2018 Proceedings of the York Rite Grand Bodies Of Freemasonry Of OKLAHOMA Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oklahoma, at Midwest City, April 27, 2018 Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Oklahoma, at Midwest City, April 27, 2018 Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Oklahoma, at Midwest City, April 28, 2018 1 MASONIC CALENDAR Ancient Craft Masons: Commence their era with the creation of the world, calling it Anno Lucis (A.L), “in the year of light”. Royal Arch Masons: Date from the year the second temple was commenced by Zerubbabel. Anno Inventionis (A.L.),” in the year of discovery”. Order of High Priesthood: Date from the year of blessing of Abram by the High Priest Melchizedek, Anno Benefacionis (A.B.), “in the year of blessing”. Royal and Select Masters: Date from the year in which the temple of Solomon was completed, Anno Depositionis (A.Dep.), “in the year of deposit”. Knight Templar: Commence their era with the organization of their Order, Anno Ordinis (A.O.), “in the year of the Order”. Scottish Rite: Same as Ancient Craft, except that the Jewish chronology is used, Anno Mundi (A.M.), “in the year of the world”. RULES FOR MASONIC DATES Ancient Craft Masons: Add 4,000 years to the Common Era: Thus, 2004 plus 4,000 = 6004. Royal Arch Masons: Add 530 years to the Common Era: Thus, 2004 plus 530 = 2534. Order of High Priesthood: Add 1,913 Years to the Common Era: Thus, 2004plus 1,913 = 3917. Royal and Select Masters: Add 1,000 years to the Common Era: Thus, 2004 plus 1,000 = 3004. Knights Templar: Subtract 1,118 years from the Common Era: Thus, 2004 minus 1,118 = 886. Scottish Rite: Add 3,760 years to the Common Era: Thus, 2004 plus 3,760 = 5764. 2 SPECIAL EVENTS PRIOR TO GRAND SESSION PAST GRAND HIGH PRIEST’S ASSOCIATION CASH RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS JANUARY 1, 2017 TO DECEMBER 31, 2017 Cash on deposit, RCB Pioneer, Ponca City, OK – January 1, 2017 $ 8,057.18 DEPOSITS: Checking Account Interest $ 2.80 1st Clearing 8,063.63 Income $ 8,066.43 DISBURSEMENTS: Charles L. Stuckey 110.00 Rainbow 2,000.00 RARA 1,000.00 DeMolay 2,000.00 Wells Fargo 7,998.11 Total Disbursements $13,108.11 Cash on Deposit, RCB Pioneer Ponca City, OK – December 31, 2017 $ 3,015.50 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIEST’S ASSOCIATION OF THE GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF OKLAHOMA ASSETS AND FUND EQUITY AS OF JANUARY 1, 2018 CASH: RCB-Pioneer, Ponca City, January 1, 2018 Account No. 55-1192 $ 3,015.50 INVESTMENTS: Wells Fargo, Ponca City, Account No. 4995-7445 Cash $ 938.54 Quantity Cost NAV Yield ISHARES Trust S&P USPFD Stock Index 1,914 61,923.67 72,865.98 5.59% Reality Income Corp, REIT 133 7,998.11 7,583.66 4.47% Suburban Propane 279 12,790.64 6,757.38 9.90% Vanguard Natural Resources 212 6,134.75 1.85 NA Welltower Inc 84 4,991.95 5,356.68 5.45% IVY FDS Inc. 1,165.635 10,169.89 8,812.20 6.22% Eaton Vance Tax Managed Global 453 7,611.96 9,220.54 9.72% First Trust Specialty 1,235 12,299.47 7,582.90 11.40% Total Equities $123,920.44 $118,181.19 Total Assets $121,226.69 Estimated Income for 2018 - $7,684.00 Investments: January 1, 2017 $110,695.00 Cash Withdrawn 8,063.63 12 month yield 13.8% Investment January 26, 2017 - $ 7,998.11 3 OKLAHOMA PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS’ ASSOCIATION MINUTES April 26, 2018 CALL TO ORDER: Tim Israel, President Prayer: Kenton Israel, MEGHP MEMBERS PRESENT: Elwood M. Isaacs*, David A. Ray*, Newell K. Barker, Bobby L. Carter*, Timothy P. Israel*, Donnie G. Higginbotham, John E. King, Robert R. Rolseth(VP), Donald G. Jones, Clyde H. Schoolfield, Jr. Guests: Kenton M. Israel, Current Grand High Priest President Tim Israel called the meeting to order at 1:38 pm to allow members who were still at the registration table to attend. President Israel proposed making the following donations: $1,000 to RARA $1,500 to Rainbow $1,500 to DeMolay $110 to Charles Stuckey Donnie Higginbotham moved to amend the proposal to make a one-time donation in the amount of $500 to Jobs Daughters, based on a conversation with Toni Tomlinson, the adult leader for OK JDI who assured him that they had a leadership program and would comply with our requirement to report back to us how the money was spent. That Motion was seconded by John E. King. A vote was taken on the combined donation proposal and passed. The total donations approved now total $4,610. ELECTION OF OFFICERS: 2018-2020 (2 year term) President Israel explained that we advance our officers, who serve two year terms and that Charles Stuckey was willing to again serve as our Secretary. We advanced Ron Carr and Robert Rolseth and retained Charles Stuckey. Nominations were opened for the office of 2nd Vice President. Questions were asked and answers given about who could be elected and whether there was a requirement that the president be chosen from the most recent couple of Past Grand High Priests. Then nominations were opened and the only nomination was Donnie Higginbotham who was promptly elected. The list of newly elected officers is as follows: President: Ron Carr 1st Vice President: Robert Rolseth 2nd Vice President: Donnie Higginbotham Secretary: Charles Stuckey. Tim Israel announced that the Financial Report of Past Grand High Priests’ Association is in the Pre-Print on pages 46 - 47. President Israel reported the following current balances. Investment Account as of March 31, Balance is $115,894. The bank balance as of April 12 is $5,489.74. Proposed Distributions now total $4,610.00 Tim Israel installed the officers present. Ron Carr was not present due to health conditions. Tim Israel, in the absence of President Carr, declared the meeting closed. Respectfully submitted, Tim Israel (Past President) 4 IN MEMORY OF OUR BELOVED COMPANIONS AND SIR KNIGHTS Who have touched His hand and Risen to the glory of God during the past year. DIVINE AND MEMORIAL SERVICE TO HONOR THE DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE YORK RITE MASONIC BODIES OF OKLAHOMA 129th Annual Convocation Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons 124th Annual Assembly Grand Council of Cryptic Masons 123rd Annual Conclave Grand Commandery of Knights Templar April 28, 2018 Sheraton, Midwest City, Oklahoma 5 Services were conducted by Companion Timothy P. Israel, Excellent Grand Chaplain, R.A.M. Companion B.F. Rowland, Jr., Illustrious Grand Chaplain, G.C. Sir Knight Richard L. Hargrave, III, Eminent Grand Prelate, K.T. Welcome by Companion B. F. Rowland, Jr. Eulogy by Companion Timothy P. Israel NECROLOGY During this closing York Rite year, through 30 March 2018, “the allotted course on earth” ended for fifty (50) of our Companions and Sir Knights. Included are Companions and Sir Knights: Wendall F. Harris, Geary T James & Troy F Wood , Altus & Elk City York Rite, Don L Turley, PGC, Ardmore York Rite, Richard M Cortner & James R Wood, Bartlesville York Rite, Richard C Kershman, George H Powers, PGM, Billy J Smith & William A Young, Capitol Hill York Rite, Warren L McConnell, Guthrie York Rite, Henry D Hinch & Jack W Japp, Lawton York Rite, Albert A Alexander, Donald J Goodspeed, L R Grubbs, Cecil Hewitt, Charles Reamy & Troy E Shipman, PGIM, McAlester York Rite, Carl D Denton & Sam H Scully, Muskogee York Rite, Theordore J Elgin, Sr., Norman York Rite, John T Baldwin, Earl L Berryman, Jr., PGIM, Todd W Clark, Richard E Gray, David W Kirk, Sturat M Kirk, Anthony M Leonhard, Claud E Siner & Raymond F Stoll, Oklahoma City York Rite, Charles F Gillentine, PGHP, George M Savage & Edgar D Snyder, PGIM, Ponca City York Rite, Joseph DeStefano, Norris E. Holbrock & Eric G Stone, Stillwater York Rite, Wesley C Farabough, Ralph K Harris, PGS, Richard B Link, John J Livingston, Eldon W Parker, III, , Clifton L Richards, Jr., , Glenn Tuttle, Clinton L Warnock, Albert A Yeager, Tulsa York Rite, Robert L Bender, , Alfred L Cox & Kerry S Mouser, Woodward York Rite. LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES: by Companion Kenton M. Israel, Most Excellent Grand High Priest Companion William J. Cloud, Most Illustrious Grand Master Sir Knight Donnie G. Higgimbotham, Right Eminent Grand Commander OFFERING The box of fraternal assistance was passed. Proceeds split between the Royal Arch Research Assistance, the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, and the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage fund. 6 JOINT BANQUET ACTIVITIES 27 April 2018 The following Companions, Sir Knights, and Ladies were honored during the banquet ceremonies and other events noted as follows: GRAND CHAPTER The Joseph Samuel Murrow award was presented to John D. Holman, Cyrus Chapter No. 7 and Harvey C. Johnson Jr., Muskogee Chapter No. 3. (These awards were presented at the Grand Chapter Session.) General Grand Chapter Bronze Medal award was presented to James D. Nobles, Cyrus Chapter No. 7, Oklahoma City, OK. The General Grand Chapter Ephraim Kirby award for exemplary service to Freemasonry was presented to Glenn H. Kinsley, Woodward Chapter No. 72, Woodward, OK. Companion Kenton M. Israel was presented a plaque and jewel for his service as Grand High Priest. GRAND COUNCIL General Grand Council Adult Leadership award was presented to Jaymie B. Jordan, Stillwater Council No. 50. General Grand Council Cryptic Mason of the Year award was presented to Brian A. Buswell, Alpha Council No. 18, Oklahoma City, OK. Companion William J. Cloud was presented a plaque and jewel for his service as Grand Illustrious Master.