THE KANSAS MASON
April 2020
An electronic publication for Kansas Freemasons published by the Grand Lodge of Kansas A.F. & A.M.
Anthony W. “Tony” Borum, Grand Master of Masons 2020-2021
A Historic Timeline Our Constitution and By-laws define much of the business of Grand Lodge. Our decisions are weighed against the Landmarks and the strategic plan guides our programs and ideas. Our Annual Communications are time-tested in form and function, steeped in ceremony and tradition, and are adjusted by issues of the time. The Annual Communication is planned following rules described in our Constitution and By-laws. Still, we also must take into account the financial aspects, location/venue, anticipated attendance, current technology, etc. Also considered must be events that have been added over the years that are reflective of our philanthropic endeavors. The Kansas Masonic Foundation welcome reception, donor appreciation dinner, and the Fulfilling Our Obligation charity auction are now a staple it seems. This year’s 164th Annual Communication in Wichita promised to be well attended. Planning was nearly complete when we, the Council of Administration (COA), began seeing reports of a pending national health crisis. As the date of our annual Grand Lodge event was approaching, the COA was closely monitoring the actions of local, state, and federal authorities for any limitations to our anticipated large gathering. A contingency plan was being prepared if we should find that the health and safety of our members might be in jeopardy when the Sedgwick County government announced a public gatherings restriction of “No more than 250 persons allowed at any public gathering”. After careful consideration and foresight, the COA determined that an even more restrictive ordinance was imminent, and began changing planning requirements. Shortly after, a restriction of 50 persons or less was declared by the Governor of Kansas. On March 12th, eight days before the Annual Communication was to begin, Grand Master Dale Morrow, along with the COA and other advisers, met by conference call. The only item of business was the determination of whether to hold the Annual Communication due to the declared COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. A decision was made to cancel the meeting in Wichita altogether and plan for a reduced audience meeting at the Masonic Temple in Emporia. Planning began in earnest before the meeting was adjourned. The Annual Communication continued agenda was significantly reduced to reflect only the minimum constitutional requirements of required reports, elections, and installation of the 2020-21 Elected Grand Lodge Officers.
KansasMason.org
From the Grand East agenda was significantly reduced to reflect only the minimum constitutional requirements of required reports, elections, and installation of the 2020-21 Elected Grand Lodge Officers. Further preparation included taking precautions to protect the health of every participant and attendee.
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stations. By Proclamation, I have appointed all 2020-2021 subordinate Grand Lodge Officers, which includes Grand Lodge “line” officers, Area & District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Lecturers, and Assitant Grand Lecturers and all Grand Lodge committees. The complete listing of these officers is listed elsewhere in this issue.
On the evening of March 18th, two days before the moved Annual Communication, the Grand Master, When I was appointed Grand Senior Deacon in COA, and other advisers met again by conference March of 2016, I was advised to begin planning call. The only item then for becoming th This year’s 164 Annual Communication of business was the Grand Master of determination of Kansas. I will admit in Wichita promised to be well attended. whether to hold the that I did feel that the Annual Communication amid increased restrictions time to plan and train for the enormous by state and county officials. The pandemic responsibility was not urgent. After all, I had four appeared to be worsening and gathering limitations years to get ready, and I still would have to prove of ten or less seemed very likely. The question of myself worthy before the Craft could elect me as postponing the Annual Communication to an Grand Master (serving as Deputy Grand Master undetermined date in the future was asked of the first, of course) if they chose too. I took the advice voting members of the COA by Grand Master of the elected Grand Line officers and the Past Morrow. It was unanimously agreed upon to Grand Masters and began to plan accordingly. As postpone. When our Annual Communication was each subsequent Annual Communication came and delayed, so were our plans. went, with each election and advancement, I observed the leaders before me meet every Grand Master Morrow installed me as the 2020challenge and complete every project. When they 2021 Grand Master of Kansas Masons in a formal were installed as Grand Master, I watched as they ceremony at the Grand Lodge building in Topeka at performed their duties with poise and confidence. noon on Friday, March 20th. Also in attendance The road to the Grand East is paved with many were M∴W∴ Tracy Bloom, PGM & Grand responsibilities and challenges. It requires study, Secretary, who acted as Grand Marshal and M∴W∴ travel, leadership training, and planning. Each step Daren Kellerman, PGM & Public Information is measured and adjusted as the needs of the craft Officer, who recorded the ceremony. While this changes. The position of Grand Master of Kansas, three-person (plus one recording it) installation was truly, is that of servant leadership. performed in a solemn ceremony to satisfy the The Deputy Grand Master, along with his duties constitutional requirement of the transition of to the Craft and the Grand Master, must not only authority, we also took many precautions for our have a clear plan of his own but also be ready to health and welfare. proceed with the vision of the Craft as determined Until a proper election can be held, our 2019-2020 by our strategic plan. He must identify men he can elected officers will remain in their respective continued 2
From the Grand East appoint as officers that will assist in ceremonial duties as well as the business of providing support to our lodges and the Craft at large. Preparing our incoming Area and District Deputies for their leadership roles is an essential duty of the Deputy Grand Master and traditionally occurs on the first Saturday of February. Area and District Deputies are governed by our by-laws and direct representatives of the Grand Master. Even though many of the original plans I made may never be used, I am truly honored and humbled to be your Grand Master. My thoughts and regrets go to all who have been elevated into Grand Lodge leadership positions and will not be afforded the recognition through a traditional ceremony at a Grand Public Installation. I am thankful for the full support of every Kansas Mason. The willingness to obey the wishes of our Grand Lodge, along with those of our legal authorities, to do what is necessary to protect the health and welfare of every citizen is a credit to all Kansas Masons. I am also thankful for the leadership and courage of our Past Grand Master, Dale Morrow. We are making Kansas Masonic history. I pray that this crisis will end soon and we can get back to our normal lives, our Masonic meetings, events, making new Masons, and making the world a better place. We will hold our 164thAnnual communication and fulfill our responsibilities to our Craft. We will elect and install our Masonic leaders of tomorrow and beyond. We will be ambitious but sensitive to the needs of our lodges and our brethren who will need time to adjust. We will all need time and space to re-connect with our families, our jobs, and our faith. We will be stronger and united in everything we do, and we will be forever thankful
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to the Grand Architect of the Universe for all his good gifts and graces.
March 20, 2020 Waiting for the incoming Grand Master were his apron, gauntlets and hand sanitizer.
March 20, 2020 A sign of respect and a formal exchange of leadership from Grand Master Morrow to Grand Master Borum.
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Time Off or Time to Reboot? By Mikel Stoops, DSM, Grand Senior Warden
As we make our way through these uncertain times, we must keep in mind that we are not the first, and we will not be the last generations of Masons who have and will undergo situations like this. On numerous occasions throughout the history of Freemasonry, there have been times when physical meetings were not practical or even permissible. Be those due to war, political persecution, sickness, and so on, yet, through all, Masonry has endured. It is no secret to anyone that Masonry is not as “healthy” as it once was in Kansas or the United States. To me, the “health” of our Fraternity is not measured by how many members we have. Instead, it is measured by the quality of the experience our members are receiving in every interaction with their Lodges. Having 1,000 or 1,000,000 Masons in Kansas is not relevant until we stop losing members because we are not providing the best Masonic experience possible in every Lodge. This is the measure of “health” that is most important to me. So, we have choices Brothers. We can become stagnate during this time and let everything slide, with our Lodges becoming worse for it. We can do the bare minimum to come out of this time no better or worse than we went into it. Or, we can use this time to set our resolve, make plans, and implement those plans to come out of this better for having gone through these hardships. Our Lodges were once places of learning that taught philosophical, moral, and spiritual lessons to our initiates through the teachings, symbols, tools, and apprenticeship structure of the operative stonemason’s guilds. There were high-level intellectual discussions on topics relevant to Masonry and the other Arts and Sciences which we are told to study. Within the confines of our Lodges, Brothers discussed and learned from each other. The mundane business of the Lodge was
neither the focus of nor the reason for those meetings. Today that is simply not what we see in 99% of our Lodges. Lodges are no longer places of philosophical, moral, and spiritual learning with intelligent discussions on the Arts and Sciences. Instead, we fill our meetings with mundane discussions of minutes, bills, and who is going to clean the toilet, sweep the floor, and prepare the next cold-cut meal. This is not the Masonic experience we should settle for, and it is certainly not the experience the men coming into our Fraternity expect. Instead of viewing our current situation as downtime, let’s use this as a reboot and come back up offering the Masonic experience our lodges should have always been providing. If we do this, our Lodges will once again be places for learning philosophical, moral, and spiritual lessons and where we value and understand the importance of ritual, decorum, and intellect. We have choices Brothers, and I know which one I choose.
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Masonry: How Much is it Worth To You? By Jose Marrero, Jr., DSM, PM Hancock Lodge No. 311
As I write this article, it is important to clarify its intent. It is not meant as a discovery of the financial status or worth of Masonry to ourselves and our fraternity. Masonry is not measured as a monetary reward; it is a learning process and an enlightening of the moral and spiritual values that reside within us. We value many things in life, but to most of us, the true spiritual (individual) and community values are hidden. It is a discovery of these true values in Masonry that we must inculcate to our membership and the individual Brother. I separate the values in the above manner due to the fact that the value of Masonry to an individual is rarely at the same level as that of the overall membership. The individual value, or significance, of Masonry to a Brother is more of a personal level, while the value to the entire membership is more in relation to the community. Let us examine Masonry in this manner and exact out what it means to each one of us.
Individual Values I relate to Masonry in a level much more different way than a legacy Brother. I never had a Mason in my family as far as I know. Masonry, entirely on my part, began once I joined the military. As I moved from place to place, from base to base, and country to country, I started noticing many Masons abroad. I really can’t tell you much, except that I saw a brotherhood that begat good friends and displayed all the characteristics of a tight-knit group. This tight-knit group aroused my curiosity, and as 6
I got older, that curiosity grew. Once I exited the military and came to Fort Leavenworth, I noticed a good many acquaintances that had a common bond; that bond that only a great fraternity can bring out in the best of all men. So, to me, I found a brotherhood that I could relate to. This newly found brotherhood would extend or expand the one I had with my military brethren. Common goals were present, helping others as best as I could and a desire to become better in every possible facet of my life. Does this mean that I am the most perfect man because I am a Mason? No, not in any manner am I perfect, but it makes me feel that I am achieving some good. I learned that we get ZERO financial gain from Masonry, but instead can end up spending quite a bit. That we are here not to help ourselves to the best things in life but to help others that have not met. I understood that our bond doesn’t end with death, but that we must care and help those left behind to the best of our ability. I found a sense of fulfillment when we raise funds for those in need. When we contribute to causes that help educate others and provide better health to the masses. Many projects and new causes were revealed to me as I interacted in Masonry at different levels, whether at the Lodge, at the Grand Lodge, or in the community. My understanding as to what Masonry is worth has a direct relationship to all the friends I have met, the projects for the community and fellow men that I have been involved with, and the many things I hope to accomplish in the near future. It is my hope that when I depart from this world and everyone has forgotten me that the many things I have done will be remembered forever. That is what Masonry is worth to me. I continue to hope that I will continue to improve spiritually as well as a husband, friend, and Brother.
Community Values Since I became a Mason, I have witnessed and been part of many activities and functions that my Lodge has been involved with. The values and effort displayed by many Brothers are a reflection of the regard Masons have for the local community. These actions reflect the support for the community or assistance to specific groups that we endeavor to promote continuously. I have seen many brethren spend weekends helping set up PAIR Day, medical screenings, pancake breakfasts, allowing the use of our military/lodge building for private wedding ceremonies, as well as festive dinners in celebration of or honoring members of our local community. Most likely, all those things sound familiar to you other than PAIR Day. PAIR Day is one of those unique events that every community has. PAIR Day is our local event in which newcomers to our Fort Leavenworth community, military and civilian, can receive information on all the local activities in the nearby towns. This includes social, recreational, spiritual, and educational activities and organizations. Representatives from the medical, dental, and financial communities are on hand, and many merchants and participants choose to hand out flyers and coupons. This activity helps people, new to the area, to learn about what is offered by the businesses and local civic groups to make them better informed, and more so, welcome during their stay. Our Lodge is an integral part of this as we are a part of our community. The values of the Lodge displayed towards the community are built on the individual values of our brethren. Each one comes with a different upbringing, but altogether we have the same fundamental values that bring us together for the betterment of our community. The involvement of our families is another display of our values and services to the community as we
strive to make our families an integral part of Masonry. As Masons, we esteem and value our families and realize that families are the core of all communities. By the family involvement we display a sense of belonging. Masonic families are not without core values and principles. We obey the laws and the government in our communities. We help every time there is a need and we are capable of providing support and leadership. Therefore whether Masonry is worth it to you or not is always an individual or community decision based on our innate or learned values.
And the Value is? We are back to the principal question. So how much is Masonry worth to you? Since the financial rewards are not the issue, then what is it that makes Masonry valuable to you? Only YOU can answer the question. The main thing to remember is that when something has worth to us, we should make every effort to preserve it. I mentioned to you, the individual readers of this article, why Masonry is worth it to me from the narrow personal to the broader community scope. The goal my family and I have is to strive and participate in Masonry as much as we can using our collective values to determine the extent of our participation. I leave you with this thought, if Masonry is not worth anything to you, then why did you become a Mason?
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Community Care is the Roadmap Forward By B. Cole Presley, PGM, Grand Treasurer
About five years ago I found myself in a endeavors or new projects. One of our smaller conversation with Kansas Past Grand Master Allan lodges in the state, Justice Lodge No. 457, appealed Hulbert before a dedication ceremony. This to every Lodge in Kansas just prior to the Stay at particular conversation related Home Order coming into effect. This does not necessarily mean to Masons taking care of their That appeal sought to solicit just taking on huge endeavors or new communities and, as usual for $100 from each Lodge in the projects. this notable historian, he was state to fund three programs ready with an example of how our predecessors directed at law enforcement for leadership training, accomplished taking care of their communities. He critical incident stress care and, as always, ensuring noted several Lodges that were in cities that had that heroes who give the ultimate sacrifice are only just sprung into existence that had basic honored. This small step locally can have a huge societal and infrastructure needs and showed how impact statewide, and I encourage you to ask your the Brethren simply jumped in and got the job done. Lodge Secretary about the email sent to him about If schools were needed, they were built. If the this. government needed to be organized, they assisted Almost every community in Kansas has a food and participated. Simply put, they dug in and got pantry. A short phone call to determine their needs the work done. should result in less than 2 hours worth of work to When considering that most people don’t know help them succeed each week. Recreation who or what is a Kansas Mason, it would seem that commissions will be working to re-start summer a look back sheds some light on the current plight of programs soon and volunteers will be needed there our Fraternity. Now, in light of the pandemic and as well. There are so many other examples of how struggles in every one of our communities, is the we, as Masons, can roll up our sleeves in our town time for Brethren and their Lodges across this State that we wouldn’t have room to write it all. to step in, if not from the practical, then from the I almost forgot to mention that these few financial perspective…or even perhaps, both at the programs I have talked about can all be used in same time. This probably will read as strange given conjunction with the Kansas Masonic Foundation’s the Grand Treasurer is advocating spending. Matching Funds program. Many lodges in Kansas Instead, consider the viewpoint of making prudent seem to struggle to spend even a dollar on spending with measurable benefits towards the charitable purposes. When your lodge does make purpose of our fraternity began with. the decision, let the Foundation double your money In each and every community, food pantries will and the impact that Freemasonry will have on your need to be re-stocked, community-based events will chosen recipient. require new volunteers, our churches will need The point is that even though our Lodge Halls are servants, and even in some cases, our local closed, we can still do good work. We do not have governments will need new leaders. We have an to “open” to help our communities. We don’t have opportunity right now to practically apply those to spend a lot of money either. We simply have to lessons in the real world that we were taught as roll up our sleeves, replace our fancy aprons with candidates. That is a very exciting prospect indeed. gloves or boots, and get to work. This does not necessarily mean taking on huge 8
Laws. Who needs them? By Tracy Bloom, PGM, Grand Secretary
What an interesting time in which we live and, local lodge by-laws, but it is also the “laws of the although we are physically separated as Brothers, country in which we reside.” So, violating City, we have some incredible tools available to us that State, and Federal laws is also considered an may, perhaps, bridge that gap. I will be the first to admit that offense against the body of Obviously, the telephone comes to Masonry. Why do we do that? there are some laws on our mind, although not a new tool, it is Why do we restrict ourselves to live (Masonic) books that should a vital one indeed. We now have within the confines of “Laws”? be changed. at our disposal video conferencing Laws are the necessity of a and I know that many lodges are putting it to good civilized culture. If there were no laws to rule and use. Although a tyled lodge meeting by electronic govern ourselves and those around us, our world means is not permitted and would be considered an would fall into anarchy and chaos rapidly. offense against the body of Masonry, many lodges Furthermore, why do we spell it out in our Laws, are using it just to virtually associate together and Rules, and Regulations as Masons? Simply, to live talk about anything that would be normal and and grow as men and Masons, we must hold customary outside of a tyled lodge hall. For more ourselves and our brothers accountable for their information about lodge communication tools, every action, and that includes how we conduct options, and possibilities, please contact a member ourselves as it pertains to the laws. So why is this of the Council Of Administration or myself to such a big deal? After all, we can’t be expected to answer all of your questions. toe the line for every law on the books, can we? I mentioned in the previous paragraph, “an Well, brother, you took the same obligation I did, in offense against the body of Masonry.” I want to call which we swore that we would indeed do just that. to your attention by-law §5-104; “Offense Against Does that mean we, as Masons, are better than the Body of Masonry--Every Mason who shall anyone else? No! It simply means that we hold willfully violate any of the Ancient Landmarks or ourselves accountable for our own actions as men Charges of Freemasonry, or the Constitution or and our brother Masons. We are not better than Laws of the Grand Lodge, or the by-laws of the anyone else or a member of any other organization. Lodge to which he belongs, or the Laws of the We simply said, swore actually, that we would Country in which he resides, or disregard his follow the laws. When we don’t, we must hold obligations or the established usage's of the ourselves and our brothers accountable. Fraternity, or do any act which shall tend to impair I will be the first to admit that there are some laws the purity of the Institution of Freemasonry, shall be on our (Masonic) books that should be changed. guilty of an offense against the Body of Masonry For that, there is a process. The process starts within and shall be punished by reprimand, suspension, or our Constitution; Article XI, Section 7. Every expulsion, from all the rights and privileges of member of Grand Lodge is entitled to submit Masonry.” I mention this particular by-law because recommended changes to our Constitution and ByI think we forget sometimes, or in some cases, we Laws. Simply follow the procedure and, at our next plain think our regulations don’t apply to us as Annual Meeting (in 2021), the Craft will consider individuals. I would submit it is not only the Grand those changes you think would make our Laws and Lodge by-laws that apply to us as well as our own regulations better than they currently are. 9
*These 2019-2020 elected officers will continue to serve in their respective stations until an election can be held at the rescheduled 164th Annual Communication. The Deputy Grand Master position is vacant due to his being installed as Grand Master.
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A Pact to the Grave By Alex G. Powers, Director, Kansas Lodge of Research KSLOR.org
We have all presumably experienced the deep and binding Brotherly ties between Masons, especially those in which we interact closely within our everyday lives. There is an account of this in the founding history of Kansas Masonry that I ran across in the archives and found to be very powerful and touching between two influential Brothers, R∴W∴ John W. Smith who served as the first Deputy Grand Master of Kansas and R∴W∴ Daniel Vanderslice who served as the first Grand Junior Warden. The two men were influential in the formation of Smithton Lodge No. 1 which was originally called Smithfield Lodge, as well as early Kansas Masonry in general. We find that they made a very special and serious pact in the midst of the battlefield that they should be buried side by side whenever that day shall come. Brother Smith was the first to pass away and happened suddenly while walking down the street in Memphis Tennessee in 1877. He was 86 years old and had lived a very notable life by today’s standards. He had no known family remaining when he fell dead in the street but was noted to have been quickly identified as a Freemason by emblems upon his clothing. Owing to this distinction, prompt contact was made in which his final wishes were known and expressed. However, at the time they were unable to get Brother Smith’s body transported back to Kansas so arrangements were made to have temporary internment in a Masonic Cemetery there in Tennessee. A proper funeral with Masonic services was had to lower our dear Brother into
the ground. Smith served as an honorable Freemason for 62 years. It was just a year later that Smith was moved from Tennessee to his Kansas home and placed into his final resting place. It would be another twelve years before Brother Vanderslice passed away and was buried in his adjoining plot to seal their Brotherly pact, however, the Grand Lodge of Kansas made sure that R:.W:. Brother Smith received full Masonic honors as well in his Kansas burial. The Grand Lodge approved $100 towards a proper marker for the grave to honor these men. A beautiful and symbolic metal shaft was set in place in 1878, but over the next 48 years, the weather took a toll on the memorial. The Grand Lodge of Kansas, along with Smithton Lodge No. 1, came together in 1926 to replace the original memorial with the beautiful stone which stands there to this day. One side inscribed to honor Sir Knight John W. Smith and the other inscribed to honor Brother Daniel D. Vanderslice. If you ever happen to be in the area of Highland, located in the northeastern corner of Kansas, make sure to stop by and leave a token on the grave of these honorable Brethren while taking a moment to enjoy the beauty of this battlefield pact between two Kansas Masons that was sealed into history as they took their pact of Brotherly love to the grave.
Daniel Vanderslice
John Smith
1st Junior Warden of Kansas
1st Deputy Grand Master of Kansas
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What is this, an innovation? By Daren Kellerman, Kansas Mason editor (Pulse edition) Editor@KansasMason.org
For the past two years, we have debated in-house about the validity of an “e-only” edition of our Kansas Mason. While many of us loved the 40-plus page super high-quality publications several years ago, we quickly became disappointed when we found out that hardly anyone actually read the entire copy. As it turns out, no matter the page count, that fact seems always to hold true. In the past several years we have fluctuated between 8 to 16 printed pages which seems to work best from a managerial view. If you are reading this article, thank you! Every year finances are a topic of discussion at Grand Lodge. Membership numbers continue to decline and the cost of doing business does not. I can debate both sides of keeping the Grand Lodge building versus selling it, the number of staff needed on the payroll, and why my years of service isn’t on my dues card anymore. But there is one topic that has never really received any attention— the Kansas Mason. A blind eye seems to have always been turned to the Kansas Mason budget because, at some point, it was deemed “essential.” I think most of us look forward to getting our own personal copy of the Kansas Mason. We quietly wonder when the next edition will arrive in our mailbox, if it possibly got lost somewhere, or if our non-Mason mailperson is combing through it to discover the secret of Oak Island. Set by Grand Lodge by-law, $2 of our annual per capita tax is directly allocated to the Kansas Mason. (Article III §2-301). That $2 has been in place for a long time and has never changed even as the overall per capita tax increased. Trying to cut costs while publishing four issues a year becomes impossible. I won’t bore you with the actual costs, but printing and mailing four copies of the Kansas Mason to each one of us costs more than $2/year (or .50 an issue). 12
When the Publications Committee began the discussion in 2018 about cutting back or totally disbanding the “hard copy” Kansas Mason, you would have thought it had been suggested to a Grand Lecturer that we remove a comma from our ritual work. Previously unknown passions came out like children after candy at your local parade. The phrase most often heard has been a variation of, “I understand, but you can’t just not print the Kansas Mason.” I get it. Many of us like physically holding our reading material and then adding it to an ever-growing stack of old copies. The reality is that, through technology that has existed for decades, you have been able to print your own copy of every Kansas Mason since 2010 in your own home for many years. The cost of “mailing / delivery” was $0. In 2019 we quietly reduced the number of issues of the Kansas Mason. While we only heard negative feedback from three people, your editorial staff didn’t like it and we decided to bring back the tradition of quarterly issues of “The Voice of Kansas Masonry” in 2020. Keeping costs in mind as well as the passions of our brethren, it was decided to publish two physical hard copies of the Kansas Mason and at least two “e-only editions.” Do I ever see us going completely electronic? No. Do I see us going to one physical edition a year in the future? Yes, but not for a while. With the Grand Master’s suspension of all Masonic activity due to the COVID-19 situation, we may alter our timetable and publishing plans and publish a few more electronic versions, but August and February will be physically printed and mailed as we have done in the past. This may require more articles and input from everyone to make it happen but I look forward to the challenge of bringing you the pulse of Kansas Freemasonry.
