May 2024
From the Worshipful Master
Greetings from the East , congratulations to brother Jerry Hernandez for being a life member. sorry I haven’t been so active lately between a few medical issues and some personal ones. I’ve been a little absent. We had an issue out of our Hatchery. Somebody had killed some of our pre-smoked salmon so been dealing with that. As we move into May, it will be a very busy month. Congratulations to our four Fellowcraft for proving up. Looking forward to some degree work which will be done before this gets out, ha ha. Looking forward to our next stated communication and taco night always a good meal hope to see everybody then .
Fraternally,
Doug Buck, Worshipful Master
From the Senior Warden
As we look forward to the Summer, we have several candidates to receive degrees. If you would like to learn more about helping with the degree work come out on a Tuesday at 4pm. We would like a few more brothers to participate in this work. Friday evening and Saturday we will confer the 3rd degree on 3 of our Fellow-crafts.
We have several Entered Apprentice’s who we need to spend a little more time with and get them to advance. If you would like to help with these men give Jerry Hernandez a call @ 559-392-4652
See you in lodge
Dick Tooley, PM, Senior Warden
From the Junior Warden
I have spent the last week or so working with the Grand Lodge of Puerto Rico and their Grand Master getting the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program (MMSAP) set up in the Territory. The Grand Master of Puerto Rico has received a financial grant to do training and we, the National Masonic Foundation for Children, are in line to receive some of the grant. I have had two other inquiries from New York and California regarding MMSAP training in each of those jurisdictions. It is unusual because both jurisdictions State Departments of Education have decided to “do it themselves.” We are always ready to accept requests from any source, ewe both public and private schools.
Recently, among appointments for medical and other reasons, hospital visits, etc., we have been working on getting our team up-to-speed so that we can confer the 3rd Degree for our candidates who are eligible to receive the degree. We are slowly making progress and hope our candidates don’t get discouraged. If you are looking for a little adventure, come out and give us a hand.
Fraternally,
Tom Velvin, PM, Junior Warden
CB Courtney Brooks , b, July 5, 1944, d, May 2, 2024.
On May 2nd he passed peacefully to that house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Announcement of services will be relayed as available.
The Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was housed in the Temple of Solomon.
The Ark of the Covenant is a common theme in Freemasonry. It appears as a symbol in a variety of masonic art work. The Ark itself is never mentioned in Blue Lodge ritual.
In the Bible it states, after Solomon’s Temple was completed, as part of the dedication ceremony the Ark was seated within the Kodesh Hakodashim or Holy of Holies. Within the Holy of Holies two massive cherubims, beings who attend to God in the Abrahamic tradition, stood overlooking the Ark.
In the Bible a detailed description is given about what the Ark looked like. Most notably to Freemasons, the Ark in several descriptions is made with acacia wood. The wood was covered with gold and a lid was fashioned with Cherubims on the lid. Despite the detailed descriptions in the Bible, the Ark is often drawn in a variety of ways and shapes. There are at least some who disagree with the idea the Ark was a box or chest, instead saying it was more of a bowl shape, which fit in more commonly with other similar objects of the period.
Some theologians believe within the Bible there are multiple arks spoken of, including the one in the story of Exodus. When Moses smashed the Ten Commandments he placed the broken pieces in the Ark of the Covenant. Also placed in the ark was Aaron’s rod and a pot of manna.
Aaron, the brother of Moses, was a slave like Moses in Egypt. God proclaimed Moses was like a God unto the Egyptians and Aaron his prophet. Just as Moses had a rod displaying mystical powers, so too did Aaron. Prior to the Exodus, Moses and Aaron went before the Pharaoh to give him one last change to release the Israelites. To prove God’s power, God told Aaron to throw his rod on the ground, where it became a snake. The Pharaohs magicians dropped their rods as well and those turned into snakes as well. Aaron’s rod devoured the other snakes.
After the Exodus it was commanded by God each of the twelve tribes put forth a rod to determine which tribe were the priests of the Ark. The tribe connected to the rod which bloomed over night became the priests. Aaron put forth his rod for the Levities. Over the night his rod began to bloom and almonds came from it. Initially the almonds were sweet. Whenever the Israelites turned away from God the almonds became bitter.
The third item in the Ark, the pot of manna was the food source the Israelites had while wondering the desert. Manna is described in a variety of ways depending on what text you are reading.
In later traditions it is said the Ark was carried before the armies of the Israelites making them invincible.
In modern times, the story of the Ark of the Covenant has been viewed through a more modern and even mystical lens. Everything from Indiana Jones and the Ark of the Covenant which had the Ark being unearthed in Egypt and when the Ark was opened the power of God came forth and devoured those who looked upon it. In fact in the Biblical tradition the Ark was hidden from view, even from the people who were carrying it. In other modern twists it has been stated Moses actually brought down radioactive material from Mount Sinai, and it was why his hair turned white. It is also claimed by the same group of people the priestly breastplate, or high priest breastplate, was meant as some sort of “shielding:” from the Ark.
The final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant is unknown. The strongest theory has it in Ethiopia where it is guarded by priests. No one is allowed in to see so it is impossible to confirm it is the Ark of the Covenant.
Today in Masonic History
John Doby Kennedy was an American attorney, politician, and Confederate soldier.
Kennedy was born on January 5th, 1840, in Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina. He joined a pre-Civil War militia unit. From 1855 to 1857 he attended South Carolina College. He read law, studied under an attorney, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. Prior to his establishing a law practice, South Carolina seceded from the United States.
In 1861, Kennedy enlisted in the Confederate Army. Serving in the First Battle of Manassas where he was badly wounded. After his recovery he was promoted to colonel and assigned his first command. He was involved in several battles leading up to the Battle of Sharpsburg where he was again badly wounded. In 1863, he led his regiment during the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He took part in the Carolinas Campaign against William T. Sherman before surrendering with Johnston’s Army near Greensboro. Through out the war Kennedy survived six wounds and was hit fifteen times. By the end of the war he had been promoted to the temporary rank of brigadier general.
In 1865, Kennedy was elected to Congress. He was not seated when he refused to take the “ironclad” oath of allegiance required of every Congressman from seceding states. After returning home until 1877, he was a farmer. After, he established his law practice in Camden. In 1878 and 1879 he represented Kershaw County in the State Legislature. From 1880 to 1882 he served as the Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. He unsuccessfully ran for Governor.
In 1886, President Grover Cleveland appointed Kennedy as consul general at Shanghai, China. He returned from the post in 1889. After returning, he re-established his legal practice until the time of his passing.
Kennedy passed away on April 14th, 1896, from a stroke. In 1911, Camden officials erected a Confederate Memorial fountain. Each of the six sides was dedicated to a general who served from Kershaw County, which included Kennedy,
Kennedy was active in Kershaw Lodge No. 29 in Camden. From 1881 until 1883 he served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina.
Masonic Facts and Trivia
The anchor is used a lot in Christian symbolism and has been adopted by Freemasons to have a similar meaning. Basically, it represents hope, as well as peace against stormy weather.
An anchor is used, quite literally, as a way of grounding a ship, and in the same way this symbol talks about living a life that is grounded in hope and peace.
Dates to Remember for May 2024
May 7th., 6:30pm Dinner 7:30pm Stated Meeting
May 14th., 4pm, Trustees meeting/practice
May 16th., 11:30am Pacific Dunes Shrines Club/Lunch at IXTAPA
Family Mexican Restaurant
May 21st., 4pm, Trustees meeting/Practice
May 28th., 4pm, Trustees Meeting/Practice
June 4th., 6:30pm Dinner 7:30pm Stated Meeting
Florence Masonic Lodge No. 107,AF&AM of Oregon 