Scottish Rite Updates
“To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications, that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race .”
~Brother George Washington, 1st President of the United States, Letter to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, January 1793
Masonic Trivia ~ On January 2nd, 1901, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt received his 1st degree in Matinecock Lodge #806, Oyster Bay, New York.
IMPORTANT NOTICE ~ The valley’s new email address is sekscottishrite@sbcglobal.net.
January 6th ~ Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite Stated Dinner/Meeting at the Armstrong Masonic Lodge, 3105 North Joplin Street, Pittsburg, Kansas. Social Hour begins at 5:30 p.m., Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. and the Meeting will start at approximately 7:00 p.m. Reservations are required, so please RSVP by Wednesday, January 5th, 2022 at sekscottishrite@sbcglobal.net or by calling 620-223-1330. But please, if you don't feel safe, please don't attend. And if you don't feel well or are in any way symptomatic, please stay home. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are highly recommended. If you are interested in carpooling from the Fort Scott area please contact Ralph Reed at 620-224-1250. Need a ride from the Coffeyville-Dearing area to Pittsburg? Call Jim Falkner at (620) 251-2609. He can take 5 with him in his van.
Birthdays for the Week of January 9th. Wishing the following members the best of birthdays and a year of health and happiness! Happy Birthday Bob Armstrong, Donald Bright, Lyle Kee, Jarrel Lathrop, Donald Newman and Tommy Thompson.
For your health and safety and those around you, please follow these recommended guidelines.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
Most importantly, if you are sick or not feeling well, please stay at home.
New Address, Phone Number or Email? Postage or Email, Land Line or Cell Phone ~ Do you know a member who has an email address? Staying in touch electronically saves postage. Did you receive a call on your last birthday? Maybe we don’t have your new cell phone number. Have you recently moved? Perhaps you forgot to give us your new address. We want to make sure that each and every member knows what is happening in the Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite. Please contact us with any changes at 620~223~1330 or sekscottishrite@sbcglobal.net. While we are on the subject of updating, you may review and edit your information online with the Supreme Council at http://update.scottishrite.org. Thanks!
Membership Dues. Dues Notices and cards were mailed by Supreme Council and your 2022 dues card was included with your notice. Dues may be paid by either mailing them to the Valley address (PO Box 789, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701) or online at the Supreme Council’s website (http://dues.scottishrite.org). If there is an issue that is preventing or inhibiting you from paying your dues, do not hesitate to let us know as soon as possible, so we can work with you to resolve the problem. Also, Life Members, it would be greatly appreciated if you would remit $30 to help cover 2022 per capita.
New Members Needed. Any man, who is already a Master Mason in good standing with his local Grand Lodge, may join. When you attend your Lodge meetings, ask and encourage those attending to expand and enhance their Masonic career by becoming a 32nd degree Mason. If you need a petition or have any questions, please contact the Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite at 620-223-1330 or sekscottishrite@sbcglobal.net.
Life Memberships Available. The national rule for lifetime membership states a member in good standing in the Lodge of Perfection and whose dues are paid to date may purchase an Endowed Life Membership and hereby be relieved from further payment of dues, subject to provisions set forth. Fees for the purchase of an Endowed Life Membership, effective February 18, 2016 shall be: 18 but less than 50 years of age is $2,500, 50 but less than 60 years of age is $1,875, 60 but less than 70 years of age is $1,250 and 70 years of age and above is $625. If this interests you or you have questions, contact the Valley of Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite at 620-223-1330 or sekscottishrite@sbcglobal.net.
Prayers Always Needed. Please keep all our Brothers who are ill, in hospitals or nursing homes or who have lost loved ones in your prayers. If you know of a member who is confined to their home, sick or in declining health, please contact the Valley Office so we can send them our thoughts and prayers.
Rose Croix Funeral Service. This beautiful Masonic service is available to any Scottish Rite Member upon request by having a family member or funeral home notify the Valley office at 620~223~1330, Mike Carnes at 620~223~6008 or Ralph Reed at 620~224~1250. If you are interested in helping with the Rose Croix Services please contact Todd Allison at 620-704-8828 or the Valley Office.
~Brother Douglas MacArthur, Commander of Armed Forces in the Philippines
Please be safe and follow all recommended guidelines for COVID-19.
Keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
Most importantly, if you are sick or not feeling well, please stay at home.
November 11th ~ Veterans Day Honoring Veterans Past, Present & Future. Thank you for your faithful service!
“…They lived upon the level and departed upon the Square…” Please keep in your prayers the family of Thomas Franklin “T.F.” Edmonds, 33° who passed away on Friday, November 6, 2020 at the age of 92. Brother T.F. joined the Valley of Southeast Kansas in 1965 and was a 55 Year Life Member from Blue Mound, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 5 to 6:30 pm Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, Mound City Chapel, 319 Chestnut, Mound City, Kansas. Masonic and Scottish Rites will be held following visitation at 6:30 pm also at the Mound City Chapel. Funeral service will be 11:00 am Friday, November 13, 2020 at the Blue Mound Federated Church, Blue Mound, Kansas. Burial in the Sunny Slope Cemetery. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com. We send our fondest brotherly remembrance and condolences.
Birthdays for the Week of November 15th Wishing the following members the best of birthdays and a year of health and happiness! Happy Birthday William Autry, Kevin Buntin, Robert Ellis, Randy Irwin, John Keith, Harry Miller, Clifford Nading, Art Schenk, Dick Tindel and Tommy Tuggle.
December 3rd ~ Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite Stated Dinner/Meeting at the Armstrong Masonic Lodge, 3105 North Joplin Street, Pittsburg, Kansas. Social Hour begins at 5:30 p.m., Dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. and the Meeting will start at approximately 7:00 p.m. Reservations are required, so please RSVP by Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 at fsscottishrite@sbcglobal.net or by calling 620-223-1330. With the rise in cases of COVID-19 in the area and hospitals fillings up, if you don't feel safe, please don't attend. And if you don't feel well or are in any way symptomatic, please stay home. Social distancing will be practiced and masks are highly recommended. If you are interested in carpooling from the Fort Scott area, please contact Ralph Reed at 620-224-1250.
Valley of Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite Men of Distinction
Congratulations to these Brothers for their steadfast service to our Valley.
50 Year Members
Howard E. Bailey, 32° Allen T. Jones, 32° James R. McGeary, 32°
James R. Mills, 32° William R. Roberts 32° D. Michael Seely, 32°
Gary L. Wall, 32°
25 Year Members
Barry W. Bedene, 32° William B. Brooks, 32°, KCCH Larry L. Brown, 32°
Stanley D. Browning, 32°, KCCH O. Randall Ervin., 32° Eugene L. Garrison, 32°,
Steven L. Greer, 32° W. Michael Hahn, Jr., 32° Walter C. Hess, 32°
Stanley W. Jahay, 32°, KCCH Jack M. Johnson, 32° Theodore M. Jones, 32°
Jim K. Kepley, 32°, KCCH Douglas W. Ludwig, 32° Robert L. Prettyman, 32°
Ray D. Rothgeb, 32° Arthur M. Schenk, 32° Rodger D. Shufeldt, 32°
Ray A. Stalford, 32° V. Darrell Stonecipher, 32°
Longest Memberships
George I. Richard, 32° ~ 72 Years
J. D. Lightwine, 32° ~ 70 Years
Oldest Member
Ray A. Yagher, 32° ~ 100 Years of Age
William H. Autry, 32° ~ 99 Years of Age
George I. Richard, 32° ~ 99 Years of Age
Membership Dues. Dues may be paid by either mailing them to the Valley address (PO Box 789, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701) or online at the Supreme Council’s website (http://dues.scottishrite.org). If there is an issue that is preventing or inhibiting you from paying your dues, do not hesitate to let us know as soon as possible, so we can work with you to resolve the problem. Also, Life Members, it would be greatly appreciated if you would remit $30 to help cover 2021 per capita.
Life Memberships Available. The national rule for lifetime membership states a member in good standing in the Lodge of Perfection and whose dues are paid to date may purchase an Endowed Life Membership and hereby be relieved from further payment of dues, subject to provisions set forth. Fees for the purchase of an Endowed Life Membership, effective February 18, 2016 shall be: 18 but less than 50 years of age is $2,500, 50 but less than 60 years of age is $1,875, 60 but less than 70 years of age is $1,250 and 70 years of age and above is $625. If this interests you or you have questions, contact the Valley of Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite at 620-223-1330 or fsscottishrite@sbcglobal.net.
New Address, Phone Number or Email? Postage or Email, Land Line or Cell Phone ~ Do you know a member who has an email address? Staying in touch electronically saves postage. Did you receive a call on your last birthday? Maybe we don’t have your new cell phone number. Have you recently moved? Perhaps you forgot to give us your new address. We want to make sure that each and every member knows what is happening in the Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite. Please contact us with any changes at 620~223~1330 or fsscottishrite@sbcglobal.net. While we are on the subject of updating, you may review and edit your information online with the Supreme Council at http://update.scottishrite.org. Thanks!
New Members Needed. Any man, who is already a Master Mason in good standing with his local Grand Lodge, may join. When you attend your Lodge meetings, ask and encourage those attending to expand and enhance their Masonic career by becoming a 32nd degree Mason. If you need a petition or have any questions, please contact the Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite at 620-223-1330 or fsscottishrite@sbcglobal.net.
Prayers Always Needed. Please keep all our Brothers who are ill, in hospitals or nursing homes or who have lost loved ones in your prayers. If you know of a member who is confined to their home, sick or in declining health, please contact the Valley Office so we can send them our thoughts and prayers.
Rose Croix Funeral Service. This beautiful Masonic service is available to any Scottish Rite Member upon request by having a family member or funeral home notify the Valley office at 620~223~1330, Mike Carnes at 620~223~6008 or Ralph Reed at 620~224~1250. If you are interested in helping with the Rose Croix Services please contact Todd Allison at 620-704-8828 or the Valley Office.
Check Out the Following Websites
Southeast Kansas Scottish Rite ~ www.ftscottishrite.org
Orient of Kansas ~ http://ksscottishrite.org
Scottish Rite Supreme Council ~ www.scottishrite.org
Pay Dues Online ~ http://dues.scottishrite.org
Update Your Membership Online ~ http://update.scottishrite.org
Scottish Rite Store ~ www.scottishritestore.org
Join Freemason Network ~ http://www.Freemasonnetwork.org
Total Membership: 500