Spring Reunion is designated the Marvin A. Pomerantz, 33 Degree Memorial Reunion. Work continues Saturday, April 2 with the eighth degree and concludes with the Knight Rose Croix degree late Saturday afternoon. The Reunion continues April 15 and 16.

I was able to attend three of the degrees Friday: Perfect Master, Confidential Secretary, and Provost and Judge. The Seventh degree, Provost and Judge, remains as one of my favorites. The set and costuming are simple yet the message of the degree is profound.

The Fifth degree, Perfect Master, had special interest for me this time due to my work in the Master Craftsman course. I’m working on part two of the course and my current assignment is to write a 500 – 1000 word essay on the lessons of this degree. Seeing the degree performed complete with props, costuming, and special lighting inspired my thinking and led to several ideas for my essay.

Chief of the Tabernacle

We had our first practice for the Scottish Rite 23rd degree, Chief of the Tabernacle, last night. I have a small part in the degree with just a few lines and it’s been easy to memorize. For our first practice, we focused on placement and movement of the cast members during the degree. There are about nine of us on the degree team.

This is a new degree for the Des Moines Valley: it’s never been performed here. For me, it’s exciting to be a part of the team performing a degree. Memorizing the lines hasn’t been difficult, but I think the opportunity to play a small part in the entire process is what I’ll enjoy the most. And since this degree has never been done here, that makes it even more of a unique opportunity. I know it will be the best performance of the degree Des Moines has ever seen…!

Master Craftsman Part Two is Here!

(photo courtesy of Scottish Rite)
Master Craftsman II is now in progress. I ordered the program early last week and lesson one arrived just four days later. The program is a continuation of the Master Craftsman I. The Scottish Rite describes it as a “by-mail Masonic education correspondence course.”

I enjoyed the first part and am excited to begin part II. Already I notice that it is significantly different. First, the multiple choice questions are definitely more challenging. I write multiple choice test questions for a living (sort of- I’m a high school Social Studies teacher) so I have to claim credit for being able to recognize a good test question when I see one! Second, the essay questions in Part II require more analysis of each specific degree. And there are more of them. In my first quiz for Part II, there are two essay questions with each being 500 – 1000 words. That’s two to four pages of double-spaced, typed text…each! Oh my: I’m starting to sound like my students again.

New Masters of the Royal Secret

Members of the Robert E. Derby, 32° KCCH and Karl H. Killinger, 32° KCCH one day reunion class completed their work yesterday afternoon. Congratulations to the thirteen new Masters of the Royal Secret! I was excited to attend this reunion in part because it was my first; I was a member of the November 2010 Glen W. Lamb, 32˚ KCCH and Eugene L. Smith, 32˚ KCCH class.

Several other of my November classmates attended as well. Two participated in the degrees as candidates to complete work missed due to family and other obligations back in November. Four members of the November class, in addition to me, were in attendance, two of whom participated in the ritual. In total, five of the seventeen candidates from the November 2010 Glen W. Lamb, 32˚ KCCH and Eugene L. Smith, 32˚ KCCH class attended, not including the two candidates who needed to finish up some of the work. That’s about 30% of the class from the most recent reunion. I am curious how that compares. I hear and read about membership numbers and activity, and this makes me wonder if there is research regarding the participation of new Scottish Rite members. Do other Valleys track participation rates? How would participation be quantified? It’s easy to count the members of the class or even the numbers who attend banquets, but are there other elements of participation in reunions that are tracked by Valleys?

The most interesting part of the day for me wasn’t the numbers or what they might mean. The best part for me was this: I felt like I was seeing some of these for the first time! As a candidate back in November, I was excited, anxious, and maybe even a little nervous so I wasn’t really concentrating on the degrees. The significance of the lessons of the degrees overwhelmed me then, and it still does, but watching the degrees yesterday I feel like I learned much more than I did as a candidate. I’m looking forward to the April reunion even more now!

One Day Reunion

The Robert E. Derby, 32° KCCH and Karl H. Killinger, 32° KCCH one day reunion is today and I’m looking forward to my first opportunity to attend a reunion. I was a member of the Glen W. Lamb, 32˚ KCCH and Eugene L. Smith, 32˚ KCCH class this past November and I can still recall the excitement I felt those two weekends. I’ve learned a lot from participating in the Blue Lodge degrees, or just watching them from the sideline, and I’m eager to experience the Scottish Rite degrees again as well.

Robert Burns Night hosted by the Des Moines Consistory

The Des Moines Consistory hosted Robert Burns Night on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Des Moines. This was my first Burns night ever!

Pipers Jim Jorgenson and Steve Layton, Worshipful Master of Operative Lodge #308, opened the evening in fine style with an inspiring performance on their bagpipes. Both were in full Piper dress (above photo is from Jay Simser at Bailey's Buddy). Jim and Steve joined the diners at my table and we enjoyed their explanation of the meaning of much of their regalia.

After a delicious dinner- no Haggis here thank goodness- Pete Taggart reviewed “the immortal memory” of Burns with an entertaining speech highlighting the Scottish Poet’s life and work. Bob Speed delivered an informative narrative of Burn’s poems, including some of his most famous lines:

Some have meat and cannot eat,
Some cannot eat that want it;
But we have meat and we can eat’
So let the Lord be thankit.
(Selkirk Grace)

Liberty’s in every blow!
Let us do- or die!
(Robert Bruce’s March to Bannockburn)


Ron Lindhart entertained the audience with song throughout the evening including leading us in Auld Lang Syne, which ended the festivities.

Des Moines Scottish Rite Blue Lodge Breakfast

The DSM Scottish Rite hosted the 11th Annual Blue Lodge Breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Scottish Rite Temple in downtown Des Moines. The breakfast was free to all Masons and is the Des Moines Valley’s way of saying “Thank You.” The full breakfast included eggs, hash browns, sausage, cinnamon rolls personally served by Grand Master Craig Davis, coffee, and juice.

After the breakfast, Master of Kadosh Shane Harshbarger introduced special guests as well as a video courtesy of Mark Tabbert, Director of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. The short video highlighted George Washington and the Memorial itself. Tabbert was raised in an Iowa Lodge, and in fact, Shane himself helped raise him!

I had a great time at the breakfast. It was fun to see several of the members of my class from the November Reunion and I also had an enjoyable visit with members of my Lodge, Operative Lodge #308 in Polk City.

Master Craftsman Program

I have finally finished the fourth quiz in the Scottish Rite Master Craftsman Program. The Program focuses on the history of the Scottish Rite, its structure and organization, and its Masonic teachings. The format consists of six open book quizzes covering two texts: The Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide and Bridge to Light. The quizzes include 20 multiple-choice questions and one essay question; staff at the House of the Temple in Washington, D.C. evaluate each quiz. More information is available at the Supreme Council’s Master Craftsman page.

I found the fourth quiz to be the most challenging so far; it has definitely taken the most time to finish compared to the others. I’m looking forward to continuing my study in the texts. The most beneficial part of the course for me has been its structured approach to reading the Monitor and Guide. This is a book with over 1000 pages consisting of extended quotes from Morals and Dogma and other demanding sources.

Quiz 5 covers the Consistory of the Masters of the Royal Secret and the following readings:
Monitor and Guide, pages 703–878 (1st ed.), or pages 739–914 (2nd ed.), and A Bridge to Light(2006 ed.), pages 285–312.