TfleDENVER CONSISTORY VOLUME XXIII.ISSUE II 1370 GRANT STREET APRIL -.IUNE 2016 , CO 80203 www.denverconsistory.org hlE\Itrs (303) 861-4261 i:'

MEET UPON THE LEVEL AND PART UPON THE SQUARE By lohn Worren,33" "Never, if possible, lie down ot night without being oble to say; I hove made one humon being, at least, o little wiser, o little happier, or o little better this doy." -- Charles Kingsley

How does one begin when attempting to result, his resume grew and grew and grew put thoughts on paper after learning of the death naturally. of a good friend and Brother? Just do it, as Gerry Gerry had his own opinions on just about would have said. I am, of course, referring to Gerry everything that often differed from anyone else's. Ford, who entered into his celestial home on A lesson many of us learned very quickly was that if February 2L,2OL6. we asked for his advice, then do not be upset if he To be sure, there will be incessant didn't agree with us. He called them as he saw accolades and recitations of his Masonic them and I always respected that from him. accomplishments, all of which are well-deserved, in He always made himself available to all the days, weeks, months and years to follow, some members of the Craft, young and old, with all their of whom have titles I cannot even begin to questions and comments, and never deemed pronounce very well. anyone un-worthy of his time. A couple of them are noteworthy, in my One piece of advice I received from Gerry estimation. The first, of course, is his Blue Lodge, that I will never forget was when he decided he South Denver #93 where he was lnitiated, Passed could no longer give the King Solomon role in the and Raised. The second is The Order of the Eastern 3'd Degree his full attention and I came in to the Star. Many did not know he was ever a member of part. I was nervous about doing it the "Gerry way" Eastern Star, but there is a photo of Gerry and his and had doubts I could do the part justice. I talked Worthy Matron on a wall in the South Denver to him about this and he said a few simple words: Lodge building. I do not know is motivation to join JUST BE YOUR SELF and I have never looked back. either group, but join he did. It is safe to answer that in the quote used at Gerry was a sincere and dedicated man, the beginning of this missive by Charles Kingsley, giving his all to every Masonic group he was ever a Gerry never did lie down at night without saying member of. I would hazard a guess and say that he that he was able to help someone, make them a never used a check sheet as a way to add to his better person. Masonic resume, rather, I believe that he joined (Continued on poge 7 ) each group because of some "calling" he felt. As a ARE WE REALLY LISTENING? By lohn Worren, 33"

"We leorn more by looking for the onswer to o question ond not finding it thon we do from leorning the onswer itself." -- Lloyd Alexander

Masonic bodies are experiencing Are we not maintaining contact with the membership declines and all the problems that membership? What can we do to improve this? entails. Fewer are asked to do more, just to How can we get more of the brethren involved in maintain some artificially set level, which begs the Consistory activities? question, "Where the heck is everyone else." This These are simple questions with simple situation must be reversed if the Fraternity is to answers. The solution boils down to personal survive. contact and getting members, new and old, But, how do we do this, the handwringers involved in Consistory activities where they feel ask? Committees are formed and expectations and comfortable. No Brother should be "forced" to an goals set for whatever the solution de jour is. One activity that may be outside of their comfort zone. of the biggest problems with this approach is that a This particular discussion has a good lot of these ideas are espoused by Brothers probability of success because it relies on personal wearing blinders who do not especially care for contact and is not geared to just one category of other's opinions. Another problem is that most of members, but to Masonry in general. the time these solutions are geared only towards Former Denver Consistory Secretary Bill newer members with nothing being done for older Klatil, 33", once said: "Many events and activities members. are created that provide opportuniti-es to interact Unless a solution is found for ALL members, with your Brothers. lt is up to YOU (he said YOU, then the solution formed for just one category of not US) to choose activities that best meet your members is doomed to failure. needs. Certainly, getting new members involved in ln the March - April 201-5 issue of the Consistory activities is an important part of Scottish Rite Journal, Grand Commander Ronald A. retaining them. On the other hand, keeping older Seale, 33", related his experiences with his members involved equally as important. grandmother's hearing loss and how she would tell Several months ago, I was asked to sit in on people to speak into her good ear where the a discussion in a Valley (not Denver) on why we message would come in loud and clear. seem to be losing so many members. A lot of Our Grand Commander said, in part: "...As potential solutions were discussed, but they all leoders within our Froternity, I wonder if we are seemed to be focused on newer members until the listening with our good ear. Do we heor - really hear - question was asked: "Why haven't any of you (it what is being communicated to us by our members as was a group of eight or so) talked about older to their expectations ond needs from Masonic members who pay their dues but seldom membership?" The continuing membership decline participate in any Consistory activities? gives our Grand Commander his answer. That simple question was a game changer. Alexander Meiklejohn said: "There is, I The conversation then moved on to what can we think, in the world, nothing more futile thon the do to retain ALL members who may be suspended ottempt to lind out how a tosk should be done for non-payment of dues or who simply do not when one has not decided whot the tosk is." come around anymore for whatever the reason. INDEED!! From the Secretary's [email protected] or Aaron Klostermeyer, 32" KCCH at 4k@ or call the Desk Consistory Office at 303-86L -426L. SPRING REUNION is coming up in May. During the By Matt Roio,33" Reunion, there will be an educational program for side-liners on May L2th at L:30 PM in the North As most of you are aware, lllustrious Brother Bill Lodge Room when no Degree work is being Klatil, 33" decided to retire and become a man of exemplified. Subjects to be discussed include: The leisure. Knowing Bill, as we all do, I doubt he will 24th Degree by Aaron Klostermeyer,32" KCCH and be sitting down and do nothing. I am honored and discussion and presentation on "All the wrong humbled by being selected to serve Denver onswers in the Moster Croftsman Series" by Ben Consistory as Secretary. I am excited to be a part Williams, 32'KCCH and Paul Harrison 32". of what I believe is the best Consistory in the On Friday night, May 13th, at 7:00 pM, a Southern Jurisdiction. Please feel free to call or public performance of the 31't Degree will be stop in anytime you have ideas, questions, presented. This degree presents an allegorical just comments, concerns or want to talk. My door representation of the final judgement. lt is is always open to you. portrayed within the context of ancient Egyptian NEW OFFICERS - lnstallation of new Consistory mythology, attempting to convey the lesson that Officers was held in January. lnstalled as Venerable we are accountable for our actions. Being human, Master CLOP was Richard Silver, 32" KCCH; Wise we all err. lnvite yourfamily and friends to join you Master of Rocky Mountain Chapter of Rose Croix, for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness Scott Bates, 32" KCCH; for the Council of Kadosh this presentation. Dinner will be served at 6:00 PM Robert Salazar, 32" KCCH; as Master of Kadosh for at a cost of 515.00. Call the Office for dinner Denver Consistory William Hickey, 33". reservations. KNIGHTS OF SAINT ANDREW held a very successful ILLUSTRIOUS BROTHER BRENT MORRIS wiII be the Burns Dinner the end of January. The food and featured speaker at our May 1-6th stated meeting. entertainment were excellent (even the Haggis). lf He will speak to our ladies, family, friends and non- you did not attend, you missed out on a lot of fun. Scottish Rite Masons prior to the meeting and will EVENTS - Speaking of fun, great events are planned have a special presentation for Scottish Rite for this year which offer opportunities to have fun Masons during the meeting. lllustrious Brother with your Brothers, family and friends at Denver Morris is a world renowned Masonic author and Consistory. Membership is more than simply speaker, as well as entertainer. This is something possessing a dues card, it is participating and you won't want to miss. sharing in Consistory activities. lf you don't ROCKIES Denver Consistory has been participate you are missing out on all that offered an opportunity to sell merchandise at membership in Denver Consistory has to offer, and, booths throughout Coor's Field during Rockies your Brothers are missing out on the opportunity Games. Denver Consistory will receive a fee for to enjoy your company. each person working the booths for each game. DOORS OPEN DENVER will be held April 23rd and This is a great opportunity to help raise funds for 24th. Denver Consistory will be open to the public the preservation and maintenance of our building. for tours. We will be able to show off our beautiful Volunteers will be able to enjoy Coor's Field, the building and hopefully generate interest in renting Colorado Rockies and help the Consistory at the our facility for meetings and events. We need same time. Watch for an announcement soon for volunteers to help conduct the tours. lf interested details. in volunteering, contact Ben Williams, 32' KCCH at IN MEMORIAM P|./.NNING CALENDAR € € FOO € € OO€ € € OO € € OO € € OO € € € OO € - - Earl S Barrent, 32" 02/02/2016 Sat. Apr gth gHealth Fair 7AM Noon Harry Black, 32" ot/t3/2ot6 - Robert R Chenoweth,32" oL/oe/2oL6 Parking Garage Available |ohn W. Christian, 32" or/oBl2ot6 Mon, Apr 18 Stated Meeting - Garage Available fohn Fleming,32" t2ltelzots 5:30 PM - Room Business meeting Gerald , 33" 02/2L/2OL6 6:00 PM Dinner - Roast Beef Allen K Henney,32" L2/02/2O1s - Past Presiding Officer Recognition Richard E. Hudson,32" ot/oe/2ot6 7:00 PM Henry L. fones, 32o t2/t6lz0rs 7:30 PM - Split Meeting - 5 min Oration by William E. Kresl,32" L2/L2lz01s CLOP Orator or/2612016 Dallas L Lloyd,32" sat - sun, Apr 23'd &24th - DooRs oPEN DENVER George D. MacKay,32o tLlttlzots Sat. Apr 30th Ladies Luncheon Garage Avail. Robert M. McPherson, 32o L2/Ollz0ts - - William E Plattner, 32o 12/03/2O!5 Thursday - Saturday, May 12'h - 14th Donald A. Reeves, 32o 02lt7 /2016 SPRING REUNION GARAGE AVAILABLE Nicholas, F Stiren, 32o ot/3o/2oL4 Mon May 16th - stated Meeting - Garage Available Lowell A Richards, 32o L2/3tlz0ts 5:30 PM Red Room Business Meeting 5:00 PM Dinner - Tuscan Chicken 7:00 PM Meeting with Brent Morris 7:30 PM 5 min oration by Orator of Rose Croix Mon Jun 2O.h STATTO MEETING GARAGE AVAILABLE Hawaiian Shirt Night 5:30 PM - Red Room Business Meeting 6:00 Pn [ - Dinnef Edrbriquti-l Salmon 7:00 PM - Entertainment 7:30 PM Split Meeting - 5 min oration by Orator Of Council of Kodosh

Dinner Reservations needed for Stated Meetings by noon on the day of the meeting - 303-861-426L

wffi All menus are at www.denverconsistory.com THE DENVER CONSISTORY BUILDING IS A NON- SMOKEING FACILITY. THIS MEATVS ruO CrcARS, OIGARETTS, PIPES, ETC. INSIDE THE BUILDING. QUESTIONS MAY BE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY A POINT IN THE CENTER By lohn P. Troinor,33"

Recruitment is a frequent topic of members and guests to information they did not conversation among Masons. Attracting and know before. But, much of the solution lies in our retaining members is one of our greatest concerns, finding common ground and tolerance in our yet are we doing what is necessary to accomplish divergent views. our goal? New members must understand that ours is a Membership among Colorado Masons has centuries-old tradition that must be respected and diminished by almost five percent over the past maintained. Only so many changes can be couple of years. We can do nothing about the acceptable, and those must pass through the correct inevitable loss of brethren to the scythe of time that channels. At the same time, long-term members cuts the brittle thread of life. Little can be done need to get Linkedin and learn to text. It is not an about those who cannot pay their dues. insult when youth tells us to get with the times. Still, we do some things well. Some time ago, I gave a paper on Gematria There is a cadre of dedicated and devoted in the Pythagorean Tetractys of the Tetragrammaton brothers who attend and participate in most events, (since published in Rocky Mountain Mason) which and we do reasonably well at bringing in new turned out to be a barometer of this issue of members. Our failure comes in retaining our new divergence. The feedback I received was twofold. members and some of our older members as well. Some long-time members were a bit disapproving Few of the brethren are delighted to sit in Lodge saying, "Some of us can't even pronounce that stuff, and do nothing but watch ritual, although rituals, don't bother us with allthat." particularly in the Blue Lodge, are some of the most Younger members, on the other hand, beautiful aspects of what we do. Fewer still are rushed up to me requesting copies of the willing to be pleased with ice cream and cookies as presentation and ways to text and email me with a reward for tolerating turgid business discussions their questions. They all reiterated that the paper or personal disputes betwixt brethren. was exactly the type of information they wanted; New Brothers have read Dan Brown and succinctly presented esoteric knowledge with Masonry for Dummies, seen National Treasure and opportunities for follow-up questions after they researched dozens of Masonic Internet sites. They have had time to study the material. come to us thirsting for the secret knowledge the Too much of a good thing can become a bad world says we promise them and we disappoint thing. If we always ask all members to perform them with abanal reading of the minutes. mental gymnastics at every meeting, those members We "older" Masons have grown up with the who want something different will stay home as way things have always been done, and are much as others do now. Perhaps a centrist approach accepting or even approving ofthe above scenarios, is the answer: casual entertainments for some but the twenty-somethings are anxious for more. meetings, a bit of business that needs to be They have jobs, families, home entertainments and addressed, high-brow concerts or shows on life's many distractions that vie for the time we ask occasion, and scholarly presentations from time to them to invest in Lodge and Consistory. time. Youngsters want to walk away with solid scholarly knowledge of the history, development, "The opposite of love is not hate, it's organization, philosophy and metaphysics we indffirence. The opposite of urt is not ugliness, profess to teach. Many members are happiest when it's indifference. The opposite of fuith is not they can go away saying, "I didn't know that." heresy, it's indiffirence. And the opposite of life is Part of the solution needs to be the not death, it's indifference. delivering of educational activities that introduce I Elie lYiesel WORDS AND PHRASES THAT REMIND AS OF THE WAY WE WORD By Richard Lederer

About a month ago, I illuminated some old cigarettes, little wax bottles of colored sugar water expressions that have become obsolete because of and an organ grinder's monkey. the inexorable march of technology. These phrases Where have all the phrases gone? Long included: "Don't touch that dial", "Carbon Copy", time ago: Pshaw. The milkman did it. Think about "You sound like a broken record" and "Hung out to the starving Armenians. Bigger than a bread box. drY." The very idea! lt's your nickel. Don't forget to pull A bevy of readers have asked me to shine the chain. Knee high to a grasshopper. light on more faded words and expressions and I Turn-of-the-century. lron curtain. Domino am happy to oblige. theory. Fail safe. Civil defense. Fiddlesticks! You Back in the olden days, we had a lot of look like the wreck of the Hesperus. Cooties. moxie. We'd put on our best bib and tucker and Going like sixty. l'll see you in the funny papers. straighten up and fly right. Hubba-hubba! We'd Don't take any wooden nickels. Heavens to cut a rug in some juke joint and then go necking Murgatroid! And awa-a-ay we go! and petting and smooching and spooning and Oh, my stars and garters! lt turns out there billing and cooing and pitching woo in hot rods and are more of these words and expressions than jalopies in some passion pit or lover's lane. Carter had liver pills. This can be disturbing stuff, Heavens to Betsyl Gee willikers! Jumpin' this winking out the words of our youth, these Jehoshaphat! Holy Moley! We were in like Flynn words that lodge in our heart's deep core. But just and living the life of Riley, and even a regular guy as one never steps into the same river twice, one couldn't accuse us of being a knucklehead, a cannot step into the same language twice. Even as nincompoop or a pill. Not for all the tea in China. one enters, words are swept downstream into the Back in the olden days, life used to be swell, past, forever making a different river. but when's the last time anything was swell? Swell We of a certain age have been blessed to has gone the way of beehives, pageboys, and the live in changeful times. For a child each new word D.A.; of spats, knickers, fedoras, poodle skirts, is like a shiny toy, a toy that has no age. We at the saddle shoes and pedal pushers. Oh, my aching other end of the chronological arc have the back. Kilroy was here, but he isn't any more. advantage of remembering there are words that Like Washington lrving's Rip Van Winkle once did not exist and the words that once strutted and Kurt Vonnegut's Billy Pilgrim, we have become there hour on the earthly stage and now are heard unstuck in time. We wake up from what surely has no more, except in our collective memory. lt's one been just a short nap, and before we can say, "l'll of the greatest advantages of aging. We can have be a monkey's uncle!" or "This is a fine kettle of archaic and eat it too. fish!" we discover that the words we grew up with, See you later, alligator. the words that seemed omnipresent as oxygen, have vanished with scarcely a notice from our "!f you want to kill any idea in the world today, tongues and our pens and our keyboards. get a committee working on it. A problem Poof, poof, poof go the words of our youth, thoroughly understood is always simple. Found the words we left behind. We blink, and they're your opinions on facts, not prejudices. We know gone, evanesced from the landscape and words too many things that are not true." --Charles cape of our perception, like Mickey Mouse Kettering. wristwatches, hula hoops, skate keys, candy IT'S TIME FOR THE gHCAIthFAir ONCE AGAIN This year will mark the 37th year of gHealthFairs serving the public. The Denver gHealthFair Consistory will host our 22"d annual on Saturday, 09 April 2016 from 7:00 AM tc 12:00 noon. By the time you receive this Newsletter, many of our Brothers and their wives will havr volunteered to serve at the fair. If you have volunteered again this year, THANK YOU for helping us to provide this essential service to our community. The fairs this year are a bit earlier in April than normal due to an early Easter bracketec by alater Passover toward the end of April. Over our years hosting a fair, we've provided screenings to nearly 4000 participants, varying from a high of 320 in 1997 to a low in our first year (1994) of lI2. If you couldn't volunteer, at least consider finding a fair SOMEWHERE and go as a participant to get various free and low-cost health screenings to evaluate your own health. But, whether you have volunteered or use our fair as a particip ant,|m looking forward to seeing you on the 9th. Bill Hickey, 33o Denver Consistory 9HF Coordinator "The tfeAChefOUS, UneXplOfed dfeAs Of the WOfld ,(rr,(rr,r*******rr,(******r(r(******r(r(******rr uA Are not in continents or the seos; they are in the good conversationulist is not one who Minds and heorts of men." - Allen Clayton remembers what wus said, but says what someone wants to remember." --John M Brown (Meet on the levelcont. from page l) So, how do you say goodbye to such a "To live is to suffer, to survive is to find friend and Brother? You don't! You keep him in meoning in the suffering.,, - Gordon Alport your hearts and mind forever. There is a poem with many stanzas, but "When the devit quotes Scriptures, it's not reolly, what follows is the shortened version used by to deceive, but simply thot the mosses ore so another fraternity which I will never forget. The ignoront of theotogy that someone has to teqch title of that poem is A VACANT CHAIR. them the elementory texts belore he can seduce "We shall meet, but we shall miss him, them.', paul Goodman There will be d vocont chair. ,,1 Though we no more possess him, om still determined to be cheerful ond hoppy, in Still in our hearts his memory beor. whotever situotion I may be; for I hove olso A while dgo we sow him, leorned from experience thdt the greoter port of Friendship beoming in each eye, our hoppiness or misery depends upon our The golden chord is severed, He hos possed to dispositions, and not upon our circumstonces.,' realms on high." Martha Woshington Amen and Amen!! DENVER CONSISTORY NEWS STAFF DENVER CONSISTORY OFFICE Matthew Raia, 33" Bulletin Advisory (303) 861-4261 FAX (303) 861-4269 John A. Moreno, 33", Staff Photographer 1-877-861-2123 Toll-Free Long Distance D. J. Cox, 33., Editor Emeritus Denver Gonsistory News is published four times Bill Hickey, 33' , Editor a year (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct). Deadline for article John Warren, 33" Editor submissions is three weeks prior to the first of Dan Conway, 32' KCCH Webmaster the month of publication. Email : [email protected]

CENTENNIAL LODGE OF PERFECTION Non-Profit Organization DENVER CONSISTORY U.S. POSIAgC William C. Klati!, 33", Secretary PAID 1370 Grant Street Pinemailers.com Denver, CO 80203

ALLEGIANCE Venerable Moster The bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Centenniol Lodge of Perfection Rite of Freemasonry, sitting in the Valley of Richard D. Silver, 3?" KCCH Denver, Orient of Colorado, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Wise Moster Supreme Council Rocky Mountoin Chapter of (Mother Council of the World) Rose Croix of the lnspectors General, Knights Scott A. Botes, 32" KCCH Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-third Degree of the Commonder Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Colorodo Council of Kodosh For the Southern Jurisdiction of Robert A. Solozor, 3?" KCCH The of America Moster of Kodosh Ronald A. Seale, 33" Denver Consistory Sovereign Grand Commander Williom A. Hickey III, 33" Supreme Council, 33", Washington, D.C. Almoner Stephen M. Munsinger, 33" Joe E. Keir, 33" Sovereign Grand lnspector General For the Orient of Colorado Treosurer Wayne G. Arner, 33" David W. Powell,33" Personal Representative of the 5 e c reto ry- R eco r d er -Reg i st ra r SGIG in Colorado Mothew Roio, 33" For the Valley of Denver