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

6 September 2008

Companions and Sir Knights,

How quickly time flies. It seems like we have just started and we are already two thirds of the way through the year. Things have changed in Sumter York Rite Bodies; one, we have new Officers in each body, Chapter, Council, and Commandery as we do every year and two, we have a new Secretary/Recorder for all three bodies, L. Craig Cagle. Companion and Sir Knight Jerry A. Holt, the former Secretary/Recorder, made a decision to step down from that office three years ago providing there would be an "understudy" to take the office. The "shoes are big to fill," but I hope, with the support and cooperation from all of you, that I will be able to do the job as well as Companion Holt has done. Companion and Sir Knight Holt served well as our Secretary/Recorder for a number of years. Thank you for all you've done for Sumter York Rite Bodies!

Our year has been prosperous in light of our new members. We Knighted four new members in November 2007, Ravenell Depree Cantley, III, Samuel Joseph Harrell, Zan Tracey Pender, Charles Andrew W olfsandle and four new members in June 2008, Burrell Burnett Berrie, Jr., Jeffery Benton Cross, Leslie Waterman Devoe, Robert Lester McLallen, respectively, and we are proud to welcome these Sir Knights into Sumter York Rite Bodies. We also welcome Companion and Sir Knights Aubrey Kirkland Jeffcoat who was reinstated in March 2008 and Rev. Davis Nathaniel Brown who demitted from Asheville York Rite Bodies in NC. We currently do not have a class started, so "talk-up" York Rite Masonry! Unlike the Blue Lodge, we can ask a Brother! So get to work and get those petitions in!

Companion and Sir Knight Vladimir Aurelian Enachescu, our Brother from R. L. Nova Europa, Bucharest, Romania, has completed his exchange tour here in the United States and returned to Romania. He had a good Masonic "journey" during his stay here. He is a good example that shows Masonry is alive and well throughout the world!

I am sorry to announce that Companions and Sir Knights Arnold Eugene Coley and John Wesley Johnson have gone to their eternal homes. We have already received the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of SC and the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of SC for their Official Visits and they are very pleased with the manner in which the Sumter York Rite Bodies does the degree work and manages their affairs. The Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of SC will make his Official Visit on 9 December 2008.

Sumter York Rite Bodies has a lot to be proud of, especially for our donations to charities in the past. I am happy to inform you that the Holy Land Pilgrimage has been reinstated for the time being. Unfortunately, Sumter York Rite Bodies will not participate this year because the two ministers that were suggested have declined to participate at this time. Sumter York Rite Bodies needs to build up the Minister's Fund. As of today, Sumter York Rite Bodies has a total of $244.50 in the fund that Companions and Sir Knights have generously donated, but as with the rising cost of everything else, the cost of the trip and expenses to the Holy Land has also increased to approximately $2900.00. If we are to continue to send a Christian Minister to the Holy Land then, Companions and Sir Knights, I earnestly solicit your donations! Every minister that the Knights Templar sponsored have gone back to their respective church with a better understanding of the Bible and religion as a whole! This is the greatest thing that we as Knights Templar can do to let the people in our communities know what we stand for! Christianity! Let us continue to support this worthwhile endeavor!

Two years ago we increased our annual dues to $43.00 for the members who pay dues, but we only draw approximately $20.00 from the Life Membership Fund for each living Life Member. Last year we cleared approximately $350.00 after paying the Per Capita for our living Life Members and these funds went to help defray our operating expenses. This year after paying the Per Capita for these members we will loose approximately $7.30 per member, which results in a $900.00 loss in operating funds. Any donations to help offset this loss would be very much appreciated. For the dues paying members, the dues notices are enclosed and I would very much appreciate your early remittance. Time is of the essence! For those who have not yet paid their 2008 dues, please do not let your York Rite Membership lapse. Let's eliminate our losses due to Non Payment of Dues and maybe have an increase in membership this year. If you are financially unable to pay your dues please notify me and we will consider remitting them. The "easiest" way to eliminate NPD's is to become a Life Member! You don't have to do this at one time you can become a Life Member one Body at a time over a period of three years. I have enclosed the formula for Sumter York Rite Bodies. Please consider it.

If I can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to contact me. My home mailing address is 850 Gray Fox Trail, Sumter, SC, 29154-6219. My home phone is 803-7738140 and my cell phone is 803-968-4824. My E-Mail is yrsecrec07@aol.com. If you have E-Mail, please provide your E-Mail address so that I can include it in the York Rite "address book." This can save us a great deal in postage. Also, notify me of any telephone number or address changes so that I may continue to update the roster. Please notice that the address for Sumter York Rite Bodies has changed! The "new" address is 215 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC 29150-3809. By receiving the mail at Sumter Lodge, rather than the post office, we "saving" $68.00 per year! Every little bit helps!

I would also like to invite you, your family and friends to our Christmas Observance, which will be at 3:00 PM on 14 December at the Sumter Masonic Hall. Our guest speaker will be Reverend William "Billy" Lewis whom we sponsored to the Holy Land Pilgrimage this year. He will present slides and a narrative about his trip. Please come and join us!

If you haven't attended a Sumter York Rite meeting lately, please do so! We have a meal at 7:00 PM and business at 7:30 PM on each second Tuesday of every month.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

L. Craig Cagle Secretary/Recorder