Exhibition Opened

EXHIBITION OPENED New Scottish Rite Exhibition at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial by Shawn Eyer, 32°, Director of Communications and Development, George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia, is pleased to announce that The Family of Freemasonry exhibition has at last been completed by the recent addition of displays relating the purpose and history of both Shriners International and the Scottish Rite.

The Sovereign Grand Commanders from both Scottish Rite jurisdictions in the United States, along with the Imperial Potentate from Shriners International, attended a special ribbon-cutting ceremony for these displays on February 22, 2020, as part of the Memorial’s celebration of George Washington’s Birthday.

The Memorial, erected nearly a century ago, is a popular attraction that draws visitors from around the country and the world. Each year, thousands of guests visit the Memorial to experience a guided tour that teaches them about George Washington and his connection with Freemasonry. Along the way, they learn about the different aspects of American Freemasonry in a special exhibition called The Family of Freemasonry on the Memorial’s third

The beautiful George Washington Masonic National Memorial rises 333 feet from the brow of Shuter’s Hill in Alexandria, Virginia, just south of Washington, D.C.

floor. This exhibition tells the story of appendant and concordant bodies such as the Grottoes of North America, The Order of the Eastern Star, The Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the York Rite bodies, and the Shrine. It also features information about the three Masonic youth orders. In this exhibition, the colorful costumes and regalia of the various groups are displayed on mannequins, while the history and present activities of each organization are portrayed through artifacts on display nearby.

The Scottish Rite’s display was developed by the Memorial’s Director of Collections, Mark Tabbert, 33°, working closely with both the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions. It allows visitors to the Memorial to learn about the core values of the Scottish Rite: Reverence for God, Devotion to Country, Integrity, Justice, Toleration, and Service. Artifacts on display include regalia, caps, jewels, ritual books, and rings. The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction’s display highlights the important work accomplished by the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, the Grand Almoner’s Fund, the White Flower Society, and the Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Fund. Also featured is information about the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexington and the Hauts Grades Academy.

“The Family of Freemasonry exhibition at the George Washington Memorial is a first-class tribute to the many facets of the Craft. It is also a testament to the spirit of cooperation between the Northern and Southern Jurisdicitons,” Commander Glattly said.

The Memorial Association is deeply grateful to both the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions of the Scottish Rite for making this educational display possible. While the Memorial has been closed to tourism for a period of time because of the coronavirus emergency, once restrictions are lifted, it is hoped that Scottish Rite Masons and their families will visit the Memorial to see this informative exhibition for themselves.

Cutting the ribbon to the new museum display on the Scottish Rite are: David A. Glattly, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction (left), Memorial Association President J.F. “Jeff” Webb (center), and James D. Cole, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction (right).

OF THE THIRTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE

S. BRENT MORRIS, Ph.D., 33°, G \ C \ MANAGING EDITOR THE SCOTTISH RITE JOURNAL

1733 SIXTEENTH STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20009-3103 TELEPHONE 202–232–3579 FAX 202–464–0487 bmorris@scottishrite.org

HOUSE OF THE TEMPLE

ANCIENT & ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREEMASONRY, SOUTHERN JURISDICTION, U.S.A.

April 10, 2020

To The Northern Light, Birthdays are always times of happiness among friends. Thus it is with great pleasure the Scottish Rite Journal sends you birthday greetings on this your 50th. I first started working with The Northern Light some 30 years ago, and over the decades all interactions have been productive, professional, and fraternal. The only contention has been that noble contention or rather emulation of who can best work and best agree. May it always be so.

Sincerely and fraternally,

S. Brent Morris, PhD, 33°, Grand Cross Managing Editor, Scottish Rite Journal

A dedicated Mason at 104 has lived a life of service to the Nation and to Masonry

Born in Lee County, South Carolina, on March 16, 1916, Brother Leonard Levenson has just celebrated his 104th birthday! Of those 104 years, he has been a Scottish Rite Mason for 60 of them. He was a member of Bishopville Lodge, No. 104, Bishopville, S.C., when he petitioned Newport News Scottish Rite Degrees on March 25, 1959.

As a member of the “Greatest Generation,” Brother Levenson was in the Marine Corps during World War II and served in the Pacific. During his time overseas, Bro. Levenson attended the “Solomon Island Masonic Club.”

One day I received a note from Brother Levenson, with a donation to the NNSR Building Fund and in the note he said that he was 102 years old and wanted to donate to the Building Fund as long as he was able. I wrote him a thank you note for the donation and asked him if he would send us a picture, so I could share it with the members of the NN Scottish Rite. Brother Leonard sent several pictures of him receiving a “Special Apron” from members of the Grand Lodge of Georgia on his 103rd Birthday. He has a great sense of humor, and he always sends a joke or witty remark with his notes. —“Pete” Eure, 33°, Secretary, Newport News A&ASR

Brother Levenson receiving a special Masonic apron from members of the Grand Lodge of Georgia

2020 Scottish Rite Workshop • Charlotte, North Carolina

Passing the Tools of Leadership T he theme of the Scottish Rite Workshop this year is “Passing the Tools of Leadership.” Leadership is a quality often misunderstood until there is lack of it. This year’s workshops aimed at tackling that obstacle by helping us understand what qualities make a great leader, how to identify men with those qualities, and how to create programs to cultivate and develop them to be the leaders of tomorrow.

One of the highlights was the discussion group breakout session. The membership was divided into three groups by valley size to discuss strategies that have been implemented to make our valleys successful. A few of the topics focused on how to create alternative revenue streams, attract new members though community involvement, and increase membership participation. These challenges are being addressed in creative and different ways such as renting out our buildings and parking lots, blue lodge ambassador programs to seek out new potential members, and adding new degrees and roles to increase involvement. As proven during the course of the discussion, if we communicate and work together, we can overcome almost any adversity. Leadership in the Scottish Rite is about inspiring others to greatness all while remembering this wisdom from Albert Pike: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

It is very unfortunate that the other workshops had to be cancelled due to the public health and safety concerns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. —Nathaniel G. Kemmer, 32° SGC James D. Cole, 33°, and LtGC Michael

Smith, 33°, at the Charlotte Workshop demonstrate new grip and step for these times of social distancing