Volume XXXVIII No. 1, September 2020

IN THIS ISSUE 1 Grand Master’s Message 1 Educational Assistance 2 The Past, Present and Future 3 Grand Master’s Calendar 4 Let us Raise a Royal Arch 5 Poems and Prayers 7 News from Our Lodges 8 2019 Impact Report

M.W.B. Michael J. McGuyerGrand Master

The Grand Master’s Message: Excellence Educational AssistancePersevering Through COVID

R.W.B. Mark L. PoslerSenior Grand Warden

The Educational Assistance program faced some challenges due to COVID

this summer, but I am happy to report the Trustees are adapting procedures to ac-complish our goals. Now is the time to send in applications for this financial as-sistance, which is based on financial need and is avail-able to children and grandchildren of Or-egon Masons. The children must be attending a public school in grades Kin-dergarten through 12 or post-high school through age 22 and are not required to live in Oregon.

This program is even more valuable at this time, with the stressful effects of the pandemic on Oregon Freemasons and our families. The funds awarded may be spent on anything the family needs, the idea being to ensure the children are properly supported for schooling. Do not hesitate to submit applications if your local school

continued on page three

continued on page two

“Perfection is unattainable, but if you chase perfection you can catch excellence,” This is a quote by Vince Lombardi,

one of the greatest football coaches of all time. Excellence is a term we use to describe something that is of very high quality or distinction. Excellence is the foundation for planning my theme and focus this year. Excellence calls on us to be at our best, to

do our finest. How does excellence through fraternal service apply to our fraternity? We need to give our best efforts in all that we do. Why must we always give our best?

First, no one wants to join a mediocre organization. An organi-zation that only exists to benefit its members and has no positive impact on communities or lives it touches. Why would others want to join us and become a Freemason? Secondly, while statistically Ma-sons in the family is one of the top reasons, the number one reason is Brotherhood. Good men want to associate with one another. The third reason is to join an organiza-tion and have a bigger positive im-pact than I could on my own.

We are the oldest fraternity in the world without question, but joining the oldest organization isn’t among the top reasons. What separates us from all the other fraternal organizations? The answer must be excellence. Great members, leading Lodges in community activities, having a truly positive impact on everyone’s life. I know it sounds like a lot of words. Masons are in my family, my grandfa-ther and great-grandfather were Ma-sons, but I can tell you I would not be a Mason today were it not for the excellence I saw in a friend. I didn’t know he was a Mason, but I knew he always tried to benefit the communi-ty in all his pursuits. After a few years I found out he was a Mason and his dad was too. Their philanthropic ac-tivities, attitude of excellence and the fact that all Shriners are Masons

Page 2 — September 2020

district has announced changes to normal school schedules or classes. The Trustees understand some school districts may be using online classes or other alternative learning methods this year.

The application process begins with the local Lodge, which works with Ms. Tammy Vanderzanden at the Grand Secretary’s of-fice to obtain and complete the applica-tion form. Detailed instructions may be found on the Oregon Grand Lodge web-site at the Charity & Goodwill section. Ms. Vanderzanden is happy to provide assis-tance and answer questions regarding the program. Part of the application process involves meetings to discuss the appli-cant’s financial situation conducted by the Lodge Master and District Deputy. COVID presents challenges to this process, which the Trustees are addressing to ensure the necessary information is collected in a safe manner.

All applications are reviewed by the Grand Lodge Trustees and the available funds are limited. The funds are distrib-uted on a “first come, first served” basis, so it is very important applications be submitted as soon as possible. No appli-cations will be considered after December 31, 2020 for K-12 or January 31, 2021 for post-high school.

Educational Assistance has been a vi-able program operated by the Freemasons of Oregon for decades. The Masons who started this fund in 1854 would be proud of the fruit borne by the tree they plant-ed. Starting with around $150 in 1854, the fund will be able to expend over $100,000 in assistance this year. This program ex-emplifies and reaffirms the commitment of Oregon Freemasons to public educa-tion.

To learn more, visit https://www.masonic-oregon.com/charity/educational-assistance/

Fraternally,R.W.B. Mark L. Posler, Senior Grand Warden

Education Assistance continued from page one

The Past, Present and Future...~A speech delivered at the Annual Communication of Alaska

History is defined by Webster's Dictionary as "a chronologi-cal record of significant events." It was said by Sir Winston

Churchill in a 1948 speech to the House of Commons, that "those who fail to learn from history, are condemned to repeat it."

Let's talk about Masonry, starting with the "Past." The oldest written records for a Masonic Lodge belong to Atchinson's Haven in Middelburg, United Kingdom, dating back to January 9, 1599. However, the oldest written records for a Masonic Lodge still in existence, are those from the Lodge of Edinburgh, referred to as Mary's Chapel No. 1, also in the United Kingdom. Those records date back to July 31, 1599.

Wouldn't it be something to read those old Lodge records and stumble across the name of an ancestor? Had it not been for an old postcard handed down through my family for years, I would never have known my Masonic lineage and family ties to Masonry. By searching old Lodge records of Hennapin Lodge No. 4, which is in the Grand Jurisdiction of Minnesota, I found a Masonic relative, a grandfather whose name was David Stiles. My research showed that my great-grandfather was a Past Master of the Lodge, as well as a "Companion" of St. John's Chapter No. 9, Royal Arch Mason. Born in Woodbury, Connecticut on May 21, 1766, he was a Mason for over 75 years. The postcard shows a picture of an old man sit-ting in a chair with the Master's jewel around his neck, wearing the apron with the square and compasses upon it, and a gavel in his right hand. The picture was taken in 1873 when he was 107 years old.

The record goes on to say that my grandfather distinctly remem-bers the signing of the Declaration of Independence and that he voted for George Washington as president, not once, but twice! How exciting is that to discover I have a Masonic Grandfather who voted for George Washington, the greatest and most beloved pres-ident and Mason in American history?

The Masonic past has all the redeeming qualities of a Shake-spearean play. We find plots and conspiracies, humor and jest, and we can't forget treason and deception. Do you remember what King Philip the IV did to God's Holy Warriors, the Knight's Tem-plars, on Friday the 13th in the year 1307? "Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it." We need to learn our history and teach it to those who follow us through Masonry.

The Masonic present is here and now. In just a few short hours this Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Alaska will be history, all that we do and say here will become history.

Who records all this "talk"? It's the Lodge Secretary, of course. At the secretaries installation, he is told that his duties are "to make note of all the proceedings of the Lodge, make a fair record thereof and of all things proper to be recorded."

continued on page six

September 2020 — Page 3

GRAND MASTER’S TENTATIVE ITINERARY

Fraternally,M.W.B. Michael J. McGuyer, Grand Master,

A.F. & A.M. of Oregon

Grand Master’s Message, continued from page one

sealed the deal for me. Looking back, I checked all top three reasons as to why men want to join the greatest fraternity in the world.

To sum this all up, you are Masonry on display every day. You are our best ad-vertisement. You are excellence through fraternal service. Are your words and be-haviors demonstrating excellence? If the answer is yes, the likely result is a good man may ask the question that will trans-form his life just like it has for many oth-ers.

The Grand LodGe of oreGon is cLoseLy moniTorinG new measures and direcTives around miTiGaTion of The covid-19 noveL coronavirus ouTbreak. we wiLL conTinue To foLLow The experT advice of The worLd heaLTh orGanizaTion (who), The oreGon heaLTh auThoriTy, and The cenTers for disease conTroL (cdc) To ensure The safeTy of our masonic famiLy. wiTh This in mind, chanGes To The Grand masTer’s iTinerary may occur.

pLease visiT www.masonic-oreGon.com/caLendar for an up-To-daTe caLendar.

Kristen Steltenpohl, who has worked for and served Oregon Freemasonry

for the past five years as Administrative Assistant, is taking on a new role as editor of the Oregon Masonic News. Kristen will be working behind the scenes on the Oregon Masonic News newsletter to bring you the most relevant and up-

to-date information and looks forward to your future submissions. When Kristen is not at the Grand Lodge, she can be found teaching Jazzercise, creating one-of-a-kind cards, lounging by her pool, or spending time with her husband, son, and daughter.

Grand LodGe announcemenT!

meeT The new ediTor, Kristen!

Page 4 — September 2020

Let us Raise a Royal Arch

Eugene No. 11 is among the largest and most ac-tive Lodges in Oregon. Our members pride them-

selves in our Masonic events, fraternal energy, com-munity outreach and support, as well as our solemnity and execution of proper and moving initiation work. It has long been the opinion of many of the Brethren that our Lodge lacks the esthetic so cherished and im-portant to a Masonic Lodge. We have operated under visual mediocrity in a Lodge room that was meant to be temporary and did not meet its symbolic goals. The Lodge is a representation of that spiritual build-ing which we should all as Masons be erecting within ourselves, and should contain the symbols alluded to in the Ritual. These representations are of great im-portance to the Brethren, but more especially to the new candidates experiencing the Masonic Lodge for the first time. This should create lasting impressions as they journey through the Degrees of Masonry.

As Master for 2020, this notion was at the forefront of my mind, and the endeavor was to add to the beau-ty and symbolism of the Lodge. There could hardly be a more appropriate addition than the powerful image of the Masonic Royal Arch as the candidate's first focal point in the East of the Lodge. This symbol holds much significance both esthetically as well as to the mind of the contemplative Brother. Although it is viewed com-

monly as a fixture of the Royal Arch degrees of the York Rite, its presence in the Blue Lodge acts as an allusion and attraction to the higher degrees. The in-scription “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” is a condensed phrase which typifies the work of every Mason, that of perfecting our ashlars to be fit components of that house not made with hands eternal in the heavens!

During our last meeting in March, two days prior to the suspension of all Masonic gatherings due to CO-VID-19, our last order of business was the unanimous approval for building the Arch. The necessary compo-nents were ordered that evening, and Bro. Andre Cvi-tanich was tasked with the design and execution of the project. He set to work laying out the plans, with the assistance of our Secretary, W.B. Rich Maris, in order that the Arch would also include the necessary func-tionality for the Royal Arch degrees. Built during the pandemic shut down; on Sunday, July 5th, the proj-ect was completed. Fabricated by Bro. Cvitanich and painted and adorned with 23k gold leaf by myself. The Keystone is reversible having “TO” on one side and the standard “HTWSSTKS” on the other side. Along with this, a new Blazing Star was created to sit above the Master’s chair. With blue plexiglass lit by LED lights behind the G, the whole is visually mes-merizing! An image never to be forgotten by future candidates as their eyes are opened for the first time. A most crucial function of Freemasonry is to see that the candidate is impressed to their core by their initia-tions and the symbols of the Craft. Only then can we expect them to take on this great work, which must come from within the very depths of their souls.

~written by W.M. Terin Mueller ~submitted by W.M. Michael Robinson

September 2020 — Page 5

Masonic Dinner Prayer

Great Architect of the Universe we thank you for another opportunity to join together as members of the Masonic Family, and

guests.

We ask that you bless the Masonic principles that we live by, and hope that our efforts to

meet on the level and part on the square

can in some small way make the world a better place for everyone. We hope that the

concept of tolerance so important to the

Masonic way of life can be a guiding light to the world. We ask that you be with, and watch over those who can’t be with us

tonight,

and accompany us, and keep us all safe as we journey home this evening. Please watch over our troops who are in harms way far

from home and bring them back safe to their loved ones. We are grateful for our lodge leadership, and we ask that you guide them

as they lead us through out the Masonic year. We thank you for the generous bounty that you set before us here tonight,

as always,

and realize how truly blessed we are to live in the freest, and wealthiest nation in the world. We give thanks, and ask this in your

holy name.

Amen

~submitted as a dinner prayer by W.M. Jon Torbert of Rogue River No. 226

The Old Black Shoes~written by W.B. Dennis Roberts

The old black shoes are looking glumAs I pass the lobby door,“What’s wrong with you?” they seem to say,“We’re going out no more.We’ve taken not a single step,Not third or even first,And ne’er a sign we’ve seen you give,Has Masonry been cursed?”“It has”, I said, “by virus vile,We have to stay at homeUntil such time the plague has passed,Then once more we can roam.The Masons’ Halls are empty,Regalia put away,Gavels now stay silent,DCs hold no sway.Volumes of the Sacred LawOn pedestals redundant,Now Brethren all contact their friendsBy social posts abundant.No handshake, word or secret sign,No friendly Festive BoardNo Tyler’s song to say Goodnight,No organ’s well-loved chord.“Black shoes,” I said, “do not despair,Our Chain is firm and strongOur flag of love remains unfurledWe’ll sing again our song.And though some Brethren may have passedTo Grander Lodge Above,We’ll look upon their memoriesWith everlasting Love;And in their name, we’ll offer helpAnd soothe the burdened heart;We’ll comfort those who are distressed,Thus Masons play their part.And when this crisis is resolvedWe’ll sing the old refrain,Happy to Meet, Sorry to Part,Happy to meet again!

~submitted by W.M. Michael Early of Molalla Lodge No. 178

Page 6 — September 2020

Have you ever sat down and read some of the min-utes written by Lodge secretaries 40, 50 or even 60 years ago? Their penmanship was beautiful and their use of the English language was remarkable. Many could take the most "off colored" language and rewrite it so that it could be read in church. Sadly, those days are gone. Sadder yet is that some of those Lodge records are gone and lost forever because secretaries took their work home with them. Maybe they did that so that they could transcribe those Lodge minutes into that beautiful pen-manship. I don't know. What I do know is this: While it might seem inconsequential to some, sadly more than one Lodge has discovered, only too late, their Lodge Secretary "passed to that House not made with hands," and his widow, who knew little or nothing about Ma-sonry, cleaned out his desk and all those minutes and Lodge records ended up in landfills, lost forever.

In today's world of computers with spell check and such, this problem still exists. In fact, it could be even worse. Lodge Secretaries are using laptops that can be stolen, hard-drives that can crash and systems that can be compromised or hacked. The answer to this problem is to duplicate everything or back your records up on something as simple as a thumb drive. And let us not forget that hand written minutes are still as important today as they were in the past.

In June 2019, the Grand Jurisdiction of Oregon took another step to preserve Lodge history when it passed a Resolution encouraging the Lodges to appoint a His-torian. This Resolution requires the Worshipful Master to write at least one paragraph historically document-ing their past year as a Lodge, and is to be submitted to the Secretary at their last Stated Communication of the year. This document is then filed with the Lodge minutes, and a copy sent to the Grand Historian for the archives of our Grand Lodge.

We also took preservation one step further when M.W.B. Jim Morgan, who at that time was the Junior Grand Warden, was tasked with interviewing as many Past Grand Masters as possible. M.W.B Morgan created a list of questions, which revolved around their year as the Grand Master, and had them talk about their own path through Masonry. This proved to be most timely, as no less than three Past Grand Masters have laid down their working tools since this has occurred. How-ever, their words live on in these video interviews, saved for posterity.

Have you preserved your own Masonic history? Does your family know your wishes about having a Masonic funeral. Do they know where your lambskin apron is? Have you written this down? Had it not been for my family records, I would never have known. So I ask you, "What's in your Masonic past that needs to be record-ed?"

The future of Masonry is essentially unwritten. How-ever, one thing is for certain. Most of our candidates are going to be younger men. The underlying fact is that we need to find out what makes them "tick" and when we do, we must change in order to keep them. Oops! There's that nasty word "change"... It's hard to change. I've watched my father, a 40-year Mason and a Past Grand Master change. I remember the first time he saw my tattoo! Believe me, he was not a happy camper. Now, the same man, has two tattoos of is own!!! He's changed. It could be the medication he's on, or it might be his age, but he's changed.

We have to remember that our Masonic Lodges pro-vide the only path through a door by which any new candidate may become a Mason. While we need to be vigilant and watch the West Gate, we also need to get used to seeing tattoos, body piercings and the like. Let's not judge the book by its cover. If their background is checked and references found to be in order, we need to welcome them with open arms. We need to be the im-plement of change because change is coming. The only thing constant is change. We need to adapt to survive.

While my father's generation was one of being conser-vative, my generation was one of pushing the envelope, which I did. Today's crop of potential Masons seem to be looking for guidance. Many of life's lessons that used to be taught at home, in our schools, and even in our churches, are not being taught today. I look at today's young men coming into Masonry and they seem lost. They seem to be looking for something. Perhaps it has something to do with our four Cardinal virtues: temper-ance, fortitude, prudence and justice. We are seeing less and less of these virtues in today's society.

Whatever the reason, we need to be ready for these young candidates and re-double our efforts to know our rituals, re-learn our lessons and to inform them how Masonry has changed our lives and the lives of those around us. Most of all, we must meet these candidates on the level. After all, they are Masons. Masons of a lesser degree, but still our Brothers. Greet them with a firm handshake, which is the true token of Brotherly Love.

~submitted by W.B. Dan Bush, Grand Orator

Lodge Histories, continued from page three

September 2020 — Page 7

Newport No. 85

Due to the Executive Order No. 20-12 issued by Oregon Governor Kate Brown on March 23, 2020, Gateway Masonic

Lodge No. 175 was unable to hold our 60th Annual Warrenton High School Honor Student Banquet as scheduled for April 27, 2020. This order cancelled all public gatherings because of the COVID-19 virus pandemic impacting our world, nation, and state.

Warrenton High School Honorees’ for the 2019/20 school year, included (13) Freshmen, (11) Sophomores, (18) Juniors and (22) Seniors, for a total of 64 students. Each student was mailed their honor student certificates and those seniors receiving scholarships were notified by letter from the Gateway Masonic Lodge No. 175 A.F. & A.M. Inc. Scholarship committee chairman and Worshipful Master, Gilbert G. Gramson. The following students were awarded and received:

• $3,000 — Thomas Atwood, Darren Garnett, Kaisa Liljenwall and Isabella Morill

• $2,500 — Serena Moha, Mara Dowaliby, Kale Moss and Isabella Carr

• $2,000 — Robert Leitch, Austin Little, Aurora Mackey and Jacob Morrow

• $1,500 — McKenzie Ramsey, Natalie Duncan, Melia Kapua, Elizabeth Whitsett, Mark Warren and Anna Schenbeck

This year’s scholarships add up to $39,000 (x) four years and totaled $156,000 bringing our 17-year total to approximately $1.536 million dollars. The following one-time awards were also given from Gateway Lodge No. 175. The $500 Murl G. Peterson Outstanding Student Award was split between Kaisa Liljenwall and Isabella Morrill. The $250 Edwin L. Mowick Outstanding Student Award was given to Kale D. Moss.

~submitted by W.B. Ronald L. Atkins

WARRENTON HIGH SCHOOL 60th Honor Student Banquet

Newport Lodge No. 85 has continued to connect with the community

during this COVID era. Every spring, the Lodge invites high school seniors throughout Lincoln County to apply for an academic scholarship and 2020 was no exception. Traditionally, the Master and other Lodge members travel to each school where a graduating senior has been selected as a scholarship recipient and present a certificate. That was not possible this year, so certificates were mailed to the students, Rachael Turner of Waldport High School and Audrey Vanderhoff of Newport High School, and their respective principals notified.

In other news, this year we are proud to recognize three 50-year members of the Lodge: Brothers Stephen W. Allen, Raymond S. Jones, Jr., and Lyndol L. Pruett, as well as a 60-year member, Roger L. Brown.We fully anticipated presenting them with their jewels and certificates this past spring, but then COVID-19 struck with no promise of when conditions will improve. Per the Brothers’ requests, their jewels and certificates were mailed to their homes with our heart-felt gratitude for a combined 210 years of faithful service to the Craft.

~submitted by R.W.B. Mark C. Phillips

NEWS FROM OUR LODGES —

If you have Lodge stories of community involvement, events, etc. you are invited

to submit your articles and pictures to Kristen Steltenpohl at ks@masonic-oregon.com. Deadline: The 5th of the previous month (i.e., articles for June issue are due by May 5).

OMN

Want to submit an article?

Congratulations Honor Students of 2019-2020!

OREGON MASONIC NEWSThe Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of OR2150 Masonic WayForest Grove, OR 97116

Change service requested

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAIDSALEM OR

PERMIT NO. 526

Scan this QR Code for a quick link to the Grand Lodge website.

The Oregon Masonic News is published monthly (except July and August) by authority of the trustees of The Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon. Editors are the trustees of the Grand Lodge. Deadline for copy is the fifth of the month preceding the publication date. Example: May 5 for the June issue.High resolution photos, along with story submissions, may be sent electronically to the Grand Secretary. Photos should not be reduced in size. Printed photos are also acceptable. If you scan your own photos, they should be at least 300 dpi. Photocopies are NOT acceptable.The Oregon Masonic News is a publication of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon and unauthorized duplication is strictly forbidden. Proprietary rights to all articles published in the Oregon Masonic News are the sole property of the author and cannot be reproduced without express permission of the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of Oregon.“News of Lodges” is solicited. Rights are reserved to edit all submitted material, and views expressed in articles may not necessarily be the official position of the Grand Lodge nor an endorsement thereof. Non-members’ domestic-subscription rate is $5 per year. PLEASE NOTE: The mailing address is Oregon Masonic News, 2150 Masonic Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116. Phone: 503-357-3158; outside the Portland-area, 800-970-9920. Fax: 503-357-1815. Website: www.masonic-oregon.com. Email: rkomraus@masonic-oregon.com.

Oregon Masonic News

A New Publication - Coming Soon to YouSince its establishment almost 170 years ago, Oregon Freemasonry has promised to aid and support the wives, widows and orphans of the Brethren of our fraternal order. Our passion and commitment to that promise has never wavered. We are proud to share with you our successes in the 2019 Impact Report of Oregon Masonic charities. Thank you for your continued support. Together, there is no telling what we will achieve. JOIN OUR DONOR

COMMUNITY TODAY.WWW.MASONIC-OREGON.COM/DONATE

A New Publication - Coming Soon to You