Channel Islands Association York Rite Bulletin

Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

January—February 2021

Ventura Chapter #50, Corinthian Chapter #51, Oxnard Chapter #86, Royal Arch Masons Ventura Council #15, Cryptic Masons Ventura Commandery #18, St. Omer Commandery #30, Knights Templar

Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

Table of Contents Meeting Dates, Times and Location…………………… 3 Contact Information……………………………………….4

No Meetings……………………………...………………..5 Results of Grand Session………………………………..5 Mark Master Penny……………………………………….6 Cleaning Day……………………………………………...8

Templar Engravings on Sword by S.K. Bruce Rick .……...9

Mark Master Degree by E.C. Bruce Rick...………………...9

The Channel Islands York Rite Bulletin welcomes articles of interest to the Masonic fraternity, especially those articles dealing with the York Rite bodies. Articles should be no more than 250 words although longer articles may be accepted on a case by case basis.

Articles for the CIYRA Bulletin can be submitted to [email protected]

If you no longer wish to receive the CIYRA Bulletin please send an email to [email protected] asking to be removed from the mailing list.

2 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

Meeting Dates, Times and Locations Oxnard

Oxnard Chapter No. 86 Royal Arch Masons 341 South K Street, Oxnard CA 1st Monday of February, April, June, August, October, & December (7:00 P.M.)

Santa Barbara

Corinthian Chapter No. 51 Royal Arch Masons 16 East Carrillo St, Santa Barbara 93101-2707 1st Wednesday of January, March, May, July, September & November (7:00 P.M.)

St. Omer Commandery No. 30 Knights Templar 16 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara 93101-2707 1st Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October, & December (7:00 P.M.)

Ventura

Ventura Chapter No. 50 Royal Arch Masons 482 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura 93001-2758 1st Monday of January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, & December (7:00 P.M.)

Ventura Council No. 15 Cryptic Masons 482 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura 93001-2758 3rd Monday of January, March, May, July, September, & November (7:00 P.M.)

Ventura Commandery No. 18 Knights Templar 482 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura 93001-2758 3rd Monday of February, April, June, August, October, & December (7:00 P.M.)

3 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin Contact Information VENTURA CHAPTER NO. 50, ROYAL ARCH MASONS H. P.: E. Floyd Griffin 805-525-5932 [email protected] Sec.: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]

CORINTHIAN CHAPTER NO. 51, ROYAL ARCH MASONS H.P: Nevin Chamberlain 805-647-8567 [email protected] Sec.: Raul Anon 805-259-9761 [email protected]

OXNARD CHAPTER NO. 86, ROYAL ARCH MASONS H. P.: Steven R. Goad 760-608-1585 [email protected] Sec.: Robert V. Wright Jr. 805-524-1271 [email protected]

VENTURA COUNCIL NO. 15, CRYPTIC MASONS I. M.: Lynn Wallingford 805-492-8375 [email protected] Rec.: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]

VENTURA COMMANDERY NO. 18, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Cmdr: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected] Rec.: Ray Broomfield 805-482-6756 [email protected]

ST. OMER COMMANDERY NO. 30, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Cmdr: Jon Jorgenson 805-590-3629 [email protected] Rec.: Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916 [email protected]

Inspectors ROYAL ARCH MASONS Insp: Lynn R. Wallingford 805-551-3428 [email protected] CRYPTIC MASONS Insp: Steven R. Goad 760-608-1585 [email protected] Knights Templar Adj.: Ray Broomfield 805-492-6756 [email protected]

4 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin No Meetings

“Restrictions on Masonic-Sponsored Meetings and Events During COVID-19 October 19, 2020

On March 16, 2020, the California Department of Public Health released guidance on the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. The Department found that all non-essential gatherings should be postponed or canceled until further notice. On October 9, the Department updated its guidance to allow limited, outdoor social gatherings of no more than three households for durations of under two hours. This new guidance still effectively prohibits Masonic-sponsored meetings and events. The new guidance applies to all California counties, regardless of their current risk classification or risk tier. It is, therefore, my direction that there be no in person Masonic-sponsored meetings or events of any kind in this state until further direction is received from me. This direction includes all Masonic Organizations and Masonic Youth Orders. None of our Masonic Organizations or Masonic Youth Orders may hold an in person Masonic- sponsored meeting or event of any kind in this state until further direction is received from me. For the purposes of this directive, a meeting or event shall be considered to be Masonic- sponsored unless it is organized and sponsored by an identifiable third party.”

Sincerely and fraternally, Arthur H. Weiss Grand Master

Installations

The traditional combined officer installation of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Oxnard Royal Arch chapters and the combined installation of Ventura and St. Omer Commanderies are tentatively schedule for Saturday, January 16th.

Ventura Council has scheduled its installation for it regular meeting night on January 18th.

At present, the Governor of California has prohibited in-person gatherings in public. The Grand Master of California has also prohibited in-person Masonic gatherings. There is no way of knowing when these restrictions will be lifted.

Plans are being made to conduct the installations by video conferencing using ZOOM. The meeting login information will be sent at a later date.

5 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin Letter to a new Master Mason

To the new Master Mason;

Congratulations on achieving a significant milestone in your Masonic journey. You can be proud of the time spent mastering the proficiencies for advancement; and the philosophy you have learned in your travel through the three degrees.

The York Rite encourages your attendance at lodge, your participation in lodge activities and hopes you will take part in the conferral of degrees for those following in your footsteps.

There are additional Masonic bodies, referred to generally as concordant bodies that amplify the les- sons to which you have already been exposed. One of those is the York Rite which itself is com- posed of three distinct bodies, the Royal Arch, Council and Commandery or Knights Templar.

A Master Mason starts with the Royal Arch, which is intimately connected with the Blue Lodge degrees. The English Constitution of 1813 defines Masonry as “the first three degrees and the Royal Arch.” This is a distinguished pedigree for the Royal Arch and one of which it is justly proud.

At one time the Royal Arch was only open to Past Masters of a Masonic Lodge. Although that re- quirement is no longer necessary to become a Royal Arch Mason, the qualities associated with a Past Master such as dedication to the craft and a willingness to serve, mark the true Royal Arch Ma- son.

The Royal Arch is the repository many secrets, the most important being the lost Mster Mason word for which you have a substitute. Royal Arch Masons are a select group that encourages adherence to the Masonic priniples which guide our daily lives.

We would love for you to consider becoming a member of this august body. Contact any Royal Arch Mason, Royal Arch Chapter or the Grand Chapter of California for more information. Your opportuni- ty to become a complete Mason awaits.

6 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

2021 Officers

Ventura Chapter No. 50

High Priest E. Floyd Griffin KYCH King Charles A. Rodey KYCH Scribe Jedidiah T. Smith Treasurer Raymond A. Broomfield KYCH Secretary Andrew B. Pippin KYCH Chaplain vacant Captain of the Host vacant Principal Sojourner Vacant Royal Arch Captain vacant Master of the Third Veil vacant Master of the Second Veil vacant Master of the First Veil Vacant Sentinel vacant

7 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin 2021 Officers

Corinthian Chapter No. 51

High Priest Andrew B. Pippin KYCH King Jon P. Jorgensen PHP Scribe Maurice Sourmany Treasurer Patrick J. Lennon Secretary Raul Anon PHP Chaplain vacant Captain of the Host Nevin B. Chamberlain Principal Sojourner vacant Royal Arch Captain Scott M. Wenz Master of the Third Veil vacant Master of the Second Veil vacant Master of the First Veil vacant Sentinel vacant

8 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin 2021 Officers

Oxnard Chapter No. 86

High Priest Steven R. Goad KYGCH, PGHP King Rees W. Padfield KYCH Scribe David Del Dosso KYCH Treasurer Westel R. Reed Secretary Robert V. Wright, Jr. KYGCH, PGHP Chaplain Raymond A. Broomfield KYCH Captain of the Host Lynn R. Wallingford KYCH Principal Sojourner vacant Royal Arch Captain Edwin A. Escamilla Master of the Third Veil vacant Master of the Second Veil Ben Bengtsson Master of the First Veil vacant Sentinel vacant

9 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

2021 Officers

Ventura Commandery No. 18

COMMANDER Andrew B. Pippin KYCH GENERALISSIMO Rees W. Padfield KYCH CAPTAIN GENERAL Timothy L. Cook SENIOR WARDEN Frederick W. Ervast, Jr. KYCH JUNIOR WARDEN Vacant PRELATE Vacant TREASURER Raymond A. Broomfield KYCH RECORDER Vacant STANDARD BEARER E. Floyd Griffin KYCH SWORD BEARER Vacant WARDER Lynn R.Wallingford KYCH SENTINEL Vacant

10 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

2021 Officers

St. Omer Commandery No. 30

COMMANDER Jon P. Jorgensen PC GENERALISSIMO Raul Anon PC CAPTAIN GENERAL Vacant SENIOR WARDEN Vacant JUNIOR WARDEN Vacant PRELATE Vacant TREASURER Vacant RECORDER Andrew B. Pippin KYCH STANDARD BEARER Jeffrey P. Matson SWORD BEARER Scott M. Wenz WARDER Frederick W. Ervast, Jr. KYCH SENTINEL VacantWilliam E. Gordon, Sr

11 Channel Island York Rite Bulletin FREEMASONRY AND OUR NATION by Joel Punsalan and Fred Ervast

(This article was generated as a result of poignant remarks made by Wor. Joel Punsalan, the incoming Master of Anacapa Lodge No. 710, immediately after he was installed. Additional paragraphs were provided by E.C. Fred Ervast to expand upon the topic.)

“For the past few months, our nation has been more divided than ever. We as Americans have been focused on our differences – politically, racially, and spiritually. There is very little room for love and grace, and the word “unity” seems to be no longer on our “radars.” Let us as Freemasons encourage everyone to start re- building in love, kindness, humility, and caring for one another.

How can Freemasons provide that unity? First, let us move forward as what Freemasons do best – charity. Charity is what we are about. The adages about charity begin at home, expressing the superseding demand to take care of our family, before taking care for others. Secondly, let us take care of our own lodge so that it can perform acts of charity for the Brethren in need and our widows. Finally, let us as Freemasons conduct charitable acts for the community such as feeding the homeless, performing community volunteer projects, and conducting highway clean-up.”

What about “politically?” As Masons we do not discuss politics in the lodge, nor take sides in elections, nor campaign as Freemasons. But, we can supply our local public schools with copies of the U.S. Constitution, along with literature how the Founding Fathers developed the document and the significance of major cases from the Supreme Court of United States. The Grand Lodge can supply lodges with such material. Lodges can also support Constitution Observance each September by providing press releases to the local newspapers and using the “electronic medium” sent to the community to tell about the Constitution.

Finally, Freemasonry can provide “spirituality” by demonstrating that we are tolerant and respectful of all reli- gions. We as Masons can teach our children and convince close friends and relatives to be tolerant of all faiths. Let us be supportive of our own church or synagogue in its message of hope and forgiveness.

When the pandemic is over and we as Freemasons can meet again “upon the square,” let us “roll up our sleeves” and help America come together and start the healing process.

Channel Island York Rite Bulletin

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