TheThe Kansas Kansas Mason Mason The Voice of Kansas Masonry

A Publication of the Most Worshipful of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Kansas Volume #48 May 2010 Issue #2 “PIONEERS” ATTEND FIRST-EVER MASTERS’ SEMINAR By Chester Peterson Jr. Lindsborg Lodge No. 397 Twenty-eight “pioneers” made the first ever Grand Lodge Masters’ Seminar a success. Held Saturday, April 3, at the Clay Center Lodge, it was designed to be a morning session followed by a Salisbury steak meal. Although initially targeted only for current Masters in Area No. 7, the concept was later expanded to allow any Master, Past Master, or Warden in the state to attend. Brothers came from as far away as Leavenworth Participants at the first Master's seminar exchange ideas at Clay Center Lodge #134. and Newton. Grand Lodge was The bottom line of the entire session all. Presenters were Tracy Bloom, represented by the Deputy Grand was to serve as a catalyst in sparking Deputy ; Chester Master, Grand Senior Deacon, and their interest and the interst of lodge Peterson Jr., ADGM No. 7; Bob Brazil, Assistant Grand Secretary. officers and Brothers concerning DDGM No. 22 for Butch Buchenau, The objective was to assist first-time . Abilene Secretary, who couldn’t attend; Masters and repeat Masters in doing a The seminar was conducted infor- Richard Blackburn, Clay Center better job by presenting ideas that have mally, in that any attendee with a Master, and Grand Senior Deacon worked in other lodges, as well question, comment, or suggestion was Michael Halleran. introducing new ideas and guidelines. encouraged to speak up to share it with (See PIONEERS, pg. 5)

EMPORIAN APPOINTED AS 2010 GRAND IN THIS ISSUE SENIOR DEACON What’s New 1 By The Kansas Mason staff that society’s journal, Heredom, Vol. 14, From the Grand East 2 Michael Halleran has (2006). Halleran currently serves on been appointed the the Board of Directors for The Scottish Secretary’s Corner 2 Grand Senior Deacon Rite Research Society, and is the Editor’s Note 3 for 2010. A practicing interim editor for The Kansas Mason. attorney in Emporia, An adjunct lecturer at Emporia State Guidelines 3 Halleran is a member University, he is also the author of a and the sitting Master of Emporia regular column featuring the mis- Kansas Masonic Notes 4-5 Lodge No. 12, and a plural member of adventures of Hiram Brother, a 19th Awards & Honors 6 Mt. Zion Lodge No. 266, where he also Century Mason that appears in the presides in the East. Journal. His first book, The Craft Abroad 7-8 In 2006 he was awarded the Scottish The Better Angels of Our Nature; Book Reviews 9 Rite Research Society’s Albert G. Freemasonry in the American Civil War Mackey Award for Excellence in Masonic (University of Alabama Press: 2010), is Official Notices 11 Scholarship, for his article on Masonic included in the 2010 Grand Master’s Masonic Calendar 12 courtesy in the American Civil War in book program. Spring 2010

The Kansas Mason THE GRAND EAST Established 1963 By L. Kent Needham The Kansas Mason is the official Grand Master publication of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Kansas, formally organized March 17, 1856. Brethren, we are off to a great start in 2010. Our strategic plan, Vision 2020, was presented and approved at the Grand The Kansas Mason is published four Lodge session. A ten year strategic plan, it has nine major times per year from the offices of : goals. Developed with input from the Craft; it will be The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of successful only if the Craft is committed to its success. Kansas The plan focuses on five critical areas: Leadership, 320 SW 8th Avenue Topeka, Kansas Communication, Image, Masonic Experience and Mem- 66601-1217 bership. The first four will require action with the fifth, Membership, will measure our success. The four major goals Send address changes to: Kansas Mason have been assigned as follows: PO Box 1217 • Leadership: RW Rich Reichert, GJW Topeka, Kansas • Communication: RW Tracy Bloom, DGM 66601-1217 • Image: RW Mike Halleran, GSD • Masonic Experience: RW Don Newman, GSW. The opinions expressed in The Kansas Mason do not necessarily With your help these Brethren will address each area. “Catch the vision,” get reflect those of the Grand Lodge engaged, and help move our craft forward. We will provide a periodic review of the A.F. & A.M. of Kansas, its officers progress toward the accomplishment of the goals of the strategic plan and report or employees. the findings to the Craft in The Kansas Mason and on the web site. Watch for it! Articles, news items, and letters Thanks to all who attended the Grand Session and my installation. Despite nine regarding The Kansas Mason inches of snow, we had a wonderful turnout. Special thanks to Great Bend Lodge should be sent to the editor. No.15 and Henri Lodge No.190 for their support in planning and executing a fun All submissions become the and entertaining reception. property of the Grand Lodge The Kansas Masonic Home is rolling out a new advertising campaign. It is nicely A.F. & A.M. of Kansas. done. Please watch for it. Dr. and Brother Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Editor Center, in his presentation at the Grand Session, shared his intention to have the Michael A. Halleran Grand Lodge dedicate the Kansas Masonic Cancer (See THE GRAND EAST, pg. 10) [email protected] Book Review Editor Howard Duncan [email protected] SECRETARY’S CORNER Questions Answered Editor Nolan Sump By Robert B. Pfuetze [email protected] St. Johns Lodge No.113 Grand Secretary No compensation is allowed or intended for any articles, The 154th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of photographs, or other material Kansas is now history. I thought it progressed very submitted or published. smoothly, although we were a little behind schedule most NOTE: Permission to reprint of the time. As always, there were a number of behind-the- articles or any part thereof scenes crises, but I doubt that most of the Brothers in appearing in The Kansas Mason attendance ever knew about them. I very much want to will be granted upon written thank the Brothers I recruited at the last minute to help with request to the Grand Secretary registration. For the first time since I have been Grand from recognized Master Masons. Secretary, not one member of the Credentials Committee Other written requests will be attended, and two of my Registration Committee people were also unable to considered by the Council of attend. Fortunately we had fewer people who had not pre-registered this year, Administration. which helped reduce the usually long waiting lines at the registration computers. When reprinted, articles should I sincerely hope that the Brothers are beginning to appreciate the benefits of note “Reprinted with permission registering in advance. We are looking into ways to make online registration and of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. payment for meals, and registration fees available on our web site. Hopefully by (month and year)”. next year, that will be a reality. (See SECRETARY, pg. 10) 2 The Kansas Mason EDITOR’S NOTE

By Michael Halleran In this issue you will find stories about current Masonic Emporia Lodge No. 12, news, both within the State and nationwide, and this Interim Editor emphasis will continue in future issues. We have added a Welcome to the new and im- book review section to preview and announce new books proving Kansas Mason. In this issue of Masonic interest reviewed by our book review editor, you will notice the first of a number Howard Duncan. The Questions Answered column will of changes that we hope will select and respond to queries from the Craft about enhance our quarterly newsletter Masonic tradition, etiquette, rules, By-Laws, and other and keep it viable for many years to topics relevant to our readers. Finally, we hope to include come. Among these changes are a a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of Masonic events re-designed masthead, separate within our jurisdiction in plenty of time for members to sections – we call them departments attend them. – and a new emphasis on providing more stories and We encourage your submissions to the newsletter. Masonic news that interest Kansas Freemasons. As the Staffed by volunteers – who willingly donate their time implementation of the Strategic Plan – approved by the and talents – we will work hard to include those stories Craft at the 2010 Annual Communication – moves you bring to our attention, but we need your help, forward, we plan on integrating The Kansas Mason with a and, to a degree, your understanding. In the past, stories revamped and revitalized online presence to deliver and news items have been delivered to Grand Lodge – Masonic information and content to our members as sometimes in hand-written format – for inclusion in the never before. This issue is the first step in that direction. newsletter, and that must unfortunately change. In Over the past six months, a great many readers have light of the time constraints we all face, in future, we called, written, and sometimes stopped us personally, to request all submissions to The Kansas Mason be in sound off on The Kansas Mason. An overwhelming electronic copy (MS-Word, or Rich Text format preferred) number of you have told us that the newsletter has to be considered for publication. Images submitted for become fixated on covering just a few topics to the publication should also be in digital format of at least 4 exclusion of many other possible avenues. On behalf of x 6 inches at 300 dpi. Included in our publication all the brethren who are now working to produce your information (on Page Two) you will find email addresses Kansas Mason, let me assure you: we hear you, loud and for our writers and editors – please feel free to submit clear. This issue marks a departure of sorts, for although your stories or ideas to the relevant staff member. we will still cover topics traditionally found in The Kansas We have heard and agree that we need to do a better Mason, we are expanding our focus to include other topics job with The Kansas Mason; we invite you to check that our readers are asking for: news, current events, book out the current issue thoroughly and let us know what reviews, and discussion topics of concern to the Craft. you think.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

The Kansas Mason is published quarterly on the 15th of Kansas Mason be in February, May, September and December. Deadlines for electronic copy (MS-Word, submission are forty-five (45) days prior to publication or Rich Text format pre- deadline. We accept articles from our readers in the ferred). Images submitted for following categories: Masonic news and current interest, publication should also be in book reviews, and commentary.Generally,articles should be digital format of at least 4 x 6 500-700 words, and book reviews should be 300–500 words, inches at 300 dpi. but we will consider pieces outside those limits should Due to time constraints on our circumstances warrant. Every submission should be volunteer staff, please do not forward a accompanied by a good selection of digital photos or images. manuscript to us without first providing us with a brief All of our staff volunteer their time to bring you The Kansas summary via email. Email contacts for the managing editor, Mason. Because of that, we request all submissions to The or department editors, are listed on Page 2.

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KANSAS MASONIC NOTES S. BRENT MORRIS TO VISIT EMPORIA LODGE By The Kansas Mason staff Lodge No. 2076, London, a life member and Mackey Distinguished Masonic scholar S. Scholar of the Scottish Rite Research Society, a Fellow of Brent Morris, Ph.D., 33°, will be the Philalethes Society, recipient of the Philalethes Society visiting Emporia Lodge No. 12 on Certificate of Literature, an honorary Fellow of the Phylaxis Monday, June 7, 2010. The author Society, founding Editor of Heredom, the transactions of of numerous Masonic books and the Scottish Rite Research Society, and Grand Abbot of the articles including The Complete Society of Blue Friars. In addition, he is also a practicing Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry and professional magician. Is It True What They Say About Dinner will be served at 6.15 p.m. in the Lodge dining Freemasonry? Morris is the managing hall at a cost of $15.00 per person. Reservations for editor of the largest-circul- dinner are required and may be made by contacting the ation Masonic magazine in the lodge secretary David Hendricks: [email protected]. world, the Scottish Rite Journal Seating is limited, so please do not delay. of the Supreme Council, 33° After dinner, a tyled meeting will be held at 7.30 p.m., (Southern Jurisdiction). and lodge will be opened on the first degree. During the A former mathematician with the federal government, meeting, which is open to all regular Masons, Bro. Brent he’s been invited to lecture at over 100 universities, and he will address the Lodge about The Hidden Secrets of has taught at Duke, George Washington and Johns Masonry. Copies of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Hopkins Universities. He is a Past Master of Patmos Lodge Freemasonry will be available to purchase, and fellowship No. 70, Ellicott City, Maryland, and Quatuor Coronati and a book signing will be held immediately following.

GRAND MASTER’S CALENDAR NOW FOUND ONLINE By Hugh W. Gill, IV and time internally, all while better communicating with Lodge No.303 the Craft. To access the calendar, point your browser to One part of the recently kansasmason.org and click on the calendar feature on the approved Strategic Plan is first page. now fully operational -- According to the Grand Master, “We are excited to make the Grand Master’s itin- available a more accurate and up-to-date calendar to the erary is currently online Craft. With Vision 2020 as our guide, we are working to and can be found at improve and increase the communication to all Brethren www.kansasmason.org. whether they wish to glean information from the Kansas In the past, the Grand Mason or our web-site.” Lodge staff was tasked There may be a few members who do not have a with keeping track of this computer. If this applies to you, contact the Grand Lodge type of information which Office or your home lodge’s secretary. The Grand Master’s was later published in The goal is to have his itinerary widely available on an efficient Kansas Mason. This took a significant amount of time. Now, basis. So far, it has been quite successful. the online version of the calendar contains centralized If you wish to schedule events with the Grand Master, information that is instantly and continuously updated. By or his designee, please contact the Grand Lodge Office at streamlining the calendar, Grand Lodge will save dollars [email protected] or by telephone at (785) 234-5518.

HOW TO ACCESS GOOGLE CALENDAR Direct your browser to www.kansasmason.org. Click on the box labeled “Calendar.” This will take you to a calendar containing all events on the Grand Master’s schedule, plus a great deal of information about such events, including location, who will be representing Grand Lodge, contact people, meal details, etc.

4 The Kansas Mason

KANSAS MASONIC HOME RESIDENTS DESTROY NURSES’ STATION By Jill Laffoon, Director of Marketing, Kansas Masonic Home Resident Joanne Baughman spoke on behalf of residents. Monday, March 26 was an important day for staff and “I’ve been here and heard, ‘wait and see, it’s going to be great,’ residents at Kansas Masonic Home as residents demolished for some time,” Baughman said, “I am really happy to be part nurses’ stations in KMH’s health care building, the Pavilion. of this endeavor and I pray that God will bless...and everyone will enjoy the changes [to come].” The current health care center was completed in 1980. Although upgraded through the years, the original, hospital-modeled layout has not changed. The much anticipated remodel will create neighborhoods where there were originally hallways and households within each, complete with front door, living room, dining and kitchen areas. “Our layout no longer fits our mission,” explains Executive Director, Shawn Sullivan, “we aren’t a hospital and we don’t have patients. The planned remodel is part of a philosophy of care change that will allow our health care residents to direct their own schedule and retain their independence—it isn’t meant to be home-like, it’s meant to be home.” Director of Building Services, David Shuman, and members of the maintenance team, spent a lot of time working out how Director of Building Services, David Shuman and Resident, Joanne Baughmann don hardhats and gloves. any resident who wanted to participate in the demolition could do so, regardless of physical limitation. The demolition celebrated the cultural changes that have Their mental gymnastics and preparation paid off in a big been taking place at KMH in general and the Pavilion in way as residents whacked down railings with hammers and particular as the retirement pulled wall sections over in community transitions to a electric scooters to the cheers of household based format of care onlookers. from a traditional medical en- Once approved, the remodel is vironment. A proposed remodel expected to take several months to of the health care area will complete, but feedback from complete the transformation in residents is supportive. the months to come. “It will be a little noisy at “The nurses’ station is a literal times,” Sullivan said, “but the barrier between our residents end result will be that we will and staff,” said Administrator, have removed as many institu- Matthew Bogner just before the tional trappings as possible and event, “our residents are happy residents will be able to enjoy to see it go, so we thought life as they choose to enjoy they should have the first shot Paul Smith, KMH Maintenance, carefully attaches chains it. Everyone should have that to Resident Larry Bender’s electric scooter. at it.” opportunity.”

PIONEER (Continued from pg.1) who couldn’t attend; Richard Blackburn, Clay Center review at any time, print out selected items, or make CD Master, and Grand Senior Deacon Michael Halleran. copies for other officers and Brothers. Incidentally, Blackburn has served as Master eight times In addition, each attendee received 22 “news release” in three different lodges and Halleran is presently Master forms on the CD that covered almost every known of two lodges. Masonic activity. This allows a lodge to quite easily obtain A unique feature of the Masters’ Seminar, greatly publicity by simply “filling in the blanks” and providing appreciated by the Brothers attending, was that each to the local newspaper. received a CD to take home containing almost all of the Brethren who would like a copy of the Master’s Seminar presented information and material. This allows them to CD are encouraged to contact Grand Lodge for a copy.

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AWARDS &HONORS HALSTEAD LODGE NO. 146 HONORS MEMBERS On Saturday, April 15, 2010, emblem and certificate. Bro. Melvin W:. Jim Hubert was honored for 50 was initiated, passed and raised in years of service to Kansas Masonry 1950 in Burrton Lodge No. 182. In in a small ceremony at his home. 1969 he was admitted to Halstead Following the ceremony, members Lodge No. 46 and demitted from convened at the lodge to present Burrton Lodge No.182 when the latter Bro. Melvin Fast his 60 year consolidated with Halstead Lodge.

Melvin Fast receives his 60 year emblem and certificate at Halstead Lodge.

HIAWATHA HOST HUGE AWARDS NIGHT Over 100 Masons attended an award’s night presentation on March 16, 2010 in Hiawatha for the presentation of 25-50-60 & 65 year emblems from Hiawatha Lodge No. 35, Active Lodge No. 158, Mt. Horeb Chapter No. 43, Washington Council No. 2, and Hiawatha No. 13. M:.W:. Roy T. Sullivan presented 65 year emblems and certificates to the following brethren: Edgar Butler, Warner Pape, 60 year emblems to Dale Bruning, Lodge Awards to long-time members L. to R.: SD Jamie Carwell, Robert D. Hirsch, 50 years; Dee D. Duttweiler, and Jack John Rainwater, 50 years; Dale Bruning, 60 years; MW Roy T. Sullivan GM; Edger Butler, 65 Reichert. years; Charles Volk, 60 years; Dee D. Duttweiler, 60 years, Warner Pape, 65 years. M:.W:. Roy also honored Robert D. Hirsch and John Council emblems. The Commandery, assisted by R:.E:. Rainwater for 50 years of service to the fraternity. R:.E:. Ronald Farthing, GC, also honored Sir Knight Oltjen with Chris Tomlinson present 50 year emblems to Companions a 50 year emblem, and Sir Knights Hansen, Sabbert, and Robert D. Caplinger and Max E. Oltjen. Eldon Henson, Sommers with 25 year emblems. Finally, Bro. Harold Stoner Bernard Sabbert and Bradley Sommers were honored with was also recognized by the Grand Master and by Don Best, 25 year emblems and M:.I:. Thomas A. Jacks presented Potentate of Abdallah Temple as their oldest active member. Companions Henson, Sabbert and Sommers with 25 year Bro. Stoner is 101 years old.

GRAND MASTER HONORED 40 YEARS LATE IN FORT SCOTT On Friday evening, April 23, 2010 the Grand Master L. Kent Needham was Kansas. M:.W:.Kent was initiated into the Scottish Rite Valley of Fort Scott hosted belatedly presented with his DeMolay Order of DeMolay in Norton, Kansas in the 4th Annual Southeast Kansas membership patent from William "Buck" 1970 but did not receive his patent by the Masonic Unity Event during which Fischer, Executive Officer for DeMolay in chapter at that time.

6 The Kansas Mason

THE CRAFT ABROAD

‘FREEMASON’ LICENSE PLATE CREATES FUROR ON MASONIC BLOGS By The Kansas Mason staff and proceeds benefit the GL's scholarship A Masonic license plate has created controversy in program. The predominantly white Grand Lodge of Arkansas and on the internet -- not from non-Masons, but Arkansas does not recognize its predominantly African- from Masonic commentators and bloggers. Although there American Prince Hall counterpart.” have been no official statements issued by Arkansas Since that time, one lodge under the jurisdiction of the Masons, the controversy centers on a “Freemason” license Grand Lodge of Arkansas F & AM, Sebastian Lodge No. 706, tag developed by, and benefiting a charity of, the Most Wor- has allegedly had its charter revoked and one of its shipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Jurisdiction of Arkansas, members is facing Masonic charges. The member, Derek F.& A. M., with whom the Grand Gordon, claims on his own blog Lodge of Arkansas F. & A.M. does (http://derekgordon.com not have fraternal relations. /letter-to-masons) this action is due Approved for use as a vehicle to his publicizing the order from license tag by the Arkansas Depart- the Arkansas Grand Lodge ment of Finance and Administration, concerning the license plate, writing the tag features the words “Freema- that “[the lodge] charter was revoked son” with flanking square and com- for being un-Masonic as to our passes. The tag does not differentiate website. I, Derek Gordon, apologize between mainstream and Prince Hall for mentioning the order to not Masons. However, according to the Department of Finance and purchase license plates. As the order said, all members must Administration, a Prince Hall charity, The Most Worshipful be notified. This seemed to be a great way to get it there as Grand Lodge Community Outreach Inc., of Pine Bluff, many members visited.” Arkansas, receives $25 for each plate issued and renewed, and However, according to Hodapp, “the letter of charges only Prince Hall Masons may be issued the tag. against Brother Gordon has been posted on The Burning According to Masonic author and commentator, Chris Taper website (http://burningtaper.blogspot.com/2010/03/ Hodapp, writing on the Freemasons for Dummies blog gl-of-ars-letter-to-bro-derek-gordon.html ), and does not (http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_ refer to anything concerning the lodge's website.” archive.html), the Grand Lodge of Arkansas issued an order Although speculation, and indeed indignation, is than none of its members were to purchase the license rife among Masonic bloggers, neither the Prince Hall plates. “The Grand Master's license plate directive was Grand Lodge nor the mainstream Grand Lodge of issued because the plates were negotiated with the state of Arkansas F. & A.M. have issued any comment about Arkansas by the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Arkansas, the controversy.

GL OF WEST VIRGINIA WITHDRAWS RECOGNITION OF By The Kansas Mason staff in West Virginia, as well as his policies that would have eased The Grand Master of West Virginia, Gregory A. Riley, Sr., restrictions against appendant bodies, and allow for disabled severed Masonic relations between his jurisdiction and the men to join the fraternity. According to a story on the lawsuit neighboring amidst a controversy over published by the Charleston (WV) Gazette in 2008, the Haas a former West Virginia Grand Master. initiatives were designed to make the organization's policies In his edict issued April 19, 2010, Grand Master Riley less discriminatory and racist and more in line with the U.S. withdrew fraternal recognition because an Ohio Lodge, Constitution and the state's public policy, the suit contends. Steubenville Lodge No. 45, elected former West Virginia "Haas' goal was to make Masonry more tolerant, friendly, Grand Master Frank Haas to membership and conferred the decent and accepting of everyone regardless of nationality, three degrees of Masonry on him on Saturday, April 17, 2010. race, religion or disability," the suit states. Haas, the Grand Master of West Virginia in 2005, was In October 2006, members of the Grand Lodge voted to expelled from the fraternity in 2007 and has since filed suit adopt the progressive reforms put forward by Haas, the alleging defamation. Hass has claimed his expulsion was due lawsuit alleges. to his efforts to promote recognition of Prince Hall Masons (See GL OF WEST VIRGINIA, pg. 8)

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GL OF WEST VIRGINIA (Continued from pg. 7) "These reforms and proposals were intended to rid Masonry He made a full disclosure of the Notice of Expulsion by in West Virginia of [its] Orwellian, repressive, regressive and the Past Grand Master of West Virginia and answered unconstitutional practices,” the lawsuit states. all questions presented to him by the Lodge's Committee of Investigation. The Lodge did the necessary In response, Charles F.Coleman, II, who succeeded Haas as background work, including a home visit. They were Grand Master, "almost immediately [and] unilaterally entered assured that he was a good man and true, and he met all various edicts rendering the progressive proposals voted on requirements, including residency for the requisite time, and adopted by a majority of Defendant Grand Lodge null for membership. and void," the suit claims. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia, as of this writing, has The Grand Master of Ohio, Terry W. Posey, writing on the issued no further comment on the withdrawal of recognition. Grand Lodge of Ohio website commented that Haas Haas' lawsuit against the Grand Lodge of West Virginia is is a Judge in West Virginia and until several years ago scheduled for trial in July 2010. was Grand Master of West Virginia. The story of his being expelled from the Grand Lodge of West Virginia is For Further Information: well-documented in various Masonic and other publications… He moved to Ohio last year. After that, he petitioned Steubenville Lodge No. 45 for the degrees Official Web Sites: of Freemasonry. Grand Lodge of West Virginia: http://www.wvmasons.org/ I thoroughly researched the Code of the Grand Lodge of Grand Lodge of Ohio: http://www.freemason.com/ Ohio and there is nothing to prevent his receiving these degrees. Inasmuch as he is an Ohio resident, the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ohio confers Blogs and Commentary: jurisdiction over his membership to the Grand Lodge of http://masonic-crusade.com/ Ohio and the lodge's membership. http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/

SACRÉ BLEU! FRENCH FEMALE FREEMASONS? By Nolan Sump, Salina Lodge No. 60 the Grand Orient are free to initiate women without The Grand Orient of France, the oldest Masonic violating the Orient’s general regulations. In spite of the organization in continental Europe, has revisited opposition by the majority of the brethren in a vote of the the question of whether to allow women to become convention in September 2009, the five lodges argued that Freemasons. In they had the right to initiate whomever they wanted in their September 2009, a own lodges. vote was taken by There are some mixed feelings that the Grand Orient will all of the lodges become a mixed obedience (the term obedience being the within the Grand American equivalent to organization). The previous Grand Orient at its annual Master, Jean-Michel Quillardet, a staunch supporter of the communication in admittance of female Freemasons into the Grand Orient, Lyon, and 56 per- said he was "saddened" by the vote at last September’s cent of the repre- convention. "It is an undeniable decline, contrary to the sentatives of 1200 evolution of society." The current Grand Master, Pierre lodges within the Lambicchi, was not available for comment. organization voted The Grand Orient of France is the largest Masonic against initiating organization in that country. It is not recognized and is women. A further considered irregular by both mainstream and Prince Hall www.phoenixmasonry.org 58.7 percent of the grand lodges in the U.S. and the United Grand Lodge of The first female French Freemason, Maria Deraismes (1828-1894) was initiated into members present England. Its structure is considerably more laissez-faire than the Lodge of the Free Thinkers (Les voted “No” in a US/Anglo-Saxon derived grand lodges, and lodges are given Libres Penseurs ) in Pecq, France in 1882. closed session to an great freedom to set their own rules. A few of their lodges affiliation with have allowed women Masons to visit for more than 30 females from the Women’s Grand Lodge of France, whose years, but five lodges last year illegally initiated six women members comprise 17 percent of the country’s 50,000 members. This resulted in the temporary suspension of Freemasons. This was in response to five lodges within the those lodges and their 169 members, until the issue was Grand Orient who willingly voted in six women in 2008. decided this year at Lyon. On April 8, 2010, the Supreme Court of Masonic Justice The vote has not yet been taken on whether to arrest the (CSJM) decided that the lodges within the jurisdiction of charters of those five lodges.

8 The Kansas Mason

BOOK REVIEW THE TEMPLAR LEGACY: A NOVEL By Steve Berry As a mystery novel, the book is a reasonably interesting Steve Berry is the highly popular read. But it has a secondary story which overshadows the author of such thrillers as The Amber original yarn when it turns Gnostic to “demonstrate” that Room and The Romanov Prophecy. In Jesus was not the Son of God. It reviews the four New this new book about Knights Templar Testament gospels [Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John] about he uses history and conjecture to Jesus noting their inconsistencies and contradictions. This concoct a plot about adventures of the “analysis” combined with Berry’s interjection of an alleged organization surviving today. It is an quote by Pope Leo X: “It has served us well, this myth of entertaining read worth your time and Christ transforms the book into a debate over the divine the coins from your pocket book -- if nature of Jesus of Nazareth.” you enjoy adventure fiction. This secondary story becomes a major distraction As its title states, Legacy is a fanciful lessening the value of the book. Some readers have the piece of fiction. A knock-off of intellectual maturity to deal with, and benefit from, The Da Vinci Code, the book is a challenges to our deeply held personal beliefs of religious murder\mystery thriller with many turns and twists as the faith, others do not. Faith is a poor debate topic as it often intellectual heroes chase, and are chased by, the bad guys relies more on beliefs than facts. Berry cinches his Gnostic through the scenery of Europe. The bad guys are argument with a rather contrived finding of artifacts from a rebel sub-element of the original Knights Templar which the first century of Christianity. As a theological or historical the author has surviving to present times disguised as a treatment of Christianity, The Templar Legacy falls short. But conventional Catholic monastery. In addition to their for a good adventure story in the style of The Da Vinci Code, above-board religious activities, they are trained in with a similar fictional challenge to Christianity, read The martial arts and weaponry. This training comes in Templar Legacy: A Novel. handy as they race with our heroes to find lost Reviewed by: J. Howard Duncan, Lawrence Lodge No. 6 treasure, particularly items relating to the first century Ballantine Books, 496 pages of Christianity. Paperback $9.99; Kindle Edition $7.99

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The Kansas Mason is pleased to receive questions from our readers and answer them as time and space permits. Please send your questions about Masonic law, etiquette, custom, traditions or history to the Questions Answered Editor, Nolan Sump at [email protected] .

Dear Editor: lodge is allowed to omit stated communications during the In visiting a Kansas lodge recently, I was told that the months of July and August. This allows a lodge to hold at lodge would go “dark” this summer, which means that least 10 meetings a year, or one meeting a month, thereby starting in May and until September, no meetings will be subtracting two months out of the year in their effort to “go held. They explained that farmers would be out in the dark.” Some lodges in our state are in less populated field and for the numbers they have, it would be a waste districts and are in agricultural areas where a majority of of time to hold meetings. In my state, we are not the members are farmers. In my area, due to the number of permitted to go dark. Is this legal in your state? farmers, few members are able to attend in the summer. In Signed, addition to that, other conditions exist such as air An out-of-state Mason conditioning and the position of where the lodge sits in the building, whether it is on the main floor or on the second Dear Brother, floor. It also pertains to the amount of activity and size of In the Kansas Masonic By-laws under Article IV, 3-405, a lodge that exists as well. (See QUESTIONS, pg. 10)

9 Spring 2010

SECRETARY (Continued from pg. 2) This year there were a large number of by-law changes on the Secretary’s desk. Being on an investigation proposed. The ones defeated were: committee is a serious responsibility. If you recommend a 1. The proposed increase in the Special Dispensation man to become a member of your lodge, you are also Fee. recommending him to the other lodges in the State of 4. The elimination of per-capita tax on plural Kansas, to the lodges of the United States, and realistically, memberships. to all the lodges we recognize in the rest of the world. I 6. The title of Very Worshipful being given to the Grand once heard it said: “Simply because a man is a Mason does Chaplain. And the proposal to eliminate By-Law 3- not prove that he is a good man, but it does prove that at 619 concerning alcohol, which had been tabled the one time a group of good men thought he was.” Frankly, previous year. the reputation of our fraternity depends on you as a Those that passed were: member of the investigation committee. I would re- 2. Allowing a hand salute by veterans when the flag of commend the Masonic Service Association’s November, the United States is presented. 2009, Short Talk Bulletin, “Qualifications of Investigators”. 3. Automatic expulsion of persons convicted of felonies It points out the importance of appointing men who know and misdemeanors involving sex offenses with a and understand the Fraternity, and the kinds of men we child. should accept for membership in it. It is also recommended 5. Eliminating the Committee on Necrology, and giving that at least one or two of the members on the investigation the responsibility of the necrology service to the committee share some “common ground” with the Grand Chaplain petitioner. For example, if the members who have similar 7. Redefining the responsibilities of the District and Area occupations, or are similar in age to the petitioner, he Deputy Grand Masters. would feel more comfortable talking with these members. It remains painfully apparent that lodges are not While an interview with the petitioner is important, it is seriously investigating their petitioners. We are seeing a equally important to talk to his references and others significant increase in interest from the generation that is who may know him, in order to make the best deter- now old enough to join the fraternity. It concerns me, mination of his character. It is most important that the however, that we might be so happy to see this influx of members chosen for the committee will take their new members, that we will take anyone who puts a petition responsibility very seriously.

QUESTIONS (Continued from pg. 9) Dear Editor: Dear Brother, I am a Senior Deacon for my lodge and have been I can see your point of view and so can a lot of other, older learning my parts for the Fellowcraft Degree with a Brothers. We have all experienced the same situation as you mentor as assigned by the Worshipful Master. We do describe. It is the role of the Master of the lodge to appoint several initiations a year and I have stayed active with someone to assist you on your lines as you prepare for your my parts. Unfortunately, I will forget a word or two responsibilities in performing the degree work on a candidate. and as I pause for a moment to think about what my A candidate going through the degrees deserves a good quality next word will be, one of the past masters who now initiation that flows smoothly. The senior deacon is sits on the sidelines yells out the line I missed . . . or considered “the floor general” and is expected to know his a line he thought I missed, which, even though he material. However, while learning his parts, he will sometimes holds a proficiency card, it disrupts my train of stumble as once happened to me early on in my tenure. The thought. This has happened several times and I’m best decision would be to visit with the master of the lodge about ready to get into an altercation with him. What and your mentor and, if he is available each night you do your shall I do? initiations, have him help you with your lines. Encourage the Brother Senior Deacon Master of the lodge to address this in private with you and the past master who is causing this strife from the sidelines.

THE GRAND EAST (Continued from pg. 2) Research Institute building on Mason’s Day, September 18, This promises to be a very action packed year. There is 2010. RW Don Newman, GSW has exciting plans to include energy building within the Masonic Fraternity. I have been a representative cross-section from all appendent bodies in advised that a number of lodges are seeing significant the processional. Please save the date and join us for a very increases in degree work and overall interest. I urge you to exciting day in Kansas Masonic History. join in the excitement; this will be a fun year!

10 The Kansas Mason OFFICIAL NOTICES

L. Kent Needham Deputy Grand Master PO Box 137 Tonganoxie, KS 66086-0137 Home: 913-845-3211 Office: 785-665-7155 [email protected] PROCLAMATION Festival of Saint John the Baptist:

WHEREAS, Freemasonry proudly acknowledges St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist as its patron saints, honors their memory, points to their lives in its ritualistic work, and dedicates its Lodges to them, and

WHEREAS, the annual observance of the Festival of the Saints John has occupied a place of primary importance in the activity of every Craft Lodge

NOW THEREFORE, I, L. KENT NEEDHAM, GRAND MASTER OF THE ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS IN KANSAS, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM A GENERAL AND SIMULTANEOUS OBSERVANCE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST BY THE LODGES OF THIS JURISDICTION ON SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010, for the purpose herein set forth. I am asking the Lodges to begin at once to make plans for attendance at a service of Divine Worship as a Lodge, or as a group of Lodges, to proclaim and observe this festival day.

It is understood that a church must first extend an invitation, and that the acceptance of this invitation must be agreeable to the Brethren of the Lodge, all in keeping with the spirit of the General Regulations of Masonry.

I call upon all Masons to join with Masonic Brethren and participate with their Lodge in the act of Divine Worship so rich in Masonic Tradition.

Official Grand Lodge Services will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kansas. We will first assemble at the Grand Lodge Building at 9:15 a.m. in order to open Grand Lodge at 9:30 a.m., then travel to the church for the 10:45 a.m. service. I am asking any Grand Lodge Officers, Area Deputies and District Deputies who will not be in attendance at this service to open Grand Lodge in the Temples where requested.

GIVEN UNDER THE HAND AND SEAL OF THE M W GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF KANSAS ON APRIL 6, 2010.

L. Kent Needham, Grand Master

11 Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons NONPROFIT The Kansas Mason U.S. Postage PO BOX 1217 PAID TOPEKA, KS 66601 Manhattan, KS Permit No. 580

Return Service Requested

MASONIC COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Hays Lodge Steak Fry — Saturday, June 5, 7:30 p.m. — Johnson Ranch, Hays.

Brent Morris Lecture and Book Signing — Monday, June 7 — Emporia Lodge 424 Merchant Street, Emporia. Catered dinner: 6 p.m. ($15). Tyled meeting (1°) 7:30 p.m.

2nd Annual Lodge of the Full Moon — Saturday, June 26. Coronado Heights castle, three miles NW of Lindsborg. Signs. Picnic meal (Donation) 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Tyled meeting (3°) 9 p.m. More info: Joint Lindsborg No.397 and Salina No.60 sponsored event.

St. Johns Day Celebration — Sunday, June 27 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Grand Lodge Bldg., 320 SW 8th Avenue, Topeka. More info: 620-363-2310.

48th Annual Keel Pit Degree — Saturday, July 18., — Cheney More info: http://www.cerob.com/pt/events/keel.asp Call Bob (620) 545-7635. Dave (620) 584-2163 Or Jack (316) 522-3509 for more information

Tyrian Lodge No.246 re-dedication — Saturday, August 28, 3 p.m., Sunday August 29, 10 p.m. Where: Garden City.

Pikes Peak Annual Inspection — Saturday, September 11-Sunday. September 12. Silver Saddle Motel, 215 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, Colorado. More info: 620-842-5916, [email protected].

Oak Tree Lodge — Saturday, September 16. — Three miles SW of Little River. Signs. Ham and bean picnic supper (Donation) 6 p.m. Tyled meeting (3°) following More info: District 31 sponsored event in oak grove. Grand Master receives gavel carved from original oak tree and sheepskin fleece signed by all attendees.

Masons Day – KU Med Center — Saturday September 18. University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas.