Arizona Masonry Contents Most Worshipful Grand Master ............................. 3 The message of the 2019-2020 Grand Master’s pin ..... 3
Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful ................. 4 Traveling Man ............................................................... 4
Senior Grand Warden Right Worshipful ................. 5 Brethren, I bring you warm Fraternal greetings from the Grand West!............................................................ 5
Junior Grand Warden Right Worshipful ................. 6 American Education Week ............................................ 6
Senior Grand Deacon Worshipful Brother .............. 7 Balance .......................................................................... 7
Junior Grand Deacon Worshipful Brother .............. 8 Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle ..................................... 8
Senior Grand Steward Worshipful Brother ............. 9 Thoughts on Rules of Civility and BL, R, & T .................. 9
Junior Grand Steward Worshipful Brother ........... 10 Perfection …. Or Improvement? ................................. 10
Editor in Chief Gregory A. Vasquez, Most Worshipful Grand Master
Managing Editor Bryon P. Howe, Grand Editor Arizona Masonry is an official publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons or Arizona. Unless otherwise noted, articles in this publication express only the private opinion or assertions of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Grand Lodge. The jurisdiction speaks only through the Grand Master and the Grand Lodge Trustees when attested to as official in writing by the Grand Secretary. The Editorial staff invites the contributions in the form of informative articles, reports, news and other timely information (Of about 350 to 800 words in length) that is broadly related to general Masonry. When possible, photographs or graphics that support the submission are appreciated. Pieces submitted become the property of the Grand Lodge, F. & A.M. of Arizona. No compensation is permitted for any article, photograph, or other submitted for publication. Permission to reprint articles is automatically granted to recognized Masonic publication with proper credit given. Please direct all articles and correspondence to:
Front Cover Image By: WB Tony Hernandez PM #58
Bryon P. Howe 14247 North 25th Avenue Phoenix Arizona 85023 bryon.howe@gmail.com For submissions for the next issue of Arizona Masonry or The Copper Post please contact bryon.howe@gmail.com
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Arizona Masonry Most Worshipful Grand Master Gregory A. Vasquez The message of the 2019-2020 Grand Master’s pin This year’s theme is “Back to Basics” and alludes to the need for us to think about what brought us to Freemasonry in the first place and what keeps us involved in our Lodges, in the degrees, with our Brothers, and involved as mentors to our youngest members. It is meant to make us think about how we are representing Freemasonry in our daily lives. In support of the “Back to Basics” theme I would like to expand the explanation of this year’s Grand Master’s pin. First, we see the outline of the state of Arizona and the sun’s rays and blue color of the state flag- emblematic of the Grand Lodge of Arizona. The outline of our state is hollow so we can see through it to Master Mason wearing the pin. Second, we see the Square and Compasses and the letter “G” over Arizona Freemasonry representing a belief in a higher power, ruling and guiding our actions and our lives. Next, we notice the Sun and the Moon, which when we think about our First Degree, our Masonic foundation or cornerstone, we remember the words, …”as the sun rules the day and the moon governs the night so should the Master of the Lodge rule and govern his Lodge…” As Masons we have but one Lodge to rule and govern and that is the “Lodge” that is our “faithful breast…”, our heart, our being. Third, we notice the “All Seeing Eye” at the apex or hinge of the Compasses. The intention here is to remind us that if the Compasses are a tool to be use to “…circumscribe our passions…” then only the Deity can aid and assist us in doing just that. Then there is the arc or the beginnings of circle or “…the due bounds within which we are to keep our desires and passions towards all mankind …” What I have written here was my intention when I designed my Grand Master’s pin. I hope this pin is worn for years to come as a reminder that we are Master Masons and as a reminder of what we are to do with the “Light” we are constantly receiving. Sincerely and Respectfully.
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Arizona Masonry Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Boyd Robertson Traveling Man As I have traveled around the state making my official visits to the Lodges of Arizona I have come to really appreciate all that this wonderful state that we live in has to offer. And I have truly met some amazing men that are a part of our Fraternity. I still have 4 Lodges left to visit, but by the end of the year I will have visited all 60 Lodges in Arizona. Just think about the opportunity of these travels. Just in meeting officers alone that means I have met 720 Brothers. And that does not include any other Brothers in attendance at the stated meetings or visitors from out of state. I have gotten to learn a little bit of the history of these Lodges and I can tell you that some of them have truly amazing stories and buildings. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend that you take the time to visit your Brothers from other Lodges! As for travel outside of the state, I have only been to one meeting in Texas while visiting family there. They certainly do things differently in Texas, they are one of the states that is AF&AM. But my welcome from these Brothers was exceptional. And a few tales were told as well. In my personal travels with Judy since becoming a Mason I have had the opportunity to see the Grand Lodge buildings in Texas, New York, Washington State, Scotland and Ireland. We did not get to see the one in London because the area was blocked of for filming a movie or TV show. I was not happy about not getting to see it, but it ended up being a fun story. We were walking towards the area on some back streets that were not blocked off and suddenly we were in the middle of a bunch of people in strange period costumes! Security asked us what we were doing there, and I said trying to get to the GL building and they said the whole area was closed off so how did we get in? I told them the street that we walked in on and apparently, they didn’t think to close that one off. What are the odds? Anyways they politely escorted us out of the area and sent us on our way! Probably thinking crazy Americans. I also have had the opportunity to visit with Brothers from England, Australia and Europe at a social gathering in the middle of the Mediterranean. I have also had the opportunity to visit Grand Communications in New Mexico, Montana and Nevada. I have met some wonderful Brothers from these states as well. Let me tell you Brothers, we are all in the same boat and have the same issues and concerns for the craft. No one has yet found the magic cure for what ails us, but we are all working towards the same goals. Keeping the Fraternity viable and moving forward. We all just need to continue to work to improve ourselves and the Fraternity. So I would like to say thank you all for the opportunity you have given me to travel the state and other jurisdictions by honoring me with serving as a Grand Lodge officer. I can definitely say that if I was not an officer I would not have yet, or possibly ever, visited all of these wonderful Lodges. In closing I want to ask you all to take the time to travel and visit your Brothers around the state. And make sure you take some back roads if you have the opportunity to do so.
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Arizona Masonry Senior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Randy Jager Brethren, I bring you warm Fraternal greetings from the Grand West! Busy, busy, busy. Fall is truly a busy time of year for our beloved Fraternity. As the Lodges and subordinate bodies that went dark for the Summer months spring back into full swing and the rush for proficiencies kicks into overdrive, all too often it is difficult to prioritize the tasks on our plate and match them with the time available on our schedule. And when it comes to special events…it often seems like there is no time at all to schedule something new without overlapping with a pre-existing event. I often think how nice it would be having the ability to simply snap my fingers and be at the event I am thinking about. However, I always talk myself out of this advantage by considering the possibility of appearing at the event in a closet, on top of a table, or even worse where someone else is standing! Our Masonic lesson of “controlling our passions” is particularly useful here. It is also true what they say, “patience is a virtue.” There are many scriptures in the Bible relating to patience, but the specific quote “patience is a virtue” comes from a poem written by William Langland in the 1360s and is titled “Piers Plowman.” In the Bible, Galations 5:22 lists patience as one of the attributes we must embrace in order to have the “fruit of the Spirit.” And this, in my interpretation is just one part of the LIGHT acronym I introduced to you in my last article: (L)iving (I)n (G)race, (H)onor, (T)ruth. Having patience is just one part of Living In…Grace. I believe for us to live in grace, we must be trying to live within the rules of life that the Great Creator has ordained for us. I also believe that this is something we will probably never be able to reach, but rather something that we must continually work on. I certainly know that it is something that I personally struggle with minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, and day-byday. I faulter constantly, but I try to re-center myself and get back on track. I count on my closest companions and Brothers to help me recognize when I am off track, by whispering good counsel in my ear. There are times when they need to slap me in the back of the head to get my attention first, but then they whisper… Novelist William Hazlitt writes about both patience and grace: I am trusting and patient I am calm I understand that everything is happening perfectly I have faith Gracefulness has been defined to be the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul. Now, I think I know what some of you are thinking as you read this…everything is happening perfectly!? I also struggled with this reference, but I interpret this to mean that there is only so much we can personally control when something is happening. Mainly, we can only control how we react to it. So, is it possible to live in Grace, with the world in so much chaos around us? I believe that there has never been a better or more important time for us to double our efforts. Our daily struggle to live in Grace should be part of the equation that leads others to notice that we are men of distinction. We cannot change the world, but we can work on changing ourselves and those around us…which is where change starts. I look forward to seeing you all in Lodge very soon! 5 Arizona Masonry—A Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Arizona Publication www.AzMasons.org
Arizona Masonry Junior Grand Warden Right Worshipful Jim H. Baker American Education Week The week of November 18 through 22, 2019 will be upon us soon and we as Masons should be aware of the significance of this week in American history. In 1919 immediately following WWI the National Education Association and the newly formed American Legion combined efforts to address a pressing need that was revealed during the buildup of troops for combat in WWI. Twenty five percent of the draftees were illiterate and seven percent unfit for service. This presented a serious problem training the draftees for service in a very short amount of time. Both the American Legion and the National Education Association during their National Conventions in 1919 passed resolutions to address the need for educational awareness and opportunities for all. The first American Education Week observance was held in December of 1920 and has evolved and grown through the years to be observed the week prior to Thanksgiving each year. The Masonic significance of this week is in the access of information and availability and opportunity for all people to further their education and explore new ideas and share those ideas with others without fear of retribution from the authorities in power. I believe this desire to explore and share ideas was one of the leading factors of the formation of Modern Freemasonry 300 years ago. One of our responsibilities as Masons is to devote a portion of each day to exercise the heart, mind and body. When these vital parts of Man are left idle, we decay and eventually die. Brothers let us strive to keep active and improve ourselves through education both as students and teachers. I hope all our Lodges will observe the spirit of MWGM Greg Vasquez’s Edict No. 2019-03 by supporting and recognizing our Local Public Schools and the invaluable service they provide to the students in our communities.
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Arizona Masonry Senior Grand Deacon Worshipful Brother George R Rusk Balance Part Two of a four-part series designed to help individuals and Lodges manage themselves to be prosperous and healthy. What is your passion? So, you have found your balance and you are ready to devote a portion of your time to become a better person and a better Lodge member. I applaud you. This decision has not been easy, and you must have the support of your immediate family before this can have a positive effect on your life. Now you must find a job in the Lodge that interests you. It is not unusual for many of us to be quiet, sit back, listen and watch as we learn the mechanics of the Lodge. This is a way to find that activity that draws our interest that may match our current skills or is something new we want to try or learn about. The main Lodge activities I will focus on today are; ritual, committees, and Lodge officer. Ritual is an important aspect of our initiation ceremonies. It sets us apart from all other fraternal organizations. It adds an element of education in symbology and allegories representing our beliefs. It is through ritual that we open and close our Lodge and perform business. It is not memorization, but drama and theater performed to attract attention and establish purpose. It is not necessary that all ritual be performed by the officers of the Lodge. In fact, when sideliners join in and perform a part it adds another dimension to the ceremony. Find a part you like or ask the Lodge for a part needed and begin learning the words and feelings associated with the ritual. Remember it takes time and work to learn the words, understand them and develop the hand or floorwork required to perform the ritual. Practice or rehearsal is vital to learn how to work with the other parts or the ritual. Ritual work does not have a shortcut; it must be done over and over. Anyone can do it. We remember how to drive our car, operate a computer, so too in time we can remember ritual. When performing, listen to the other lines for queues. Coordinate movement with your lines to help remember. Don’t break character when you forget a line, with help from the other performers you will get back on track. If you are not interested in ritual work, look for a committee that you can contribute assistance to. There are many available, some Lodges have more than others. The basic ones are; membership, education, sickness and health, widows and orphans, fundraisers/charity, public relations, youth, and funeral services. These are just a few that may be in operation, contact your mentor or the Lodge secretary to find the one that best suits your skills or experiences or that you would be interested in learning more about. It is through the work of the committees that a Lodge maintains its principles and keeps the welfare of the Lodge healthy. Finally, you may aspire to join the officers of the Lodge or are willing to fill a spot while you consider your options. The success of a Lodge depends on its members participating. The amount of that participation may be large or small, I think it is important that all members contribute some. As a team, together everyone accomplishes more. A newly raised master mason once asked a past master of his Lodge what he thought the new mason should do to help the Lodge succeed. “The best thing you can do for our Lodge is to become Worshipful Master” the past master replied. So true, so true. 7 Arizona Masonry—A Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Arizona Publication www.AzMasons.org
Arizona Masonry Junior Grand Deacon Worshipful Brother Michael A Dale Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle Have you ever had an Entered Apprentice or a young Master Mason for that matter ask you a question about the apron lecture? In the lecture, we hear that the lambskin is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle. “How ancient is the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle?” Ancient being the operative word. The story of the Golden Fleece takes us back to ancient Greece to the third century BC. Here we find an epic poem that tells the myth of the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts to retrieve the Golden Fleece from a remote island called Colchis. This poem is a classic hero’s quest – a sort of ancient Greek mission impossible where Jason embarks on a sea voyage into an unknown land. He is in search of a magical Ram’s fleece, which he has to find in order to reclaim his father’s kingdom. Historians indicate that the Romans adopted the eagle in the third and second centuries B.C. The eagle first appeared on their banners because it signified magnanimity and fortitude, also known as swiftness and courage. Later the eagle became the symbol of the Roman legion. The Roman standard was a striking visual aspect. Tall poles with the symbol of the eagle at the head of the legion for all to see. You can see from the previous paragraphs that these two symbols have been in use since ancient times. Is the lambskin apron more ancient than these two symbols? History tells us that the apron has come down to us from the very dawn of time. The Hebrew profits wore aprons. The ancient mysteries of India and Egypt, the early Chinese secret societies, the Incas of Peru, the Aztecs of Mexico and the prehistoric races of the American continent have all used the apron. As a badge of antiquity, the apron represents the greatness and glory of the past. As a badge of honor, the Lambskin Apron spells out integrity, honesty of purpose, uprightness of character, and soundness of moral principle. Truly, the lambskin apron is greater and nobler an emblem of strength, courage and power than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle. So, wear your lambskin apron with pleasure to yourself and with honor to the Fraternity.
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Arizona Masonry Senior Grand Steward Worshipful Brother Leigh Creighton Thoughts on Rules of Civility and BL, R, & T In this quarterly submission I would like to present for thought a couple different sources. First is some excerpts from George Washington’s Rules of Civility. This little booklet is found everywhere in Masonry and has been provided by The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. I was fortunate to go to Washington DC last July with the Grand Master and a great group of Brothers and family members – what a great trip! And we were fortunate to visit the Memorial and even open the Grand Lodge of Arizona in one of the Lodge rooms there. The point of this essay though is to focus on rules # 56, 89 and 110. In the introduction to the booklet it is explained that Brother George did not come up with these rules but instead copied them from Francis Hawkins’ 1661 book, Youth’s Behavior, Or, Decencie in Conversation Among Men, perhaps as an exercise in penmanship. However, they are still useful to us in today’s world. Rule #56 states “Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad Company”. The similarity here to what we propound to new Brothers in the various ballot box lectures is fairly obvious. “Speak not evil of the absent, for it is unjust” is # 89. Again, there is an obvious correlation here with a part of the 3 rd degree obligation which I will not expound on here. Suffice it to say this admonition applies not only to Masonry but also to our family and civil relationships. Certainly, in today’s political world adherence to this approach would elevate the dialogue of all concerned. Finally, #110 “Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience” is germane to us today. How poetic this is and causes my mind to reflect on the use of the common gavel by which we are taught to divest our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life. The other source I will present is within our ritual as well. This is the concept of the most important tenets of Freemasonry, i.e. Brother Love, Relief and Truth. What do we mean by these brief words? I think Brotherly love goes beyond what we hopefully feel for our genetic Brother and really alludes to respect for each other. As Masons we value respect, kindness, tolerance and differences, including religious, ethnic, cultural and social. We strive for harmony not just in our personal lives but also in the community at large. Relief to some in Masonry stops at “Regulation 19” whereby a Lodge will remit the dues of an indigent Brother. Although most Lodge do this, relief does not stop there. While some profanes may believe we are a society which provides lifetime care for members this is not necessarily true. There was a potential petitioner at my home Lodge who was obviously seeking a caretaker for a disabled family member. He would probably not have been a contributing member of the Lodge and when disabused of this misconception he disappeared. However, I believe that relief extends to our community activities – the philanthropic efforts such as Children at Risk, CHIPS, Bikes for Books and the list goes on. Lastly, Truth does not mean that we always tell “the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” as in a court of law. A little white lie can save many a relationship and awkward situation. To me, truth means adhering to a personal code of ethical behavior and conduct – becoming a better man.
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Arizona Masonry Junior Grand Steward Worshipful Brother Roger Biede Perfection …. Or Improvement? Masonry is all about the continuous improvement of oneself, as the idea of perfection without improvement is reserved for a supreme being. Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, is often quoted as saying “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection”. I have wondered if this quote might have first been spoken by a Master to his Lodge or perhaps even by a Grand Lecturer to the Brethren as part of their education program – only later to be famously written down by Mark Twain. What is known is that Samuel Clemens was in fact a Mason. He presented his petition to Polar Star Lodge No. 79 of Saint Louis on December 26, 1860 and was raised the following year. Could he have heard this quote in his Lodge? The Secretary’s minutes may never tell the tale! At the beginning of this Masonic year, the Deputy Grand Master challenged the Grand Line to write down a wish list of goals that each officer would like to accomplish during his time in the line, ending potentially with his year as Grand Master. Each officer, when first appointed has about 7 years before he is Grand Master if all holds to form. As Long-Range Planning is a large part of any successful company; for an organization such as ours, it is even more important. Let me say that putting to paper a list of tangible goals for a Fraternal organization that has been in Arizona 137 years and worldwide for at least 302 years is quite a daunting task. The point that RW Robertson was making could indeed be summed up with this quote. The Grand Lodge, like the craft, must continually strive for improvement in order to remain relevant in an ever-changing society. While the ritual and the landmarks, for the most part remain the same, there are always changes we can make to improve Grand Lodge and better serve the craft as a whole. I hope that every Arizona Mason realizes that we are in this together, working to make this thing called Arizona Masonry better for future generations and future masons. If you have a question, concern, suggestion or compliment and you see a Grand Lodge officer, speak up! We are here to serve the craft for the betterment of the craft as a whole! We are all a part of something special, lets continue to treat it so and work together to help it grow into the future. And remember, “Continuous improvement is better than delayed perfection”.
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