I have to start this update by again asking you all to keep our Valley Brother, Andrew Dobson in your thoughts and prayers.
Bro. Andy is now in Neighborhood Hospice of Chester County Hospital, 400 Marshall Street, West Chester, PA. He is in Room No. 2403 and he has his cell phone if you wish to call him. Visitors are welcome, but you should plan to stay no longer than 15 as he gets tired very easy.
May the Grand Architect hear our prayers. Amen.
Supreme Council has announced a new benefit for Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite Masons and that is that they've teamed up with Alerus Financial to offer an exclusive IRA product for Scottish Rite members and their families.
Features of this product include;
Professionally managed Asset Allocation Models through Alerus Investment Advisors.
Access to low cost, no load, Institutional Share Class Mutual Funds from top Mutual Fund companies.
24/7 Online Account Access with no trading fees or sales loads.
Educational tools, newsletters, Dedicated Service Team and Financial Professionals.
Alerus Financial is a 12 billion dollar Financial Company with roots dating back to 1879.
You're invited to learn more about this exciting new member benefit, for your IRA rollover assets.
Start your rollover process at alerus.com/supremecouncil or call Alerus toll free at 800-433-1685 x6074.
By now you have or should have received your bill for your 2015 Scottish Rite Dues. For those that have already paid them, thank you for your prompt payment and more especially your continued support of our Valley.
Now, to review, you have received the bill for your 2015 Dues. Our Valley year starts on August 1st and ends on July 31st. Unlike in the past you did not receive a dues card with your bill as in February of 2012 the Supreme Council sent you and all NMJ Brethren a permanent Dues Card. If you did not receive one or lost yours, let me know I will happily order you another.
The word ASSESSMENT on your dues bill is not some diabolical conspiracy! It is simply your dues to the Supreme Council. Much like your Lodge must pay dues for you to the Grand Lodge, the Valley must pay dues to the Supreme Council as well. If you do not pay the $27 assessment/dues and pay only the $60 Valley Dues, YOU WILL BE SUSPENDED.
When I had the dues bills run we had an alarming number of Brethren that had not yet paid their 2014 Dues. They're now looking at bill for $174. If you are one of those Brethren and find that you cannot afford to pay that at one time, feel free to pay $87 now and $87 again next month. Just a suggestion. If the $87 dues are an issue and you sincerely wish to retain your Valley membership, give me a call, we can work out a plan to help you remain a member.
As I'm typing this the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Ill. Robert J. Bateman, 33, just walked into the Scottish Rite Office to pay his dues. Thank you Grand Master!
This Friday is Independence Day. I saw on the news the other day that in a recent poll a very surprising 60% of the folks polled claimed that they are not proud to be an American! Yes, that is sad news to hear. Personally, no matter how you may feel about the state of our government, our taxes, gas prices, or whatever, I believe, we live in the greatest nation in the world. Don't believe me? Take a trip outside her, and I don't mean to some beach resort in the islands. While in the service, I visited some "third world" locales and without going into detail, I will tell you this, at the end of that deployment, when I set foot on the pier the very first thing I did was hit my knees and kiss the ground. I know that sounds corny, but I did it. We are truly blessed to be Americans and we should all appreciate that. I know I'm preaching to the choir, but sometimes you just have to put it out there.
Have a safe holiday weekend everyone. Don't forget Bro. Andy. God Bless him, you, your families, our Troops, our Brethren, this wonderful fraternity, and the USA.
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