I hope this finds you enjoying a very Happy Easter/Passover with your families.
While on the subject of family, I must share with you a recent announcement from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Children under the age of 16 years are no longer permitted in the Masonic Temple, without prior notice. Our Valley, Lodges, and other Masonic bodies are still permitted to have family nights and other family events and young children will be welcomed provided notice of these events is given in advance to the Superintendent's Office. The Right Worshipful Grand Secretary will be issuing a letter to Secretaries regarding this announcement shortly.
Our Valley's Annual Meeting has always been a family welcome event, and will be this year as well. The Superintendent's office will receive notification of this.
As our Ladies are welcome at our Reunion evenings, we have had some Brethren who have brought their children and grandchildren along on those nights. That is no longer permitted, unless the young person is 16 or older.
Please understand that this is a Grand Lodge decision. The Valley of Philadelphia has always prided itself for being a family friendly organization and we will remain that way. Our Family Life Chairman and Committee will continue to plan events for you and your families to enjoy.
Our Spring Reunion is underway and we have 50 Candidates in the Class!
This large Class is due in part to the efforts of our Membership Committee. Our team have been visiting local Lodges and presenting a fun and interactive program promoting membership in the Scottish Rite.
One such program will occur on Thursday, April 11, 2013 when our Membership Team visits Fernwood Lodge No. 543 at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. If you are able, stop on in and support our guys!
We are proud of the work our Brothers are doing in sharing the Valley of Philadelphia and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite with local Brethren. Keep up the great work!
Our Spring Reunion will conclude on Friday, April 19, 2013. That evening our Sovereign Prince and the Officers of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem will preside.
The evening will begin with a buffet dinner in the Grand Banquet Room at 6:00 P.M. As always reservations are required. You can make your reservation by calling 215-563-1814, by email to phila.aasr@juno.com, or by clicking 'Going' on the Valley's Facebook group page.
The meeting will open at 7:30 P.M. in Gothic Hall. At that time the 19th Degree, Brothers of Trail, which is a new ritual, will be presented for the very first time in the Valley of Philadelphia. Yes, this is an official Scottish Rite Passport ALERT! The Commander-in-Chief and the Officers of Benjamin Franklin Consistory will close out the evening with the conferral of the 32nd Degree, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret.
While we are meeting, the Ladies Auxiliary will hold their annual Flea Market to benefit the Children's Dyslexia Center of Philadelphia. Ladies and Brethren are asked to donate items for sale at the market. Items should be pre-priced, but as always, bartering is encouraged.
Our Most Wise Master and the Officers of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, welcome all Valley Members and their families to attend the Valley's Annual Memorial Service, on Sunday, April 28, 2013.
The Service which is open to all faiths, will again be held at Gloria Dei (Old Swede's) Church, Columbus Blvd & Christian Streets in South Philadelphia. This historic Church is a wonderful location for us to hold this Service which will memorialize our Valley Brethren lost over the past year.
The Service begins at 3:00 P.M. and all Valley members and their families are welcome to attend. Following the Service there will be a complimentary dinner served in the Church's Social Hall. Reservations are a MUST for the dinner. Reservations can be made by calling 215-563-1814, by email to phila.aasr@juno.com, or by clicking 'Going' on the Annual Memorial Service event page through the Valley's Facebook group. Please note that if you do not have a reservation, we cannot and will not guarantee you a meal.
We hope to see you and your family there!
Our Membership Team will be visiting Widener-Apollo-Kensington Lodge No. 211 on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at the Masonic Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue in Tacony. Again if you are able, stop by and support our Brethren, as they begin laying the foundation of our Fall 2013 Class.
All Valley Officers, Committee Members and ANY Valley Brother interested in getting more active and involved are expected and encouraged to attend our Annual Officer's Training Conference on Saturday, May 11th at Tacony Masonic Temple.
The day begins at 7:30 A.M. with a Continental Breakfast and fellowship. The Conference begins at 8:30 A.M. and will cover many topics which will benefit those who seek to further themselves in service to the Scottish Rite. The Conference will conclude at noon at which time lunch will be served.
Again, Valley Officers and Committee Members are expected, but any Valley Member is welcome. We have been told that our Valley conference is one of the best in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. This training is worth your time! If you wish to go, please call 215-563-1814, email phila.aasr@juno.com, or click 'Going' on the Annual Officers Conference event page on the Valley's Facebook group.
Our 2013 Scottish Rite year closes out at our Annual Meeting on Friday, May 17, 2013 at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.
That evening we will elect and install a new officers in all four of the Bodies of the Valley of Philadelphia, two At-Large Members of the Executive Committee, and a Trustee, as well as recognize our immediate Past Presiding Officers, and our 50-year Members.
As I said before this event is Family Friendly.
The evening will begin with a buffet dinner in the Grand Banquet Hall at 6:00 P.M. Reservations are required.
I've heard a number of members complain that I no longer do the email, "Valley Update." This is true, I don't do that any more as this blog has replaced the need for that email. I found that many of our email addresses had become obsolete and rather send the message out to a dwindling list, this blog can reach a bigger audience and have more of an impact. But, I have heard from some that say, 'they don't blog or use Facebook.' While I understand the Facebook fears that some have, I have found social media to be very useful and have made use of it. Our Valley's Facebook group for instance allows me to keep our members updated, literally up to the second on all that is going on in our Valley. This technology has saved the Valley a considerable amount of money in postage, as I no longer have to mail flyers for events to such a large group. We still have a few that receive mailings but our numbers of electronic RSVPs is increasing.
Technology changes daily, and the Valley of Philadelphia will continue to evolve with it. For those Brethren that miss the email update, click on over here and read the blog. You don't have to sign up for anything. It's just like visiting any other site on the web. For those of you reading the blog, when you hear a Brother bemoan not receiving the email anymore, please tell him about the blog. Thanks!
Again, I wish you and your families a very Happy Easter/Passover.
Until the next edition, I pray the Grand Architect continues to watch over each of you and your families.
Sincere fraternal regards,
Steven Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary
