“We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members”

Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic

Strategic PlanMission &VisionFind out where the Valley is heading

Lessons of Scottish Rite Duty & Labor?

Can You Have Retribution & Justice?

From the Board of Trustee’s Newest Office Staff Member In Memoriam

The New RiteEnhancing Inspiration, Convenience, & Enjoyment

Scottish Rite Core ValuesGuide to ImprovementSee if you live by them!

What’s in a Degree?Looking Deeper

Thoughts from the Sovereign Price

6 7 13

T h e R o y a l S e c r e t

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” ~ Albert Pike

The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.

~Thales

Scottish Rite Core ValuesGuide to Improvement

Since 2014

Red BordersThe Royal Secret

Valley of Grand RapidsAncient Accepted Scottish Rite

233 Fulton St EGrand Rapids, MI 49503

616.454.9497 www.grscottishrite.com

All Rights Reserved

No part may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care is taken, details are subject to change and the publisher can take no responsibility for omissions or errors.

Copyright 2014

5

7

10

14

16

What’s in a Degree?Looking deeper.

Strategic PlanMission & Vision.

Lessons of Scottish RiteDuty & Labor? Retribution & Justice?

The New RiteWhat is this new Rite?

RED BORDERSThe Royal Secret

AllegianceSupreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction

The Bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the Valley of Grand Rapids acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Thirty-Third and last Degree of Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of American whose Grand east is Lexington Massachusetts and of which the Illustrious john William McNaughton, 33rd is Sovereign Grand Commander.

Ill. John Wm. McNaughton, 33°Sovereign Grand Commander

Ill David R Bedwell, 33°Deputy for Michigan

Ill. William J. Dover 33°, MSAActive Member for Michigan

Ill. Walter F. Wheeler 33°Active Member for Michigan

Ill. Robert H. Sale, 33°, MSAActive Member Emeritus

Ill Erwin W. O’Dell, 33°, MSAActive Member Emeritus

Ill Gerald F Thorp, 33°, MSAActive Member Emeritus

GR Scottish Rite

5

Scottish RiteCore Values“By your values, ye shall be known.”

As the interim editor of The Royal Secret

I wanted to welcome you to a whole new

experience of Scottish Rite Freemasonry

in Michigan! When Illustrious Brother Dick

Burrows made the decision to retire as

editor of the 32nd Degree Masonic News it seemed only fitting that the legacy he created and maintained should rest only with him as a memento to his selfless service to the Valley

of Grand Rapids over the years. We hope

that with this new publication we will be able to live up to the caliber of excellence in publication that so many have admired.

From the EditorJoshua M Woodwyk

Core values of an organization must not be just slogans. The core values of an organization are really foundational. They form the base on which the members of that group stand, strive to work and conduct themselves.

Core values are the essence by which its members are known. Some values are such “steady currency” as Peter Buffett calls them that they are cherished and preserved by the members of the group, even society, government and politics may change; technology may alter even the most commonplace components of life; and history may unfold and fold with astounding pace. Core values are constant.

They are not descriptions of what men do; they describe how to be. Core values are not strategies or maneuvers to achieve selfish goals nor the tools by which to

get an advantage in business, relationships or life. They should guide men in making decisions, predominate in personal relationships, reveal humanity and show what it stands for.

Without question, sometimes it is a substantial personal challenge to stand, just and upright, on the platform of those values. Nevertheless, whatever the challenge to achieve and maintain those values, the attempt to reach such standards is still an eminently worthwhile goal.

Looking for a past issue? Check out our archives

at the site below. www.issuu.com/GRScottishRite

Reverence for GodJustice

TolerationDevotion to Country

ServiceIntegrity

Inspiration, Convenience, EnjoymentSp

es M

ea e

n D

eo E

st

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

6

Update from your Valley Board of Trustee’sJim White, 33rd Board of Trustee’s President

Gerry Millar joined the Valley of Grand

Rapids in February of 1978 and immediately began serving in the wardrobe department rising to the station of chairman in 1989. Along with his time in wardrobe Gerry continued to serve the Robinson Chapter of Rose Croix as an officer until he received a call to expand his services as the new Executive Secretary for the Valley of Grand Rapids in 1994.

“I never intended to make a career as Executive Secretary....I simply wanted to serve my Valley where they

needed me.”

This simple desire to serve Scottish Rite led Gerry to be recognized for his many years of dedication where he was awarded the

Thespian, Golden Spurs, and Loyal Service awards by his Brethren and later acknowledged by Supreme Council with the coronation of the 33rd degree on

September 21st, 1997.

On behalf of the Valley of Grand Rapids, thank you Gerry for your nearly twenty years of service to Scottish Rite Freemasonry.1966 - Raised as a Master

Mason

1978 - Joined the Valley of

Grand Rapids

1986 - Served as Worshipful

Master

1989 - Appointed as

chairman of wardrobe for the

Valley of Grand Rapids

1994 - Appointed Executive

Secretary of the Valley of

Grand Rapids

1997 - Received the 33rd

degree in Grand Rapids, MI

1999 - Elected as State

Mason of the Year

2006 - Appointed as Grand

Musician for the Grand Lodge

Illustrious Walt Wheeler, Active Member (Left) & former Executive Secretary,

Illustrious Gerry Millar (Right) at the state wide reunion in Marquette, MI.

Over the past several months there have been many changes to the Valley of Grand Rapids that have had a positive impact on our Valley. Our accounts are now balanced and all bills are paid in a timely fashion, we’ve successfully run our first reunion as a group of hard working volunteers, we have successfully negotiated the elimination of past debt to the MTA, we are moving forward to a meaningful/efficient

budget, the Bylaws have been updated to guard against future financial issues and we now have a new Mission Statement and Strategic Plan to guide us down the road ahead.

In the works are even stronger changes the Board and I believe will

Continued on page 6

GR Scottish Rite

7

Strategic Plan:Mission & VisionRobert P. Conley, 33rd, MSA

The Board of Trustee’s is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Illustrious Ted Praria, PGM, 33° as interim office secretary for the Valley of Grand Rapids.

Ted is a former Program Quality Manager of Vehicle Health and Data Management for GE Aviation Systems. While at GE, Ted Worked with clientele throughout the United States and Asia.

Within Freemasonry, Ted has been involved in numerous Masonic organizations including serving for eight years on the Board of General Purposes and another seven years as a Grand Lodge Officer and serving as Grand Master in 2009-2010.

In 2011 at the annual meeting of Supreme Council Ted was coronetted with the 33rd degree of Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

New Office Staff

The Valley of Grand Rapids began last summer to develop a Strategic Plan that would provide a road map for the Valley as it moves into the future. The Valley of Grand Rapids believes that the obstacles that it faces can be overcome and the Valley can move confidently into the future. Our Strategic Plan begins with the Mission of the Valley of Grand Rapids.

“The Valley of Grand Rapids is a place where Masons expand their circle of fraternal friendships, grow with new skills and gain Masonic knowledge while practicing the lessons of Freemasonry in everything we do.”

The mission of the Valley becomes its “North Star”, that thing by which we are guided. Everything we do, as a Valley is tested against our Mission – our North Star. If that which we contemplate fulfills the Mission, then we can move forward. If it does not, we need to reconsider whatever it is we are doing. By this method, personalities and politics are minimized or even removed entirely, from the decision making process.

Below the Mission in our planning process are the Strategic Objectives of the Valley. These components

Inspiration, Convenience, EnjoymentSp

es M

ea e

n D

eo E

st

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

8

Strategic PlanObjective One

Leadership and People

To operate a highly effective and efficient organization dedicated to the growth and support of our Valley, Clubs, Officers, Leaders,

and Members

Objective Two

Operational Efficiency

Provide our Members and Clubs with appropriate support, in a timely manner at reasonable and responsible costs

Objective Three

Members

Provide our Members with a positive growth experience that exceeds expectations, consistently delivers and supports relevant

programs and training

Objective Four

Financial Sustainability

Establish realistic budgets that provide services to our members, support to our clubs, and appropriate governance to the organiza-

tion. The Board of Trustees will develop initiatives that continue to increase revenue, manage expenses and develop long term

financial stability

Objective Five

Growth and Innovation

Providing relevant and up-to-date benefits, programs and prod-ucts to exceed our Members expectations

represent the methodology that will be utilized to obtain the Mission. The Valley of Grand Rapids has five Strategic Objectives.

Below each Strategic Objective are several goals, and under each goal are Action Plans to achieve the goal. As the goals are achieved, so too are the objectives and as the objective is accomplished, the mission of the Valley becomes real.

This Strategic Planning process is a work in progress and to make sure that the objectives and goals are achieved, a process by which progress is measured, responsible persons are identified and held accountable for the progress of the plan has been established.

This planning process has itself been extremely valuable, in that it allowed for different perspectives and ideas to come to the top, and it allowed the leadership of the Valley to determine who is best able to fulfill the many components of the plan.

If you would like to view the entire plan, please send a note to Jim White, 33rd Degree and ask for the Strategic Plan. He’ll be happy to send you a copy of the plan.

“The mission of the Valley becomes its ‘North Star’, that thing by which we are guided. Everything we do, as a Valley is tested against our Mission - Our North Star.”

GR Scottish Rite

9

Upcoming EventsMarch 28th & 29th - Leadership ConferenceLocation: Lexington, MA

March 28th - Valley Wide Fellowship EventLocation: “Cowboy Up” in Mendon

April 13th - Feast of the Pascal LambLocation: KCMC in Schoolcraft

April 28th - Grand Rapids Scottish Rite ClubLocation: TBD

May 2nd & 3rd - Spring ReunionHonoree: Kenneth D Chandler, MSA, 33°Location: Grand Rapids

May 21st - Double Eagle Club KalamazooLocation: Mangia Italian Restaurant, Oshtemo

June 7th - 70th Anniversary of D-DayLocation: LST-393, Miskegon

July 19th - Teddy Bear ScrambleLocation: Scott Lake Country Club, GR

Sep 19th & 20th - Membership ConferenceLocation: Chicago SR Cathedral

Sep 27th - Fall ReunionLocation: Grand Rapids

Ex-Officio Board Members

Robert A Klawieter TPMMarc H Halt SPJohn D Hill HP

Alistair R McNab MWMCurt D Ingersoll SW

Jon L Filliez CICJeffrey A Keehn 1st LtC

Continued from page 6

enhance your membership. Soon the new Brother to Brother program will commence which connects our entire membership on an annual basis to ensure that the Valley never misses an opportunity to assist a Brother in need or simply desiring a friendly voice and conversation. The Strategic Plan will be implemented and our members should begin to see a more efficient and transparent organization. An organization which is easier to communicate with and, if you’re willing, to become fully involved in.

We are all volunteers working hard at preserving the legacy of Scottish Rite and the Valley of Grand Rapids. Your ideas are always welcome and should you wish to participate in either ritual or the business of the Valley please consider contacting the Nominating Committee to explore available opportunities.

You, our members, are our strength and you need to know that we understand that and will work diligently to serve your needs as fellow 32nd degree Scottish Rite Masons.

Fraternally,

Jim White

“At Large” Board Members

Robert E CooperWilliam P DeBackDavid M Parsons

Kevin PerryJames A White

Mark A WhitmanJoshua M Woodwyk

Inspiration, Convenience, EnjoymentSp

es M

ea e

n D

eo E

st

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

10

What’s in a Degree?Looking deeper...Sovereign Prince of the Council Prince’s of Jerusalem, Marc Halt, takes us through the Council degree’s of the Scottish Rite

GR Scottish Rite

11

These two degrees are called ‘historical’ because they refer to events that actually took place. The contents

have been dramatized to make the stories more meaningful. While I believe both of the incidents making up these degrees are mentioned in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, the details are not. In fact, the Apocrypha, sometimes referred to as the ‘missing books’ of the Bible, does contain more details that form the basis for both of these degrees. Again, dramatic license actually fills in the dialog.

The 15th degree concerns the end of the Jewish captivity in Babylon, later part of Persia, and the desire of the Jews to return to Jerusalem. The Babylonians had been much less sympathetic to the Jews than the Persians, who, in turn, had conquered Babylon. The Jewish leader in captivity, Zerubbabel, pleads his case to King Cyrus, the Persian monarch, after the Jews had been in bondage for ‘10 weeks of years’ (70) and wins the king’s favor

by holding fast to his Masonic beliefs and avoiding all of the temptations presented to him to try to extract his Masonic ‘secrets’. These included money, thoughts of his beloved Rachel back home, and the holy vessels and Ark that had been confiscated from Solomon’s Temple before it was destroyed. Even though King Cyrus does not gain the Masonic instruction he desires, he realizes that Zerubbabel has the strength and determination to lead the Jews in their arduous trip back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple. King Cyrus grants the Jews their freedom and promises support for their return trip as well as supplies and money to rebuild the city and Temple once there.

The 16th degree concerns problems with the harassment of the Jews by those peoples surrounding Jerusalem and the lack of support from the Persian King Cambyses, who had succeeded King Cyrus, and who had stopped the Jewish rebuilding. The Jews had been back in Jerusalem for quite a while, but even with Cyrus’s help (before

Inspiration, Convenience, EnjoymentSp

es M

ea e

n D

eo E

st

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

12

Cambyses) they could not get much rebuilding done since they seemed to always be fighting off their unfriendly neighbors. King Darius comes to power after King Cambyses dies. He and Zerubbabel had been friends as youngsters back in Babylonia. The Jewish high priest, Joshua, convinces Zerubbabel to go to the new King Darius to ask for the help originally promised by King Cyrus. Once back in Persia, Zerubbabel proves to be wiser than any in King Darius’s court during a contest the King devises. As a reward, King Darius again resumes King

Cyrus’s support of the Jews and issues additional orders to be distributed to the surrounding peoples that they must stop the harassment and let the Jews finally rebuild the

city of Jerusalem and its Temple.

These two degrees are allegorical only. There is no ceremonial part to either one. Many (not all) other degrees

have an obligation taken during the degree itself. Neither of these does. There is a single, shared ‘cover’ obligation that is taken before seeing either degree, usually in the classroom by the new candidates. This suffices for whichever degree is seen first, and, as it is shared, need not be taken a second time before seeing the other degree, even at a subsequent reunion.

Solemn strikes the funeral chime!Notes of our departing time,As we journey here below,

On a pilgrimage of woe.

Brothers, now indulge a tear,For mortality is here!

See how wide her trophies wave,O’er the slumbers of the grave.

Here another guest we bring,Seraphs of celestial wing,

To our funeral altar come,Waft a friend and brother home.

Lord of all, below, above,Fill our hearts with Truth and Love.

As dissolves our earthly tie,Take us to Thy Lodge on High.

James M Bennett 2/13/2013Robert G Bennett 4/6/2013James T McKnight 10/7/2013William Goosmann, 33°11/14/2013Paul E. Neumann 7/3/2013James Ouye 3/29/2013Edward M Seabrook 3/4/2013Charles Peet 5/22/2013Dr. John R. Bruni 8/15/2012James T Mitteer 9/19/2012James H Poolman 8/1/2013Henry J. Weglarz 12/5/2012Ernest J Miller Jr. 7/21/2013William A Theesfeld 12/22/2012Henry A Haynes 1/8/2013Malcolm Cowan Jr. 4/8/2013Howard J Holt 3/23/2013Ken D. Chandler, 33° 7/27/2013James H Blauvelt, MSA 11/22/2013Wendell E Holmes 7/19/2013Glenn R. Vanderweele 7/3/2013David W Miller 1/13/2013

Gordon E. Erdmann 10/9/2013Douglas R. Parkinson 8/28/2012Charles Weldon 1/1/2011Charles F Dent 4/10/2008Lyle M. Newell 12/1/2012Frank D Rivers 3/18/2013Gerald L Clay2/1/2013 John H Paquin 3/7/2013Ernest B Edwards 2/22/2013Ronald Karn9/25/2001 Donald Sevick, 33° 10/17/2013Hubert Wade Jr 1/11/2013Gordon M. Grubaugh 9/12/2013Howard G Burgess 6/13/2013Dale Braden Lake 10/19/2012William F Alford 11/10/2013Samuel Hansen Jr. UnknownBenjamin Marion 11/1/2010C Douglas Berndt 2/13/2013Walter S Chrysler 11/20/2013Charles W. Martin 2/8/2013Frederick L Crandall Sr. 4/29/2012

Inspiration, Convenience, Enjoyment

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

14Sp

es M

ea i

n D

eo E

st

Duty & LaborWe share the sacred duty to labor for the souls of men. We must do more

than learn that this is our duty. It must go down into our hearts so deeply that neither the many demands on our efforts in the bloom of life nor the

trials that come with age can turn us from that purpose.

~Henry B. Eyring

I am a creature of God - to whom I owe everything; a Freemason, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a neighbor, and citizen. My duties are to God, Freemasonry, my Family, Humanity, and my Country.

When young, I defined myself by what I made and could acquire. With the wisdom of age and gaining humility and realizing it was not what we make or own that defined me, but my Duty that defines me as a creature of God.

Duty is that internal sense of an obligation owed - first, to Deity in recognizing that I owe all to my creator. I am a creature of Deity’s love and beneficence. From that basic and fundamental duty to God, I believe all other duties naturally follow - to endeavor to be a good, compassionate and honorable husband,

father, neighbor and citizen. The obligations of right conduct and example we owe to ourselves, our families, our country and humanity as a whole all are shaped by our Duty. Do always rise to every duty or does my conduct fall short - yes, regrettably it does, but the endeavor continues because our Duty demands it.

Labor is the means by which we accomplish our Duties. The physical and mental exertion or application of the force of will and effort, whether physical or mental to accomplish. Our Labor, our very life, should be guided by our sense of Duty.

Doing nothing and expecting a life of ease or luck to provide and accomplish is a waste of life’s golden opportunities and challenges. Sometimes even in the worst trials, sufferings, discontent,

Labor shapes our character, our perseverance, it serves as a beacon to others to hopefully set an example for their exertions in life. An instrument - unused rusts and ultimately breaks. We are instruments of our creator and we have a duty to labor and act.

With some amount of age, and hopefully wisdom, I came to the conclusion that Duty and Labor are wholly interconnected and far more important than material gain that Labor provide. Everything we do by way of exertion -- Labor is dictated in some form to the Duties we owe. We can only accomplish the duties we owe by labor or exertion. Our peace of mind comes not through success or victory, but engaging cheerfully the challenges of life. I am happiest when I am active and

Retribution & JusticeThe virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by

wisdom.

~Aristotle

Retribution and Justice are two words, which seem to be identical but are not: Retribution is something done or given to somebody as punishment or vengeance for something he or she has done or not done. Justice on the other hand is a concept of moral rightness based on ethics, rationality, law, natural law, religion, or equity. It is also the act of being just and/or fair.

Retribution is nothing more than the desire for revenge vengeance. It is the all-consuming desire to see punishment inflicted in return for a wrong. “Getting even”, “settling the score”, “retaliation” etc. are all words and phrases conveying the same idea. At the root of retribution is PUNISHMENT. Retribution is raw emotion and passion seeking only revenge. By its very nature it is unrestrained and unbalanced and subject to be misused or done in error without proportionality or circumspection. As such retribution can be misused, as badly is the purported underlying improper act.

Justice may certainly include punishment but is far more concerned with the upholding of applicable law and process of adjudication than “getting even”.

Although punishment in man’s world may contain an element of retribution is must necessary be balanced by other factors – including rehabilitation of the offender, deterrence to others in society, charity and mercy. Justice in our society must be balanced and retribution controlled.

GR Scottish Rite

15

ww

w.G

RScottish

Rite.com

Inspiration, Convenience, Enjoyment

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

16Sp

es M

ea i

n D

eo E

st

The New Rite

GR Scottish Rite

17

ww

w.G

RScottish

Rite.com

The New Rite. With the numerous changes that have been witnessed over the years in Scottish Rite a frequent question is “What is this new Rite?”

The answer, quite simply, is that there is no “new Rite”. What we have been experiencing is a form of a rebranding by emphasizing those traditional values that have been instilled on every Scottish Rite Mason.

Take a moment to look at the following “We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills

our Masonic obligation to care for our members.” this simple precept of Freemasonry is one of the backbones of what Scottish Rite Freemasonry is built upon.

This has never changed but simply became lost and buried amongst an abundance of obligations that we face daily with our careers, family, faith, and country.

As we become inundated with more information and experiences everyday we

One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.

~Walter bagehot

“We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our

Masonic obligation to care for our members.”

Inspiration, Convenience, Enjoyment

The Royal Secret • Issue 1

18Sp

es M

ea i

n D

eo E

st

begin to forget some of these simplistic, but powerful, lessons and to reignite that flame we must be open to rediscovering that meaning through a new viewpoint.

Through the use of these words we discover a powerful way to communicate and emphasize our greatest emotions and pride for Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

Through these words we breathe

new life into some of our deepest and most profound lessons within

the Rite. How we learned in the past and communicated in the past is no

longer the same today and will continue to change into the future. Only with this realization will we be ready and able to pass on one of the greatest traditions in the world to a new generation.

What is this new Rite? It is you, it is me, it is our future members.

How will you strive to move the Rite into the future?

GR Scottish Rite

19

ww

w.G

RScottish

Rite.com

“The Secret Symbolism of the

Cathedrals”Our Supreme Council continues to administer the Reserve Officers Training Corps and the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, Scottish Rite Award Program for deserving high school and College/University Students.

Scottish Rite Junior ROTC Program

This initiative recognizes high school youth enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) with an award for their scholastic excellence and demonstrated ideals of Americanism. The award consists of a medal and ribbon to be worn on the JROTC uniform and a certificate suitable for framing. Scottish Rite ROTC Program

This initiative recognizes second and third year cadets enrolled in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) who have an academic standing in the top 25 percent of their class and who encourage and demonstrate patriotism by deeds or conduct during participation in extracurricular activities or community projects. The recipient receives three recognitions: a certificate suitable for framing, a medal engraved with the Scottish Rite Double-headed Eagle, and ROTC Education and Americanism; and a ribbon which, like the medal can be worn with the ROTC uniform.

ROTC & JROTC

The Valley of Detroit is proud to present Brother Tim Hogan of East Denver Lodge No.160, A.F & A.M., for an evening of enlightening and inspirational Masonic education and fellowship.

The lecture will give insights on the medieval cathedrals of England and France and their relationship with Masonic history and symbolism. It will give some background on the seven liberal arts and sciences, sacred geometry, the importance of St. John the Baptist and Pythagoras, and how these elements came to be included in Masonic ritual. The lecture will also touch on the Qabbalah and hermetic symbolism, and possible connections with the Knights Templar.

This event is open to all Masons in good standing. The event is free of charge and reservations are required.

To make your reservation please call the Valley office at 877-320-6432