BEULAH CHAPTER NO. 25

ROYAL ARCH MASONS

SEYMOUR COUNCIL NO. 15

ROYAL and SELECT  MASTERS

SUMTER COMMANDERY NO. 20 KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

NEWS LETTER

SUMTER YORK RITE BODIES

20 JULY 2006

Companions and Sir Knights,

Our York Rite Year is quickly passing and I’ll attempt to enlighten you on what has transpired since my last letter.  I’m sad to inform you that Most Worshipful Brother Alfred Allsbrook, and Reverend Brother Edgar Stiles Farnsworth have gone to their eternal homes.  We have and will continue to miss these Brethren.

We will be starting a York Rite Class on 8 August with the Mark Master, Past Master and Most Excellent Master degrees.  We presently have 3 candidates and hope to have more by that time.  We will then confer the Royal Arch Degree on 12 September, Royal and Select Masters Degrees on 10 October, Orders of the Red Cross and Malta on 14 November and the Order of the Temple on 12 December. These are some very beautiful degrees and Orders and if possible we would certainly enjoy having you join us to witness or take part in the work.   Remember that we are served an excellent meal at 7 PM with the meeting at 8 PM.  It is important to you and the bodies that the members take an active part in our business and activities.

Our participation in the Holy Land Pilgrimage Program has reaped some tremendous benefits.   Reverend Randall E. Bowers, whom we sent on the last pilgrimage, petitioned Hillcrest Lodge and he is looking forward with great anticipation to joining us in the York Rite.  At the same time we submitted Reverend Benny Barwick's name to the state Committee.  He was not selected; therefore the Sumter York Rite Bodies intend to sponsor him in 2007.  We are still in need of donations to accomplish this.  If possible, please support us in this endeavor.  This program is an excellent means of promoting our ideals.  I also ask for your support of our other Philanthropies: Royal Arch Research Assistance, Cryptic Masons Medical Research and Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

We still have five members who have not paid their 2005 dues and 17 who have not paid their 2006 dues.  If you are one of these, there will be an asterisk after your name on the envelope.  Brethren it is important to you and to the Sumter York Rite Bodies that you continue your membership.  Please remit your dues as soon as possible.  I also remind you that your 2007 dues are due and payable on 31 December 2006.  For those of you who have not been in attendance, dues are increasing.  This is necessary due to the increase of Per Capita Fees by the Grand York Rite.  Our By-Laws state that our dues will automatically increase commensurate with any increases by the Grand York Rite.   The Per Capita increased by $2.00 in each of the bodies for a total of $6.00. Thus our dues will increase as follows: Chapter from $9.00 to $11.00, Council from $9.00 to $11.00 and Commandery from 13.00 to $15.00.  Total dues for all three bodies will then be $37.00.  As in the past, if you feel that you are financially unable to pay your dues, do not hesitate to contact me.  If the bodies feel that assistance is needed, we will remit your dues. We certainly do not want to loose a member because of the inability to pay dues.

Brethren, since the cost of our Life Membership is based on your age and current dues there will be an appreciable increase in Life Membership as of 1 November 2006.  If you have any thoughts of purchasing a Life Membership, doing so prior to that date will save you money.  The current figures for all three bodies are as follows:  Age 21-24 = $775, 25-29 = $675, 30-39 = $600, 40-44 = $575, 45-49 = $500,  50-54 = $425, 55-59 = $350, 60-64 = $325 and age 65 and above is $250.   Examples of increases after 1 November are as follows:  21-24 = $925, 45-49 = $575 and over 65 = $325.  Some of you are 40-year members and are not subject to dues in the Chapter and Council or you are members in the Chapter and Council but not the Commandery.  In these cases, please contact me for specific Life Membership costs.

In the interest of saving money, those of you who have provided me with your E-Mail Address will receive this via E-Mail.  Brethren, if you have E-Mail please give me your E-Mail Address.  With the cost of postage and copying the savings are significant.  If you change your E-Mail or street address, please notify me.  Also, great news, Sumter York Rite Bodies now has a Web Site.  Companion and Sir Knight Joe Goode has built a fantastic site for us and will continue as the Web Master.  At the present time it is relatively basic but as time goes on and we receive suggestions from the members it will evolve into a tremendous tool.  If you have any recommendations, please forward them to Brother Goode.  The Web Site is: www.sumteryorkrite.com.  If you would like to see one of the sites Brother Goode has established, and is completely operational go to www.hillcrestlodge397.com or www.hillcrestchapter263.com.

Let us continue to remember our Brethren and friends, our nation and especially our military in our daily devotionals.  As Masons we know that prayer is the necessary answer to the problems that face this world and we as individuals.

Brethren I thank you for your continued support of your York Rite Bodies in all of its endeavors.

If I can be of any assistance to you please contact me at 803-469-2269 or E-Mail yrsec1935@sc.rr.com.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

 //signed//

Jerry A. Holt

Secretary/Recorder