Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa January 21, 2016 Come one, come all, to the 2016 Scottish Rite Reunions. On behalf of the officers and members of the Des Moines Scottish Rite, we would like to invite you to our 2016 Scottish Rite reunions.  This year will feature a variety of reunion types for you to enjoy and for our candidates for the Scottish Rite.  We will begin the year by offering two of the Lodge of Perfection degrees, the 4th degree, Secret Master and the 14th degree, Perfect Elu on the evening of February 18th.  These degrees are open to any Master Mason who wishes to begin his Scottish Rite experience by joining the Des Moines Lodge of Perfection on a Thursday evening.  We will begin with candidate orientation at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:00 pm, begin the degree work at 6:45 pm, and wrap up by 9:00 pm with dessert. On April 8th & 9th, we will host our first ever Multi-state Scottish Rite Reunion.  This reunion will honor Sovereign Grand Inspector General Emeritus, Harry S. Barrows, 33° and will feature degree teams from all over the Midwest.  Throughout the weekend we will have performances from degree teams from: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Sioux City, Iowa, Omaha, Nebraska, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri.  This special weekend will offer an opportunity to see different interpretations of our Scottish Rite degrees but it is also a chance to meet Scottish Rite Masons from other Valleys, and share our Scottish Rite lessons with a new class of candidates.  This reunion is designed to allow a candidate to become a Master of the Royal Secret in one weekend.  The members of the Valley of Cedar Rapids will kick off the reunion with the 4th degree at 1:00 pm on Friday, April 8th.  The reunion will conclude on Saturday, April 9th with the 32nd degree and will be followed by a special Spring Gala in honor of Illustrious Brother Barrows.   This Fall we will have a three Saturday reunion.  It will begin on October 15th (4th to 14th degrees), October 29th (15th to 22nd degrees) and complete on Saturday, November 12th (23rd to 32nd).  The 2016 Double Eagle Gala will be held following the 32nd degree on November 12th. The cost to join the Scottish Rite is $325.00.  Candidates receive all of the reunion meals, the 14th degree pyramid, Bridge to Light book, Scottish Rite pin, Patent of Membership, Class picture, and two tickets to the Gala for the initiation fee.

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST Saturday, January 30th 8:00 AM You and all members of you lodge are invited to the annual Blue Lodge Breakfast hosted by the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masons. FREE TO ALL MASONS! This is an excellent chance to meet the new officers from each area lodge, enjoy a great breakfast, and renew old friendships. There will be a short Masonic education program, followed by a cribbage tournament for those who wish to play. Reservations requested by January 25, 2016 515-288-8927 or rsvp@dmscottishrite.org 519 Park Street  Des Moines IA 50309

Masonic Education Conference In February, our Scottish Rite Foundation has partnered with the Grand Lodge of Iowa and theMasonic Education Corporation to host the 2016 Masonic Education Conference.  This conference will be held in Des Moines on February 27th.  It will feature guest speakers on the Old Charges, the development of the Masonic ritual, and a presentation on current Masonic membership trends.  That evening will be the presentation of the Entered Apprentice Degree by members of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.  Louisiana Masonic ritual is quite different that ours in Iowa.  As Louisiana was previously a French colony, there were French Lodges, Spanish Lodges, and British Lodges. Therefore, when Louisiana became a part of the United States, their lodges did as well.  The Grand Lodge of Louisiana recognizes several Masonic rituals.  One of which is a "Scottish Rite" version.  The brothers will be exemplifying this version of the Entered Apprentice degree.

MASONIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE DETAILS Saturday, February 27th 9:00 am     Registration/Coffee 10:00 am   Morning Sessions 12:00 pm   Lunch 1:00 pm     Afternoon Sessions 4:00 pm     Social Hour 5:00 pm     Festive Board                    (Prime Rib) 6:00 pm     EA Degree by GL of LA Where:      Scottish Rite - Des Moines IA Cost:         $35.00 per attendee RSVP by February 15, 2016 to the Grand Lodge of Iowa in Cedar Rapids: Kevin Smith PO Box 279 Cedar Rapids IA 52406-0279 319-365-1438 Make checks payable to the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

2016 EVENTS January 30th     Blue Lodge Breakfast February 3rd     SR Annual Meeting February 18th   Lodge of Perfection Degrees February 27th   AASR/GL Education Conf. March 2nd        Barrow's Reunion Kick-off March 24th       Maundy Thursday April 8th/9th   Multi-State Reunion            honoring IIL. Harry S. Barrows, 33  °                           SGIG Emeritus April 27th         U of FM - Prince Adept May 11th           SR Quarterly Meeting May 16th           KSA Knighting June 10th           AASR Golf Outing June 24th/25th   Summer AASR Reunion June 28th/29th   U of FM - Royal Mile July 25th            AASR Honor's Banquet August 18th       University of Freemasonry August 31st       Worker's Dinner/Kick-off September 14th  SR Quarterly Meeting October 15th      1st Saturday (4° - 14°) October 29th      2nd Saturday (15° - 22°) November 12th  3rd Saturday (23° - 32°) December 7th     SR Meeting/Holiday Party

Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa

January 19, 2016

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST Saturday, January 30th 8:00 AM You and all members of you lodge are invited to the annual Blue Lodge Breakfast hosted by the Des Moines Scottish Rite Masons. FREE TO ALL MASONS! This is an excellent chance to meet the new officers from each area lodge, enjoy a great breakfast, and renew old friendships. There will be a short Masonic education program, followed by a cribbage tournament for those who wish to play. Reservations requested by January 25, 2016 515-288-8927 or rsvp@dmscottishrite.org 519 Park Street  Des Moines IA 50309

Masonic Education Conference In February, our Scottish Rite Foundation has partnered with the Grand Lodge of Iowa and theMasonic Education Corporation to host the 2016 Masonic Education Conference.  This conference will be held in Des Moines on February 27th.  It will feature guest speakers on the Old Charges, the development of the Masonic ritual, and a presentation on current Masonic membership trends.  That evening will be the presentation of the Entered Apprentice Degree by members of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.  Louisiana Masonic ritual is quite different that ours in Iowa.  As Louisiana was previously a French colony, there were French Lodges, Spanish Lodges, and British Lodges. Therefore, when Louisiana became a part of the United States, their lodges did as well.  The Grand Lodge of Louisiana recognizes several Masonic rituals.  One of which is a "Scottish Rite" version.  The brothers will be exemplifying this version of the Entered Apprentice degree.

MASONIC EDUCATION CONFERENCE DETAILS Saturday, February 27th 9:00 am     Registration/Coffee 10:00 am   Morning Sessions 12:00 pm   Lunch 1:00 pm     Afternoon Sessions 4:00 pm     Social Hour 5:00 pm     Festive Board                    (Prime Rib) 6:00 pm     EA Degree by GL of LA Where:      Scottish Rite - Des Moines IA Cost:         $35.00 per attendee RSVP by February 15, 2016 to the Grand Lodge of Iowa in Cedar Rapids: Kevin Smith PO Box 279 Cedar Rapids IA 52406-0279 319-365-1438 Make checks payable to the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

2016 EVENTS January 30th     Blue Lodge Breakfast February 3rd     SR Annual Meeting February 18th   Lodge of Perfection Degrees February 27th   AASR/GL Education Conf. March 2nd        Barrow's Reunion Kick-off March 24th       Maundy Thursday April 8th/9th   Multi-State Reunion            honoring IIL. Harry S. Barrows, 33  °                           SGIG Emeritus April 27th         U of FM - Prince Adept May 11th           SR Quarterly Meeting May 16th           KSA Knighting June 10th           AASR Golf Outing June 24th/25th   Summer AASR Reunion June 28th/29th   U of FM - Royal Mile July 25th            AASR Honor's Banquet August 18th       University of Freemasonry August 31st       Worker's Dinner/Kick-off September 14th  SR Quarterly Meeting October 15th      1st Saturday (4° - 14°) October 29th      2nd Saturday (15° - 22°) November 12th  3rd Saturday (23° - 32°) December 7th     SR Meeting/Holiday Party

Scottish Rite Event

This Wednesday, January 13^th is a very special and unique opportunity for the Masons of Iowa, sponsored by the Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation.  It is a dinner and speech by Dr. Richard Berman of the Grand Lodge of England.  He is the 2016 Prestonian lecturer of the Grand Lodge of England.  Dr. Berman is the author of several books on the development of Freemasonry.  As far as I can tell, this is the first ever visit to Iowa by a Prestonian lecturer.  This event should be a great supplement to the information that Ron Lindhart,33° has provided at our Royal Mile celebrations.  So in case you have forgotten…the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England was Anthony Sayer.

We will begin with fellowship and social time beginning at 6:00 pm.  We have Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, MWB Arthur G. Crandon, Dr. Berman and several brothers from other Iowa Scottish Rite Valleys joining us, so please help them feel welcome.  At approximately 6:20, we will have dinner.  Dinner will be Caesar salad, prime rib, “real” mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and double chocolate cake.  The cost is $10 per person.  If you haven’t made your reservations please do so by 12:00 pm Tuesday, January 12th. 

Dr. Berman’s presentation will follow dinner and will include a question and answer session. 

This event is open to Master Masons only.  Should you have any questions, please contact me. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

               January 30 – Blue Lodge Breakfast & Cribbage Tournament

               February 3 – Annual meeting of Des Moines Consistory

               February 18 - 4° & 14° Degrees

               February 27 – Masonic Education Conference

               March 2 – Harry S. Barrows Reunion Kick-off

Shane A. Harshbarger

Scottish Rite Consistory

Office: 515-288-8927

Fax: 515-288-8929

Cell: 515-865-4727

Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa January 6, 2016     Announcing the passing of Brother William R. (Bill) Jensen, Sr., 32° KCCH

I regret to inform the members of the Des Moines Valley of the passing of William R. "Bill" Jensen, 84, on January 5, 2016 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. Visitation will be held Friday, January 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Masonic Service following at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA. The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 3010 52nd Street in Des Moines. Burial will be at the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines.  Bill was a lifelong resident of Des Moines, born on March 15, 1931, son of Niels and Edith (Olsen) Jensen. Bill's parents immigrated to the United States from Denmark. Bill grew up in Lee Township and was a proud graduate of Des Moines East High School, Class of 1949.  On April 1, 1949 Bill started his career at Crescent Chevrolet as a car jockey. He entered General Motors Institute of Technology in Flint, Michigan in 1950, eventually graduating after serving in the United States Air Force. Bill returned to Des Moines with his wife Joann where he resumed his career at Crescent Chevrolet assuming ownership in 1980 until his retirement in 2007 after selling the business. Bill also co-owned Jensen Auto Center in Pella until its sale in 2007. Bill was very active in his industry and community, a born leader with a generous heart. He was an active member at Grace Lutheran Church, Danish Brotherhood Lodge 15 where he was Past President, Iowa Automobile Dealers Association, Rotary Club of Des Moines (B.B.O.R.) and Do Something Different Once a Month Club. He was also a former long-time member of Hyperion Country Club. Bill was the 2003 Time Magazine Iowa Automobile Dealer of the Year, 2002 inductee into the East High School Hall of Fame, Past President of the East High School Alumni Association and East High School Alumni Foundation. Bill joined the Des Moines Scottish Rite bodies in August 1971 and was invested with the rank, honour and decoration of Knight Commander, Court of Honour in 2009.  Bill and his wife, Joann, were generous supporters of the "Friends of the Des Moines Consistory." Bill was a member of Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in Altoona and served as the Potentate in 1976.  He was a member of Home Lodge #370 and Acanthus #632.  He also belonged to Des Moines High Twelve Club, the Des Moines York Rite Bodies, and the Royal Order of Jesters.  He was a Past Director. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joann; children, Sherrie (Steve) Richey, Bill Jr. (Marti) Jensen, Julie (Dennis) McGowan and Jim (Amy) Jensen; grandchildren, Jess (Carla) Richey, Laura Jensen, David Richey, Scott Jensen, Kevin McGowan, Emily McGowan, Erica Jensen, Anders Jensen, Dane Jensen and Roy Jensen; great-grandchildren, Kaisa, JJ, Zander and Roman Richey. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Ruth Gladstone; brother, Niels Jensen, Jr.; step-mother, Myrtle Jensen; and step-sister, Ella Mae Estrem. Sincerely and Fraternally, Shane A. Harshbarger Secretary/Registrar - Des Moines Scottish Rite