The Fort Worth Scottish Rite Valley held its Fall 2016 Reunion on October 22, October 29 and November 5, 2016. The weather was great, the food was good, the facilities were well prepared and the Candidates were superb.
The new three-dimensional backdrops, props and costumes were spectacular; the timing for the degrees and stage management went very well. Our Reunion was kept on schedule through the efforts of all of our Reunion volunteers involved in the presentation of the degree work, diligently working together.
We always want to applaud our Fort Worth Assembly Number 15, Rainbow Girls for the great breakfasts they prepare and serve. Without their support our Reunion would be lacking. Thank you for all you do for our Scottish Rite Valley. All of the Rainbow Girls and their leadership are very, very much appreciated.
We also sincerely thank the Malvern Marks Chapter of the Order of DeMolay Team, who expertly presented their DeMolay Degree during our Reunion. These young men, future Candidates for Masonry and Scottish Rite Masonry alike, are very special and their lives and future will be a part of our legacy
Our Reunion is a time for personal and collective reflection. It provides a wonderful time to fellowship with brothers and friends, to reignite our past passion for the outstanding work Scottish Rite Masons do so well, to begin the education of our new Scottish Rite Candidates and Brothers in understanding the symbolic and esoteric significance of Scottish Rite Masonry and bolstering their knowledge of Blue Lodge Masonry.
As we all know so well, Scottish Rite Masonry strongly supports and is deeply involved in our Masonic Blue Lodges throughout the United States and more importantly within the boundaries of our Fort Worth Valley.
Just as Blue Lodge Masonry is the “Cornerstone” and primary “Building Block” of Masonry, likewise Scottish Rite Masonry is the “Pillar of Knowledge” often referred to as the “Masonic University” that continues our education beyond the “face of intellectual knowledge“, fulfilling the desire for “more light, in symbolic and esoteric understanding of Masonry”.
The Fall 2016 Class consisted of 27 members and represented 17 Lodges.
All of our outstanding Candidates stated their complete satisfaction and enjoyment of the degree presentations. It was stated our Degree Teams “players” appeared to be more than just volunteers, as they more resembled a “Troup of Thespian Professionals”.
A huge “Thank You” goes to all of our outstanding Scottish Rite Masons who supported our Fall Reunion, and to those who so diligently prepared and presented the degrees, managed the wardrobe requirements, provided the sound and video, and to all of the many appendant groups of volunteers shouldering the requirements that are so necessary and crucial to our Reunion success; “Thank You”, because of your involvement and support, our Reunion was once again a huge success!
The Fort Worth Scottish Rite Valley of Freemasonry performed the “capping” ceremony at the November 17, 2016 Stated Meeting.
We look forward to the continued fellowship with and the opportunity to assist our new Scottish Rite Masons as they begin their Scottish Rite education and development.
It is vital that we, as legacy Scottish Rite Masons, accept appropriate responsibility for the tutoring and support of our new brothers as they begin to increase in knowledge, seeking further “light” and needing individual support.
We are building leaders for our Scottish Rite Valley and for our Brethren in Blue Lodge Masonry. It is incumbent on each of us to “step-up” and “be counted” as they and we, begin their new brotherhood and fellowship “walk” within our Scottish Rite Valley.
We must always remember, and teach others; “He who seeks to lead, must first learn to serve”. We are all leaders and we must therefor serve our brethren as they have need.
We look forward to seeing you all at our stated meetings and we will see you in March for Spring Reunion 2017.
May God bless all of you, and may God Bless the United States of America.