Freemasons For Dummies: John Slifko and the Grand Orient of the US
Check out this article posted by Bro. Chris Hodapp.
Part of being regular Mason in US jurisdictions is that you take on certain obligations which you promise that you will never lay aside. Yet, becoming Grand Master of this splinter group violates those very obligations. How does Mr. Slifko justify that?
Part of being regular Mason in US jurisdictions is that you take on certain obligations which you promise that you will never lay aside. Yet, becoming Grand Master of this splinter group violates those very obligations. How does Mr. Slifko justify that?
Freemasons For Dummies: John Slifko and the Grand Orient of the US: "
FREEMASONS FOR DUMMIES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
John Slifko and the Grand Orient of the US
Well-known California Mason John Slifko, who has been associated with UCLA's Roosevelt Center For The Study Of Civil Society & Freemasonry has demitted from his regular lodge...
Timothy Bonney
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Masonic foundation exceeds pledge to KU Cancer Center
The Kansas Masonic Foundation has surpassed its $15 million pledge to support cancer research through the University of Kansas Cancer Center -- and has done so a year ahead of schedule.
Foundation President Jeff Sowder said in a release Monday that a recent $2 million gift from the Mark and Bette Morris Foundation increased the Kansas Masonic Foundation's total giving to KU Cancer Center to more than $15.2 million. The Masonic foundation launched the five-year Partnership for Life Campaign to fulfill the $15 million pledge to KU Cancer Center in November 2003.
In recognition of the Masonic Foundation's generous support of cancer research, the KU Medical Center named the KU Cancer Center's research wing the Kansas Masonic Research Institute. The new $15 million pledge brings the foundation's total support for KU cancer research to more than $20 million.
"The Masons of Kansas have made a great impact on the KU Cancer Center," Sowder said in the release. "We are extremely proud of the success of our Partnership for Life Campaign. Kansas Masons and friends have been generous in their giving. ... But our partnership with KU Cancer Center is lifelong, and we will continue our efforts until there is a cure for this dreaded disease."
An important interim goal, the release said, is to assist KU Cancer Center in achieving designation as a comprehensive cancer center from the National Cancer Institute. Roy Jensen, director of the KU Cancer Center and its Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute, said recently that NCI designation will translate into about $40 million a year in NCI research grants for investigators throughout Kansas and Western Missouri.
"The funds raised by Kansas Masons will help advance cancer awareness and research throughout the region," Jensen said in the release Monday. "The institute seeks to bring to KU Cancer Center new cancer research programs, new resources for determining and providing more effective treatments, and greater opportunities to collaborate with the finest researchers around the world to conquer all forms of cancer."
Chapter and Council
We had a good meeting of Ascalon Chapter No. 139 RAM and Arcturus Council U.D. R&SM. Sitting in the East this year in Ascalon is an honor. And, I have very much appreciate the support of all members and PHPs of the chapter!
I look forward to degree work that we are planning for this summer. The Chapter and Council degrees are some of the most meaningful in Freemasonry. My two favorite of all Masonic degrees are the Royal Arch Degree and the Royal Master Degree.
The Holy Royal Arch is the conclusion and explanation of the Master Mason degree. I can say that you have really missed the full meaning of your 3rd degree if you've not received the Royal Arch. And, the Royal Master degree can be viewed as a prequel to the events of the 3rd degree.
If you are a Mason and have not joined Chapter and Council you are missing some wonderful degrees. And, further opportunities for Masonic fellowship.
I look forward to degree work that we are planning for this summer. The Chapter and Council degrees are some of the most meaningful in Freemasonry. My two favorite of all Masonic degrees are the Royal Arch Degree and the Royal Master Degree.
The Holy Royal Arch is the conclusion and explanation of the Master Mason degree. I can say that you have really missed the full meaning of your 3rd degree if you've not received the Royal Arch. And, the Royal Master degree can be viewed as a prequel to the events of the 3rd degree.
If you are a Mason and have not joined Chapter and Council you are missing some wonderful degrees. And, further opportunities for Masonic fellowship.
The Masonic Society - On the Move! - And AMD
With less than a week of official existence under its belt the new Masonic Society has now over 100 members. This tells me that there is a hunger for Masonic education, growth, and learning.
There is a myth floating around in the Masonic world that the way to make more Masons is to make Masonry easier, simpler, and quicker. But the light I see expressed by newer Masons is that they want more. More education, more depth, more understanding, more information, more study, more involvement in the Craft.
This reminds me of the current growth nationally of the Allied Masonic Degrees. As a new AMD member in a brand new AMD council I have learned that the AMD is one of the few nationally recognized York Rite related bodies that is experiencing growth. Why?
Well, the AMD creates the small lodge experience with no more than 27 members per council. It is expected that all 27 members will be active participants. The society is geared towards Masonic research, discussion, education and discussion. New councils, unlike many Masonic bodies, are easy to start and easy to get a charter for.
Des Moines has a new AMD Council, Polaris NO. 449 AMD, which is moving forward. I will be presenting a Masonic paper at our July meeting for discussion. Given my experience with AMD and other similar organizations, AMD has all the others beat for ease of startup and focus.
The power and promise of Freemasonry is found in the philosophy and way of life it teaches. And, as Masons wade into the deeper waters of the Craft they find compelling reasons to be a Mason!
There is a myth floating around in the Masonic world that the way to make more Masons is to make Masonry easier, simpler, and quicker. But the light I see expressed by newer Masons is that they want more. More education, more depth, more understanding, more information, more study, more involvement in the Craft.
This reminds me of the current growth nationally of the Allied Masonic Degrees. As a new AMD member in a brand new AMD council I have learned that the AMD is one of the few nationally recognized York Rite related bodies that is experiencing growth. Why?
Well, the AMD creates the small lodge experience with no more than 27 members per council. It is expected that all 27 members will be active participants. The society is geared towards Masonic research, discussion, education and discussion. New councils, unlike many Masonic bodies, are easy to start and easy to get a charter for.
Des Moines has a new AMD Council, Polaris NO. 449 AMD, which is moving forward. I will be presenting a Masonic paper at our July meeting for discussion. Given my experience with AMD and other similar organizations, AMD has all the others beat for ease of startup and focus.
The power and promise of Freemasonry is found in the philosophy and way of life it teaches. And, as Masons wade into the deeper waters of the Craft they find compelling reasons to be a Mason!
The Masonic Society off to a huge start!
I have really been impressed in the initial interest in the new Masonic Society. I receive notice of the registrations for the online forum which require you to be a dues paying member to join and the names are coming in at an amazing rate!
It does my heart good to know that many Masons are interested in new and growing avenues of Masonic research!
It does my heart good to know that many Masons are interested in new and growing avenues of Masonic research!