channel islands association york rite bulletin · 2019-05-08 · greetings and salutations! as was...
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Channel Islands Association
York Rite Bulletin
May—June 2019
Ventura Chapter #50, Corinthian Chapter #51,
Oxnard Chapter #86, Royal Arch Masons
Ventura Council #15, Cryptic Masons
Ventura Commandery #18, St. Omer
Commandery #30, Knights Templar
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Table of Contents
Meeting Dates, Times and Location…………………… 3
Contact Information……………………………………….4
Ventura Chapter No. 50…………………………………. 5
Corinthian Chapter No. 51……………………………… 6
Oxnard Chapter No. 86………………………………….. 7
Ventura Council No. 15………………………………….. 8
Ventura Commandery No. 18…………………………... 9
St. Omer Commandery No. 30………………………….10
Cathedral de Notre Dame……………………….……....12
Chart of Masonic Degrees………………………..……..13
Templar Orders…………………………………………..14
3 Way Reception Flyer…………………………………..15
Front Cover Ventura Commandery No. 18,
Front Row L to R John Argue, Andy Pippin, Ray Broomfield, Tim Cook;
Second Row L to R, Edwin Escamilla, Lynn Wallingford, Bob Sturgeon, Ron Robinson and Rees Padfield.
Photo Credit: Bruce Rick
York Rite Grand Sessions
May 19-22, 2019
Wyndham Hotel,
9000 W Airport Dr,
Visalia, CA US
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Meeting Dates, Times and Locations
Oxnard
Oxnard Chapter No. 86 Royal Arch Masons 341 South K Street, Oxnard CA
1st Monday of February, April, June, August, October, & December (7:00 pm)
Santa Barbara
Corinthian Chapter No. 51 Royal Arch Masons 16 East Carrillo St, Santa Barbara 93101-2707
1st Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September & November (7:00 pm)
St. Omer Commandery No. 30 Knights Templar 16 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara 93101-2707
1st Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October, &
December (7:00pm)
Ventura
Ventura Chapter No. 50 Royal Arch Masons 482 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura 93001-2758
1st Monday of January, February, March, April, May, June,
September, October, November, & December (7:00 pm)
Ventura Council No. 15 Cryptic Masons 482 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura 93001-2758
3rd
Monday of January, March, May, July, September, & November (7:00pm)
Ventura Commandery No. 18 Knights Templar 482 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura 93001-2758
3rd
Monday of February, April, June, August, October, & December (7:00pm
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Contact Information
VENTURA CHAPTER NO. 50, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
H. P.: David W. Hopkins 805-625-2843 [email protected]
Sec.: Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr. 805-482-1589 [email protected]
CORINTHIAN CHAPTER NO. 51, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
H.P: Bruce Rick 805-845-0922 [email protected]
Sec.: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]
OXNARD CHAPTER NO. 86, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
H. P.: Frederick W. Ervast Jr. 805-389-0787 [email protected]
Sec.: Robert V. Wright Jr. 805-524-1271 [email protected]
VENTURA COUNCIL NO. 15, CRYPTIC MASONS
I. M.: Frederick W. Ervast Jr. 805-389-0787 [email protected]
Rec.: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]
VENTURA COMMANDERY NO. 18, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Cmdr: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]
Rec.: Ron Robinson 401-855-1027 [email protected]
ST. OMER COMMANDERY NO. 30, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Cmdr: Bruce Rick 805-845-0922 [email protected]
Rec.: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]
Inspectors
ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Insp: Lynn R. Wallingford 805-551-3428 [email protected]
CRYPTIC MASONS
Insp: Ray Broomfield 805-492-6756 [email protected]
Knights Templar
Adj.: Ray Broomfield 805-492-6756 [email protected]
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VENTURA CHAPTER NO. 50, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Companions:
Mays Stated Convocation will take place on Monday, May 6th
at 7:00 in Ventura. Last month we had a quorum and were able to
bring our business up to date. Mark your calendars and plan on
joining us in May. EC Chuck should again put out am email inviting
you to join us at the Busy Bee Café for dinner. Afterward we will
walk to Lodge for our Stated Convocation. Our Inspector, EC Lynn
Wallingford will also be making his Official Visit.
Grand Sessions is moving from Bakersfield to Visalia. It will run
from May 19th thru May 23
rd. There are several; resolutions that will
be presented for discussion and balloting. I will have copies of the
resolutions at our May meeting.
The Grand York Rite Reception will be held on June 15th in
Oxnard. Social hour at 5:00 P.M. and dinner at 6:00 P.M. After
dinner we will adjourn to the Lodge Room for the official reception.
Many of the Grand Officers will be in attendance. It will be a great
opportunity to meet them.
Holiness to the Lord,
Fraternally submitted,
David W. Hopkins
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CORINTHIAN CHAPTER NO. 51, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Companions:
Our next Royal Arch Corinthian No. 51 meeting is May 1st at 7:00 pm. Note that we have an enjoyable no-host meal at the State Street IHOP at 5:30 pm before heading over to the Masonic Center.
A lot of items on our agenda: mid-year election, a Grand Session representative vote, hosting the Royal Arch degrees here, preparation for the June 15th Grand York Rite Reception, a talk on the Tracing Board of Royal Arch (see the example picture), plus our annual inspection by Inspector Lynn Wallingford. We need to see your happy face here.
I encourage you to read the Grand York Rite of California quarterly Encompasser and the monthly Workman. These can be accessed online.
Notice our new framed Charter hanging in the dining room. We're working on a central York Rite wall area. Please wear your red jacket to our next meeting.
HOLINESS TO THE LORD
E.C. Bruce Rick, High Priest
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OXNARD CHAPTER NO. 86, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Companions:
At the last Stated Convocation, Oxnard Chapter No. 86
covered “a lot of ground,” including installing our Secretary, M.E.C.
Robert Wright, and the Royal Arch Captain, Comp. Edwin
Escamilla. Now we have an Officer Corps which has been
completely installed. Another item of business covered was taking
steps in transferring funds to accounts which will provide much
higher interest rates – hooray!
June 3rd
the Chapter will discuss what we can do to convince
our Brethren in our respective Blue Lodges to consider Royal Arch
Masonry. We need ideas to convince that active Master Mason
that more Masonic growth is needed. Your input on this subject is
greatly solicited.
The Chapter is still working on the possibility of conferring the
Degrees of the Royal Arch in the early summer. Conducting this
class in Santa Barbara Masonic Center is the desired location.
However, we must have candidates to make it happen!
Oxnard Chapter will be well represented at the Grand Royal
Arch Session being held in Visalia, on May 20, 2019. The Chapter
membership will be notified of the results of the resolutions
submitted and significant actions taken by the Grand Chapter.
HOLINESS TO THE LORD
Frederick W. Ervast Jr.
High Priest
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VENTURA COUNCIL NO. 15, CRYPTIC MASONS
Companions:
First, please note that the Stated Assembly will take place on a Friday, in
this case, May 16th. When the third Monday of May falls on a time during which
the Grand Sessions are taking place, the date is automatically set to the third
Friday of May. This is established in accordance with the by-laws of Ventura
Council.
A catered dinner to be served in the Ventura Masonic Center dining hall is
being planned, starting at 5:30 p.m. Don’t worry about being late because of
your job, traffic, or other issues. We will continue to serve food until it is time to
start the Stated Assembly. Chinese food will be on the menu, with dessert being
served after the meeting. Please join us if you can attend.
Discussions during the meeting will include the Resolutions to be presented
during the Grand Council Session, taking place in Visalia on May 21st. The
Council will be well represented at the Session.
Thanks to the efforts of the Treasurer, M.I.C. Fred “Tiny” Potter,
Ventura Council accounts will be transferred to CD’s and mutual funds
which will create much higher yields. This is an effort which has been “in the
works” for many years. Thank you, Tiny!
As always, a subject on Masonic Education will be included in the meeting.
Remember, circle your calendar for FRIDAY, MAY 16th
Most fraternally,
Frederick Ervast KYCH
Illustrious Master
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VENTURA COMMANDERY NO. 18, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
To all of the Valiant Knights and Ladies of Ventura Commandery –
Greetings and Salutations!
As was mentioned in our April Stated Conclave, there are several resolu-
tions coming up and Grand Sessions in May that will have direct impact on Ven-
tura Commandery. In one of them, Right Eminent Gregg Hall was asked to
make a Decision regarding a conflict in the Grand Encampment Constitution
and the California Grand Commandery Constitution. In California, you may not
be a dais officer in more than one Commandery at the same time. However,
Grand Commandery is not sovereign – but is actually a constituent member of
Grand Encampment. Their constitution specifies that:
The holding of two elective offices by one member – in any Grand Constituent
or Subordinate Commandery – is clearly contrary to tradition, usage, and intent
of the Constitution and Statutes of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar
of the United States of America. (1973, p.385 &507, No. 1, Bell)
and
A recorder could not hold a progressive line office while serving as recorder.
(1988, p. 27 & 227, No. 3, Smith)
The end result of this will require me to either resign as Commander of Ventura
Commandery, or resign as Recorder of St. Omer Commandery. Since it is easier
to find a Past Commander to sit in the East for a few meetings than it is to hand
over the books to a new Recorder, if this decision is upheld (which I expect to
happen), I will need to resign as Commander.
On a more cheerful note, I would like to welcome Sir Knight Mark Beck and Sir
Knight Bob Sturgeon to Ventura Commandery. They both made the trek down
to Van Nuys to receive the Orders.
Until we meet again, may peace be within thy walls.
S.K. Andy Pippin, KYCH
Commander, Ventura Commandery #18
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ST. OMER COMMANDERY NO. 30, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
Sir Knights and Friends:
What a fun, informative, and full dispatch of business at our April conclave (regular meeting term).
We started with an April Fools' surprise inspection, which Past Commander Andy Pippin led and walked us through the proper steps and explained the elements that would occur in a "real" in-spection. This was a low-key educational event with everyone learning a new piece or being refreshed on his particular role.
We welcomed Sir Knight Tim Cook as our pro-tempore Senior Warden and our newly appointed Generalissimo and Membership Chairman Raul Anon.
A big thank you was extended to Sir Knight Fred Ervast for do-nating the wonderful St. Omer No. 30 KT 130 Years of Knight Tem-plar service banner to the Commandery. We will continue to dis-play our commemorative banner throughout the year.
Our Warder Sir Knight Fred Ervast draped our Beauceant as part of our Memorial Day service normally held in May.
Our Prelate Sir Knight Dexter Pehle led our Easter Observance.
All are encouraged to turn out to the Grand York Rite Reception at the Masonic Center in Oxnard on June 15th and meet our new Grand Commander and other Grand officers.
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Our next conclave will be June 5th. A highlight of the meeting will be the saluting our members with over 25 years as a Knight Templar. They are:
Jimmie Bray Nevin Chamberlain Fred Ervast Floyd Griffin Glen Neikirk Dexter Pehle
A reminder that any Christian-oriented York Rite Mason, may re-quest an application to join our merry band.
In Hoc Signo Vinces,
Bruce A. Rick
Commander
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of
Leola Ervast, the beloved wife of E.C and Sir Knight Frederick
Ervast. No memorial service, per her wishes.
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CATHEDRAL DE NOTRE DAME
by
Fred Ervast KYCH
Arriving home from a Masonic meeting on April 14th, my wife, “glued” to the
TV, yelled at me to watch what was on the screen. Much to my amazement was
the TV coverage of the fire at the Cathedral De Notre Dame in Paris, with the
scene of the spire crashing down in flames. While I am not of the Catholic faith,
I was saddened in seeing the scene being unfolded. I immediately thought of
those Operative Masons, seven centuries ago, who erected such a magnificent
structure.
In 1988 and 1995, I had the opportunity to visit the Cathedral situated in
the Ile de France, Paris. Both times my attention was drawn to, not so much as
a religious edifice, but as an architectural wonder that our Operative Brethren
built, just with the square, the compass, the level, the gavel, and the 24-inch
gauge. On my second visit, I made a point of looking for the marks of Masons,
both inside and outside. In my limited time (I did not want to disturb those who
were there for prayer and in quiet contemplation), I could not find any visible
marks inside the cathedral, but “possibly” one outside at the base of the wall
near the front left corner. It was a representation of a flower in bloom, about six
inches in height. (If only I had my camera with me!) I could not verify that it
was an actual mark, but the figure simply seemed “out of place.” However, it
made me in awe of the “engineering skill and ability” of those Operative
Masons, particularly, in erecting those “flying buttresses” to stabilize the
cathedral walls. How they were shaped and installed brought one word in my
mind – wow!
It is hoped that the reconstruction of the cathedral can be completed in five
years, as the French President has promised. In the meanwhile, Companions, if
you happen to be travelling to Western Europe, take the time to visit one of
those magnificent edifices. An excellent example is the cathedral located in
Salisbury, England, a 65-minute ride on BRITRAIL from downtown London.
Included in the cathedral are displays of the actual marks of Masons, models of
how the cathedral was erected, and the arrangement of the lodge building
(northeast corner – remember?). It is truly an inspiring experience!
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Knight Templar Orders
The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross (Order of the Red Cross)
The Order of the Red Cross continues or reverts to the period of the
Royal Arch Degree when the Israelites were returning from Babylon to
Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Zerubbabel;, their leader prevails
upon King Darius to restore the Holy Vessels to the new Temple. They
had been carried away by the Babylonian armies when the first Temple
was destroyed. In presenting his plea before the King, the companion
gives a powerful testimony to the almighty force of Truth.
The ritual places the candidate in the role of Zerubbabel and follows
him through his journey to King Darius in Persia and his role in the
Immemorial Discussion, as found in the apocryphal book, 1 Esdras. The
purpose is to bridge the gap between Royal Arch Masonry and the
Chivalric Orders as well as between the Old Testament and the New
Testament. The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross teaches the lessons of
the triumph of truth.
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The Degree of Knight of St Paul (or Mediterranean Pass)
This degree is conferred as a prerequisite to becoming a Knight of Malta, in
both the York Rite and independent 'stand-alone' versions of Knight Templar
Freemasonry. A candidate for the Order of Malta ritual in England : "... must
also have received the Degree of Knight of St Paul, including the Mediterranean
Pass". The exact status of the 'Mediterranean Pass' has at times led to confusion
as to whether this is the 'stub' of a separate degree. The English ritual book
clarified this in its 1989 edition (and subsequent editions) by stating: "The
Mediterranean Pass is one of the secrets of the Degree of Knight of St Paul".
The only respect in which the degree fails to meet the definition of a true
'side degree' is that a Chapter of the Order is formally opened and closed by the
presiding officer, on either side of the secrets being communicated.
The Degree of Knight of Malta (Order of Malta)
This degree is universally associated with the Masonic Knights Templar. In
the York Rite system it is conferred before the Templar Degree. It is known by
varying degrees of formality as the Order of Malta, or the Order of Knights of
Malta, or the Ancient and Masonic Order of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine,
Rhodes, and Malta. In practice this last and fullest version of the name tends to
be reserved to letterheads, rituals, and formal documents.
The ceremony for conferring the degree contains a mixture of masonic
tradition, historical accounts of the Order of St John, moral teaching, and the
communication of modes of recognition between members. A series of banners
is employed in the ceremony, each representing one of the great battles of the
historic medieval Order of St John, whose story is the basis of the moral
teachings of the degree.
The Degree of Knight of the Temple (Order of the Temple)
Though it has been said that Templar Masonry is based on texts that
indicate persecuted Templars found refuge within the safety of Freemasonry,
the order itself states that "there is no proof of direct connection between the
ancient order and the modern order known today as the Knights Templar." The
official motto of the Knights Templar is In Hoc Signo Vinces the rendition in
Latin of the Greek phrase "εν τούτῳ νίκα", en toutōi nika, meaning "in this
[sign] you will conquer".
The ritual draws upon the traditions of medieval Knights Templar, using
them to impart moral instruction consistent with the biblical teachings of the
Christian tradition.
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